mofarmerchick

Odin - thanks for the info - I like being prepared for conditions before I embark - if I prepare for the worst then I can only be pleasantly surprised.

I don't mind deep water as long as I'm still close to shore - if I have wandered too far from shore into deep water I tend to get a bit nervous.

Odin

Molokini and Turtle Town are boat excursions so you would be far from the shore but close to the boat & other people when snorkelling. La Perouse is not deep and can be accessed from a particular access point on the shore.

sylvia3

The whole point of Molokini is the deep visibility; I never saw any great amounts of fish (did it twice), but that can depend on where your boat sits. (I also thought it was WAY too crowded; but worth doing for the visibility)
You can see "Turtle town" (well, the same turtles that boats call Turtle Town or Arches) from a hotel beach (and there's parking and restrooms; go past the Maui Prince and turn into the road with the beach access sign. Go early! Really nice beach, pretty good snorkeling at the south point).
Primary La Perouse Bay access is a path that goes back past a house and on to a lava flow, then past several tide pools; many places to stop. That definately might be one for a buddy trip, though.

sylvia3

p.s. the best snorkeling at La Perouse Bay needs a little research; a copy of Maui Revealed is a good purchase for anyone visiting the island.

1dash1

mofarmerchick:

Ditto what Odin said. Summer water temperatures off of Maui run between the mid- to high-70's. Summer water temperatures in the Carribean run in the mid-80's.

While not particularly cold, the cooler water may chill you after you've been in it a few hours.

If you're planning on being in the water all day, you might consider getting a swim shirt/rash guard. (There are all sorts of models with different characteristics. The thicker they are, the greater the insulation - but are bulkier and less comfortable. The thinner ones offer greater comfort, but with reduced protection.)

1dash1

P.S. A few more snorkeling tips:
http://www.fodors.com/world/north-am...y_2201567.html

I'm a Big Island resident, so I don't have any personal comments on where to dive on Maui.

montereybob

I agree with1dash1 that a rash guard shirt is the perfect thing for Hawaiian waters. All the dive shops have em.

sylvia3

Got mine at Target! Best thing for snorkeling ever; no sunburn, stay warm, flop on a boogie board with abandon.
p.s. DH wears a nylon running shirt that cost way less and does the exact job.

mofarmerchick

Thanks once again all for the input - I knew Molokini was a boat trip - it will be my one splurge snorkel trip. Kinda wondering now though as I am less a fan of deep visibility than I am of lots of fishes. This is great info to have up front so I don’t “waste” my money on a snorkel trip I will where I will be disappointed.

Sylvia3 – thanks for the tip on Maui Revealed – I had wanted a recommendation for a good book to purchase prior to my trip – thanks so much.

Anyone have any experience with a downloadable book Maui Snorkeling Guide eBook by Galen & Nicole Atkins. Ttheir web site is www.tropicalsnorkeling.com). If it lives up to their claims it sounds like it could be an awesome travel tool.

1dash1 – thanks for the tip on the swim shirt. I have a shorty wetsuit and a full length lycra suit I had planned on bringing but I may check out the shirts at Target (thanks for another great tip sylvia3!). And thanks for the link - tons of great information there!

I really can’t thank you all enough for all the great tips – I foresee a GREAT vacation in my future!

gigib

I know what you mean about seeing lots of fishies. I am a fan of Kapalua Bay, lots of people there and it can be very calm, lots of things to see.

Also an excellent place is Ahihi-Kinau reserve, before you get to La Perouse. You enter in a lava cove (you will know you are there by seeing the other snorkelers). Unfortunately, the best sightings (lots of turtles) are out of the cove and to the left, but there's always someone out there.

Lately we've noticed something about the usual wisdom of going out early, the fish don't seem to wake up and move around until there's been some sun, around 9:00 and later. Anyone else noticed this?

Have fun, Maui is a great place to snorkel, LOTS of life in the water.

sylvia3

The conundrum; get somewhere early enough for a parking/beach spot, but wait for the sun to get high enough for super visibility.
But we still see plenty at the crack of...well, 8:00 a.m.

mofarmerchick

gigib - thanks for the info. I have to admit I will feel much safer if there are other people around while I'm snorkeling (although hopefully at some places not TOO many people).

And to both gigib and sylvia3 - especially thanks for the heads up about not getting there TOO early - I am one of those "if early is better then really early must be better still" people so this info may be the difference between me thinking that Maui snorkeling is terrible vs thinking there are lots of fishes with which to swim in Maui!

sylvia3 - My copy of Maui Revealed came over the weekend - really getting psyched for my trip now!!! Thanks for the tip!

catsandra777

I enjoyed reading everyone's input and yes sometimes we have to do our snorkling by ourself. I come with a husband but he golf's while I do the snorkling. To say we always should have a two some is unreal. So I enjoyed reading the solo snorkling and yes the water in Hawaii is cold compared to the caribean by far but not as cold as California water.

mofarmerchick

Catsandra777,

Thanks for your assurance - I leave day after tomorrow and I have to admit I've still been worrying a bit about snorkeling alone. Another reassuring voice of someone who has done it and survived is VERY much appreciated!

Belinda

gigib

Aloha to you mofarmerchick, we hope you fall in love with Maui. Write when you get back and tell us about your trip and all the fishies you see. My husband and I leave day after tomorrow as well, going to the Big Island this time, nothing but snorkeling.

nobigdeal

Belinda, I'm hoping to do a Kauai solo trip this winter, and I plan to snorkel as well. I don't think I've ever done it alone, but was considering how I'd change my behavior. Other than maybe sticking a bit closer to shore and other snorkelers, I'm not sure what else to do. Please report back -- I'd love to hear how it went for you and what you advise. I may give Snorkel Bob's a call when I get there, just to pick their brain, as they may have some tips that I wouldn't think of.

Regarding the rash guard, I'd like to hear if others think I would I be OK snorkeling for a while in that (in February/March)? I was planning to buy a long-sleeve one, so was glad to see those recommendations here. I've never needed anything for my previous trips (in May/July/September), but think I might start to get a bit chilly in winter.

nanabee

The only advice I can give if you are swimming alone is to swim at guarded beaches.
The other thing is to ask the experts at the local dive/surf shops because they can help you out with lots of local information regarding surf, rip currents, any unknown dangers.
You should be fine.

nanabee

http://www.kiheibeachbums.com/snorkel.php

mfc:
One of the problems with visitors to beaches they aren't familiar with are the presence of underwater and strong currents or rivers that are powerful and strong and will simply pull you under and out to sea. This is why even snorkeling with a friend might not necessarily help, and why I would ONLY snorkel or swim at a beach that has life guards.

mofarmerchick

nobigdeal,

Back from Maui and snorkeling alone was not as scary as I thought. BUT, I was very careful to only snorkel places where there were other people - even if they were just hanging out on the beach I would like to think someone would try to help me if I cried for help. Also, if the water looked at all intimidating I did not snorkel if there were not other people doing so.

I did get to snorkel The Dumps with two lovely local ladies who gave me the inside scoop and kept an eye on me - thank you ladies!

I snorkeled in just a swimsuit and never got the least bit cold.

For anyone going to Maui to snorkel, I definitely recommend a trip to Molokini - that was the only "good" snorkeling in my opinion. Visibility in Maui is very poor compared to other places I've been except at Molokini.

nobigdeal

Thanks for the follow-up, appreciate the information! Hope you had a wonderful trip!