Snorkeling on Maui
 

I'm sure there are tons but any suggestions for areas to snorkel on Maui? I'm not really looking for snorkeling "tours" but would be interested in places where I could snorkel myself from the coast or rent a boat to head out slightly to get some better snorekling. Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks.

On the west Maui side there is black rock at the Sheraton, a beach park adjacent to the Westin villas (Kai Ala Rd I believe) Honolua Bay (very popular and Fleming state beach. I am not sure but maybe you can go off of Mala wharf in Lahaina (I went in from a boat there) I do recommend Pacific Whale Foundation Lanai snorkel trip, if you want an organized day of snorkeling.

I just was there on Maui last week. :)

We had some great snorkaling at Ulua Beach. There is parking nearby, outdoor rinse showers and bathrooms on site.

The south end of the beach in front of the Maui Prince hotel, in south Maui is called "Turtle Town". All the commercials tours go there, but you can easily snorkel there from the beach. There is a small parking lot just south of the hotel.

Haha that term turtle town always made me laugh. I wonder, who is the mayor of turtle town?

We went to an amazing place. Past Kapalua on the main road heading west. A few miles of winding roads and there will be cars parked on the left side of the road - not an official parking lot. Park there and walk through the path in the woods. You will come to a rock beach and it is a great bay to snorkel in. Some of the organized trips bring groups here, but if you get there before mid morning it is great. No bathrooms or anything like that.

That would be Honolua Bay. Can be a long swim out for some people, and it was fairly murky when I was there. All in all, the snorkeling is much easier on the south end of Maui.

We visited in April and the snorkeling off the beach at our hotel was as good as any "tour" I've been on to - Molokini and other spots -(Westin Ocean Villas) and also the beach at black rock is very good right off the beach. Bring your own mask and explore!

Snorkel Bob's on Maui has a free guide that you can pick up that shows the best snorkeling spots. Or see it online:

http://www.snorkelbob.com/cgi-local/...af7+1365732005

One place not in the guide which impressed us was Red Sand Beach in Hana. It's a protected cove in front of the Hotel Hana Maui and the number of fish just off the beach can be astounding.

Just returned form a 7-day trip to Maui filled with morning snorkels (Honolua Bay, Kapalua Bay, Old Airport Beach, Black Rock, Wailea, Little Beach, the Dumps and Molokini). Have snorkeled other spots as well on a previous visit.

Good sources of Maui snorkel info are
http://www.bossfrog.com/maui-snorkel-map.php
and
http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/Hawaii/Maui/index.htm
which also supplies photos, GPS coordinates and Google map links

We have never snorkeled and have what probably will be a silly question, but going to ask it anyway. Do you have to know how to swim to snorkel? I can float, dog paddle swim, but that is it, and we are headed to Maui in a few weeks. I'm fine if I can touch bottom. Are there places that one can stand in and snorkel? We will be staying at Westin resort and I wondered if there are such places around that are not as deep.

Reply to ((#))<font color="blue">shine<font color="black">,
Agree with <font color="blue">Suzie<font color="black">'s above location as somewhere you could dog((&amp;))paddle snorkel.

Suggest practicing with a snorkel and mask in a pool or other calm water before trying to snorkel in the ocean if possible. Some snorkel boat tour operators may have a viewer and floatation device where you can see what is underwater without submerging and snorkeling.

You might consider contacting Snorkel Bob's or Maui Dive shop for more info. and instruction. :S-</font></font></font></font>

You can rent a vest to keep you afloat, but please remember not to touch the coral with your fins.

The best snorkeling isn't on Maui, you have to step off of Maui and get into the ocean.

Stay out of the water around sunrise and sunset, and don't swim in murky water.

Maui Dive Shop's (MDS) morning cruise to Molokini (and Turtle Town) is one of the better deals on the Island. And, they let you keep the snorkeling equipment for the entire day.

I am going to Maui in January and have been mulling over the Molokini snorkeling trip. It is worth going? Do you think the water will be too cold for snorkeling in January out in the ocean?

Ahihi Cove is also a good place. It's a marine reserve. It's south of Makena. It's great snorkelling, unless there is big surf. The coral appears to be less vibrant than it was 3 years ago and thus there are less fish. However, it was still pretty good and easy to access. In the past, we have gone on Trilogy Excursions to both Lanai and Molikini. The snorkelling has been great. Although a wee bit expensive compared to other tour groups, we had a fabulous time.

bookmarking. Thanks!

Our family was in Maui last week and had amazing snorkelling complete with turtles in chest deep water at Black Rock in front of Sheraton. Our 12 year old who wasn't confident to snorkel stood with goggles on and was within hands reach of fish and turtles ! We also snorkelled in very calm and close waters in front of Westin Villas. Fantastic clear, warm waters where non-swimmers could see and enjoy !!

Do you know anything about Sugar Beach and how windy it is there on Maui near Kehei?

Thanks

Sugar Beach is windy. Your first clue will be the windsurfers there. There is also nothing to see snorkeling, and the water can be murky. Not good to swim/snorkel in murky water. (sharks)

Thanks -

Even if you're a first-timer, snorkeling in Hawaii is a "must." The crystal clear, aqua water provides unsurpassed views of fish, turtles, rays, eels, urchins, dolphins and more. And since some of the underwater wildlife is unique to the islands, you'll have an experience that cannot be reproduced elsewhere. But where to go? There is a full write-up of the best snorkeling beaches at http://www.theinsidertravelguides.co...Snorkeling.htm

I am going to Maui in 2 months and can't stop myself to jump in with a few questions...

What about Kapalua Beach? Is it ok to explore ourselves?

We are still debating if we should join one of those day tours.

Go on your own. go to any beach, walk to either end, snorkel around the rocks. The turtles are everywere. if you do see a turtle, grab the sea weed that looks like dark green lettuce, go very slow, and hold it out. they may just be inclined to have a snack. We got one to take some from our hands near black rock. we were able to run our fingers down the shell as he passed by. just go slow, if the swim away, LEAVE THEM ALONE. there is no need to harass them.

I'm sorry, but the sea turtles are an endangered species and you should never be feeding them or touching them. You ARE harrassing them by getting that close. Don't do it. Keep 20 feet away.

I knew that was coming.
Harass: (1): to annoy persistently (2): to create an unpleasant or hostile situation for especially by uninvited and unwelcome verbal or physical conduct

I have seen many people harass the sea turtles. When you are kayaking and you hear a thump on your boat, look down and see a turtle, I do not think lightly touching the shell is harassment. When you are snorkeling and preoccupied with all the sights, then out of the corner of your eye you see a turtle eating seaweed about 5 feet away, it is hard not to pick some up and hold it out. If they swim up to you and take it, it is not harassment. Yes I do agree it is best for them to have no contact with humans. But when you snorkel 3 or 4 times a week for 2 years, opportunities happen.

jlm, as I was typing that response, I wondered if I was being too harsh. I know you didn't mean any harm to the turtles, and most likely didn't cause any. And I hope to see turtles myself when I go snorkling this September. If they swim near me, that would be very cool.

But you were encouraging snorklers to get too close to the turtles, or to try to lure them closer and this is dangerous. You don't really know if your touch is disturbing, or even if you carry some bacteria that is harmful to the turtle.

Here's a quote from Hawaii's state marine resources website:
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Q. How close can I get to whales, dolphins, seals and turtles?
A. Except for humpback whales (see above), there is no law specifying the minimum distance people can approach a marine mammal or sea turtle. However, getting close to these animals may constitute a federal or state violation if the animal is disturbed or if your action has the potential to disturb its natural behavioral patterns. NOAA and DLNR recommend, for your safety and the animals' protection, that everyone stay at least 150 feet from all marine mammals and sea turtles. If maintaining this distance isn't possible, keep safety in mind and move away from the animal as carefully as possible, avoiding sudden movements and other actions that might disturb the animal. For wildlife viewers, please enjoy from a distance - use binoculars and telephoto lenses to get the best views without disturbing the wildlife.
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