Where is the best hotel to stay to have easy access to swimming with the turtles? I saw a hotel in a small bay in kaanapali but can't remember the name of it. Thanks!!!!!

You can see turtles at the Black Rock, the beach at the Sheraton on Kaanapali.

Best place is "Turtle Town" (tons of turtles there!) on the South Shore, but no hotel right in front of it. You have to swim from shore for maybe 30-50 yards to get to it. Or take a boat tour, usually one that goes to Molikini with a stopover at Turtle Town on the way back. We did the boat tour once, and then figured out where Turtle Town was and from then on, just swam there on our own from the shore. I highly recommend the boat tour run by the Pacific Whale Foundation.

we saw loads of turtles when we stayed at what was then called the Maui Prince. I think it is now the Makena Resort. It's in South Maui.

Remember -DO NOT attempt to touch the turtles, no matter how tempting it might be. It's bad for them and you too.

Almost every time we snorkel at the Kamaole beaches in Kihei we see turtles.

Kihei area, for sure, but you can see them on west shore, too. I agree with JC98 -- you're very likely to see them on the way back from Molokini.

The name of the beach that fronts the Makena Beach Resort is called Maluaka. Lots of turtles.

The rocky area to the left of Makena Landing in front of the first two or three houses is swarming with them.

We've stayed at the Sheraton in Kaanapali, which is right on Black Rock. Plenty of turtles each day, you're almost bumping into them in the water.

We stayed at the Maui Prince as well and did not realize the turtles were so close. We went on a scuba tour and they brought us back in front of our hotel to Molokini. There were tons of turtles there at that time. As we found later in the week, it was an easy swim to see them on your own. Enjoy!

You'll see them many places offshore on Maui. Maluaka is one of the most beautiful and quiet beaches. Also Ulua, Keawakapu, and the Kamaole Beach Parks in South Kihei. The trouble with Black Rock is that it is THE snorkeling spot for all the tall elevator buildings along Kaanapali that are built 'on sand', but not with good swimming or snorkeling. Also try the Maui Ocean Center in Maalaea to see sealife unique to Hawaii.

Never touch the turtles or pursue them. Do not stand on the coral. Do not harass sleeping dolphins on those nasty tours that invite you to 'swim with the dolphins'.

My sons know they are not allowed to touch the turtles and should keep their distance, but there was a turtle that stuck to them like glue while they were playing in the surf at the Sheraton next to Black Rock. It was the cutest thing I've ever seen. Even when they changed locations that turtle would pop up right next to them when the next wave came in.

Is it possible to see the turtles without going swimming?

Nelsonian, most of the turtles I see are on the beach.

http://tolucantimes.info/section/ins...sheraton-maui/

We rented a condo at Kahana Sunset and turtles swam right up to the sea wall. No need to even get in the water to get a great view (though you can do that too, if you want to). We were very happy with our stay there. There is a small beach on the property, but also very close to larger beaches at Napili and Kapalua.

I'd probably stay at Napili. There's a small point right off the beach that we always called Turtle Point. It is very easy to see them pop their heads up from the reef but also fun to see them while snorkeling.

http://www.napilishores.com