Maui offers some great snorkeling, whether that be boat accessed on a snorkel excursion from a catamaran or a self-guided adventure off the shores of Maui, there is a lot to see and experience. Snorkeling is a great way to discover a whole other world just below the surface for both seasoned and first time snorkelers of all ages.
There are plenty of companies that offer day trips usually with gear, a meal, and drinks included. Concierge services and information booths located all over the island are available to assist with booking. Snorkeling excursions are not only great for hopping in the water and discovering but also give you an opportunity to see Maui from a totally different perspective looking in at the land rather than out at the ocean. You will really appreciate the views provided by this type of activity and if you are lucky during the winter months, you just might get a visit from our majestic humpback whales while cruising to your next snorkel location.
Another more affordable way to see ocean life is to go out from one of the many beaches on Maui. Typically you will find this to be a less crowded snorkeling experience. If you don't have your own snorkel gear you can easily rent some from several shops on island. Below are some great locations to check out if you are wanting to have your own adventure.
Snorkel Locations
SOUTH MAUI
1. LA PEROUSE BAY - Best to go early in the morning being mindful or the tides and sharp volcanic rocks underfoot. Common to see pods of spinner dolphins early in the morning.
2. MAKENA LANDING BEACH PARK - offers great views and has bathroom/shower facilities. Good spot to see large sea turtles, and various marine life.
WEST MAUI
1. HONOLUA BAY - short jungle walk, rock entrance, both right and left sides of the bay are great for coral, tropical fish, turtles, and sometimes dolphins in the early part of the day.
2. MAKULEI'A (Slaughterhouse) Beach - sand entrance, both sides have coral, tropical fish and some sea turtles. Best on calm water days.
3. KAPALUA BAY - Popular tourist beach with soft white sand and calmer waters due to lava flow that now protects the area from the choppy ocean. North side of the bay offers some great snorkeling.
4. MILE MARKER 14 - At the 14 mile marker sits Olowalu between Ma'alaea and Lahaina. You need to swim out from shore a bit in order to see the vast coral formations, tropical fish, and sea turtles.
Ocean Safety
Before venturing out on your own make sure you are ocean ready and prepared. Not educating yourself on the ocean currents, water conditions and marine life can cost you. Make sure you are always aware of your surroundings and keeping your eye on the ocean. As a general reminder, WHEN IN DOUBT DON'T GO OUT! Here are some tips to prepare you and keep you safe on your snorkel adventure:
1. HAVE A BUDDY - don't go out alone, a buddy system enables you to watch out for each other and share the experience together!
2. KNOW YOUR LIMITS - if you know you aren't a strong swimmer don't go out where the waves are high and currents are strong.
3. ASK A LIFEGUARD - many beaches have lifeguard stations. They are here to answer any questions you may have and educate you on the ocean in that area.
4. CHECK CONDITIONS - If there has been a lot of rain, the surf is up, and waves are high it's probably not a good idea to go out. Visibility is not very good for snorkeling during these times and it can be dangerous as rocks and coral could be close by. The snorkel store offers a daily snorkel report for the 3 main areas of the island. This is a great tool to use if you are visiting and aren't sure if it's a good idea to go out. You can find them on Instagram @thesnorkelstore
5. PROTECT YOUR SKIN - your back and shoulders can really crisp up when snorkeling. Wear appropriate sunscreen and even wear a rash guard to protect your skin if you have one.
6. BE MINDFUL OF MARINE LIFE AND CORAL - Eco systems are very delicate and with high volumes of tourists it is important to protect this precious underwater world. DO NOT touch any marine life. It can be harmful to them and is in most cases against the law. Coral life takes many years to form and is very fragile. DO NOT step on or rest on the coral. If you need to rest you should take out some sort of floatation device to keep you afloat and let you rest.
