Best Snorkeling Beaches In Maui – Imagine putting on a mask and walking straight from a golden sandy beach into the impenetrable waters of the Pacific Ocean. Suddenly, you are in a new world with beautiful coral gardens and tropical fish habitats.
In this complete guide to the best dives in Maui, you’ll learn the best places to dive from the beach to the crater, tips and tricks for getting started in Hawaii diving, safety information, and recommended tours of the best spots.
Best Snorkeling Beaches In Maui
In this guide, you’ll learn more about these amazing Maui sites, including where to find them, top tips, essential tools, travel options, and more.
Of The Best Snorkeling Spots In Hawaii
Before we jump into the best places to go, we recommend reading the following Maui getaway tips first to make sure you get the most out of it.
Unless you’re thinking of going on a cruise, we recommend that you bring your own swimming gear.
Diving equipment rentals in Maui can add up quickly, with prices ranging from $20 per day to $50 per week for medium equipment. These fees can sometimes exceed $100 per week on some beach machines!
Plus, bringing your own gear ensures that you can move whenever you want without having to worry about buying or paying rent.
Top 10 Beaches To Visit & Experience
The NPS estimates that 4,000-6,000 tons of sunlight damage our reefs each year, making them a popular tourist attraction.
Hawaii is the first state to mandate the sale of sunscreen. However, many “reef-safe” sunscreens still use harmful chemicals. Always check the ingredients before you buy and look for mineral sunscreens like the Stream2Sea product.
You can also reduce the amount of sunscreen you use by wearing long sleeves to protect yourself.
Coral reefs are very important. They provide habitat for millions of different species while protecting beaches from storms and erosion.
Best Beaches In Maui
Be careful not to touch or step on the coral while jumping. Not only is it easily broken, but touching it destroys its protective layer and exposes the coral to pathogens.
By following the principles of not leaving out details and respecting nature, we can help preserve the beauty of the ocean for future generations.
Respect the wildlife and do not touch any animal. Aquatic animals are very affected by the insects we carry, and even a small catch can cause serious damage.
Although swimming in Maui is safe, there are always risks when swimming in the ocean. You can reduce these risks by doing the following:
Best Snorkeling Spots In Hawaii In 2023
Although it is possible to snorkel in Maui during the day, some times are better than others.
The best time to snorkel in Maui is in the morning, about 1-2 hours after sunrise.
This means you’ll want to get to the beach early to get the best views and calm waters. Generally, the wind is less and therefore there is good water to dive in the morning.
However, if you get there too early, the sun is not high enough to provide valuable light. That is why it is better to wait a few hours after sunrise.
The Best Beaches For Snorkeling In Maui
Avoid diving during heavy rain or strong winds. During this time, visibility is reduced and water conditions can be very low.
Surrounded by a rainbow of vividly colored fish, the underwater scenery you’ll experience while snorkeling in Maui is simply amazing.
These are the moments that make your vacation in Hawaii even more special. Make sure you can capture these memories forever!
Depending on your skill level and interest in photography, there are different types of underwater cameras available to you. However, GoPro or similar cameras are smaller, more durable, and easier to use, while being more affordable.
The 8 Best Beaches For Kids On Maui (from A Maui Family)
Of all the Hawaiian Islands, Maui has the best diving spots. There are more protected areas and access to the beach than any other island, and the water is crystal clear.
The south and west coasts of Maui offer the best beaches for snorkeling because they are sheltered from the trade winds. In these areas, you will find calm and clear waters, along with a variety of marine life.
In fact, many eastern beaches are not suitable for diving. Strong changing currents and poor visibility make swimming and diving difficult and sometimes dangerous.
Molokini Crater is not only one of the best diving spots on Maui, but it is one of the best diving spots in the world!
Spots To Snorkel Near Kihei
As a marine reserve, the conditions are favorable and the reefs are teeming with underwater life. While snorkeling, you can see manta rays, sharks, turtles, and many tropical fish that live in the coral reefs.
Since this canyon is so far from the south coast of Maui, a boat trip is required for this snorkeling tour! There are several tour companies that offer diving trips to Molokini Crater.
Snorkeling Tip: Since this is one of the most popular tours on Maui, it fills up weeks in advance. Make sure you book early to avoid disappointment.
In a small area on the west side of Maui, clear water and precious coral gardens abound in Honolua Bay, the best place to visit in Maui.
Kama’ole Beach Park
As a Marine Life Conservation Area, it protects the millions of marine life that call it home. Therefore, you can expect to encounter strong, hot fish and turtles.
Be sure to pack your beach shoes, as well as your snorkel gear! The beach does not have sand, but instead is made up of onion rocks.
Snorkeling tours in Honolulu Bay are a popular option for visitors with limited time and equipment. However, the park is open to the public and can be accessed without a permit or tour.
Snorkel Tip: Check out the easy way to get to the best snorkeling spots in Honolulu Bay.
The Best Snorkeling Beaches In Maui (with Directions)
Instead of a real place, Turtle Town is Makena beach from Nahona Point to Onoli Black Sand Beach. The aptly named Turtle City is home to many Hawaiian green turtles.
Malwaka, with its golden sandy beaches, is considered the best swimming beach in Turtle City. Although turtles are often seen here, be aware that they are wild animals and therefore sightings are not guaranteed.
You will often see boats here as it is a popular place for diving trips. However, it is easily accessible from the beach. If you’re planning a snorkeling trip to Molokini Crater (which we highly recommend), you can stop at Turtle City.
Snorkeling Tip: For the best chance of seeing turtles, go to the lava rocks at the end of the beach.
Big Beach (maui)
Just take a look at the aerial photo of Olowalu above and below and you’ll see why this beach deserves to be included in our top 5 places to dive in Maui!
Olowalu Beach, also known as Turtle Reef, contains 100 acres of the oldest reef in the Hawaiian Islands.
The special gem that grows here is a beautiful coral garden, full of various marine life and huge coral heads that have existed for hundreds of years.
There’s also a manta ray sanctuary, a black tip shark nursery, and frequent turtle sightings, so it’s a great place to see lots of marine life.
Top 10 Maui Snorkeling Spots In Maui
For those who love adventure, the best diving trips are offered here, many of which include kayaking. It is not required, of course, but it can provide a better experience than relying on the skill of the average operator.
Olowalu offers the only large rock sheltered from the trade winds, so it’s one of the few places on Maui worth climbing during the day.
Swimming Tips: The beach is very shallow which means you won’t be able to swim here at low tide, so make sure you check the tide times before you visit.
Located on the west coast of Maui and accessible only by boat, the Coral Garden is a true underwater treasure. With crystal clear water that is visible up to 40 feet and an abundance of marine life, it’s no wonder Coral Gardens is one of Maui’s best snorkeling spots.
Hamoa Beach. Hana.maui, Hawaii
Like many places in Hawaii, the coral reefs were formed by volcanic activity. More than 500,000 years ago, lava flowed out of the Mauna Kahalawai Valley and into the ocean, forming the lava fingers.
Among the large heads of coral, you can expect to see a variety of tropical fish including triggerfish, butterflyfish, angelfish and parrotfish. Lucky people can swim alongside an endangered Hawaiian sea turtle.
Napili Bay is one of Maui’s most beautiful swimming beaches. The area is well protected by calm and shallow waters, making it an ideal destination for various beginners and families.
There is not as much coral here as other snorkel sites. However, the rocky ledges at the end of the beach provide an abundance of marine life and are particularly well-seen.
Top 20 Hawaii Snorkeling Spots
The golden sands of Uluwa and Mokapo Beach are separated from the beach by rocky cliffs. It is at the edge of the cliff that you will find it
West maui snorkeling beaches, best snorkeling beaches oahu, best snorkeling beaches maui, best beaches for snorkeling maui, best snorkeling beaches kauai, good snorkeling beaches in maui, best snorkeling beaches in aruba, best snorkeling tour in maui, best snorkeling in maui, snorkeling beaches in maui, best snorkeling beach in maui, best snorkeling spots in maui
