The Top 10 Best Snorkeling Spots in Maui

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A great option for snorkeling at Ka’anapali Beach is this half-day snorkel adventure.

1. Molokini Crater

The best place in Mokuleia Bay to spot marine life is the right side of the bay. There you have the chance to see sea turtles, rays, parrotfish, needlefish, and more.

2. Turtle Town

While tourism is not ideal for many destinations, it’s also a reality that it isn’t going anywhere. We totally agree that it is important that tourism to Hawai’i be responsible, so we’ve always been here to provide info that helps people experience it as responsibly as possible. People will always be looking for this kind of information, so we aim to be the first resource they will see, one that encourages them to enjoy Hawai’i ethically.
There’s little visibility on the shore, so you’ll have to venture out to the right or left of the beach, following the coral reef, to find fish, turtles, and other sea life. There might also be charter boats bringing people to see turtles, so follow those for a good shot at also seeing them.
sergeant majors, and saddleback wrasse swimming around the vibrant corals. Make sure to give the animals plenty of space in their habitat!
On either side of the bay there are coral reefs that are a dream to check out by snorkeling. Here you’ll be able to see butterflyfish, peacock groupers, yellow tang, and potentially some octopus and manta rays.

3. Napili Bay

If you decide to drive the Road to Hana, you’ll find Ho’okipa Beach at mile marker 9. This is a peaceful place to enjoy an afternoon relaxing on the sand, but it’s also a stellar snorkeling location. Ho’okipa is known for having an abundance of Hawaiian green sea turtles, which like to spend time near the shore.

4. Wailea Beach

This is one of the most popular snorkeling spots on Maui, and you’ll see why when you go. The coral reef is near Black Rock, where you can actually hear whales singing underwater during humpback whale season because of the lava formations that allow the sound to bounce off.
Ready to slip into some fins? Wait, we have to decide where to go first! Start with this list of the absolute best places to snorkel in Maui:

5. Honolua Bay

If you don’t want to venture out to the reef by swimming there, you can also go by boat or on a tour, like this Honolua Bay snorkel and sail tour.
Napili Bay is capped on both ends by rocky shores, with a soft sand beach in the middle. On any given day, you’ll see plenty of people enjoying the mild waves: bodysurfing, swimming, paddleboarding, and of course snorkeling. The best spot to snorkel here is on the left side of the bay (when facing the sea), where you’ll find a small reef under the surface.
The beach at Mokuleia Bay is a bit more rugged than other touristy spots on Maui, which can be a huge plus if you want to snorkel somewhere that is more secluded.
When in Hawai’i, there are special considerations to keep in mind, including leave-no-trace principles that should be applied every time you enjoy the great outdoors:

6. Kapalua Bay

Since the waves can get pretty big here, make sure to be aware of the conditions before you head out to snorkel. It’s a great spot on a calm day, but it can be dangerous if the water is rough.

If you’re a strong swimming and don’t mind spending some time looking for marine life, Wailea Beach is a great place to snorkel. As it is also quite popular, it has plenty of places to rent snorkeling gear.
This epic snorkeling destination gets its name from the abundance of green sea turtles that you’ll find there. You also might be able to spot parrotfish, Hawaiian state fish, yellow tang, Achilles tang,

7. Ho’okipa Beach

8. Hanakao’o (Canoe Beach)

Consider this tour of West Maui that includes snorkeling at Kapalua Bay and hiking nearby.

9. Ka’anapali Beach

Keep in mind, though, that Honolua Bay is only safe to snorkel when the tide is low and the water is calm. Check the snorkeling conditions before you go, and don’t swim out to the reef if the waves are too rough. After all, you will have to swim out from the shore to get to either of the reefs.
Some of Maui’s most beautiful scenes are in the sea. Sure, the mountains are breathtaking and the waterfalls are amazing, but there’s something magical about seeing coral reefs teeming with marine life, almost like small cities underwater, with their own intricate systems. Hawai’i’s magnificent biodiversity shines under the ocean’s surface, and one of the best ways to witness it is by snorkeling.

10. Mokuleia Bay

If snorkeling is high on your list of things to do in Hawai’i, consider also checking out the Big Island’s snorkeling spots as well.
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Travel Responsibly in Hawai’i

You’ll reach the gorgeous Honolua Bay after walking along a peaceful path through the forest. Once you get there, you’ll notice that this isn’t the typical sandy Hawaiian beach you had in mind, given its smooth rocks and absence of sand.

• Never touch, approach, or chase wildlife, This includes turtles and dolphins.
• Reduce or eliminate your reliance on plastic, as Hawai’i has stopped recycling it.
• Only wear reef-safe sunscreen. Hawai’i’s reefs have been significantly damaged due to sunscreen.
• Always respect signage asking you to keep away from cultural sites, even if other people are disrespecting it.
• Keep in mind that you are a guest, and follow all local health guidelines and rules.

On the west side of Maui lies Hanakao’o Beach, or Canoe Beach as locals call it. You’ll see lots of outrigger canoes on the shore, which is how it got its nickname. It’s a great place to swim, hang out on the shore, and of course snorkel. To the left of the beach is where sea turtles are spotted most frequently, but almost anywhere you swim out to will have abundant fish and plant life to see.

One awesome way to experience snorkeling at Turtle Town is to kayak there from the shore, which you can do on this Turtle Town kayak and snorkel tour.

Many snorkeling excursions to Molokini Crater offer a stop at Turtle Town, because it’s also offshore and the two places are close together. You can visit Turtle Town on its own, however.
The lava rock formations on either end of Kapalua Bay are thriving with marine life, making this an excellent snorkeling spot. If you go early in the morning, you might be able to see some sea turtles on the left side of the cove. However, the far end of the right side has the best reef, and you’ll see more fish there. Look out for needlefish, parrotfish, and butterflyfish, among many others.
This breathtaking bay is an awesome place to snorkel most of the year. Avoid doing so in the winter, as the sea conditions can be too choppy to be able to swim safely. Considering that you’ll have to swim out about 30-40 feet before you see anything, rough waves are less than ideal.
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