Pēpē’s Top West Maui Snorkel Spots
Aloha from Maui, Pēpē again with some more local Maui knowledge. I have been adventuring all the beaches on West Maui to bring you the best spots to snorkel in paradise. Maui is the number 1 place to snorkel in Hawaii and I can assure you that you won’t be disappointed with its beautiful marine life.
Black Rock (Ka’anapali) - Very popular spot for all things beach goers love! Snorkeling, rock jumping, shopping (Whalers Village) & eating (Monkey Pod). At Black Rock you’ll be able to snorkel with beautiful tropical fish in the crystal clear water & maybe even spot a turtle or two. The coral stretches about 25ft around the rock point, where you will see dare-devils jumping from above. Just be cautious of other snorkelers as the current can get pretty strong the further you swim out & there are no life guards.
Honolua Bay (North West) - This famous surf spot is not just for surfers. This will be classed as advanced snorkeling as there is no beach to enter, just a rocky shoreline. Make sure you check the surf report for a nice calm day & be ready for a short hike into the bay. Once you get out there you’ll be seeing white sand & beautiful marine life. The beauty isn’t just below as you also get a great view of the island of Moloka’i. The easiest way to snorkel at the bay is by booking a ride on one of the many snorkel boats that offer day trips to this beautiful bay!
Turtle Reef (Olowalu) - This spot stretches just off Honoapiilani Highway about 5 miles south of Lahaina. The coral is very close to shore so you don’t have to swim out far & can be very shallow at times so be careful of the tides. Olowalu has one of the biggest and unique corral formations on the island. Its name doesn’t lie, you are sure to see beautiful fish, Hawaiian green sea turtles & there has even been a few manta ray sightings.
Airport Beach (Kahekili Beach Park) - This thriving coral reef follows the sandy shoreline making it easy to get in & out of the water on calm days. Start swimming north towards the Honua Kai Resort to spot tropical fish & even turtles. If you are visiting during whale season (December through March) then you might even get to hear them sing underwater, just listen out for a mooing cow sound (I too make this sound when I am hungry!). Did you know only the male whales sing?
Napili Bay (North Kapalua) - This is a great beginners spot on calm days as the water is not too deep. The visibility is crystal clear & the current is generally calm. Not as much coral as some of the other spots but the turtles can be seen feeding along the rocks. The tide pools on the south end are worth checking out too. This is a great family beach for relaxing or boogie boarding & be sure to check out the Seahouse located on the North end of the beach for a great place to eat & watch sunset with all your ohana.
Please be aware this post is just for general information purposes only, and not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers/swimmers with information that will enable them to engage in safe & enjoyable snorkeling. Before entering the water please check to see if a lifeguard is on duty & enter at your own risk. Please research the sea/currents conditions and hazards of your location & the daily weather report before entering the water. Please respect our Hawaiian marine life! Please keep your distance from the marine creatures, with no touching or feeding as this is illegal in Maui County. Please no standing on the reef & be aware of your surroundings while snorkeling as the reefs are very important to Hawaii’s ecosystem. The currents can be very strong & change quickly no matter how calm the ocean might look so always be aware of your surroundings & if in doubt don't go out.
Mahalo, Pepe.
