Maui Snorkeling Map

Honolua Bay

Honolua Bay is located on the Northern-most corner of West Maui. This is one of Maui's best snorkel spots. During the summer months, visibility tends to be incredible. There are plenty of fish here and the area is a marine reserve, so feel free to enjoy but only take with you what you brought in.

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Kapalua Bay

Kapalua beach has been called the world's best beach by several travel publications. Generally calm waters with good visibility means Kapalua is a great beach for the whole family. Great snorkeling starts about twenty yards off the beach.

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Napili Bay

Napili Bay offers about a quarter mile long crescent of soft sand for sunbathing, playing and just lounging. The entire bay is protected by a reef about thirty yards out that makes for great snorkeling. The waves that reach the beach are generally small in the summer months making this a great family Maui beach.

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Kahekili - Airport Beach

This spot features one of the longest stretches of uninterrupted sand beach in West Maui. There is a reef located just off shore that can offer up some great snorkeling. Be sure to visit this beach early in the morning, it is unprotected from strong winds that often pick up after 11 AM.

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Kaanapali - Black Rock Beach

Ka'anapali is the best West Maui beach for people watching. Kaanapali is where all of the largest hotels and condos are as well as great food and shopping at Whaler's Village. At the North end of the beach you will find Black Rock which offers great snorkeling and great opportunities to swim with Hawaiian sea turtles.

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Wahikuli Beach Park

Wahikuli Beach Park is located directly in between Lahaina and Kaanapali, right off of Highway 30. Calm waters make for good swimming and you will also find BBQ and picnic facilities readily available. It does feel a little strange to be right next to the highway though.

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Olowalu - 14 Mile Marker

Considered by many to be some of the best snorkeling in Maui, Olawalu offers acres of coral to explore while looking for interesting Maui sea life. Sometimes called Mile Marker 14 that's what you look for as you head South from Lahaina.

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Coral Gardens

Coral Gardens is very hard to access by foot. Many afternoon snorkel tours use this area when it is too rough to go to Molokini. The snorkeling here is awesome and the area is mostly protected from the strong afternoon Maui winds. This is often a good place to see sea turtles.

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Kamaole Beach 1,2 and 3

Kamaole Beaches 1, 2 and 3 are all located along South Kihei Rd in Kihei. These sandy stretches of beach are separated by rock outcroppings. You will find that these areas offer the best snorkeling off of these Maui beaches. Shopping and a number of great restaurants are located close by as well.

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Ulua and Mokapu Beaches

The point separating Mokapu and Ulua beaches offers a great opportunity for snorkeling in the Wailea area. This is a great South Maui family beach with the water remaining generally calm. As usual the earlier you get out the better for snorkeling, but it also helps as the parking here sometimes fills up.

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Polo and Wailea Beaches

Head past Wailea and look for the Kea Lani Hotel turn toward the ocean and follow the beach access signs. This is where you will find Polo Beach. A sandy beach gives comfort for the whole family. To the right side of this beach you will find coral formations and tons of fish.

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Five Caves - Makena

This can be a great spot, but it is not recommended for beginners. Getting in and out of the water can be tricky here and the distances you must swim to get to the best snorkeling are often great. You can expect to encounter turtles and a wide variety of marine life as well as interesting lava formations.

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Molokini Crater

Ok, so this isn't a beach at all. In fact it is not even part of Maui. Molokini is a volcanic calderra located off the Maui coast. The only way to get there is by boat, but it is some of the best snorkeling available anywhere in the world. Visibility often reaches 150 feet of depth. There are many choices for taking a boat to Molokini, but we suggest the Quicksilver through Maui Vacation Network for the best all round time.

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Ahihi Kinau Reserve

Ahihi Kinau is another marine preserve offering calm waters and a ton of fish. You can make this area a stop on your way to La Perouse, or you could easily spend a day exploring all the different snorkel spots around Ahihi Kinau.

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La Perouse

This spot requires a fairly demanding hike over lava rock to get to. La Perouse is located at the Southern tip of Maui where the road ends past Makena. For those who choose to hike there, it is often some of the best snorkeling in Maui. If you are really lucky you may even get to swim with dolphins.

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