The Best Snorkeling Maui Has to Offer: From Napili Bay to Molokini Crater and Everything In Between
Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle in Coral Gardens, Maui, Hawaii
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The Best Snorkeling Beaches In Maui
Maui, particularly West Maui snorkeling is by far the best snorkeling in the US. Never snorkeled before? No problem! There are many awesome Maui snorkeling spots, including some great beaches for beginners, families, intermediate, and even advanced snorkelers. This guide will take you through the region and show you the best beaches with clear ocean waters where you’re sure to see some fantastic coral reefs, filled with tropical fish, octopuses, sea turtles, and other sea life. These are the top snorkeling spots for every experience level, and the best snorkeling Maui has to offer.
A beautiful Reef Octopus Maui
A Few Rules For Maui Island Snorkeling
The general rule for snorkeling is “look but don’t touch.” It’s important to keep your hands, feet, gear, and other body parts off of all coral and sea life. Touching can not only destroy marine habitats and cause stress on marine life, but it can also result in expensive fines. For instance, it is illegal to touch or harass Hawaiian green sea turtles and monk seals. Doing so can result in a fine of $1,500 or more. In fact, in 2021, a Louisiana couple was slapped with a $50,000 fine for harassing a monk seal. Bottom line, keep your distance, and appreciate the wildlife, but please don’t touch.
Snorkeling Gear - Everything You Need
If you’re just going to give snorkeling a try and aren’t sure if you’ll like it enough to invest in your own fins, mask, and snorkel (these are fairly inexpensive) you could always try renting your gear from the hotel or a place like Boss Frog’s. Boss Frog’s has snorkel rentals for just $12/ day. A bargain if you only plan on snorkeling for a day or two. If you plan on snorkeling for more than that I would recommend buying your own gear.
If you join one of the popular snorkeling tours to places like Molokini Crater, the tour operator will generally have snorkel gear for rent as well, including wet suits for colder waters if you plan on snorkeling in Maui in winter.
Of course, if you really love to snorkel and/ or are freaked out by germs and the thought of using someone else’s snorkel mask, it’s well worth having your own gear. And it’s relatively inexpensive, especially if you plan on snorkeling more than 3 or 4 times. Below, I’ll walk you through a few of my favorite masks, fins, and other gear.
A snorkel mask and fins in the sand while snorkeling in Kaanapali
Best Snorkeling Fins
These CAPAS snorkel fins are the perfect travel-size swim fins and come in men’s, women’s, and kid’s sizes. They’re also very highly rated on Amazon and come in 5 different colors.
2. Finis Long Floating Fins are built for speed. The closed heel protects against hyperflexion of ankles and increases comfort. If you’re looking to do a lot of snorkeling, these are a great pick. They’re also a best seller on Amazon with thousands of five-star reviews. They come in 10 different colors. Though with a closed-heel design, it’s important you pay attention to the sizing chart as they are not adjustable. Fins are offered in both kid’s and adult sizes.
Best Snorkeling Mask
When it comes to the best snorkeling masks, they are never going to be full face masks. I know these may look alluring because they appear to give a wider field of vision, but they are inferior to normal eye masks and are to be avoided. Many tour groups do not accept them for safety reasons. The air seal often leaks on them flooding the user’s face with water. They’re also much harder to breathe in and can be difficult to obtain the proper amount of oxygen. Obviously not ideal for a product that’s supposed to allow you to breathe.
Cressi Panoramic Wide View Mask - This mask comes in 16 colors and patterns, has near-perfect reviews on Amazon, and offers full panoramic views.
2. Greatever Dry Snorkel Set with Anti Fog Diving Mask: One of the top-selling and best-rated snorkel masks on Amazon, Greatever’s mask comes in 11 colors and patterns, and offers a good value. However, it has a slightly less wide view than Cressi’s. Though the mask does offer anti-fog protection. It also comes in kids’ sizes.
3. The Body Glove Passage Mask and Snorkel Set comes with a mount for your GoPro so you can easily take videos of your undersea adventures. It’s my favorite way to capture pictures and videos as it helps create less jerky movements than holding a camera in your hand. Plus, it keeps your hands free to swim.
Best Snorkel Set
If you’re like me and want to keep things easy, you could always opt for a snorkel set, complete with a carrying bag. I love my snorkel set. Every time I go to Hawaii I just toss it in my suitcase with some defogging wipes and I’m ready for an undersea adventure. Below are my favorite sets.
Zenoplige makes a perfect panoramic mask and dry-top snorkel with fins and a carry bag. This is a great choice for an all-in-one kit that travels well. This well-reviewed set comes in 15 colors but is only offered in adult sizes.
2. Cressi Italian Design’s Premium Tempered Glass Lens Frameless Scuba Snorkeling Dive Mask, Dry Snorkel, and Palau Snorkeling Fins are pretty much the top-of-the-line in snorkel gear. If you’re looking to splurge a bit on a set that will not fog up and last for years, this is the perfect set. The set comes in adult sizes and is offered in 4 different colors.
3. Finally, if you’re looking for a great set that also comes in kids’ sizes, check out the Tongtai Mask Fin Snorkel Set with dry top snorkel, panoramic mask, adjustable fins, and travel bag. The set comes in 13 colors and is very reasonably priced.
Best Snorkeling Camera Gear
We all want to head back home with some great footage of our time spent snorkeling in Maui. There are two ways I recommend doing this. First, with your camera phone and a waterproof case. Second, with a Go Pro and either a handheld mount, which will be shaky, but gives you better close-up shots, or a snorkel mask mount, which will be steadier but your subjects will appear further away. If you opt for a Go Pro, I suggest taking some videos using both methods to get some great coverage of your underwater adventures.
Other Items You Need To Snorkel
I highly recommend 2 other items to pack with your snorkel gear. Lens wipes and defogger. Yes, most of these masks say they’re anti-fog, but I find the longer you use them the more likely they are to fog up. Plus, it’s always nice to give your lenses a good cleaning after all that saltwater exposure.
Yelloweye Tang Maui Hawaii
Best Snorkeling Tours
You have a few options for snorkeling tours in Maui. The most popular is by far Molokini Crater. Why? Because you can only get to Molokini Crater as part of a tour group. But is also one of the best snorkeling spots in the world and offers perfect snorkeling conditions year-round.
I would not recommend Molokini Crater to first-time snorkelers. Your time there with your tour group will be limited and tickets are as much as $150- $200/pp. You definitely do not want to spend that time figuring out how to breathe with a mask on and how to navigate the water using fins. You’ll want to spend as much of your time face down in the water looking at the massive coral reef and amazing array of brightly colored fish.
If it is your first time snorkeling in Maui, HI, I highly recommend you take a few hours to practice outside your hotel or vacation rentals so you can get the hang of things before heading out on a tour. It’s easy enough to master, but it takes a little getting used to at first. And remember, never snorkel alone. You always want to be with someone else.
Snorkeling Molokini Crater. Best Snorkeling Maui.
Best Molokini Snorkel Tours
The best Molokini Tours are going to be the ones that leave at sunrise and get to the crater first. When booking a tour, the earlier the better. You do not want to get there when the place is so crowded with tourists you can’t see anything without bumping into someone. Plus, breakfast on the boat at sunrise is a beautiful experience and if you’re there in late fall/ winter you can usually do a good bit of whale watching.
I’ve chosen the following as my top 4 for their early departure time, good reviews, and experience. As hard as I’ve searched and asked around, I was only able to find two wheelchair-accessible snorkeling excursions. If I hear of any more I will be sure to add them to my list.
Beautiful Achilles Tang
Moorish Idol Maui Hawaii
Best Places to Snorkel In Maui
As you have probably guessed by now, there is no one best place to snorkel in Maui. It really depends on the conditions, your skill level, and the type of wildlife you’re looking to see.
Below are the best snorkeling spots in Maui that you can hit up on your own without having to sign up for a tour. If you bring your own mask and fins, this is also the best free snorkeling in Maui. And who doesn’t like free?! These Maui snorkel spots have the calmest, clear water and largest reefs with the most likelihood of seeing some great tropical fish. This is not to say you won’t see some cool fish elsewhere on the island, but these are the most reliable Maui snorkeling beaches.
Ahihi Kinau
Ahihi Kinau
Just south of Big Beach, aka Makena Beach, is a small cove called Ahihi Bay. One of the top snorkeling spots in Maui, this location offers a small parking lot. Guests can enter the water at the northern end of the beach. Warning, only enter at the northern end where you see a concrete slab leading into the water.
Ahihi Bay is part of a marine life conservation district. If you enter through the natural area reserve outside of the concrete slab, you risk damaging the coral and receiving a hefty fine. Please be kind to the island and leave it in the same condition you found it.
Ka'anapali Beach
2. Ka’anapali Beach - Black Rock
Located near the north end of Ka’anapali Beach, Black Rock is an easy trip from the area’s high-end resorts. The beach offers some fantastic snorkeling and it’s one of the easier, more accessible beaches to get to.
Black Rock also comes alive at sunset when a Hawaiian torch-lighting ceremony occurs. Torch lighters ignite tiki torches along the coastline before reaching the top of the hill and diving into the ocean. It’s an incredible sight to witness. If you do some afternoon snorkeling you can make a day of hanging out at the beach, watching a beautiful Hawaiian sunset, and enjoying the ceremony.
Maui Honolua Bay Hawaii Snorkeling Maui, Hi
3. Honolua Bay Maui
Honolua Bay Beach is one of the most northern beaches on the island of Maui and one of the most beautiful bays in Hawaii. You can access the bay via a short drive north on the Honoapi'ilani Highway (31). Warning, to get to the bay by land, you must walk through the tropical rainforest to the beach via the Honolua Bay access trail. It’s not a very long trail, but be forewarned, there is a walk.
Another option is to take a kayak tour to Honolua or sign up for a snorkeling Honolua Bay boat tour. Honolua Bay snorkeling is fantastic, but it’s one of the more difficult places on the list to access.
The waters of Honolua Park are part of the Honolua-Mokule’ia Bay Marine Life Conservation District. Honolua is a bay beach and relatively large in size. It requires a full half-mile swim to explore the entire bay. One of the best parts about Honolua is the calm waters. Even when the trade winds are blowing along the coast, Honolua bay surf remains relatively calm. If you don’t mind the slight hike or the swim, this can be a good spot to snorkel if the winds are too intense elsewhere on the island.
Pro Tip: visibility is best in the summer months. To check out current conditions read the Honolua Bay snorkel report.
Where to snorkel Honolua Bay: After entering the water, swim to the rocky shore on the right side of the bay. The reef is about 600 feet from the beach. Often times you can see big catamarans dropping off snorkelers right in that spot. When in doubt, head for the boats. Just watch out for boat traffic as you snorkel.
Kahekili Beach Park - beautiful sandy beach
4. Kahekili Beach Park
Kahekili Beach Park is a super easy spot to snorkel. I highly recommend it for beginners and anyone looking to avoid rough, rocky beach entrances. Kahekili offers ample parking and has a gorgeous grassy park leading up to the edge of the sandy beach. There’s also a public restroom and cute gazebos. Kahekili snorkeling is outstanding.
The reef is just beyond the water entrance and doesn’t require a long swim to see the wide variety of fish and Hawaiian green sea turtles, or Honu as they’re called.
Kamaole Beach Park
5. Kamaole Beach Park
Kamaole Beach park is located in downtown Kihei. It’s really made up of three white, sandy beaches that offer a ton of activities for families, not just snorkeling. This is a great beginner beach for snorkeling and perfect for kids to learn how to snorkel. The surf is usually nice and gentle.
There’s an ample amount of parking in designated lots, as well as spaces alongside the road. The beaches also offer restrooms and showers. The best snorkeling is along the reefs that separate the three beaches.
Kapalua Beach Maui, Hawaii snorkeling bay
6. Kapalua Beach in Kapalua Bay
Kapalua Bay snorkeling is also ideal for beginners and kids. The bay offers a sheltered white sand beach on the northwest side of Maui. There are two reefs protecting the bay which extend out on both ends forming a C-shaped cove that’s perfect for snorkeling.
To get there, look for the nearby Kapalua Bay Hotel which overlooks the beautiful white sand beach and calm blue waters.
La Perouse Bay
7. La Perouse Bay
Located on the southern side of the island, La Perouse is unique for its volcanic landscape. To get there, drive south on Makena Road until you reach a dirt parking lot in front of the bay. On top of being home to a wide variety of colorful fish, La Perouse is also known to be a playground for spinner dolphins.
Word of warning, La Perouse is very rocky and jagged. Be careful not to cut yourself on the lava rocks. I recommend some good surf shoes like the ones below for walking on the beach. I also recommend not attempting to snorkel La Perouse unless you are an experienced snorkeler and a solid swimmer. This is not a beach for kids or beginners.
Lahaina Bay
8. Lahaina
In the town of Lahaina, the best snorkeling spot can be found in Mala Wharf. However, since this is a small boat harbor snorkelers should watch out for boat traffic. Despite the traffic, this is a great spot to view sea turtles and reef sharks who live under the pilings scattered about the area.
Mala Wharf is about 10 minutes away from Lahaina Harbor. The area is great for both beginners and expert snorkelers.
Maluaka Beach Turtle Town, Maui
9. Maluaka Beach (Turtle Town)
One of the best places to see turtles in Maui, Maluaka Beach is a definite favorite with visitors and locals alike. Maluaka is an area just south of Wailea where Hawaiian green sea turtles are frequently spotted in the water. The name might set some pretty high expectations, but remember turtles can travel all around the coast and don’t always cooperate with your vacation schedule. However, this is a great place to start with better than even odds that you’ll see at least one green sea turtle.
Most of the good snorkeling is along the lava rock coast at the end of Maluaka. The waters are generally pretty calm. But remember, check the Maui snorkel conditions website for the latest info.
Mokule'ia Bay
10. Mokule'ia Bay
Also known as “Slaughterhouse” Mokule’ia Bay is located near 628 Honoapiilani Highway, right after mile marker 31. There is parking just past a chain link fence on the ocean side of the road with room for approximately 10 cars. After parking, walk down the cement stairs leading to the beach. This is not a beach with a ton of amenities. In fact, it offers only a trash can. No bathrooms. You also have to be in fairly good shape to make the walk up and down the stairs. So this is not a great beach for those with limited mobility or young children.
Mokule’ia Bay is protected by lava cliffs and boulders. These rocks form an ideal habitat for sea turtles and reef fishes. In fact, it’s a marine preserve area. Pro tip: the water can get really rough in the winter. This beach is better saved for spring thru fall. In winter is taken over by surfers and bodyboarders.
Molokini Crater
11. Molokini Crater
Regarded by some as being the best snorkeling spot in Maui, Molokini Crater is only reachable by tour boat. The downside, it’s expensive compared to all the free beaches you could go to on your own. The upside, the water is remarkably clear and calm, even in winter. You can see a dazzling array of colorful species and beautiful coral. If you visit in winter you’re almost guaranteed to see whales on your trip to and from Molokini. I managed to see about a dozen when I visited over the Christmas holiday.
Many tours will also take you to Coral Gardens after visiting Molokini. Coral Gardens is a great spot to see Green Sea Turtles and the abundant coral of the aptly named coral gardens.
See the above section on tours for how to reach the crater.
Napili Bay, Maui, Hawaii
12. Napili Bay
Napili Bay along Napili beach is another area particularly well suited to novice snorkelers. The waters are only 3-8 feet deep, offer excellent visibility and the surf is generally calm. It’s a fantastic place to take close-up pictures of brightly colored fish, but you won’t find much in the way of coral.
Napili Bay parking is available at the Napili Kai Beach Resort. If the Bay resort parking lot is full, parking is also available along the side of the road. From here there’s free access to the beach. After parking, walk approximately 100 yards to the beach, passing through the Napili Kai Beach Resort complex. The great snorkeling area is at the north end of the beach along the rocky area.
Ulua Beach
13. Ulua Beach/ Mokapu
These two connected beaches are great for beginners and easily accessible for many tourists staying in Wailea. The beaches are located between Wailea Beach and Keawakapu Beach. Since we were staying at the Andaz, this reef was directly in front of our hotel. We were able to see a vast array of octopus and colorful fish, including schools of humuhumunukunukuapua’a, Hawaii’s state fish.
Most days the visibility was great and the waters were calm. However, with bad weather, the waves can become rough and kick up sand making visibility poor. I learned this the hard way by trying to get into the water after a rainstorm only to be knocked on my butt by a wave and have my bathing suit top pulled down. I may have exposed myself to everyone on the beach, but you know what? I didn’t get tan lines. So there!
Wailea Bay Beach
The Best Snorkeling In Maui Hawaii
I’d like to wrap things up with Maui snorkel spots “BEST OF” list.
1. Best Snorkeling in Maui for Families: Kahekili Beach and Olowalu
2. Best Time to Snorkel in Maui: 8 am to 3 pm is ideal. If you’re going to Molokini, the earlier the better!
3. Best Season to Snorkel: Spring through Fall
4. Best Snorkeling Beach in Maui for Beginners: Olowalu and Kahekili
5. Best Maui Beaches for Sea Turtles: Maluaka aka Turtle Town
6. Where to Snorkel in Maui to the Best Array of Species: Honolua and Mokulē‘ia Bay
7. Best Snorkeling Day Trip: Molokini and Honolua Bay
8. Best Snorkeling on Maui for Experienced Snorkelers: Ahihi Bay and La Perouse Bay are for experienced snorkelers ONLY.
9. Best Tour Company for Disabled Guests: Calypso Charter Tours and Pacific Whale Foundation
10. Best Beaches to Spend the Day: Kamaole and Ka’anapali
Final Thoughts on Snorkeling Maui
One of my favorite things about Maui is that it also has fewer jellyfish than some of the other islands, like Oahu. In fact, in the almost 25 times I’ve been snorkeling in Maui I’ve never even seen a jellyfish nor seen anyone stung by one. It doesn’t mean they don’t exist, they just exist in much smaller numbers than elsewhere in the state. Though I highly recommend checking the jellyfish calendar before booking your trip if ocean activities are high on your to-do list. Even the best snorkel experience is quickly ruined if you have to pull stingers out of your skin.
If you follow my tips, Snorkeling Maui should be a peaceful and fun adventure. As someone who deals with chronic pain, I find it to be one of the most relaxing things in the world, and so good for calming the pain in my joints. If you have chronic joint pain, hopefully, you find the nice warm Hawaiian waters as relaxing as I do.
There you have it, everything you need to snorkel Maui like a pro. These spots are not only the best snorkeling Maui has to offer, but some of the best snorkeling in Hawaii. If you’re looking for more adventure, here’s a great Maui snorkeling map.
Good luck and happy travels!
