Here are the top 5 spots for snorkeling on Maui, in our humble opinion. Plus we share 7 tips for snorkeling on Maui and 2 places the locals love to snorkel.
This is where you need to snorkel on Maui!
Erica and I love to snorkel. Since it was one of the few things to do in 2020 in Hawaii, we go a lot. After combing all the famous and not-so-famous #Maui snorkel beaches, we whittled down the list to our top 5.
Maui gets expensive but snorkeling is always free or cheap if you have to rent snorkel equipment. That is why we always recommend jumping in the many bays and coves around Maui for great snorkeling.
Stay till the end as we share 2 snorkel places that Maui locals love to visit. If you are looking for something different on your Maui vacation, try these snorkel locations and you will not be disappointed.
We drop-in our 7 tips on snorkeling in Maui throughout the video. These tips will make sure you fully experience the epic snorkeling Maui has to offer. Because we believe Maui is the best Hawaiian Island for snorkeling. Oahu is a close second but Maui has so many more locations and fewer people.
Links Mentioned:
Maui Snorkel Report from the Snorkel Store: https://thesnorkelstore.com/maui-snorkeling-conditions-reports/
Kayak Olowalu: https://www.kayakolowalu.com
5 Best Snorkeling Places on Maui: https://thehawaiivacationguide.com/best-snorkeling-places-on-maui/
Top 5 Snorkel Spots on Maui
00:00 Intro
00:21 Where is the best snorkeling on Maui?
00:45 Our ranking factors for the best snorkeling spots on Maui
01:51 Spot #5. Honolua Bay (North West Maui)
03:19 Spot #4. Napili Bay and Honokeana Cove (North West Maui)
04:36 Spot #3. Makena Landing (Turtle Town) (South Maui)
05:57 Spot #2. Kapalua Bay (North West Maui)
06:58 Spot #1. Black Rock at Kaanapali (West Maui)
08:04 Locals’ Bonus Spot: Olowalu Reef
08:54 Locals’ Bonus Spot: Ahihi-Kina’u
Maui Snorkeling Tips:
Tip 1. All beaches in Hawaii are public
Tip 2. Sign up for the Snorkel Report email
Tip 3. Stay to the sides of bay for sea turtles
Tip 4. Snorkel in the morning to avoid the trade winds
Tip 5. Arrive before 10am for easy parking
Tip 6. Listen for whale songs when snorkeling
Tip 7. Wear sun-protective clothing and mineral-based sunscreen
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Credits:
Google Maps
Google Earth
The Snorkel Store
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Another great video I just booked my flight for July hopefully we can go
Kihei beaches didn't make our list but there are good snorkel spots in Kihei. Great beaches for snorkeling are Charley Young Beach on the left side and Kam III. Ulua Beach in Wailea is also a good place on South Maui. Thanks for watching our favorite snorkel spots! More Maui snorkeling places are here: https://thehawaiivacationguide.com/best-hawaiian-island-for-snorkeling/
Thanks for these tips.
We hope that pandemic will end so we can visit Maui for the first time April 2021.
Any suggestions on where to go for surfing for beginners- who just learned how to surf. 🤙🏼
I’m scheduled to go in November!!! So this is perfect and just what I was looking for
Guys that 100 yard jutting out coral reef at Ulua Beach didn't make the cut? Oh no! Great video anyway my friends.
Since the wife is always right, Kapalua Bay is the real number one? Got it! 😉 Great video!
Great video thks.Awaiting next one.
Andrew Gdynia
she's right kapalua bay is the best
We booked flights for July 1st-9th, it'll be our 11 yr old daughters first trip to Hawaii! She's been obsessed with Hawaii for years so it'll be such a cool surprise. I've been secretly a bit worried about covid and if it'll still be this bad 9 months from now….God I hope not! This healthcare worker is TIRED.
I love your videos, they keep me day dreaming and sane lol
Thanks
I loved listening to the whales too! Can you recommend brands /stores that carry sun protective clothing? (Midwest is lacking for those items.😂)
I just booked our first trip during Christmas to Hawaii. 4 days in Maui and 4 days in Oahu. Self guided, airbnb type of trip. Currently binge watching your videos, and taking notes. Thank you for sharing ♥️
LOVED snorkelling at Honolua Bay last year… that we we visited that spot twice on my trip last November! Can't wait to go to Hawaii again. Hopefully soon!
Didn't like black rock snorkeling at all. Water was very cloudy. Too many other good places to go so will never be back there.
How about Laperouse Bay? You see dolphins in the early morning
No Molokini Crater??
Don’t give away all the local spots lol.
Thanks for the tips. Can’t wait to go on multiple trips. Also plan to watch from our Punahoa Beach Condo in February. Last time, we literally saw them while unpacking.
SHHHHHH🤫
Ahihi Kinau is not a good place for those that are novice snorkelers. It is a good tip to go early because of trades, but if you can time it so that you are also on a low tide, you will be rewarded.
OK as someone who is terrified of sharks. I have to ask all these places with snorkeling and turtles since turtles are a sharks favorite snack do you generally see Sharks when you were snorkeling as well because this would terrify me
Honolua bay is my favorite by far. Black Rock a good 2nd
Glad you didn’t mention
Maui’s best snorkeling spots two of which you’ll likely never know of!
Awesome information and great video!!
My wife and I love your channel. And we are looking forward to our trip to Kaanapali in July. We are staying right by Black rock. Hopefully covid calms down and things are opened up. We want to take a snorkel tour boat out to the crater and also do some zip lining.
My #1 is Mopua/Olowalu. Right thru the tunnel!
No parking, no facilities, semi-tough entry as it's all rocky. But the BEST spot on the west side. At the base of the cliff, there is a cave underwater where fish, eel and reef shark hang out in about 15' of water. NO KA OI!!!
Thanks, this is very handy! We are visiting next week and cannot wait!
I love all the hawaiian islands but Kauai to me was amazing for snorkeling. Maui has a lot of shark attacks and people dying from the undertows. 2 people died last week at our resort because of the undertow
OMG I’ve never been snorkeling, and I’m planning to for a trip in April! I’m scared 😟
Bro it’s nice here thank u
I’m there
Great list! All great spots. Id probably have to put airport in there. Just for ease of access, parking, facilities. That’s our go to spot and just a great all-purpose beach.
So this is why the locals call us kooks
Is it true.. you are not allowed to touch the turtles?
We are a river water surf/hiker/Mtn biker family looking to come to Maui for the first two weeks in April. Any suggestions for beginning ocean surf instruction that won't break the bank? Not so touristy condos more on the outskirts of towns close to the beach? Thanks !!
Hi. I started following your channel and I love how super detailed they all are. Thankful for you guys! May I ask, is it usually crowded/traffick around May? Hoes the weather around May?