I’m always on the hunt for the best snorkeling spots in Maui. In fact, every year I plot out new areas to visit on my quest to find snorkeling beaches with great marine life and calm waters (for not-so-confident swimmers like me).
This obsession took me by surprise. I’ve always been scared of the ocean, particularly jelly fish, but we decided to do a snorkeling excursion years ago after reading it was a quintessential thing to do in Maui. I honestly thought I was going to hate it, but I ended up falling love. Sure, the first few times I literally covered my ears while snorkeling because I was afraid (LOL), but now it’s a running joke between Dan and me how much I love it.
So whether you’re a beginner or snorkeling savant like me (JK), here are the best snorkeling spots in Maui. I also plotted all the best snorkeling spots on a map so you can find ones close to where you’re staying. Get ready for a fun adventure seeing some of the most majestic reefs and marine animals in the world!
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Best Snorkeling Spots in Maui
Here are the best snorkeling spots in Maui. I visit Maui often and will update this article with new information regularly, so save it to Pinterest for later!
Know before you go
- You can get rentals at Snorkel Bob’s and Boss Frog’s. Both have multiple locations around the island so you can pick up in one area and drop off at another, even if it’s after hours. I recommend getting the full snorkel set with goggles, fins, and de-fogging drops, but you don’t need the full mask snorkel. They also sell rental chairs, umbrellas, and boogey boards.
- Check their snorkel reports before heading out. Both Snorkel Bob’s and Boss Frog’s have snorkel reports at their stores. Heed their advice, as they check out the conditions every morning. You can also sign up for The Snorkel Store’s daily email for updates (they also sell gear, but are only in Lahaina).
- Snorkeling is mostly in west Maui and south Maui. In general, the North Shore near Paia and east Maui near Hana are too rough.
- The water is generally more calm in the morning. Seasonality also plays a factor. The water tends to be rougher in the North Shore come winter and in the South Shore during summer.
- Wear only reef safe sunscreen. Do NOT go into the water with sunscreen brand behemoths like Banana Boat, Neutrogena, etc. They have chemicals that kill reefs. Instead, find a reef-safe sunscreen like All Good Sport Sunscreen or California Baby Super Sensitive Sunscreen. Boss Frog’s often has reef-safe sunscreen available in store.
- Stay away from marine life. Don’t touch fish, reef, turtles, or other marine life. The best practice is to give them at least 10 feet of distance.
Kapalua Bay
area: west Maui | get directions | best for: calm waters and sea turtles
Kapalua Bay is my favorite snorkeling spot in Maui despite also being one of the most crowded. It’s in the northwestern part of the island and has a huge reef on either sides of the u-shaped shore. The water is usually calm, so it’s perfect for kids and less-confident swimmers. It also attracts a ton of sea turtles, as I’ve seen multiple every single time I’ve snorkeled.
Parking: The beach can be a bit confusing to find the first time you visit. It’s accessed via a small trail at the back of a parking lot. Since you can’t see the beach from the road, make sure to follow the Google Map directions for “Kapalua Bay Public Beach Parking” instead of just typing in “Kapalua Beach”.
Consider it your lucky day if you find beach parking in the lot. It’s always crowded, particularly on weekends, so chances are you’ll need to park on the street in the residential neighborhood. Don’t try to pull into one of the hotel lots nearby, as they’re monitored regularly.
Napili Bay
area: west Maui | get directions | best for: calm waters
Napili Bay is right next to Kapalua Bay, so you can expect similar water conditions and marine life sightings. It also has a similarly difficult-to-find beach since you can’t see it from the street. However, Google Maps will take you right to the small walkway between properties to get you to the sand. There are also two other entries on either side of the bay from the road.
Parking: There is no public parking lot specifically for Napili Bay, so plan for street parking or to use the Kapalua Bay parking lot and walk.
Black Rock Beach
area: west Maui | get directions | best for: snorkeling close to popular resorts
Kā’anapali is one the most popular place to stay in west Maui considering a bunch of brand-name resorts line Kā’anapali Beach. This beach is stunning, with soft sand and a lot of space to spread out (which is helpful considering the crowds).
Black Rock Beach is at the north end of Kā’anapali Beach. As its name implies, you’ll see a bunch of black rock made by lava during an eruption ages ago. Coastal rock formations like this are a prime spot for reefs, so that’s why this is one of the best snorkeling spots in Maui.
Parking: Parking can be a challenge because the area is crowded and the free parking spots are quite small. You can check the free lot at the northern Kā’anapali Beach access trail or pay for parking at the Sheraton Resort lot. If you don’t care about snorkeling in the Black Rock area specifically, you can park at Whaler’s Village to the south. Any of the shops will validate parking for 3 hours free with purchase.
Tours: Want to go on a guided snorkeling boat tour near Kā’anapali Beach and Lahaina? Check out these options:
- West Maui Half Day Snorkel Tour
- Ultimate 4 Hour Whale Watching & Snorkel Tour
- Kayak and Snorkel Maui West Shore
- 4 Hour Eco Raft Tour to Lanai (an island off Maui)
- Lanai Half Day Snorkel with Sea Scooter
Molokini Crater
area: south Maui | location | best for: a bonus boat excursion
Molokini Crater is west of Makena Beach in south Maui. However, you can’t drive to it because it’s in the middle of the ocean. That means you need to take a boat to reach it.
This may sound scary, but I promise it’s not. Molokini Crater was actually my first snorkel excursion. I was worried about feeling stranded in the middle of the ocean, but the water is calm and protected by a natural cove-like rock formation. Plus you’re with a bunch of other people, so you don’t get that eery, “I’m in the middle of the ocean by myself,” vibe.
There are a bunch of Molokini Crater snorkel excursion companies so it’s easy to arrange a trip. And while most start at the ass crack of dawn (6 or 7 AM!), it is completely worth the early wake up. You’ll get to see one of the biggest reefs in Maui, plus get a fun boat ride that often turns into a whale watching adventure if you’re visiting Maui during whale season November through April.
Excursion tips: A lot of the boat tours are comparable, advertising that they include breakfast and lunch, sunscreen, snorkel equipment, etc. The main difference is the boat size, so that should be the key factor you look at when evaluating which tour to book.
My recommendation is to stick to smaller boats. Less crowds mean you get better views for whale sightings while on the boat and less hectic on-and-off access when it’s time to snorkel. Plus many of the smaller boats will take the group to other snorkel destinations on a whim since less people means they can be more nimble.
Here are tour companies with smaller group sizes to consider:
- 2 Hour Small Group Molokini Snorkel Trip
- Half Day Small Group Snorkel Raft Tour
- Turtle Cove Swim + Molokini Crater Snorkel
- Molokini Crater + Turtle Town Snorkel Adventure
- 5 Hour Molokini Crater Tour with Slide
- Molokini Crater Private Charter for Big Groups
Ahihi Cove
area: south Maui | get directions | best for: an under-the-radar snorkel spot
This is one of the best snorkeling spots in Maui because most people, particularly tourists, don’t know about it. As you make your way toward La Palouse Memorial in Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve (one of my favorite hiking areas), you’ll pass a tiny cove that doesn’t look like a public access point. However, there’s a small pebbly beach with some of the best snorkeling on the island.
Since the launch point for getting in the water isn’t very big, you likely won’t see many people. Therefore, it’s really important to take caution when swimming.
I personally find this area best for more confident swimmers, as I always get a bit scared. The best time to visit is in the morning when the water tends to be calmer, but it was afternoon the last time I went. This made the water a bit rougher, so I stayed close to the shore. However I wouldn’t say it’s “dangerous” when the waters are calm, so if you’re a confident swimmer you should be fine.
Parking: There’s a parking lot a bit south of the cove. Park there and (carefully) walk along Makena Road toward the north end of the cove. There will be a little ramp with access to the beach and water.
There isn’t much beach, especially at high tide, so don’t expect a place to lounge in a big group. This is more of a get-in-and-out snorkel spot in Maui.
Maluaka Beach (Turtle Town)
area: south Maui | get directions | best for: accessing the elusive Turtle Town
You may have heard of an area to snorkel in Maui called “Turtle Town”. What I find confusing is that this isn’t an exact location, but rather a broad area stretching along the south Maui coast. I’ve seen debates on where exactly it is, but the common consensus is that Maluaka Beach is within it.
This small beach is north of the popular Makena Beach (which is too rough for snorkeling). I like it better than Makena Beach because it feels like a hidden gems that many tourists never visit. For example, the last time I went we had the beach to ourselves at one point.
You’ll notice lava rock formations on the north and south edges of the beach. These are the ideal spots to snorkel since, remember, that’s where reef likes to be. You’ll notice that you can follow the coast away from Maluaka Beach and continue seeing great marine life. However, I don’t recommend doing this because you’ll be out in open water.
I saw a bunch of people doing this and it scared the crap out of me. While I wouldn’t say Maluaka Beach has “rough” waters, it’s definitely rougher than areas like Kapalua Bay. Therefore there were times I felt panicky, even when protected by the rocks. However, more confident swimmers will find the waters mellow and enjoyable.
Parking: I usually just find street parking. However, there is a formal lot at the south of Maluaka Beach if you can’t find any spots on the street.
Tours: A bunch of kayaking and snorkeling tours depart from Maluaka and nearby Makena Beach if you’re interested in that. Here are some you may enjoy:
- Turtle Town Snorkel with Photo & Video
- Makena Turtle Reef Kayak Snorkel Tour
- Private Turtle Town Snorkel Tour
- E-Scooter Snorkel at Turtle Town
- Night Time Snorkel at Turtle Town
- South Maui Snorkeling for Non Swimmers
Olowalu Beach
area: west Maui | get directions | best for: calm, shallow waters
Often called “Mile Marker 14 Beach”, Olowalu Beach is one of the best snorkeling spots in Maui. Yet most tourists never visit.
That’s because it’s right along the busy Honoapiilani Highway without a resort in sight. As you drive by, you’ll see a few areas with campers and few unhoused people with permanent residents along the beach. The sandy shore is also quite small, so it’s not a beach known for lounging.
These factors deters many visitors, but you’ll also see a bunch of locals setting up tents for all-day picnics. Find mile marker 14 on the highway and join them to explore one of the most prolific reefs in Maui.
The water is generally always calm and the water is shallow, so it’s great for kids. However, the shallow water can also mean you’re more likely to come in contact with the reef. You want to avoid touching it to protect both you and the reef (getting a reef cut is no joke!).
The area is also susceptible to low tides, which can make it difficult to avoid the reef. Pay attention so you don’t get stranded.
In addition, there are a bunch of channels you can swim through to get to different reef clusters along this expansive beach. However, I don’t recommend venturing through these areas because it’s common for people to lose track of where they came from. So stick to the beach where you entered to stay safe.
Parking: There is a bunch of parking along Honoapiilani Highway. You’ll see cars parked in the areas you can pull in. If you’re coming from south Maui, you’ll have to make a left into the lot so be careful with oncoming traffic.
Tours: Concerned about exploring the vast reef by yourself? Check out this Guided Olowalu Beach Snorkel & Kayak Tour!
Other snorkeling beaches in Maui
Here are other snorkeling beaches in Maui to consider. Some of them I’ve been to and don’t prefer, and others are on my list to try next time.
- Charley Young Beach – I love this hidden beach to the north of the popular Kamaole Beach Park I. However, I think the water skews too rough.
- Kamaole Beach Parks 1-3 – Right next to Charley Young Beach is a chain of beach parks with lava rocks. I think these are great beaches for lounging, but I always find the water too rough for snorkeling.
- Mōkapu Beach and Ulua Beach – These beautiful beaches off Wailea Alanui Drive between the Marriott and Andaz Maui resorts are great for lounging, but again I find them too rough for snorkeling.
- Polo Beach – This is another hidden gem beach I adore, but it’s always too rough for snorkeling when I visit.
- Makena Landing Park – I haven’t been to this area just north of Maluaka and Makena Beach. However Snorkel Bob’s recommended it to me and said it’s a great snorkel spot.
- Kahekili Beach Park (Old Airport Beach) – I haven’t been here yet, but I heard this beach just above Black Rock Beach is another great area for snorkeling.
Snorkeling on Maui map
And that’s a wrap on the best snorkeling spots in Maui! Here’s a snorkeling on Maui map to help you plan where to go each day.
Did I miss any of the best places to snorkel in Maui? Let me know in the comments!
More to do in Hawaii
After you visit these best snorkeling spots on Maui, you’re going to have to fill your itinerary with other activities. Use these resource as your guide:
- Where to Stay in Maui
- Best Easy Maui Hikes with Epic Views
- 5-Day Maui Itinerary You’ll Want to Steal
- Where the Locals Eat in Maui
- Maui Souvenirs You Must Bring Home
- My Favorite Shopping Spots in Maui
- The Ultimate Road to Hana Itinerary
- The Perfect Kauai Itinerary
Want help planning your trip?
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LeeAnn Cheeley says
In my opinion, you missed the best spot of all at the fish preserve in Honolua Bay, which is about a 10 minute drive north of Kapalua Bay. The big advantage here is that it’s obvious where to park and it’s an other worldly walk through the gigantic moss covered trees out to the beach. We have a condo in the napili bay and so I snorkel at Napili all the time. While it’s good to great, Honolua is better. The beach is smooth rocks at Honolua so that makes it more challenging to enter the water. Go out on the north side by the surfers where there is an abundance of large colorful fish.
Adria Saracino says
Ooo amazing, thank you for this tip! I hadn’t ever heard of it, which is surprising because I troll a lot of the snorkeling reports. 😂 I’ll add this to my list of places to try and will update this article once I do!