Reach a sunken volcanic crater by boat, watch green sea turtles graze in knee-deep water on the south shore, and walk into calm west-side bays straight from the sand. Pick the leeward coast and you can snorkel almost any day.
Maui's snorkeling is built around its leeward shores. The south coast (Kihei, Wailea and Makena) and the west coast (Kaanapali, Napili and Kapalua) sit in the lee of Haleakala and the West Maui Mountains. The water is often flat and clear when the north shore is breaking big.
The headline sites are Molokini, a crescent-shaped volcanic crater off the south coast that you can only visit by boat, and Turtle Town, the reef off Makena where green sea turtles feed on algae. Closer to the sand, the Kamaole beaches, Ulua and Mokapu, Black Rock at Kaanapali and Kapalua Bay hold fish within a few strokes of shore.
Humpback whales fill the channel from about December to April, and you can often hear them singing while you swim. Winter swell can close the north shore, including Honolua Bay, so check conditions daily. Maui County allows only mineral sunscreen, so pack it with your mask and fins.
Tap a spot to see what it is like, then open its guide or get directions.
Tap a card for spotting tips and the Guardian rule for each animal. Filter by what you most want to meet.
The turtle you are most likely to meet. Greens graze on algae over shallow reef and rest under ledges. In Hawaii they are protected and very used to snorkelers.
Spotting tip: Scan the rocky edges where waves wash over algae, and sandy cleaning stations where fish pick at their shells.
Guardian rule: Stay at least 10 ft away. Never block a turtle's path to the surface.
Chelonia mydas
Slender dolphins famous for leaping and spinning. They rest in calm Hawaiian bays by day after feeding offshore at night, which is why the law protects their daytime rest.
Guardian rule: Federal law bans swimming with or approaching spinner dolphins within 50 yards in Hawaii.
Stenella longirostris
Thousands of humpbacks winter in Hawaii to mate and calve, mostly from December to April. Snorkelers often hear their songs underwater, especially off Maui.
Spotting tip: Put your head underwater and listen. The song carries for miles.
Guardian rule: Stay at least 100 yards away. Boats must keep the same distance.
Megaptera novaeangliae
A bright lemon-yellow surgeonfish that grazes algae in loose schools. It is one of the easiest Hawaiian reef fish to spot, especially along the Kona coast.
Zebrasoma flavescens
Colorful grazers with fused, beak-like teeth. You can hear them crunch on coral rock, and much of the white sand on tropical beaches passes through them.
Scaridae
Hawaii's state fish, with a famously long Hawaiian name and bold, painted-on stripes. It patrols shallow, surgy reef and grunts when it is caught.
Rhinecanthus rectangulus
A striking black, white and yellow fish with a long trailing fin, often seen in pairs or small groups over Pacific reefs.
Zanclus cornutus
A bumpy, branching coral that grows in rounded heads on wave-washed Hawaiian reefs. It is often the first coral to bleach in marine heat waves.
Pocillopora meandrina
The big reef builder of Hawaii, forming rounded mounds and boulders that can be hundreds of years old. Many reef fish shelter around its heads.
Porites lobata
A long, thin fish that hovers head down among coral or shadows bigger fish to sneak up on prey. Found in Hawaii and Florida.
Aulostomus
Full guideGreen sea turtles feed and rest on this Makena lava reef. Swim from Maluaka or Makena Landing, or join a boat or kayak trip.
Full guideSwim inside a crescent-shaped volcanic crater and Marine Life Conservation District, reached only by boat on a morning tour.
Full guideA rocky northwest cove in a Marine Life Conservation District. Snorkel it in summer, and leave it to surfers in winter. Short trail, no facilities.
Full guideA lava headland at the north end of Kaanapali Beach, with sandy-bottom shallows out to about 30 ft and turtles grazing nearby.
Full guideGolden sand, usually calm water, stairs to the beach, restrooms and showers: a semi-protected cove that is easy for first-timers.
Lava-rock bay in a state reserve past Makena. Snorkeling is allowed in the open north section, with no fishing. Day-use fee per car.
DLNR lists a $10 per car day-use fee, card only. Open 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the northern, most visited areas. Some guides still list $5, so trust the posted sign. Directions
Two Wailea beaches share one lot and a lava-finger reef between them. Mokapu is the gentler snorkel, while Ulua is protected and deeper.
No fee. The shared lot fills by about 9 a.m.; restrooms and showers, no lifeguard. Directions
A sandy crescent bay mostly protected by reef, best along the rocky edges, with turtles often on the south side. Calmer in summer.
No fee. Small public lot near Napili Shores plus street parking on Lower Honoapiilani Road. Directions
Wide, shallow reef off Highway 30 near mile marker 14. The coral is a long swim out, so go by guided kayak or boat.
No fee. Roadside access; no facilities. Directions
Kihei beach parks with facilities, plus lifeguards at Kamaole III. The fish gather at lava outcrops between the beaches and rocks at Charley Young.
No fee. Parking lots and street parking at the beach parks. Directions
A boat-only reef off the Pali cliffs between Maalaea and Olowalu, with clear water and turtles. Reach it on a Maalaea Harbor snorkel cruise.
No entry fee, but you need a boat tour, typically leaving from Maalaea Harbor. Compare prices on the Maui tours page. Directions
The fringing reef starts a few feet from shore, inside the Kahekili Herbivore Fisheries Management Area. Go early, before the wind picks up.
Free beach park with a parking lot off Kai Ala Drive. Parking charges and facilities not confirmed. Directions
Lanai marine life conservation district with coral 3 to 4 ft down. Take the Maalaea ferry, walk 15 to 20 minutes from Manele Harbor, bring gear.
Free beach. Ferry from Maalaea Harbor to Manele is extra; one guide listed about $30 each way (confirm with Expeditions). No snorkel rental on Lanai, bring your own gear. Directions
Shore entries with easy parking and calm water on a normal day. Still check the surf and ask the lifeguard.
Green sea turtles feed and rest on this Makena lava reef. Swim from Maluaka or Makena Landing, or join a boat or kayak trip.
A lava headland at the north end of Kaanapali Beach, with sandy-bottom shallows out to about 30 ft and turtles grazing nearby.
Golden sand, usually calm water, stairs to the beach, restrooms and showers: a semi-protected cove that is easy for first-timers.
Lava-rock bay in a state reserve past Makena. Snorkeling is allowed in the open north section, with no fishing. Day-use fee per car.
Two Wailea beaches share one lot and a lava-finger reef between them. Mokapu is the gentler snorkel, while Ulua is protected and deeper.
A sandy crescent bay mostly protected by reef, best along the rocky edges, with turtles often on the south side. Calmer in summer.
Kihei beach parks with facilities, plus lifeguards at Kamaole III. The fish gather at lava outcrops between the beaches and rocks at Charley Young.
Calm Choppy Rough. Wave heights are offshore model values.
Loading tides…
Forecast: Open-Meteo. Tides: NOAA station 1615680. Model data, not a lifeguard report. Always check posted warnings.
by Pacific Whale Foundation (PacWhale Eco-Adventures)
Morning boat trip snorkeling Molokini crater, then a second stop known for green sea turtles and underwater lava arches. Breakfast, lunch and beverages included.
Run by Maui's nonprofit-powered ocean operator; tour revenue supports Pacific Whale Foundation research and conservation, and catamarans run on biodiesel.
by Pacific Whale Foundation (PacWhale Eco-Adventures)
Small-group adventure with drift snorkeling on Molokini's back wall, volcanic coastline, turtles and a search for dolphins and rays, guided by naturalists.
Nonprofit-powered operator guided by expert naturalists, with revenue supporting marine research and education.
by Redline Rafting
Short raft trip from Kihei to Molokini with snorkel gear, float belts and fish identification included, up to 24 passengers. No turtle stop on this itinerary.
Small group of up to 24 and a reef briefing on Molokini's no-fishing, no-touching, no-feeding rules. Bring mineral sunscreen.
by Pride of Maui
65-foot catamaran to Molokini Crater, with a Turtle Town stop when conditions allow. Gear, flotation vests, breakfast, BBQ lunch and drinks included. Adult price shown; children 4 to 12 were $158.
Requires reef-safe sunscreen, bans standing on coral and describes reef-care practices. A large catamaran rather than a small group.
by Pacific Whale Foundation (PacWhale Eco-Adventures)
Morning catamaran sail up the West Maui coast to snorkel Honolua Bay, with naturalists, a Snorkel 101 lesson, breakfast and BBQ lunch. Adult price shown during a buy-one-get-one promotion; sites depend on weather and are not guaranteed.
Onboard naturalists, vessels run mostly on biodiesel, food waste is composted and full-face snorkel masks are not allowed. Revenue supports Pacific Whale Foundation.
We may earn a commission when you book through these links, at no extra cost to you. It never changes which tours we pick. How we choose tours.
April to October is the easiest stretch on the leeward coasts, with lighter trade winds and generally smaller north swells. Winter still works on the south and west shores on calm days, and it brings humpback whales, but the north shore, including Honolua Bay, is often too rough.
Go early. Mornings usually have calmer water and better visibility, and trade winds tend to build by midday. Most Molokini boats turn for the harbor around 11:30 a.m.
Skip shore entries on days with a big swell or breaking shore waves, and never snorkel in murky water or at dusk and dawn.
| Row | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snorkel conditions | Good | Good | Good | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Good | Good |
| Humpback whale | Best | Best | Best | Good | Avoid | Avoid | Avoid | Avoid | Avoid | Avoid | Avoid | Good |
| Water °F | 77 | 78 | 77 | 78 | 79 | 79 | 80 | 81 | 81 | 80 | 78 | 78 |
Match the spot to the day. Molokini and Turtle Town draw most visitors, but the best snorkeling is the calm site. South shore beaches (Kamaole, Ulua, Mokapu, Maluaka) and west side bays (Black Rock, Kapalua, Napili) are leeward and usually flat. Honolua Bay in the north is best in summer. Ahihi-Kinau is a protected reserve with a fee and posted rules.
Kihei has the Kamaole beach parks, where lava outcrops between the beaches and rocks at Charley Young Beach hold fish, with a lifeguard at Kamaole III. Wailea has Ulua and Mokapu, sharing one lot that fills by about 9 a.m. Lahaina lost much of its town in the August 2023 wildfire and is still recovering. Health officials said in 2024 that water off Lahaina was safe for swimming, though some areas stayed restricted. Respect closures, keep out of the burn zone, and consider Olowalu, Kaanapali or Kapalua for the water. Many tour companies now depart from Mala Wharf, Kaanapali or Maalaea.
Green sea turtles feed on algae on reefs from Makena to Honolua. Turtle Town in Makena is the famous one, but Black Rock, Napili Bay, Ulua and Mokapu and Ahihi-Kinau all see turtles. NOAA asks for 10 feet of distance. Do not touch, chase or feed them, and let them surface to breathe.
Pick a sand entry, go early, and stay within sight of shore. Kapalua Bay and Napili Bay are the easiest. Mokapu and Black Rock work for confident beginners. Maluaka, Makena Landing and Honolua need stronger swimming. Big Beach at Makena has a heavy shore break and is not recommended for snorkeling.
Snorkel Bob's lists stores in Kihei, Wailea, Lahaina, Kahana, Honokowai and Napili and offers interisland gear return. You can also rent at Maluaka Beach and Kapalua Bay. Ask for a mask that seals without the strap, a snorkel with a purge valve and fins you can walk in. Wear a rash guard.
Use mineral sunscreen only, as Maui County requires. Do not stand on coral, feed fish, collect shells or coral, or chase turtles, monk seals or dolphins. Keep 50 yards from spinner dolphins and 100 yards from humpback whales. Report violations to DLNR enforcement at 808-873-3990.
Hawaii and Maui County both regulate sunscreen, and wildlife rules apply on every beach.
Since January 2021, Hawaii law bans the sale of sunscreen containing oxybenzone or octinoxate. It is a sales ban, so check the label of anything you bring from home. Official rule
Maui County ordinance 5306, in effect since October 1, 2022, limits sunscreen to mineral products whose active ingredients are zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. A prescription is the only exception. A rash guard and a hat beat any lotion. Official rule
Green sea turtles are protected. Stay at least 10 ft away, never touch, chase or feed them, and do not block their path to the surface. Official rule
Molokini and Honolua-Mokuleia are Marine Life Conservation Districts. Fishing, collecting, feeding and altering the reef are prohibited, and Molokini bans landing on its seabird sanctuary islet. Official rule
Only the posted northern section is open, 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., with a day-use fee per car. No fishing. Anchialine pools are closed. Check current signs and the DLNR page before you go. Official rule
Follow posted closures along the Lahaina coast after the August 2023 wildfire, and respect the community that is rebuilding. Check Maui County notices. Official rule
How snorkelers protect reefs · Hawaii reef-safe sunscreen rules
These local groups restore coral, rescue wildlife and keep the water clean. Volunteer a morning, donate, or just follow their work.
Marine research and conservation based on Maui
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs marine research, education and conservation from Maui. Its PacWhale Eco-Adventures tours help fund that work, and you can book trips or join programs through the site.
Visit pacificwhale.org →Sea turtle, monk seal and marine debris work on Maui
Founded in 1996, the group protects hawksbill nests and hatchlings on Maui, supports monk seal watches and runs beach and net cleanups. It has a Discovery Center at Whalers Village in Kaanapali and takes volunteers.
Visit wildhawaii.org →For a boat trip, Molokini. From shore, locals point to Turtle Town at Makena, Black Rock at Kaanapali, Kapalua Bay, Napili Bay and Ulua and Mokapu in Wailea. Honolua Bay is excellent in summer when it is calm. Choose the leeward coast with the least swell that day.
Yes. Many beaches have easy shore entries, such as Kapalua Bay, Napili Bay and Mokapu. Molokini is the exception: it is boat only. Check surf, never snorkel alone, and remember most spots have no lifeguard.
Hawaii health officials said in 2024 that water off Lahaina was safe for swimming and surfing, but some shoreline areas stayed restricted. Conditions and closures change, so check Maui County and DLNR notices and ask your operator. Snorkeling nearby at Olowalu, Kaanapali or Kapalua is a common alternative.
Maui County allows only mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredient, under an ordinance in effect since October 1, 2022. Hawaii also bans the sale of products with oxybenzone or octinoxate. A rash guard and hat reduce how much you need.
Snorkel Bob's has several Maui stores, including Kihei, Wailea, Lahaina, Kahana, Honokowai and Napili, and says gear can be returned to any of its stores. Dive shops and beach stands also rent. Fit your mask before you leave the shop.
Yes. Green sea turtles are resident, with reliable sightings at Turtle Town in Makena, Black Rock, Napili Bay, Ulua and Mokapu and Honolua Bay. Stay at least 10 feet away, never touch them, and go early in the day.
What we pack for every snorkel trip. Each link searches the category on Amazon so you can compare brands and prices.
Non-nano zinc oxide only. No oxybenzone or octinoxate, which Hawaii bans.
Shop on Amazon →The best sun protection is fabric. Less sunscreen in the water, less sunburn on your back.
Shop on Amazon →A low-volume mask that fits beats any rental. Short travel fins pack easily.
Shop on Amazon →An inflatable vest lets you rest without standing on the reef. Lifeguards love them.
Shop on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Disclosure.
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Swim a horseshoe reef on the north shore, a turtle-filled tombolo on the south, and a coast of sea cliffs you can only snorkel from a boat. Kauai…
One island holds a protected volcanic bay, a summer-only lava-rock cove, a power plant outflow that draws dolphins and rays, and the turtles of…
We check fees, rules and access against official sources first, then local operators and recent visitor reports. Conditions change, so always follow posted signs and lifeguards. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
