Access
Kaanapali Beach is public. Park in the small free beach-access lot by the Sheraton or pay at Whalers Village, take the marked path to the sand and walk to the rock. Both fill early, so be there before 8 a.m.
Representative photo, not taken at this spotMaui, Hawaii
Black Rock Kaanapali Snorkeling
A reef wall drops along this headland at the north end of Kaanapali Beach, with fish a few kicks from shore. Black Rock, or Puu Kekaa, is the easiest place on the west side to snorkel from sand. Arrive early for parking, stay on the sheltered side and respect the current at the tip.
- Access
- From shore
- Level
- Beginner
- Depth
- 3 to 30 ft
- Best months
- Apr to Oct
- Fee
- Free
- On your own
- Yes, on your own
What can I see?
What to see underwater at Black Rock (Puu Kekaa), Kaanapali
Walk in over sand and snorkel along the face of the rock, where the water runs from about 5 ft to 25 ft. One guide describes a reef wall about 20 ft high and 50 ft long. One local shop's list includes convict tang, goatfish, pufferfish, needlefish, the state fish humuhumunukunukuapuaa, a white-mouth moray and even a barracuda. Green sea turtles graze along this coast, but one guide does not mention them, so treat a turtle as a bonus.
The sheltered side of the rock
Beginners are advised to stay close to the wall and the shore, where the water is calmer, and to adjust to the swell that day.
The reef wall
A step in the lava with crevices that hold moray eels and schooling tang. Hover above it and do not put fins or hands on the rock.
The outer point
Farther out the crowds thin and the water clears, but the current gets stronger toward the end of the headland.
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.
JFMAMJJASONDChelonia mydas
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
A pale surgeonfish with dark vertical bars, often moving across Hawaiian reefs in big grazing schools.
Acanthurus triostegus
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
What's the water like right now?
Conditions at Black Rock (Puu Kekaa), Kaanapali
Live sea temperature, waves and wind for the next 7 days, with our snorkel rating for each day.
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7-day forecast
Surf
Calm Choppy Rough. Wave heights are offshore model values.
Tides, next 48 hours
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Forecast: Open-Meteo. Tides: NOAA station 1615680. Model data, not a lifeguard report. Always check posted warnings.
Which tour should I book?
All Maui tours →Top Black Rock (Puu Kekaa), Kaanapali snorkel tours
Hand-picked tours that run here, ranked for small groups, a proper reef briefing and respect for wildlife.
- 01
Molokini and Turtle Arches Snorkel
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.
- 02
Molokini and Turtle Adventure
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.
- 03
2-Hour Kihei Snorkel Trip to Molokini
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.
From $139Check availabilityPrice checked 2026-10-22 - 04
Molokini Snorkel Tour (Maalaea North Dock)
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.
From $198Check availabilityPrice checked 2026-10-22 - 05
Honolua Snorkel and Dolphin Sail
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.
From $199.95Check availabilityPrice checked 2026-10-22
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.
When is the best time to go?
Best time to snorkel Black Rock (Puu Kekaa), Kaanapali
Summer is the easiest season on Maui's leeward west coast. Winter north swells can wrap around the point and bring surge, so check the forecast. Water is typically in the mid to upper 70s F.
Time of day
Go in the morning, before the beach fills and the wind comes up. Arrive by about 7:30 a.m. for parking.
Tide
No firm tide rule from our sources. Surf and swell matter more.
When to avoid
Skip days with a north swell, breaking waves at the wall or murky water, and stay inside the point if the current is running.
| 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 |
| Green sea turtle | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Water °F | 77 | 78 | 77 | 78 | 79 | 79 | 80 | 81 | 81 | 80 | 78 | 78 |
AvoidFairGoodBest
Can you snorkel here on your own?
Yes, on your own
A good shore snorkel for comfortable swimmers on a calm day. The sandy entry is easy, but there is no lifeguard noted at the rock and the current is real at the point. Stay on the sheltered side and snorkel with a buddy.
Swim level: Comfortable swimmer
How do I get there?
Open in Google MapsGetting to Black Rock (Puu Kekaa), Kaanapali
Black Rock sits at the north end of Kaanapali Beach, next to the Sheraton Maui. Kaanapali Beach is public and a marked path runs from the public access lot to the sand beside the resort.
Parking
Look for the signs reading Public Beach Access by the Sheraton. Guides give 12 to 20 free stalls and note they fill by about 8 a.m. Whalers Village parkade is a paid alternative, free with validation from shopping or dining, and it is a walk south along the beach.
Where to get in
Walk the beach access path onto the sand and enter the water from the sand at the north end, beside the rock. Take the path and not the resort property.
Is there a fee or pass?
Black Rock (Puu Kekaa), Kaanapali is free
No fee. A small free public beach-access parking area sits by the Sheraton and fills early; Whalers Village parking is paid unless validated with a purchase.
Official fees and hoursChecked 2026-10-22. Fees change, so confirm before you go.
Marine life
Expect convict tang, goatfish, pufferfish, humuhumunukunukuapuaa and the odd moray along the reef wall. Green sea turtles feed along the coast.
Reef-safe rules at Black Rock
Use mineral sunscreen only, as Maui County requires, or wear a rash guard. Do not stand on the reef or touch turtles, and keep 10 ft away from them.
Protect the reef
Reef-safe rules at Black Rock (Puu Kekaa), Kaanapali
Black Rock is open public shoreline, and Maui County regulates sunscreen. Puu Kekaa is also a place of cultural importance in Hawaiian tradition.
Sea turtles: 10 feet
NOAA asks you to stay at least 10 ft from sea turtles, in the water and on land. Never touch, chase, ride or feed one, and let it reach the surface to breathe. Official rule
Mineral sunscreen only in Maui County
Only mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) is allowed under Maui County's ordinance in effect since October 1, 2022. A rash guard avoids the question. Official rule
Respect Puu Kekaa
Black Rock is known as a place where souls were said to leap into the afterlife. Do not climb the rock or disturb it, especially during the evening torch ceremony. Official rule
Spinner dolphins and humpbacks
Keep at least 50 yards from spinner dolphins and 100 yards from humpback whales. Official rule
How snorkelers protect reefs · Hawaii reef-safe sunscreen rules
Local Reef Guardians
Who protects Maui
These local groups restore coral, rescue wildlife and keep the water clean. Volunteer a morning, donate, or just follow their work.
- Volunteer days
Hawaii Wildlife Fund
Sea turtle, monk seal and marine debris work on Maui
Founded in 1996, the group protects hawksbill nests and hatchlings on Maui and runs beach and net cleanups. It has a Discovery Center at Whalers Village in Kaanapali and takes volunteers.
Visit wildhawaii.org → - Volunteer days
Pacific Whale Foundation
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.
Visit pacificwhale.org →
Plus the local rules for Black Rock (Puu Kekaa), KaanapaliWritten with the rangers, researchers and guides who protect the reef.
The Guardian CodeLook. Don't touch.
Read the full Guardian Code →
Look. Don't touch.
Leave only bubbles.
Do
- Wear a rash guardOr mineral sunscreen, applied well before you swim.
- Float flat over shallow reefKeep fins up so you never kick coral or stir sand.
- Book a local Guardian guideThey know the rules, the currents and the animals.
Never
- Touch, chase or feed wildlifeLet animals choose how close they come.
- Stand on or grab the reefTired? Float on your back or find sand.
- Take shells, sand or coralPhotos only. Leave it for the next swimmer.
FAQ
Black Rock (Puu Kekaa), Kaanapali questions
Where do you park for Black Rock in Kaanapali?
Use the small free public beach-access lot by the Sheraton, marked Public Beach Access. Guides count 12 to 20 stalls and say it fills by 8 a.m. Whalers Village is the paid backup, free with validation.
Is Black Rock good for beginners?
On calm days, yes, if you stay close to the wall and the shore. The sand entry is easy, but the current grows toward the point and there is no lifeguard noted at the rock.
What fish can you see at Black Rock?
One local shop lists convict tang, goatfish, pufferfish, needlefish, humuhumunukunukuapuaa, a white-mouth moray and a barracuda. Green sea turtles are seen along this coast.
Is there a current at Black Rock?
Yes. Guides report strong current near the end of the point and occasional waves near the wall. Stay on the inside and turn back if you feel a pull.
Is the beach at Black Rock public?
Yes. Kaanapali Beach is open to everyone, with marked public access paths beside the resorts.
Pack like a Guardian
Reef-safe gear
What we pack for every snorkel trip. Each link searches the category on Amazon so you can compare brands and prices.
- Reef-safe
Mineral reef-safe sunscreen
Non-nano zinc oxide only. No oxybenzone or octinoxate, which Hawaii bans.
Shop on Amazon → - Sun cover
Long sleeve rash guard
The best sun protection is fabric. Less sunscreen in the water, less sunburn on your back.
Shop on Amazon → - Own your gear
Mask, snorkel and fin set
A low-volume mask that fits beats any rental. Short travel fins pack easily.
Shop on Amazon → - Safety
Snorkel vest or float
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.
Keep exploring
All Maui spots →More snorkeling near Black Rock (Puu Kekaa), Kaanapali
Turtle Town (Makena)
Green sea turtles graze on algae and rest in the shallows of this Makena lava reef, often within a few hundred yards of the sand. Swim out from shore,…
Molokini Crater
A crescent of volcanic rock rises about 3 miles off Maui's south coast, and its protected inner cove is one of the clearest places to snorkel in…
Honolua Bay
Some of Maui's healthiest coral and busiest fish live in this deep, rocky cove on the northwest coast. In summer the water can be glassy. In winter it…
Kapalua Bay
A golden-sand crescent sits between two lava points, and the water here is usually the gentlest on Maui's northwest coast. You enter straight off the…
How we researched this page Facts last checked October 22, 2026
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.
- To-Hawaii: Black Rock Beach (checked 2026-10-22)
- Boss Frog's: Snorkeling at Black Rock (checked 2026-10-22)
- Moon: Snorkeling West Maui (checked 2026-10-22)
- NOAA Fisheries: Viewing Marine Wildlife in Hawaii (checked 2026-10-22)
- Maui Reef sunscreen rules (checked 2026-10-22)