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, paddle, or arrive by morning boat. Go early, give every turtle at least 10 feet, and you may share the water with a dozen.
The reef is low lava with sandy patches, ledges and a few shallow caves. Green sea turtles feed on algae and take breaks on the bottom, so you see them close to the reef floor and rising for air. Reef fish are the supporting cast: parrotfish scraping algae, schools of convict tang, yellow tang, butterflyfish and the occasional Moorish idol. In winter you may hear humpback whales singing while you float.
Sources put the best turtle depths at about 10 to 16 ft, where lava gives way to algae-covered coral. Hover at the surface and let turtles come and go.
The north end of the stretch near Makena Landing is also called Five Graves or Five Caves for its lava caves and a nearby cemetery. Look in from the surface and stay out of the caves.
Off Maluaka the water is shallow over sand before the rock begins at 3 to 7 ft, a gentle place to warm up.
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
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 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
A pale surgeonfish with dark vertical bars, often moving across Hawaiian reefs in big grazing schools.
Acanthurus triostegus
A striking black, white and yellow fish with a long trailing fin, often seen in pairs or small groups over Pacific reefs.
Zanclus cornutus
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
Small, disc-shaped fish in yellow, white and black patterns, usually seen in pairs. Many feed on coral polyps, so they are a good sign of a healthy reef.
Chaetodontidae
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
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
Live sea temperature, waves and wind for the next 7 days, with our snorkel rating for each day.
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.
Hand-picked tours that run here, ranked for small groups, a proper reef briefing and respect for wildlife.
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.
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.
Turtles live here year-round, so the question is water. Morning is best any month. Late spring to early fall brings south swells that can push surf into the Makena Landing entry, and afternoon waves build on most days.
Early morning, when the water is calmest and tour boats have not yet filled the bay. Late morning sightings drop off, and afternoon surf is often larger.
No firm tidal rule from our sources. A bit more water over the lava makes the entry at Makena Landing easier.
Skip days with a south swell or surf in the entry zone, any murky water, and the 7 to 9 a.m. tour loading rush at Makena Landing if you want a quiet entry.
| Row | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snorkel conditions | Best | Best | Best | Best | Good | Good | Good | Good | Best | Best | Best | Best |
| Green sea turtle | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best |
| 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 |
Doable from shore on a calm morning if you are a confident swimmer. Maluaka needs a swim of roughly 200 yards to the turtle area, and Makena Landing has a rocky lava entry beside a working boat ramp. There is no lifeguard at either. If you are new to the ocean, book a guided trip.
Swim level: Comfortable swimmer
People mean slightly different things by Turtle Town. Most guides place it on the reef between Nahuna Point and One'uli Black Sand Beach, which includes the Maluaka reef and the Five Graves reef off Makena Landing. Maluaka is the usual shore choice for sand entry. Makena Landing is the launch for kayaks, small boats and many tours.
Maluaka Beach: limited street parking on Keonioio Road and a larger free public lot about half a mile north; the beach entrance is unmarked. Makena Landing: a small free dirt and gravel lot that fills during the 7 to 9 a.m. tour pickups.
Maluaka: walk the beach path past the restrooms and showers, enter from the sand at the south end beside the black lava, then swim out toward 10 to 20 ft of water. Makena Landing: rocky lava ledges next to the boat ramp, with a sandy inlet to the side recommended by local shops.
About 10 to 25 minutes each way. Boats leave from Makena Landing boat ramp, Kihei Boat Ramp.
No entry fee. Makena Landing has a small free lot; Maluaka has limited street parking plus a larger public lot about half a mile north. Check current Makena Landing hours before you go.
Official fees and hoursChecked 2026-10-22. Fees change, so confirm before you go.
Turtle Town is a local name, not a single marked site. Hawaii magazine and dive shops place it around Maluaka Beach and Makena Landing. Kayak operators describe the whole run from Nahuna Point to One'uli Black Sand Beach, also called Five Caves or Five Graves for its lava caves and a nearby graveyard. Tour captains tie up over whichever patch has the most turtles that morning.
Look but do not touch. Stay at least 10 feet away, never block a turtle's path to the surface, and do not use flash or poles to get a photo. Hawaii's green sea turtles are protected by state and federal law. If a turtle rests on the bottom, hover above and let it be. Report harassment to DLNR enforcement at 808-873-3990.
Green sea turtles are federally and state protected, and Maui County regulates sunscreen.
NOAA asks you to stay at least 10 ft from sea turtles in Hawaii, in the water and on land. Never touch, chase, ride, feed or corner one, and let it reach the surface to breathe. Official rule
Only mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) is allowed under Maui County's ordinance in effect since October 1, 2022. Hawaii also bans the sale of products with oxybenzone or octinoxate. A rash guard avoids the question. Official rule
In Hawaii it is illegal to swim with or approach spinner dolphins within 50 yards. Humpback whales: 100 yards, including swimmers and kayaks. Official rule
Report turtle harassment to DLNR enforcement (DOCARE) at 808-873-3990, and call NOAA's marine wildlife hotline at 888-256-9840 for an injured or entangled animal. 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.
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 →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 →
It is the reef in Makena on south Maui, usually described as the stretch between Nahuna Point and One'uli Black Sand Beach. Maluaka Beach and the Five Graves reef off Makena Landing are the two parts people visit most. Guides and tour boats use slightly different names, so ask which area your trip covers.
Yes. From Maluaka you enter from sand and swim about 200 yards to the turtle area. From Makena Landing you cross rocky lava beside the boat ramp. Both have no lifeguard, so choose a calm morning, and book a guide if you are not a confident ocean swimmer.
No. Molokini is a crater islet several miles offshore, reachable only by boat. Many tours combine both, with Molokini first and a Turtle Town stop afterward. Check the itinerary, because not every Molokini trip includes a turtle stop.
Stay at least 10 feet away. Do not touch, feed, chase or ride a turtle, and give it room to surface for air. Harassing a protected turtle can bring a citation. Let them approach you if they will.
Early morning. Sources agree that sightings drop through late morning, and afternoon surf can be large. Aim to be in the water soon after sunrise, and avoid the 7 to 9 a.m. tour loading time at Makena Landing if you want a quieter entry.
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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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.
