BEST SNORKELING ON MAUI

Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve protects both the sea life and the bird life in the area, so you’ll find bigger fish here than you will at many other snorkeling sites. Ahihi Bay itself is small and beautiful, and it opens up into a much bigger, lovely marine area. Both the bay and the water beyond it are generally easy to snorkel. Beneath the surface at Ahihi-Kinau, you will see brown surgeonfish, peacock grouper, parrotfish, black triggerfish, sea urchins, and large schools of manini. This reef is a fish nursery, so you are sure to see some cute baby parrotfish, along with other little ones. There is a good chance you’ll run into some sea turtles, eels, and spotted eagle rays, as well. You’ll love what you see underwater at Ahihi-Kinau. Your best entry point is on the right side of the bay. There is a sort of concrete platform there, in about six inches of water. Once you’re all set, you don’t have to leave this small bay to see a lot of fish. If you do swim beyond the bay, you can travel in either direction. Both ways are gorgeous, with plenty of coral reef to explore. Ahihi-Kinau doesn’t sport a sandy beach, so keep that in mind while you plan your entirely beautiful Maui day. Ahihi Kinau Natural Area Reserve is located on the southern coast of Maui just past Makena.  It's a marine life conservation district, so no fishing of any kind is allowed. One of the things I like most about snorkeling Ahihi Kinau is that the coast line is mostly made up of lava rock intermixed with coral.  Lava rock is a major plus when it comes to snorkeling.  The abrupt contours of the sea floor make perfect homes and hiding places for aquatic life to flourish. You won’t have to swim far to find the fish either.  Many of Ahihi Kinau's most beautiful marine life make their homes in the shallows.  The water starts at about knee deep gradually getting deeper so there's a variety of depths for all skill levels. The water will be clearest in the morning before the wind picks up.  Because it’s so calm, Ahihi Kinau Reserve is also a great spot to snorkel with the kids. Although the reserve covers quite a bit of coast line, most people snorkel from the small protected cove that's right next to the road.  The most convenient place to enter the water is from the small patch of sand on the right hand corner (north side) of this small cove.  But if the rocks don’t bother you, the water is calm enough to get in from just about anywhere.  Just be careful to avoid stepping on any coral - it is a living animal and the foundation of the marine ecosystem.

When you enter the water from the cove, swim to the right (north) and snorkel in front of the first rocky point with the house on it.  Many turtles frequent this point and with a little luck you should be able to spot a few. Here’s just some of the fish I’ve seen while snorkeling at Ahihi Kinau Reserve: butterfly fish, parrot fish, damsel fish, surgeon fish, moorish idol, tang, wrasse, squirrel fish, perch, chub, trigger fish, the former Hawaii State Fish Humuhumunukunukuapuaa, goat fish, snapper, hawk fish, jacks, needle fish, turtles, crustaceans, and invertebrates.

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Honolua Bay is just beautiful! You’ll take a forest path to reach the beach, and if you had any worries, they’ll melt away as you gaze in awe at the giant plants along the path and listen to the murmurings of the resident chicken flocks. The bay is bordered by a beach full of large smooth stones. There is no sand to speak of. In calm weather, this bay hosts snorkelers and divers, but when there is a swell coming through, the surf goes off at Honolua Bay! Check the Maui snorkeling conditions before you drive there. Both sides of the bay boast a well established coral reef with great marine life. You are likely to see peacock groupers, butterflyfish, yellow tang, Moorish idols, and occasionally a manta ray or octopus! Turtles are seen here occasionally, as well. Because fresh water is entering to mix with the salt water in Honolua Bay, in some places the underwater world looks wavy – a bit like when water streams down your windshield in a car wash. Get into the water by going off the old boat ramp on the right hand side. At the shoreline, the bottom is covered with rocks. The ramp and the rocks beyond are very slippery, so take your time. For your comfort, float as soon as you can, and then push out to check out the fish! The beach is made up of large, smooth, round rocks. Though beautiful, it is not super comfortable to rest on. The ‘aina (land) surrounding Honolua Bay is maintained by a man named Uncle Jimmy. If he is there when you are, and you have the time to sit and talk story, he has some incredible tales and history to share. If you want a big mahalo, leave a tip for Uncle Jimmy on your way out; it’s a nice exchange for all the upkeep he does on the beach and trail, and for keeping an eye on people’s cars. Honolua Bay is a Marine Life Conservation District located on the north western end of Maui.  No fishing of any kind is allowed here making for a sealife density and diversity that is second to none on the Valley Isle. Honolua Bay is surrounded by high rocky cliffs on both sides that shelter it from the wind and keep the water calm.  An old cement boat ramp in the center of the beach divides the shoreline in two. To the left of the boat ramp, the shore is made of dark grey powdery sand where an intermittantly running stream flows into the bay.  The flow of the stream in addition to the darker sand makes the water near the shore quite murky.  Not to worry though, if you swim a little ways out the sand becomes white in color and the water clears up (I'll tell you how to get completely get around this area in a moment). To the right of the boat ramp, the shoreline is made of rocks and small boulders.  The famous Honolua Bay surf spot is located out on the far right-hand (north) point. The Honolua Bay surf break is renowned to be one of, if not, the most perfect wave in all of Hawaii.  Whether you're a surfer or not, when there's a north swell, this perfect break is quite something to see.  Luckily, the point is far enough away that the waves won't affect your snorkeling. The middle of the bay is flat with white sand, the center being about 15 to 20 feet deep. As you sit on the beach you will be looking out across the Pailolo Channel at the eastern shores of the Island of Molokai.  

When it’s time to go snorkeling, don’t waste your time jumping in at the center of the beach. Most of Honolua’s coral and sea life is concentrated on the right side of the bay. Walk along the rocks to the right (north) side of the shore before entering the water. Be sure to walk slowly over the rocky area as some of the rocks can be slippery. You’ll save yourself the swim and since you’ll be further from the sand, the visibility will be better. Lastly, Honolua Bay doesn’t have much of a sand beach and is not recommended for families with children under 7 years old.

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This is one of the most popular snorkeling spots on Maui. Every island in the Hawaiian chain has a place where the ancients believed that souls leapt into the afterlife. Black Rock, known in Hawaiian as Pu’u Keka’a, or “Rolling Hill,” is Maui’s jumping-off point. It is also home to a coral reef that is a lot of fun to explore. During whale season, Black Rock is a great place to hear whale song underwater; the incredible sounds bounce off the lava formations there. Most of the fish are both close to Black Rock itself, and in a little cove around the rock to the right. You will always see trumpetfish, the Hawaiian state fish, brown surgeonfish, and different types of butterflyfishes. There are also large schools of goatfish hanging out along the bottom, half asleep. If you are there at just the right time, you may see Hawaiian green sea turtles, the harmless blacktip reef shark, or an unbelievably cool formation of spotted eagle rays! Enter about four yards to the left of Black Rock, in a sandy area. There is a lot to see just on the left hand side. If you want to check out the cove, too, keep some energy in reserve for your return trip. Sometimes there is a current you’ll need to push through on your way back. Kaanapali Beach is a 3 mile long picture perfect stretch of white sand located on the western shore of Maui.  Its been rated one of the best beaches in the world by numerous travel publications such as Condé Nast magazine.  Black Rock is the prominent rocky peninsula and snorkeling spot at the north end of the beach.  The combination of great ocean conditions and the seemingly endless white sand make snorkeling Black Rock at Kaanapali the complete beach experience. Ka’anapali Beach is quite possibly the most breathtaking beach on the Valley Isle.  After experiencing the clear blue water, well-mannered surf, and warm sand, I’m sure it will become one of your favorite places in all of Hawaii.  The soft powdery sand is literally the best on Maui. A beach walk runs parallel with the sand the entire length of Kaanapali.  A collection restaurants and shops called Whaler's Village is about half-way down.  The tiki torches fronting the restaurants makes Kaanapali Beach at sunset one of the most romantic places on the island.  Some of Maui's best hotels line the shore: Sheraton Maui Resort, The Kaanapali Shores, Embassy Vacation Resort Kaanapali Beach, The Westin Maui, Kaanapali Beach Resort, and The Hyatt Regency Maui to name a few. There will be a fair number of people on the sand.  But don’t worry.  The beach is over 3 miles long so there will be plenty of room for you. The water around Black Rock starts at about 8 feet deep and gradually gets to about 25 feet or more as you head around the point.  You will be mostly snorkeling over sand but following a underwater lava rock ledge.  The visibility is good even in the deeper parts around the point.  Keep an eye out for the turtles that frequent the overhangs along the ledge. Here’s some of the fish I’ve seen while snorkeling at Black Rock: Butterfly fish, parrot fish, damsel fish, surgeon fish, moorish idol, tang, wrasse, box fish, cardinal fish, perch, chub, trigger fish, the former Hawaii State Fish Humuhumunukunukuapuaa, goat fish, snapper, porcupine fish, hawk fish, jacks, mackerel, cornet fish, needle fish, turtles, crustaceans, and invertebrates. World famous Ka’anapali Beach is known for the long stretch of white sand beach that runs continuously from the Hyatt Hotel on the south end all the way north to Sheraton Hotel. In between you will find the Marriott, Ka’anapali Ali’i, Westin, Whaler’s Village, The Whaler Condos and the Ka’anapli Beach Hotel. There is limited beach access parking in Ka’anapali, but there are a few spots under the Sheraton Hotel parking structure, in between Whalers Village and the Westin Hotel, and between the Ka’anaplai Ali’i and the Marriott. If you don’t feel like hunting for a parking spot, your best bet is to park in the Whalers Village parking. This is paid parking but if you buy some snacks at the ABC Store or choose to have some beverages at one of the restaurants, you can get 4 hour validated parking. This is one of the most popular Maui beaches. It also boasts the famous Black Rock jumping-off point (Pu’u Keka’a). It’s a long sandy beach with good snorkeling. Expect to park at Whaler’s Village and get validated.

The best snorkeling is out in front of the Sheraton at Black Rock. There is a sandy bottom with great visibility along the rock outcroppings that separate South Ka’anapali beach from North Ka’anapali beach. There is a public parking lot located at ground level at the Sheraton Maui Resort.  The Sheraton is the last hotel located at the north end of Ka’anapali Parkway and is the closest to Black Rock.  There’s a very limited number of stalls so if you want to park for free in the public stalls at the Sheraton, you’ll have to get there in the morning.  If all the stalls are taken at the Sheraton, you can always park at Whaler’s Village, in the center of Kaanapali Beach, although it will be a longer walk to the Black Rock point.  There is a $2.50 per hour charge to park at Whaler’s Village, but it’s free for the first 3 hours if you get a validation stamp at one of the many shops.  You can also park in the Whaler’s village parking lot all day for $20. There are showers located all along the beach walk but no public restrooms.  You’ll have to use the facilities at one of the many hotels along the sand.  There is no lifeguard on duty. Driving time to Kaanapali from Kahului Airport is approximately 50 minutes.

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Airport Beach is so named for the Kaanapali Airport, which was located on this beach until 1986. The airline, Royal Hawaiian Air Service, made sure that traveling with them was a lot of fun. The pilots used to narrate all their inter-island flights and, according to Mark Vieth’s article in the Lahaina News, “a passenger could take a dog on a flight if the rest of the group agreed and the dog didn’t have fleas.” Nowadays, the Airport Beach pavilion marks the site of the old airport terminal, and the snorkeling off the beach is exceptional! The reef just offshore is part of the Kahekili Herbivore Fisheries Management Area, a partially protected underwater space since 2009. Certain types of algae-eating fish cannot be taken in this spot, and the reef has enjoyed improved health because of it. You will love swimming through this thriving ecosystem! Underwater, you are sure to see black triggerfish, humuhumunukunukuapua’a, unicornfish, and yellow tang. This is also great habitat for bluefin trevally, goatfish, and eels! The coral reef here extends in all directions, and you’ll find it almost as soon as you get into the water. You can enter anywhere the sloping beach sand continues into the water. Look for a light turquoise color, and walk in there. (The dark color you see below the surface is coral reef, and very fragile.) The best thing to do is find a sandy spot, walk in, and then float on your back while you get your gear ready. That way, you’re comfortable, and so is the habitat you’ll be exploring! Kahekili Beach Park is also called Airport Beach due to the fact that during the 1960’s and early 1970’s, the location served as West Maui’s only airport. Once the airport moved to Kahana (interestingly now called Kapalua Airport), the land was used to grow sugarcane. In the last ten years there has been a lot of development in the area, with both the Westin Ocean Resort Villas and the Honua Kai Resort being built. One nice thing about the area is the new “setback” laws that Maui County created. The resorts were forced to setback their properties around 150 yards from the shore line which helped in preserving the natural beauty of North Ka’anapali. The best snorkeling is out in front of the Westin Ocean Resort Villas north towers. There is a beautiful reef and ample parking at the entrance to the park. Depending on the direction you’re traveling, turn into the entrance at Kai Ala Drive and drive towards the ocean to find the parking lot. There is additional parking at the “Green Belt” section of the beach. between the Westin Villas and the Honolua Kai. Public restrooms, picnic tables, grills and fresh water showers make this snorkel spot a place you can enjoy all day

We recommend bringing a beach chair if you have one. There are some great shade opportunities to set up camp for the day under the Kiawe trees that grow along this section of the Ka’anapali coastline. The Kiawe tree is known for the thorns that grow along its branches so watch your step. A beach umbrella is always a good idea if you want to be closer to the surf or in area where there is no natural shade.

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