| The white, soft-as-sugar sand and crystal clear teal | | | | to touch. For the best conditions, snorkel when the sun |
| waters of Maui make it one of the greatest places to | | | | is shining brightly - it lights up the colors of the fish and |
| snorkel in the world. The waters are rich with sea life, | | | | the coral. On the west side of Maui, snorkeling is best |
| and many of the best reefs are easily accessible from | | | | before the afternoon winds begin to pick up and |
| shore. Or, if you are feeling adventurous, you can take | | | | impact your visibility. In addition, the water can be |
| a cruise to Molokini Crater, an underwater sanctuary | | | | murky when there is a large swell or for a few days |
| only three miles off the Southern Maui shore, which | | | | following a big storm, so try to embark on your Maui |
| routinely has visibility in excess of 100 feet. | | | | snorkeling adventure when the weather is good. |
| Before strapping on those fins and gliding out into the | | | | Ka'anapali |
| warm, clear waters, here are a few things to help you | | | | The expanse of white sand that makes up Ka'anapali |
| get the most out of your Maui snorkeling experience | | | | is probably one of the best-known beaches in Maui. It |
| Maui Snorkeling Basics | | | | is a prime snorkeling spot, especially along Black Rock. |
| If you have never snorkeled before, it is a fun and | | | | This lava jetty extends out into the ocean at the north |
| easy activity that anyone, regardless of age, can do. | | | | end of the beach and is teeming with colorful fish. You |
| You can bring your own gear with you, or rent | | | | may even spy a sea turtle from time to time, or an |
| snorkeling equipment from one of the many dive | | | | occasional octopus. The beach is lined with resorts and |
| shops found around Maui. If you are staying in a resort | | | | shopping, so there are plenty of facilities and ample |
| area, chances are you will find a Maui snorkeling | | | | parking. Ka'anapali gives you a memorable Maui |
| supplies store only a few hundred feet from your | | | | snorkeling experience. |
| room. | | | | Honalua Bay |
| Snorkeling equipment can be rented for anywhere | | | | Situated on the northwest shore of Maui, Honalua Bay |
| from $1.50 to $10 per day, depending upon the quality | | | | is just outside the beautiful village of Kapalua. It is |
| and type of gear you prefer. Upgraded fins, easy | | | | normally fairly calm, but can be very rough if there is a |
| breathe snorkels, and optical masks will cost more. For | | | | large swell. Swim to the right side of the bay for the |
| the greatest comfort, rent a silicone mask rather than | | | | best viewing of undersea life. Honalua Bay has a |
| a rubber one. The material is softer and will form | | | | rocky shore rather than a sandy beach, so water |
| around your face more easily, giving you a better seal. | | | | shoes are beneficial. |
| In addition to the basic equipment, most snorkel rentals | | | | Access is not as easy here - you must park along the |
| include a waterproof fish identification card and a | | | | road and follow a trail down to the beach. However, |
| bottle of anti-fog liquid. Just spray or rub the liquid | | | | the effort is well worth it because Honalua Bay has |
| around on the inside of your mask before entering the | | | | one of the highest concentrations of fish of any Maui |
| water, and it will keep your mask from fogging up. If | | | | snorkeling spot. |
| you do not have a commercially prepared liquid | | | | Kamaole |
| available, spitting into the mask will accomplish the | | | | The beaches of Kamaole encompass three separate |
| same goals. | | | | areas spread throughout the town of Kihei. All of the |
| Try your Maui snorkeling gear on in the pool first to | | | | beaches have grassy parks with plenty of trees, and |
| familiarize yourself with the dynamics. Get used to | | | | you can snorkel along the lava outcroppings, which is |
| how the fins feel, and practice breathing through your | | | | where the fish seem to prefer to gather. Parking is |
| snorkel. Remember to keep the tip pointed upwards, or | | | | plentiful, and access to the beaches is easy. You'll find |
| you'll end up with a mouthful of water. If you do get | | | | lots of locals at this Maui snorkeling location. |
| water in your snorkel, or you dive down to take a | | | | Coral Gardens |
| better look at exciting fish life near the bottom, just | | | | This Maui snorkeling spot is located just one-half mile |
| give a hearty blow when you resurface. That should | | | | north of the tunnel on the highway that leads from |
| purge most of the water from your snorkel. | | | | Kahului to Lahaina. The reef is a long ways from the |
| Entering the surf can be tricky with fins on, and many | | | | beach, so it is only recommended for advanced |
| beginners find it almost impossible. If you strap your fins | | | | swimmers unless you are snorkeling from a boat. This |
| on while you are still on the beach, walk backwards | | | | is a great place to see lots of Maui's famous green |
| into the surf until you are deep enough to turn and | | | | sea turtles. |
| swim. This will keep the waves from knocking you | | | | La Perouse Bay |
| over. Otherwise, just swim out a bit with your fins in | | | | La Perouse Bay is located south of the village of |
| hand, and strap them on in the water. Many fins are | | | | Wailea, on the southwest tip of Maui. This is a very |
| pull-on, making them very easy to get on and off while | | | | private area for swimming and snorkeling, and it is not |
| you are swimming. | | | | at all unusual to find that you have the place all to |
| If you are not a strong swimmer, wear a life vest to | | | | yourself. The water tends to be cooler on Maui's |
| add buoyancy. The types designed for water skiing | | | | southern shores, and summer can produce some large |
| are lightweight and are not bulky. Another great way | | | | southern swells. You should be able to see plenty of |
| to stay afloat easily is to take along a swimming | | | | fish, and you will have a great view of Molokini Crater. |
| noodle. Just tuck it under your arms and go - it will | | | | Just remember to use some caution and good water |
| provide gentle flotation without getting in your way. | | | | safety habits when enjoying this remote Maui |
| Finally, for a really up-close and personal Maui | | | | snorkeling area. |
| snorkeling experience, take along something to feed | | | | Molokini Crater |
| the fish. Some people like to use frozen peas, but you | | | | The most famous spot for Maui snorkeling, you can |
| can also purchase a commercially made fish food in a | | | | only reach Molokini Crater by boat. Once you arrive, |
| biodegradable pouch at the snorkel shop. Two sticks | | | | you can explore the waters within the old cone of a |
| usually run about $4. | | | | long-dormant volcano, and enjoy the pristine waters. |
| One word of caution, though. The fish will swarm | | | | The water can be deep under the boats, up to 100 |
| around you, so be prepared for your sea life popularity. | | | | feet in some places. It is so clear that some people |
| Once they have eaten all of the food, they may even | | | | experience a sensation of vertigo, similar to what you |
| follow you, looking for more. Feeding is not | | | | would feel when looking down from great heights, |
| recommended in Honalua Bay, where the fish have | | | | when they look towards the ocean floor. |
| become so accustomed to human feeding they have | | | | In addition to fish and turtles, you may also see monk |
| begun to get downright pushy about it. These little | | | | seals, whale sharks, white-tip sharks, rays, and eels. |
| beggars may even give you a gentle nip trying to | | | | The abundance of sea life in this underwater |
| coax a snack from you. | | | | sanctuary makes Molokini a must-experience |
| The Beaches for Maui Snorkeling | | | | destination for your Maui snorkeling adventures. |
| The vast variety of beaches and coral create perfect | | | | If you have never snorkeled before, Maui is the |
| Maui snorkeling places along the west and south sides | | | | perfect place to try it for the first time. For those who |
| of the island. Most of them are great for beginners, | | | | are old pros, Maui snorkeling never gets old. It just gets |
| and many spots are shallow enough to allow your feet | | | | better every time. |