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Snorkeling
One of the
reasons we love Maui so much is the great snorkeling here. Since the Hawaiian
Islands are the most remote on earth, about 25-30% of the marine life is
"endemic" and can only be found here. This makes snorkeling on Maui a wonderful
experience. This webpage gives you tips on snorkeling here and some of our
favorite spots. At the same time, it asks for your help in preserving our reef
and sea life by acting responsibly while you snorkel.
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Snorkeling Tips
- Please use caution!!! Review the County of Maui
beach
safety tips or chat with one of the Ocean Safety Officers
(lifeguards) about beach, surf conditions, and ocean safety. Please obey their
ocean safety signs.
- Use the buddy system. Do not snorkel alone!
- The best time to snorkel on Maui is in the morning
before the wind picks up. This is the time the water is the most calm and
clearest. While you may find good snorkeling after noon, it will really depend
on the wind and the specific location. You'll just have to check.
- The snorkel gear we have in the condo is from
US Divers. We recommend putting a drop of baby shampoo (no
tears) or anti-fog in the mask before you get in the water. Give the mask a
quick rinse just before your ready to put it. The snorkel tube usually is
installed on the left side of the mask. We find it easier to put our flippers
on once we get out past the shore break.
- Speaking of shore break, if the surf is more than a
couple of feet high, the water near shore will be churned up and not as clear.
We recommend you take a snorkle trip out to Molokini or Coral Gardens is this
case. There are several good snorkel trips available a
Maui Dive Shops, the
Four Winds
II (glassbottom catamaran) or the
Paragon II
(snorkel & sail). Alternately, you can take the Blue Water Rafting trip (KANAIO/ MOLOKINI) that explores the sea caves south of La
Perouse Bay and takes you to Molokini as well as "Turtle Town" with a lunch. It
is one of our favorites. You may even see Maui's famous
spinner
dolphins.
- Apply a good waterproof sun screen - especially on
your back, neck and legs behind your knees. The water can magnify the sun and
because you'll feel cool while snorkeling, you won't notice a sunburn until
it's too late.
- While getting in or out of the water, NEVER turn
your back on the ocean. Doing so invites a wave to knock you down.
- If you want to get some pictures, there are several
underwater camera choices. You can get a disposable camera from many of the
stores and shops located around the island. You can also get a digital camera
that you can use underwater as well as for regular, above water shots. We
purchased a
Sealife SL321 ECOshot
 6.0MP Digital Camera
and we really like it. It is rated to 75' deep, has 4x Digital Zoom, a 1 GB SD
Card and corrects for color in underwater shots. The underwater shots at the
bottom of this page were taken with it. And you can use it above water
too!!!
- Please do not feed the fish. Doing so actually
drives the more colorful fish from the reef!!!
- Do not touch or stand on the coral!!!
- Sometime during snorkeling along the shores of
South Maui, you will most likely see a
Green sea turtle ("Honu" in Hawaiian). If so, do not try to
touch it. If a turtle is trying to get to the surface, give it space to do so.
Turtles need to surface to get air.
- The ocean has a rhythm. If you watch the way the
fish behave, you can see it. Floating over a spot on the reef, you'll notice
the waves will move you back and forth. This is the rhythm we are talking
about. Enjoy the relaxation it imparts while you snorkel.
- Many of the most colorful fish are found in water
between the depths of 6 -20 feet. Be aware of the ocean's rhythm and currents.
Do not get in shallow water where a wave can wash you into coral or lava
rock.
- When we return from snorkeling, we remove our
flippers when we can comfortably touch the bottom. Watch the ocean and return
to the shore when its safe between waves. Enjoy your snorkeling
experience.
Snorkeling Spots We Like
There are
many great snorkel spots described in
Maui Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook We suggest you get a
copy before you arrive so you can better plan your snorkel adventures. You can
also request a free
Maui Dive
Guide with diving and snorkeling detailed maps from the Maui Dive
Shop.
Here's are some of our favorite snorkel spots close to our condo.
- Kamaole Beach II / III The point between
Kamaole Beach II and III has good snorkeling and it's right in front of our
condo! We recommend entering on the Kamaole Beach III side of the point.
Snorkel out to the point across and around several lava/coral fingers. At the
point, the water is 16-20 feet depth. There is often a school of goatfish here
along with several varieties of surgeon fish, butterfly fish, wrasses, and
puffers. Watch for the Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasses who have setup cleaning
stations off the point. Continue around the point back toward Kamaole Beach II.
Here you'll find a beautiful collection of sea urchins, more fish varieties and
often a couple of green sea turtles. Complete your snorkel coming ashore on
Kamaole Beach II.
- Ulua / Mokapu Beach This beach is located
just off Wailea Alanui drive just before you get to the Shops of Wailea. Get
here early as the parking lot fills up quickly. Sometimes if you wait a few
minutes, someone will leave and give you their parking spot. Enter on the Ulua
Beach side. You'll find a volunteer guide stationed at the entrance to the
beach that can help advise you on fish, conditions, etc. Ulua has a large
variety of fish, eels, and sometimes turtles, manta rays and an octopus. You'll
often see scuba divers swimming below you as they use this beach for
training.
- Wailea Beach This beach is located in front
of the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa and the Four Seasons Resort Maui in
Wailea. Public entry and parking is available off of Wailea Alanui drive
between the two resorts. Look for the small blue beach access sign on the right
after you pass the Grand Wailea traffic light. The best snorkeling area is on
the left side of the beach. There is more coral than Ulua / Mokapu but you'll
need to swim further.
Underwater Pictures
The pictures below
where taken while snorkeling in the areas mentioned above. To learn more about
these fish, their habits, etc., pick up
Hawaii's Fishes : A Guide for Snorkelers, Divers, and
Aquarists. It is the best guide about the fish you'll see while snorkeling
and makes a great reference.
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