
Explore the Stunning Beauty Beneath Maui’s Waters
Maui’s got the best snorkeling spots in all of Hawaii, hands down. The water’s so clear you can see up to 150 feet down in some places. For the best experience, always check the daily snorkel report for ocean conditions, visibility, and safety updates. The right timing can mean the difference between a breathtaking underwater adventure and a choppy, low-visibility swim.
From calm, shallow bays perfect for beginners to hidden spots where you might spot reef sharks, here are 10 of the best spots in Maui for snorkeling this year.

Five Caves
You’ll find Five Caves, aka Turtle Town or Turtle Arches, in South Maui near Makena Landing, also called “Five Graves” by locals because of a nearby graveyard.
You’ll need snorkeling experience here, since getting to the good spots means carefully moving through rocky shores and strong currents.
Strong swimmers who tackle the tough journey find sea turtles, reef sharks, and pufferfish swimming through beautiful coral gardens.
You can also join boat tours or enter from shore at Maluaka Beach and Makena Landing to explore this marine sanctuary.

Kapalua Bay
Two ancient lava flows cradle Kapalua Bay on Maui’s northwest coast, creating one of Hawaii’s most stunning snorkel spots. USA Today once called this place the “Best Beach in America.” The curved bay blocks rough waves, keeping the waters clear and calm.
The south end offers the best snorkeling, where bright tropical fish and green sea turtles swim through crystal-clear waters from the surface down to 30 feet. There’s a 40-space lot where you can park, with easy access to bathrooms, showers, and nearby gear rentals.

Napili Bay
Just south of Kapalua lies another snorkeling paradise: Napili Bay, with its curved golden beach and inviting waters.
Clear, calm waters range from 3 to 8 feet deep, making snorkeling easy for both beginners and experts. Head to the coral reefs at the bay’s edges for the best views. Watch for bright parrotfish, butterflyfish, and Hawaii’s state fish, the Humuhumunukunukuapua’a.
Sea turtles love these waters, especially during summer’s calm conditions. While the bay lacks lifeguards or bathrooms, outdoor showers help wash off after swimming.

Honolua Bay
Nature shows off at Honolua Bay, a premier snorkel spot protected by the Honolua-Mokulē’ia Marine Life Conservation District.
Drive 7 miles north of Ka’anapali on Highway 30 to find bright coral reefs teeming with parrotfish, butterflyfish, surgeonfish, and graceful sea turtles.
A marked jungle path leads to the rocky beach entry. Though shoreline waters look cloudy, swimming further reveals crystal-clear views, especially along the western side.
Natural cliffs block trade winds, creating perfect conditions for underwater exploration from surface level to 30 feet deep.

Ulua Beach
Ulua Beach stretches half a mile along South Maui, where snorkelers discover vibrant coral reefs in crystal waters.
Located between Andaz Resort and Wailea Beach Resort, this popular spot boasts clear views and calm waters, especially during morning hours. The north end offers the best snorkeling, with healthy corals near shore and a special area called Turtle Reef.
Though no lifeguards patrol here, modern amenities include bathrooms, showers, and a scenic oceanfront walkway.

Black Rock
A dramatic formation called Black Rock stands guard at Ka’anapali Beach’s north end, creating an iconic and easy-to-reach snorkel spot.
The traditional Hawaiian name Pu’u Keka’a marks this site where bright coral reefs house tropical fish in waters 5 to 25 feet deep. Follow the beach path from free public parking to find the best entry point about 4 yards left of the rock in a sandy area.
Morning brings the clearest views in the typically 75°F waters, and lucky winter visitors might even hear whale songs.

La Perouse Bay
South of Turtle Town’s busy waters sits La Perouse Bay, one of Maui’s wildest and most dramatic snorkel spots.
Find this protected area at Makena Alanui Road’s end, where early morning brings the clearest conditions. Challenging entry points and changing currents make this spot best for experienced snorkelers, but rich underwater life rewards the effort.
Schools of tang, wrasse, and parrotfish dart through clear waters, often joined by green sea turtles and spinner dolphins. Beyond snorkeling, explore ancient lava fields, walk the historic King’s Highway, and discover old Hawaiian archaeological sites.

Coral Gardens
Coral Gardens ranks among Maui’s most spectacular snorkel spots, stretching along dramatic West Maui cliffs and reachable only by boat. Ancient lava flows shaped this protected bay, where visibility extends 40 feet down and Hawaii’s oldest reefs spread across 100 pristine acres.
Snorkelers of all skill levels explore the gentle slope, finding brain and fan corals alongside green sea turtles and hundreds of fish species. Unique underwater features include caves, cracks, and overhangs, while strict rules about reef-safe sunscreen help protect this world-class marine sanctuary.

Ahihi Kinau Natural Area Reserve
Clear waters stretch across 807 marine acres at Ahihi Kinau Natural Area Reserve along Maui’s southwestern shore, offering Hawaii’s most untouched snorkeling.
This protected sanctuary, Hawaii’s first Natural Area Reserve established in 1973, features crystal waters from surface level to 10 feet deep. Bright coral reefs house brown surgeonfish, peacock grouper, and countless tropical species.
Morning snorkelers catch the best views before afternoon winds pick up. A $5 non-resident parking fee grants access to Hawaii’s only tested healthy reef.
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