Snorkeling is one of the best water activities to sign up for whenever you are in Maui. With its rich and vibrant underwater ecosystem, the Pacific Ocean water surrounding the Hawaiian islands is sure to provide anyone with an amazing experience. So if you are looking for the best places in Maui where you can have a great time snorkeling, you will be happy to find that you won’t have to venture far from your beachfront Maui vacation rental!
Here are the best top beaches to go to:
Best West Maui Beaches
Located in the lush northwest part of the island, Honolua Bay’s beautiful Marine Preserve is excellent for snorkeling. It offers a rich and diverse collection of sea life which will surely make your snorkeling experience one of a kind. And because there are high cliffs surrounding the bay, it is sheltered from strong winds, keeping the water calm.
Located in the northernmost part of the Kaanapali Beach Resort, Kahekili Beach Park is a great place for first-time snorkelers as the reef comes up to the shore and the waves are usually mild. The shore is also less crowded, making it a nice place for a picnic. It’s also a favorite spot for beginner divers as this beach park gives them easier access to the reef. Its water is home to a large variety of fish and green sea turtles that are frequently in the Kaanapali area.
For a fun day snorkeling with your family and kids, Airport Beach is one of the top choices. It is a great place for a fun day at the beach, with its spacious parking lot, covered gazebo, expansive grass lawn, as well as its showers, and restrooms. See to it that you schedule your snorkeling during days that are not windy as Airport Beach’s waters may not be ideal for such an activity.
Napili Bay is one of the best beaches on the island for families and beginner snorkelers. This sandy beach is easy to access, with the beach’s southern part being the best area for snorkeling. It offers a wide variety of fish as well as sea turtles, although the coral reef in the area may not be as pretty as those from the other sites.
Named after the Honolua Ranch slaughterhouse and storage shed that was torn down in the 60s, the Slaughterhouse Beach is a great snorkeling location during the summer months, when the water is tame. It has a nice sandy beach and during fine days, the water can be clear, letting you enjoy the underwater view. There is a variety of fish and turtles in the area, too. Parking can be a little challenging as there is limited space and there are instances of car break-ins, so be sure to bring your valuables with you.
Located south of Napili Bay, the Honokeana Bay can be a nice place to watch and swim with turtles when the water is calm. The rocky shore can be a challenge to get across before you can dip into the water, so this place is not suitable for children and people with mobility problems. The bay has a wide area of coral reefs, giving you ample snorkeling space to share with other snorkelers.
Located at the north end of Kaanapali Beach, Black Rock is a very popular cliff diving spot to the younger generations. The location is best for snorkeling during the early parts of the day, as it gets crowded by mid-day. There are lots of beautiful fish and you can even get a chance to see some sea turtles and reef sharks. Great place for beginner snorkeling.
Other Top Maui Snorkeling Locations
If you want to make the most of your beach day and do more than snorkeling, then Makena Landing is the perfect beach park to go to. Its large and shallow bay is perfect for snorkeling, kayaking, and stand up paddling, while its accompanying park offers a number of amenities for picnickers. The park has a paved parking lot, BBQ area, restrooms, and showers. Makena Landing is best for snorkeling during the earlier parts of the day as it is less crowded and there will be fewer swells in the water.
Being one of the only three partially submerged volcanic calderas in the world, the Molokini Crater is considered as Hawaii’s only island marine sanctuary. Divers and snorkelers coming from all over the world visit the crater to get a glimpse of the beautiful underwater ecosystem it has. Because of its location, the visibility underwater is consistently excellent. Its coral reefs are filled with an abundance of fish and other marine animals, making it a great snorkeling experience that is perfect for the whole family.
Given the rich and diverse marine life in the waters of Hawaii, snorkeling is definitely a must-try, even for those who haven’t yet experienced it. Maui will surely get you hooked with snorkeling as its ocean will surely provide you with an unforgettable snorkeling experience that you can share and enjoy with the rest of your family. If you are visiting the island with your family and loved ones, be sure to choose an accommodation that will let you make the most of your stay. Check out the best in Maui vacation home rentals offered by Kahana Village for the best lodgings in West Maui.