Top 4 Snorkeling Spots in Maui Hawaii

Maui offers the best snorkeling out of all the Hawaiian islands and I’m sharing with you my top 4 favorite spots in this post. The best season for snorkeling is May through September and the best time of the day is in the morning. The water is generally calm and clear in the morning though in the afternoon, the tradewinds pick up making the tides rough thus decreasing underwater visibility. It’s always a must to check with a morning snorkeling report before heading out. Sigh up for a daily morning report with The Snorkel Store. If you see honu (Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles), please enjoy them from a respectable distance!

-Kapalua Bay (Northwest)

If I had to choose just one spot to snorkel out of the four, Kapalua Bay is it. The beach is beautiful and you are bound to see a few honu. The best spot to snorkel there is on the left side of the bay around the rocks, facing the ocean. Honu and fish like to feed on algae on rocks so generally, that’s where you’ll find them. The free parking space is small but there is an adjacent paid parking.

-Honolua Bay (Northwest)

“Honolua” means “two harbors” in Hawaiian and it was used to receive supplies. A secluded bay accessed only through a trail, it offers diverse species of marine life; Butterfly fish, parrot fish, tang, trigger fish, cardinal fish, eel, honu, barracuda….and more! The shore line is made of rocks and boulders. The best area to snorkel is on the right side of the bay (around the rocks) facing the ocean. There is no parking so either park on the top of the hill at the lookout or park along the road by the trail entrance.

-Napili Bay (Northwest)

Napili Bay is a crescent shaped sandy beach with a laid-back feel, perfect for families with children. The waves are normally calmer here and the best spot to snorkel is in front of Napili Kai. Parking can be tricky,: If you are not staying at one of the condos or resorts, roadside parking is the only option.

-Black Rock Beach at Ka’anapali (West)

Black Rock Beach is at the furthest right end ( facing the ocean) of the famous Ka’anapali beach. Around the cliff and the rocks is where honu and other marine life (parrot fish, damsel fish, box fish, goat fish, tang…, to just name a few) frequently visit. . The best parking option is to park at Whaler’s Village and get parking validated by having lunch or a drink there.