The 5 Best Snorkeling Spots on Maui

Maui is well known for its golden beaches and crystal-clear waters. Snorkeling off the Valley Isle offers a window into a beautiful underwater world, where you can encounter colorful coral formations and an incredible variety of marine life. Just remember to always observe Hawaiʻi’s wildlife from a respectful distance.

Here are the top five snorkeling spots on Maui that HAWAIʻI Magazine readers love most.  

Note: Snorkeling is a fun and rewarding way to explore Hawaiʻi’s waters, but it can be dangerous. Make sure you have proper equipment, check weather and ocean conditions, and when in doubt, don’t go out.

1. Molokini

Only reachable by boat, Molokini is a crescent-shaped cinder cone about three miles off the coast of Maui—and it’s a snorkeler’s dream. The pristine waters surrounding the tiny islet are home to more than 250 species of tropical fish, including humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa. But it’s the visibility that makes exploring the coral reefs and marine life so memorable. On clear days, visibility can reach up to 200 feet, allowing snorkelers to spot yellow tangs and parrotfish from a dozen feet away. Yet swimmers don’t have to look far, either, as tiny fish often dart just inches away.

READ MORE: 7 Tips for Snorkeling Molokini 

2. Kāʻanapali Beach

Kāʻanapali Beach consistently ranks among the best beaches in the U.S. and the world. Once a retreat for aliʻi, it remains a significant site for culture and recreation in West Maui. 

This three-mile stretch of white sands is bordered by aquamarine waters that are great for snorkeling. The area around Puʻu Kekaʻa is a great place to spot tropical fish, including parrotfish, Moorish idol, tang, butterflyfish, as well as honu.

3. Kapalua Bay

With two protected reefs, Kapalua Bay is safe spot for first-time snorkelers. Lava rock headlands on the sides of the bay provide natural barriers that help create calm conditions. Plus, the reefs are teeming with marine life. The typically clear waters make it easy to marvel at the fish and coral.

4. Honolua Bay

If there’s no swell along Maui’s north shore, Honolua Bay is an excellent snorkeling spot. Best known as a world-class surf break, the bay can be remarkably calm during the summer months. Two rocky cliffs help shelter the area from the wind, creating ideal conditions for exploring the vibrant reef ecosystem and spotting colorful fish.

5. Maluaka Beach

Located at the southern end of Wailea, Maluaka Beach is one of Maui’s best spots for observing honu. A variety of reef fish also inhabit these waters, and snorkelers can explore coral formations and underwater sea arches.

READ MORE: Your Guide to Viewing Hawaiʻi’s Endangered Wildlife

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