Where is the safest place to snorkel in Maui?

Kapalua Bay: just a bit further up the road from Napili Bay is Kapalua Bay. This is another protected cove in West Maui. The water is often calm in the morning and it's one of the best snorkel spots on the island. Yes, you could swim with a turtle just a few yards offshore.



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Keep in mind that Maui's beaches are susceptible to big waves and hazardous conditions. It is important to assess the wind, ocean currents, and swell in the area that you are considering. Water clarity is also important to ensure safety. Never snorkel in turbid and/or murky water.

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Kapalua Bay is my favorite snorkeling spot in Maui despite also being one of the most crowded. It's in the northwestern part of the island and has a huge reef on either sides of the u-shaped shore. The water is usually calm, so it's perfect for kids and less-confident swimmers.

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You can also sign up for The Snorkel Store's daily email for updates (they also sell gear, but are only in Lahaina). Snorkeling is mostly in west Maui and south Maui. In general, the North Shore near Paia and east Maui near Hana are too rough. The water is generally more calm in the morning.

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Crescent-shaped Kapalua Bay is just gorgeous and one of the easiest places to snorkel on Maui as marine life is abundant close to shore.

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Maluaka Beach. It's not uncommon to see honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles) at Maluaka Beach on Maui. Maluaka Beach (aka Turtle Town) is one of Maui's best-kept secrets. Like its nickname suggests, this beach, located south of Wailea and at the end of Maluaka Road, is a great spot for—guess!

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Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach located on Maui is known to have rough water and is reported to be one of a handful of red sand beaches around the world. Makena Beach in Maui has the nickname of “breakneck beach” because the surf breaks right on the shore, making it very dangerous to swim in.

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Scuba diving and snorkeling in Maui or anywhere around the world is typically the best between 10 am in the morning and 2 pm in the afternoon. This is due to the sun being higher in the sky. The sun angle being more above the surface of the earth allows more light to penetrate the water.

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Choppy waters are not ideal for snorkeling, especially; if you're not a proficient swimmer. Wavy waters will bounce you around, and you'll experience diminished underwater visibility because of increased moving debris and sand. Waves also influence the ease and safety of getting in and out of the waters.

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9 Best Places to Snorkel in the World
  • Baa Atoll, Maldives. Why it's special: Swim with manta rays, whale sharks and sea turtles in a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. ...
  • Maui, Hawaii. ...
  • Koh Tao, Thailand. ...
  • Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. ...
  • Great Barrier Reef, Australia. ...
  • Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia. ...
  • Bora Bora, French Polynesia. ...
  • Punta Mita, Mexico.


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White Tip Reef Sharks They are often seen in caves and wrecks in Maui and its neighboring island, the island of Molokai. These sharks are communal and have distinctive white tips on most of their fins.

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Fins. In addition to a mask, you should also bring along fins for your feet. They help you propel yourself through the water and fight the moving currents. Make sure your fins are adjusted beforehand to fit your specific shoe size so they work properly and are comfortable to wear.

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Maluaka Beach (AKA Turtle Town) Fronting the Maui Prince Hotel in the South Maui town of Kihei, Maluaka Beach is the ultimate destination for impromptu turtle encounters - so much so that the whole surrounding area is nicknamed “Turtle Town.”

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