Best Snorkeling Beaches in Maui?

[Queen of Adventure]

Aloha:D

We'd like to rent a car while we are Maui (On the Pride of Aloha so we'll be there two days) to explore on our own. Could you steer me to the best snorkelling beaches?

Mahalo

Ahnalira

[SheilaNC]

Excellent snorkeling in Kapalua, can't remember the name of the one with rocks to climb into the water (not crowded). The one by the Kapalua Bay Hotel has good snorkeling but lots of people, go early.

[beachchick]

Go to snorkelbobs.com and mauidiveshop.com. Both have good information about snorkeling/diving, beaches, weather, winds, water conditions, etc.

 

IMO, Kapalua is usually just okay, decent but not spectacular, and, depending on weather/water, can be murky and difficult.

 

Black Rock at Ka'anapali beach (in front of the Sheraton Maui) is almost always good. Honolua (north of Kapalua) is a marine preserve. If conditions are good, this is excellent. Also some of the Kihei/Wailea beaches have good morning snorkeling before the pm winds kickup. In fact, am into early afternoon is usually best.

 

You will have to drive across the island. There really aren't any good snorkeling spots on the Kahului side where POA docks. Again, this is IMO. Locals may know some spots over there.

 

beachchick

[spleen93]

Nope, no good snorkeling spots near Kahului. :)

 

Spleen

[Queen of Adventure]

Mahalo, everyone!:D

 

I just looked at the weather forecast for while we are there... mid 70's. Does anyone besides me think that might be a little chilly for snorkeling?:p

Ahnalira

[beachchick]

Some of the dive/snorkel shops rent wetsuit vests. DH gets cold and used one last time. Air temps were about 75 to 80 (March) and water temps were only about mid 70s ("only" she says, when the Pacific waters where we live never get above 60. lol.) I was fine after a couple of minutes, but September/October waters are noticably warmed and more pleasant (for me at least). OTOH, DH loved the light wetsuit vest. He said it gave him just what he needed to keep his core warm, but was light enough not to encumber him in any way. In fact, I think we might just as well buy him one on our next trip to Maui. Don't skip the snorkeling on Maui. It's fabulous.

 

beachchick

[Queen of Adventure]

Thanks for the tip, Beachchick:D

Ahnalira