Favorite Maui Beach and/or snorkel

[beechparty]

What is your favorite beach in Maui and favorite place to snorkel?

 

Thanks!

[Bucky3]

Kapalua Bay - beautiful beach and pretty good snorkeling we've been told.

[rjscott]

Kaanapali Beach in front of the Sheraton, Kapalua Bay and Napili Bay.

[sceptic]

Fave beach is Napili. Best snorkeling beach IMO is Honolua Bay, which is N of Kapalua and a marine preserve. The beach itself is rocky, but the snorkeling a couple hundred yards out, on both the left and right side, is spectacular. You know it's good when the snorkel catamarans come here.

[beachchick]

Best snorkeling in our experience is Honolua Bay/Slaughterhouse (right next to Honolua and part of the marine preserve). There are no facilities at either, but in summer Slaughterhouse has sand to lounge on. Both have easy entry, and both can be cloudy/murky after heavy rains. Kahekili (Airport) beach has good facilities, is easy to get to, and has some good snorkeling with easy water entry. There's also lawn and beach for just lounging. Ka'anapali at Black Rock (in front of the Sheraton) can be okay to quite good. Ka'anapali is a long beach that's developed, including a beach walk and shopping/eating at Whaler's Village. Kapalua has been more iffy, but can be good. The water can be rough and cloudy though; it's really inconsistent in our experience. However, it is usually easy entry, and it's an excellent beach. Napili is great for beaching, but not snorkeling (again, IMO).

 

There is also La Perouse marine preserve on the south end, but it's harder to get to. We haven't snorkeled at any of the southwest beaches, but have heard that a few of them are quite good.

 

Have a great time.

 

beachchick

[tommy]

Which is closest to Marriott Wakiki Beach Resort.Looking for calm sandy beach. TOM

[spleen93]

None of the above - all of the above beaches are on Maui and the Marriott Waikiki is on Oahu. The closest to the Marriott Waikiki Beach is ... Waikiki Beach. :) It's right across the street. It satisfies your requirements for calm (mostly) and sandy.

 

Spleen

[beachchick]

tommy: Don't know your schedule and itinerary, but if you are in Waikiki for a couple of days pre or post cruise and if you are renting a car, I highly recommend a drive across Oahu to Kailua. Kailua Beach Park is by far one of our all-time favorite swimming beaches (no snorkeling). It was my first beach day in Hawaii, and for swimming and wonderful hang loose attitude, it's still my favorite. The facilities are excellent, the beach is beautiful, the water is (usually) calm, and the atmosphere is amazing. Lots of locals seemed to make it their "unwind from the work day" beach. Absolutely love it. (I should mention that we stayed in Kailua for a week, just 3 blocks from the beach, because we like the quieter places. Love to visit Waikiki, but not to stay there...unless of course we can ever afford to stay at the Halekulani or the best rooms at the Surfrider...sigh.)

 

beachchick

[tommy]

Thanks Beachchick,an Spleen,We are doing a 2 day prior Jan26th,27th.Most of 26th will be lost so the 27th at Waikiki beach will probably be the best bet.2 days at Maui to the 1st we are golfing,2nd day may be beach day.4 more days and we will be in Honolulu cant wait. TOM

[spleen93]

Actually, to be more precise, the beach across the street from the Marriott Waikiki Beach is not Waikiki Beach but is Kuhio Beach. But close enough. Most people won't know the difference. :) Have a great time!

 

Spleen