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Where to Find Maui’s Best Snorkeling
Finding the best snorkeling on Maui isn’t hard; it’s paring down the choices to a single vacation that becomes challenging. Maui is one of the premiere snorkeling locations in the world, with a wealth of underwater adventure and sights to see. Whether you are looking for snorkeling opportunities right off the beach or further out via a charter, we’ve got the best snorkeling on Maui right here.
West Maui
The western side of the island offers a plethora of picturesque bays for snorkeling adventure. The tree-lined Honolua Bay is filled with brightly colored fish and a breathtaking reef. Makuleia Bay is another lovely spot, particularly in the morning when it is calmer and easier to view the reef and the tropical fish that live within its confines. For those who want to combine their snorkeling adventure with some beach activity, the fabulous coastline around Napili Bay is the perfect solution. This beach provides plenty of accommodations, with a multitude of condos in the vicinity. Kapalua Bay is one of the better known snorkeling locations in the western part of Maui, and offers a nice beach day on top of the snorkeling activity, with bathrooms, showers and food located in the area.
South Maui
Wailea Beach in the southern region offers some spectacular views and the occasional glimpse of a sea turtle if you are lucky. Both Wailea and nearby Polo Beach offer bathroom and shower facilities onsite, making for a more comfortable day of snorkeling and swimming. These locations also offer fabulous beaches for sunbathing, when you have had your fill of underwater adventure. Another popular place for snorkeling on the southern end of Maui is Molokini Crater, an underwater volcano that serves as a refuge for a multitude of tropical fish and sea life. In fact, Molokini Crater has been rated the best snorkeling in Maui by many snorkelers and divers today.
East Maui
To the east, you will find the unique Red Sand Beach, which primarily caters to snorkelers and nude sunbathers, thanks to the quiet cove that offers additional privacy. This location is good for snorkelers of all skill levels and offers a large density of colorful fish for your viewing pleasure. Hamoa Beach is another place for some of Maui’s best snorkeling adventures, as long as you visit in the spring, summer or fall. In the winter, the surf kicks up too much to make snorkeling at this location safe or enjoyable. At the other end of the eastern loop lies Koki Beach, which also provides a large amount of reef fish hiding within the picturesque reef below the surface.
No matter what type of snorkeling excursion you are looking for, you can rest assured that you can find the best Maui snorkeling nearly anywhere on the island. From the pristine beaches of the west, to an underwater volcano just south of the island’s shore, you can find a wealth of sight seeing and underwater adventure when you grab your mask and head down into the depths of the waters just off the Maui coastline.