Last Updated on July 7, 2024 by Tori’s VA
The island of Maui, Hawaii is the ultimate tropical destination. Between the beautiful beaches, delicious food, epic hikes, and kind people, there’s nothing bad about it! But while you are there, you probably already decided you want to go snorkeling to see the unique animals and ecosystem that live beneath the crystal clear waters. It’s one of the best active things to do on Maui! So this guide on Maui snorkeling for beginners will help you prepare to see the most amazing turtles, fish and coral for yourself!
Be sure to read all of my other Hawaii guides before you jet off to this tropical paradise, and go snorkeling on Oahu if you visit that island too!
This post may contain affiliate links for activities, destinations and products that I love, and think you will too!
Safety – Maui Snorkeling for Beginners
Water Safety
While snorkeling can be a super easy, relaxing and fun activity, there’s some super important things you need to know first.
Most importantly, you need to always put safety first. The waves and rip current on the shores of Maui can be dangerous. Always follow the rules posted, listen to lifeguards (if there are any) and do research on the place you snorkel before you get in the water. There are plenty of places that have calm and safe water but there are others that are not so safe.
When considering safety in the water, it’s also important to note the time of the year and the weather. Both of those things can change the safety of the water making it a dangerous situation. Maui snorkeling for beginners is definitely possible, but you need to come prepared with water safety knowledge! Check out the Maui Snorkel Report for updated info each day!
Love to travel? Join my Facebook group to be a part of a small community of fellow travel lovers! Get inspiration for your next trip, ask and answer questions and make new friends who also love exploring the world!
Be Respectful of the Island and the Locals
Always be respectful when you are snorkeling. This includes not leaving trash wherever you snorkel, no trespassing, and don’t ever take anything off the land (or water). Not only is it bad luck to take something from the island, it’s also illegal!
Sunscreen
On the topic of being respectful to the island, if you wear sunscreen (which I HIGHLY recommend you do) then it must be reef-safe sunscreen if you get in the water anywhere in Hawaii. This is because traditional sunscreen contains chemicals that are harmful to the coral reefs and kill them over time. Again, it is illegal to wear any non-reef-safe sunscreen in the water anywhere in Hawaii. More on my sunscreen recommendations below!
Respect the Turtles
While it is really neat to see the beautiful fish and coral reefs along the beaches of Maui, most people snorkel with the hopes of spotting a turtle! I get it, I did too! While they are really gentle animals, if you find one you need to stay at least 6 feet away from them at all times. The Green Sea Turtles (or Honu in Hawaiian) are an endangered species and need to be protected! So be respectful and marvel at them from a safe distance.
Use Safe Gear
You might have seen the full-face snorkel masks recently and thought they were a good idea. However, these types of masks are not safe! Check out this article for more information and decide for yourself before you buy or rent your gear.
Want more great travel articles? I have many more blog posts coming soon, so join my email list to ensure you never miss a post!
What You Need – Maui Snorkeling for Beginners
Technically all you need to snorkel is a pair of goggles so that you can see under the water, however here’s a list of things I highly recommend you pack for Maui Snorkeling for Beginners.
Snorkel Set
It’s ideal to have the whole set, this way you can breathe underwater, and the flippers help you swim a lot better. Here’s the snorkel set I have that’s super cheap and still great quality!
Reef-safe Sunscreen
Like I mentioned above, if you wear sunscreen in the water in Hawaii, it must be reef-safe. And let me tell you, ya need sunscreen. Learn from my mistake, Hawaii’s sun is brutal even when it might not seem like it. Don’t turn into a lobster on your first day of vacation, bring this Sun Bum reef-safe sunscreen and lather it on.
Water-proof Phone Case
This is just for fun, but if you want to take photos of all the cool marine life you spot, then you’ll want a case like this for your phone. This is also good if you want to keep all of your valuables on you when you head into the water. Pop your phone and money in here for safe keeping.
Towel
You’ll need a towel for the beach and to dry off after snorkeling, but towels can take up a lot of space in your luggage. Pack this Teema towel, it’s my absolute favorite thing to travel with! It folds up super small, is extra absorbent and dries quickly. The perfect towel for travel. It’s also super soft which is a plus. You’ll want to use this towel for everything while on vacation, obviously it’s great for the pool and beach, but I also use it as a blanket on the plane, a picnic blanket for lunch on the go, and so much more. Make sure everyone in your group has one before heading off to Maui or any of your other upcoming adventures!
As you can see, I’m a huge fan of my Teema Towel!
Rash Guard
Definitely not a necessity, but a rash guard is nice to keep you protected in the water and to shield your skin from the harsh sun. Plus a rash guard like this one is super cute too.
Rent Equipment
Bringing your own snorkel gear is the best option because you can bring it along with you to whatever beach you choose. You don’t have to pay for a tour or visit a certain spot where they rent them. This gives you full flexibility and freedom.
However, there are tons of snorkeling tours you can book if you prefer, check some of them out here and book before you go! Tours are great for Maui snorkeling for beginners if you do not feel comfortable going it on your own!
Alternatively, you could visit a rental store and rent the gear for the week. You’ll spend the same amount renting them as you will to buy it, but this way it won’t take up that precious space in your luggage. Just remember to plan a good chunk of time during your first day in Maui to visit the store and pick up the rentals…and then time to drop them off at the end of the week as well. Definitely not as convenient, but it is an option to rent from a store like Boss Frog’s.
Where To Snorkel – Maui Snorkeling for Beginners
Now that you know everything about Maui snorkeling for beginners, you probably want to know where the best spots are around the island to jump in a search for turtles! Here’s a list of recommendations from other travel bloggers who have found great spots to snorkel around Maui.
Turtle Town
Recommended by Melodie of Travel Must Do’s
Turtle Town on Maui is a snorkeler’s paradise and offers crystal clear waters and an abundance of sea life, including green sea turtles that give this spot its name. You can also see coral reefs, tropical fish, eels, sharks, and manta rays in these waters. You can access the bay by shore or boat, giving you plenty of options for exploring the area. The calm, shallow waters make Turtle Town an ideal spot for snorkeling, even for beginners.
Most often when people mention “Turtle Town” in Maui, they are specifically referring to Maluaka Beach. This is because Maluaka Beach is known to be the best spot for snorkeling in Turtle Town.
Turtle Town is located on the south side of Maui, about 30 minutes from Kihei, 40 minutes from Kaanapali, and 45 minutes from Paia. Its close proximity to major towns makes it an ideal spot for a day trip.
If you’re going to Turtle Town, remember to pack your snorkeling gear: mask, snorkel, and fins. Additionally, bring sunscreen, water, and snacks if you plan on spending several hours. Restrooms and outdoor showers are available at the beach, as are picnic tables. However, please note that there is no lifeguard on duty.
On the south side of the beach, there are limited drive-in parking spots available near the sidewalk path at the end of Makena Keonoio Road. Find additional spaces at the free paved lot on the same street.
Kapalua Bay Beach
Recommended by Gretchen of Chasing ADVNTR
Nestled on the Northwest coast of Maui, Kapalua Bay Beach is located on a gorgeous stretch of coastline with incredible views both above and below the water. This beach offers a protected area just off the beach for swimming and snorkeling with an abundance of fish and turtles.
This is a great place for snorkeling for everyone including beginners since the waters are generally calm. For the best snorkeling, swim directly out from the beach and follow the shoreline on both the left and right hand side of the bay.
Kapalua Bay Beach is also a popular place to sunbathe and watch the sunset. You are likely to find many other people enjoying the beach, so it’s best to arrive early to find a spot, especially if you want some shade. Kapalua is located 17 minutes from Lahaina and 50 minutes from Wailea.
This is a popular beach with a nearby parking lot and road parking that can quickly fill up. In addition to the beach, you can also park here and hike the lovely Kapalua Coastal Trail. If the immediate parking lot is full, look at the last few rows of the Tennis Club lot or at the end of Kapalua Place. The beach has public bathrooms and nearby places to get food and drinks.
Napili Bay
Recommended by Megan of Next is Hawaii
Napili is a gorgeous little beach on Maui that is perfect for a relaxing and fun day. A fairly small quarter-mile stretch of sand curves around Napili Bay and is protected by the offshore reef, resulting in consistently small waves perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
Napili Bay is located on the western coast of Maui, about ten miles north of Lahaina. Since it has an offshore reef, it’s a great place to spot all different kinds of fish and coral. It’s also a hotspot for sea turtles, so keep your eyes peeled for these amazing animals, whether on the sand or in the water. The best snorkeling conditions are when the swells are gentle, as the water is not stirred up as much and is therefore clearer.
This beach is also a great place to relax on the powder-soft sand and watch the sunset as it dips below the western horizon. As this is such a fantastic beach, it can get crowded in peak times, and parking can be tricky as all the free parking is street parking. It’s best to go either early in the morning or later in the afternoon if you also want to catch the sunset.
Note that there are no lifeguards on duty and there are no restroom facilities, though there are restaurants (Gazebo and Sea House Restaurants are popular) and markets located nearby. It is easy to spend half a day (or more) exploring Napili if you’ve wrapped up your snorkeling.
Molokini
Recommended by Sara of Mindful Travel by Sara
Molokini is one of the best places to snorkel on Maui. Located three miles off of Maui’s southwestern coast, this partially submerged volcanic crater is shaped like a crescent moon and provides an amazing experience for all ages. Whether you are looking for an amazing spring break with family or just an adventure day trip, Molokini should be at the top of your list!
When you go snorkeling at Molokini, you can expect to see more than 250 species of tropical fish and sharks. What’s even more exciting is that on some tours, you’ll get the chance to swim with green sea turtles at Turtle Cove!
If you plan on taking a tour to Molokini, it’s important to be prepared. Make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and a hat, as well as a waterproof camera. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for the strong currents in the area and follow your guide’s instructions. Early morning is typically the best time to snorkel since the water is the clearest.
Tours are available from both Māʻalaea Harbor and Lāhainā, making it easy to get to Molokini no matter where you’re staying on Maui. All tours include lunch, snacks, an experienced guide and snorkeling equipment.
Snorkeling at Molokini is an unforgettable experience that you won’t want to miss out on. With its crystal clear waters and amazing wildlife, it’s one of the most beautiful places in Maui. So make sure to add it to your must-do list before your next trip to Hawaii!
Black Rock
Recommended by Sam from Find Love and Travel
Maui is known for its incredible beaches, and Black Rock Beach is one of those popular beaches that certainly delivers in quality, which makes it a must-visit on any Maui itinerary.
This beach is on the Southwest side of the Island and right near the famous town of Lahaina – where there are dozens of shops and restaurants. Black Rock Beach is a part of Kaanapali Beach but is often referred to as Black Rock since a large black lava is coming out of the water.
Black Rock Beach is perfect for snorkeling. You will see a wide variety of incredible marine life right along the lava cliff without even having to swim out. Additionally, Black Rock is a well-known spot to spot green sea turtles throughout the day. Make sure to keep a safe distance from all marine life, as sea turtles are protected.
It is also a very popular cliff-jumping spot for locals and visitors. The beach has access to showers and restrooms. Additionally, if you’re a hotel guest of the Sheraton, this beach is right behind the resort and has tons of rental gear.
If you are driving to the beach, there are a couple of free parking lots a short walk from the beach’s entrance. However, these spots fill up quickly. If you can’t get to the beach early, it would be best to find alternative transport.
Remember to pack the common beach essentials such as towels, sunscreen, water, snorkel gear, and snacks to have a delightful beach day!
Pin these images on Pinterest to have for later!
