south shore west shore - 1-800

Kahakuloa
Bay
KAHAKULOA
340
KAANAPALI
LAHAINA
30
Uaoa Pilale
Bay Bay
WAIHEE
West Maui
Forest Reserve
HAIKU
Kahului
Bay
PAIA
WAILUKU
30
KAHULUI
Kahului
Airport
PUUNENE
380
Nua‘alua
Bay
HALIIMAILE
37
MAKAWAO
WAILUA
PUKALANI
311
KULA
Hana Airport
37
SOUTH SHORE
WEST SHORE
KAPALUA
HANA
KIHEI
31
Haleakala
National Park
KEOKEA
330
WAILEA
KIPAHULU
KAUPO
31
Ahihi Bay
Ahihi Kinau
Natural Area
Reserve
Mamalu
Bay
Waianapanapa
State Park
Hana Bay
Honolua Bay
KAPALUA
Rd
Kapa
ua
B
30
l
ay Dr
r Hon
oa
pii
l an
iR
d
Kapalua
Resort
Kapalua Golf Club
Plantation Course
e
Offic
Kapalua Bay
Napili Bay
Honokahua
Bay
Oneloa
Bay
Namalu
Bay
we
Honokeana Bay
Lo
30
Kahana Falls
ni Rd
Low
er H
onoa
alina Pkwy
iM
Dr
Ka
Ke
kaa
Honoapiilani Hw
y
Ka‘anapali Beach Club
Kaan
apal
i P k wy
piila
Kuleana Resorts
Aston Paki Maui
Black
Rock
NAPILI-HONOKOWAI
KAANAPALI
Kaanapali Golf Course
Tournament North
Ha
o
lel
West
Shore
St
e
Noh
eK
ai
Dr
Kaanapali Golf Course
Resort South
Hanakao‘o
Beach Park
Wahikuli
Park
30
Waikuli
Terrace Park
nt
Fro
Kelawea
Mauka III Park
St
Banyan
Tree Park
on
Fr
Maui Ulu O
Lele Park
Lahaina Recreation
Center Park
t
tS
Ho
no
a
Puamana Park
pi
H
ni
il a
Launiu Poko
State Park
y
w
Launiupoko
Beach Park
30
Olowalu
Alanui Kealii Dr
Kamaole
Beach Park
Rd
Piilani
anui
na k
Ka
Hwy
Kamaole Beach
Park II
Rd
Kihei
South
Hale Pau
Hana Resort
Kamaole Beach
Royale Resort
Keonekai Rd
Kauhale St
Kamaole Beach
Park III
Mana Kai
Maui Resort
t
S
Wela
St
t
Koa na S
Ala Pona
St
kolo t
Ahe ale S
h
Hoo
na
Dr
Dr
ni Hw
Piila
ni
Okola
Wailea Alanui Dr
oha
Kil
Wailea Alan
Hale Alii Pl
r
ui D
Ulua Beach
Park
y
Outrigger Palms
at Wailea
K al
Wailea Beach
Park
Kala
i Waa Dr
The Fairmont
Kea Lani
Polo Beach
Park
Kaukahi St
Ma
Wailea Emerald
Golf Course
kena Rd
South
Shore
Wailea Blue
Golf Course
ai Waa St
Grand Wailea
Resort
Kalai Waa Dr
The Shops
at Wailea
Makena Rd
Poolenalena
Beach Park
Wailea Gold
Golf Course
Five Graves
Makena Landing
Mak
Maluaka
Beach Park
a Rd
en
Makena Bay
ui
Mak
ena Alan
Turtle Town
Makena
Golf Courses
Snorkel Info
West & South Shores
A
A
that gather on the left-hand side of the bay.
Keep note of your location while snorkeling
as the area is known for a strong current
and sudden drop-offs.
B
C
D
Honolua Bay
E
Meaning “two harbors,” Honolua Bay is one of the best snorkeling
spots on Maui’s west side. The area is part of a Marine Life
Conservation District, so taking any of the natural resources is
prohibited (coral, fish, rocks, etc.). Because of this, you’re almost
guaranteed to see dozens of tropical fish, coral and sea turtles. The
best area to snorkel is on the left hand side (West) further away
from the beach where the area is less rocky and murky. During
winter months the bay becomes increasingly choppy, so plan your
trip accordingly. Parking can be a hassle with only a few “turnouts”
nearby but wherever you park use the dirt trail to get down to the
water. There are no facilities, but portable toilets can be found
sometimes in the parking areas. Snorkeling takes a bit more effort
at Honolua Bay, but the payoff is worth it.
BRING
AVAILABLE
N/A
B
Kapalua Bay
Protected by two reefs, Kapalua Bay is a perfect spot for beginner
snorkelers and kids. The breathtaking area was even named
“America’s Best Beach” in 1991. You’ll find the most fish near the
rocky reefs where the water is clearest and not too deep. Bring
a camera because you’re likely to meet Hawaii’s state fish the
Humuhumunukunukuapuaa, butterfly fish, parrot fish, surgeon fish
and many more beautiful species.
Adjacent to the beach is a parking lot, which fills up quickly. Don’t
be surprised then to see cars parked on the side of the road
regardless of the “No Parking” signs. Next to the parking lot are
restrooms and showers with another shower located just off the
sand. Pack a cooler because there are no concession stands in the
immediate area.
BRING
AVAILABLE
Showers, Restrooms
C
Napili Bay
Just North of Lahaina and Kaanapali off Highway 30 is Napili Bay
known for its teal, warm waters and peaceful surroundings. All of
the resorts offer shoreline access, so just park on the side of the
road and head down the stairs (typically on the side of or behind
the resorts). The best snorkeling spot is at the far, northern and
southern ends of the beach near the rock formations. Napili Bay
has more fish than coral but touts a friendly group of sea turtles
MAUI
If you’re hungry stop at the Gazebo for
breakfast and try the mouth-watering
macadamia nut pancakes covered in
coconut syrup (the wait is well worth it).
There are also small convenient shops,
restaurants and bathroom facilities on the
lower levels of several resorts.
BRING
AVAILABLE
Food, Shops,
Services, Showers,
Restrooms
D
Black Rock
Black Rock is one of the most popular
snorkeling spots on Maui, because of
its ideal location in the Kaanapali resort area. Head over to the
furthest end of Kaanapali beach (closest to the Sheraton) for some
shade under the trees. Once in the water, stay close to shore to
spot a resident sea turtle who loves the attention from snorkelers
young and old. Swim just a bit further out from shore and you’ll find
stunning coral and fish of all kinds including the Unicornfish and
Longnose Butterfly. Be careful not to swim too close to the rocks
as there are dozens of brave souls jumping from the cliffs. In fact,
the Sheraton holds a cliff diving ceremony every night at sundown.
The Sheraton hotel offers about a dozen free parking spaces in its
parking garage for snorkelers and beachgoers. Otherwise, you can
pay hourly in the garage or look for street parking.
BRING
AVAILABLE
Food, Shops, Services, Showers,
Restrooms
E
Olowalu
While this beach is smaller than most on the West side of Maui,
snorkeling is still great with multiple varieties of fish and coral
(some turtles). The area is shallow and popular with beginner to
intermediate snorkelers. You will see shark warning signs here
but attacks are rare (less than one per decade) at Olowalu. The
best part of the beach is across from mile marker 14 on Highway 30
because of an accessible sand channel in the reef. Parking is only
available on the side of the road. However, you may want to stop at
the Olowalu General Store (mile marker 13) before heading to the
beach as there are no snack shops or facilities at Olowalu Beach.
BRING
AVAILABLE
N/A
F
Kama‘ole Beach
Known to locals as “the 3 Kams,” Kama‘ole Beach
Park 1, 2, 3 is located along South Kihei Road in
the South Shore town of Kihei. Most locals hang
out at Kam 3 due to its large grassy area although
Kam 1 is the largest beach. All locations have parking,
restrooms and showers (Kams 1 and 2 usually have
lifeguards). You can also find picnic tables, volleyball
courts and BBQ grills - all of which make the Kams a perfect
area for a beach day.
You can snorkel at any of the three beaches, which are often
recommended for beginner snorkelers. The fish tend to stay
close to the rocks on both the left and right-hand sides of each
spot, so use caution. While the surf can increase during summer
months, the waters are calm and around 25 feet deep. Expect to
see mostly tropical fish in the Kams; turtles are not often spotted in
these locations.
BRING
Wailea Beach
Wailea Beach is a 4-for-1 combo as it’s beach walk connects it
with Ulua and Mokapu Beach to the North and Polo Beach to the
South. These beaches are known to be family friendly since the
water is typically calm and not too deep. Snorkeling is best in the
early morning when visibility is around 20 feet allowing you to spot
numerous types of fish and coral. The left-hand side of Wailea
beach is the best area to snorkel since so many types of fish swim
in the shallow waters. You’ll also find a lot of fish swimming around
the rocks that protrude from the water, but be careful. If you’re a
good swimmer, then head out to the deeper waters to find honu
(turtles). Bring a camera too because you’ll want to take some
photos of Haleakala – Maui’s breathtaking volcano.
Each Beach has showers and restrooms available as well as
parking just past the Grand Wailea Resort. After snorkeling, take
some time to shop and have lunch at the upscale Shops of Wailea.
BRING
AVAILABLE
Food, Shops, Services, Showers,
Restrooms
H
MAUI
F
Five Graves
Five Graves has three names! The area is also known as Five
Caves and Makena Landing. Whatever you call it, the area is great
for snorkeling. You have to swim out a bit to see “the good stuff,”
which is why Five Graves is often recommended for intermediate
snorkelers. Expect to see scores of tropical fish and coral as well
as reef sharks, which are harmless. Notably, Five Graves gets its
name from the expansive underwater sea caves that are perfect for
experienced divers. You can catch a glimpse of the caves while
Be sure to check the weather before
heading to Five Graves as visibility is
significantly reduced after rains and large
surfs. Parking is available off Makena
Road, but there aren’t any facilities in the
immediate area.
BRING
G
AVAILABLE
Food, Shops,
Services, Showers,
Restrooms
H
I
I
AVAILABLE
Food, Shops, Services, Showers,
Restrooms
G
snorkeling, but the area is too deep for
continued exploration without proper dive
gear. However, turtles love the caves so
keep your eyes open for the honu (turtles).
Turtle Town/
Maluaka Beach
If you’re on the hunt to find Hawaii’s
honu, then you should head over to Turtle
Town on Maui’s South Shore. While some people think Turtle
Town is its own spot, locals believe Turtle Town is along Maluaka
Beach. Whichever side you agree with, everyone agrees that these
locations are perfect for snorkeling and saying hello to the honu.
The beach is south of Wailea and accessible from Makena Road
(pay attention since the entrance is at the end of Makena Road,
and many people drive right by not noticing). When you get to the
beach, head to the southern side where the rocks are. There are
multiple drop-offs in this area so choose a depth of water that
you’re most comfortable with. Then just look down to see the many
colors of coral and fish with at least several turtles swimming by to
say “hi.”
There is a parking lot and a shower at the end of Makena Road. You
can also find restrooms and showers at the southern portion of
the beach. Bring some snacks or stop by the Westin Maui Prince
Hotel’s concession stand.
BRING
AVAILABLE
Showers, Restrooms
KEY
Cooler
Boogie Board
Umbrella
Snorkel Set
Chair
Toys
1-800-SNORKEL (766.7535)
mauioceanactivities.com