If you scan our Table of Contents, you may wonder why the locations recommended in our guidebook are all in West and South Maui. There’s a reason. We visited Maui for many years before moving there and after countless hours exploring, it’s where we consistently found the best snorkeling.
That’s not to say there aren’t other great spots. Hana, Ke‘anae, and the far northern points of West Maui offer some enticing areas, but the challenges presented by isolation and unpredictable conditions keep them from being ranked as “Best,” particularly with limited vacation time. Too many of our Hana snorkel excursions were derailed by rough seas. Sure, the beautiful views and banana bread can take the bite out of three hours of endless corners, but if your main goal is snorkeling, stick to the west and south sides of the island—they’re by far your best bet for consistently good snorkeling.
No disrespect to Hana, we love it! But inevitably we tend to enjoy our time visiting Hana without fins.
For the guide to all the best snorkel spots on Maui, including candid advice, snorkel routes, and detailed maps of Maui’s best beaches, pick up a copy of Mask, Fins, & Snorkel: The Adventure Guide to Maui’s Best Snorkeling.