Insider Info for Snorkeling in Maui
Insider Info for Snorkeling in Maui
You’ve got your gear. You’ve picked a spot. You’re all set to experience some of Maui’s best snorkeling. Then you hear the two words that are sure to darken any snorkel fanatics day, “Surf’s up!” Bummer, right? Not at all. Just means a change of plans—because when the surf’s up and snorkeling’s out, life’s still […]
Surf’s Up and Snorkeling’s Out? —Life’s Still Good on Maui! Read More »
There’s nothing like snorkeling in Maui at Honolua Bay where you’ll find coral and sea life in abundance! We’ve seen just about everything the warm waters of Maui have to offer at Honolua—green sea turtles, colorful squid, all kinds of eels, octopus, and a myriad of fish species. Its marine preserve status and vast area
Snorkeling in Maui – Reef Care – Sunscreen Read More »
When it comes to snorkeling, bright sunshine and calm water create the best conditions. Fortunately Maui has plenty of both. However, you’ll find the best time of day to snorkel in Maui is usually in the morning. Snorkeling later can still be good, but Maui’s trade winds tend to pick up the later it gets.
When to Snorkel in Maui Read More »
When we’re not snorkeling we love to explore Maui. If you haven’t driven down Makena Road to La Pérouse Bay in South Maui it’s well worth your time. Heading south from Kihei and past Wailea, you’ll reach the area known as Makena. Neither Wailea or Makena have their own zip codes, but they are by
Exploring Maui – the Trails at La Pérouse Read More »
The most common places to snorkel in Maui tend to be just off the rocky ends of Maui’s beautiful sandy beaches. But if you have a keen sense of adventure and advanced swimming skills, it’s possible to get off the beaten path and snorkel in some truly interesting spots. The secret involves finding a spot
Maui Snorkeling Secrets – Adventure Awaits Read More »
Maluaka is one of our favorite beaches in South Maui. It’s a peaceful spot in a beautiful setting and offers some of the best snorkeling on Maui. Its wide stretch of sand is bordered by the lush grounds of The Makena Beach and Golf Resort and is relatively uncrowded compared to many Maui beaches. For
Maui’s Best Snorkeling Beaches – Maluaka Beach Read More »
Anytime you enter the ocean there are hazards. Knowing what they are and how to manage them can reduce your risk. Be smart, play it safe, and use good judgment. Also recognize the single biggest danger while swimming or snorkeling in Maui is drowning. Rip Currents: Rip currents are the number one danger at the
Maui Snorkeling Safety – Rip Currents Read More »
We frequently hear from people who can’t order our snorkeling guidebook in time for their trip and wonder if they can find it on the island. Fortunately the answer is yes! After a long hiatus, our guidebook is once again available for purchase in Maui. And we’re super excited to tell you where! It’s available
Where Can I Find your Snorkel Guide on Maui? Read More »
The chances of seeing a Stripebelly Pufferfish are pretty high when you’re snorkeling in Maui. Their chunky shape and polka-dots make them fun to spot and observe. You’ll typically find them meandering about coral reefs or even resting on the sandy sea floor appearing to take a snooze. The stripebelly is the largest pufferfish you’ll
Snorkeling with the “Stripebelly Pufferfish” Read More »
Whenever you’re snorkeling in Maui it’s important to practice good snorkeling habits to protect Maui’s beautiful coral reefs. As mentioned in our initial reef care post, coral reefs across the world are struggling to survive. Each of us must do our part to be good stewards of the reef and encourage others to do the
Snorkeling in Maui – Reef Care – Fins Read More »
If you enjoy great snorkeling with plenty of sea life and beautiful coral, it’s important to know what to look for when you’re scouting a spot. As a general rule, rocks and coral offer the best opportunity for optimal snorkeling. Together they form the reef providing shelter and food for fish and other sea creatures.
Where to Snorkel in Maui – How to Find a Great Spot Read More »
Every snorkeler we’ve met in Maui enjoys seeing fish and they all share the desire to see even more. Here’s another tip to better your chances and advance your snorkeling skills. Keep your Hands at your Sides: If you want to see more fish while snorkeling in Maui, your best bet is to do all you
Snorkeling in Maui – Tips to See More Fish Read More »
We’re often asked when is the best time to visit Maui? Honestly, anytime is great, but if we were pinned-down on the question, we might just have to say mid-April to early June. It’s a beautiful time to visit Maui, especially if you enjoy getting out and exploring. As photographers, spring is definitely one of our favorite
When to Visit Maui? – We Vote Spring! Read More »
We’ll admit it, we’re snorkel fanatics! We love cruising the reef and have spent countless hours exploring Maui’s waters… We’ve hit the sites listed in free visitor magazines, and checked out places suggested in travel guidebooks. We’ve ventured into areas mentioned on websites, and explored spots that just looked intriguing from shore. We’ve covered much
Include “Maui’s Best Snorkeling” in Your Carry-On! Read More »
If we could wish for one singular, out-of-this-world experience for visitors to Maui, it would be the chance to snorkel alongside a Manta or Eagle Ray. Rays are a spectacular sight and having one gracefully glide by as you’re snorkeling is a moment you’ll never forget! Spotted Eagle Rays and Mantas are the most likely
Snorkeling with Eagle and Manta Rays Read More »
Anytime you enter the ocean there are hazards. Be smart, play it safe, and use good judgment. Also recognize the single biggest danger while snorkeling in Maui is drowning. While not as sensational as a shark encounter, drownings in Maui are not rare and claim many more lives. So before you enter the water, be
Maui Snorkeling Safety – Use a Flotation Device Read More »
We frequently receive questions about snorkeling in Maui from visitors to our site. We always respond to emails, but thought our Maui Snorkel Blog is the perfect venue for questions. So if you have any questions about snorkeling or Maui, be sure to check our new “Frequently Asked Questions” category and you may just find
Frequently Asked Questions – What if it Rains?!? Read More »
Every snorkeler we’ve ever met enjoys seeing fish and they all share the desire to see even more. Here’s another tip to better your chances and advance your snorkeling skills… Quiet your Fins: Whenever you’re snorkeling, pay attention to the noise you’re making as you snorkel. If your fins are slapping or chopping through the
Maui Snorkeling Tips – Fins Read More »
These days posting pictures to social media is more popular than ever—even from underwater! Taking pictures while you’re snorkeling in Maui can be a lot of fun and with a little research, you’ll find numerous options for underwater cameras and/or waterproof cases. But once you start taking underwater pictures, you’ll soon discover that getting something
Underwater Photography Tips Read More »
At first glance moray eels look pretty intimidating. You’ll often find them poking their snake-like heads out of dark crevices—opening and closing their jaws and displaying a mouthful of teeth in a threatening manner. There’s no need to rush off if you see one though, morays aren’t typically aggressive unless they’re being harassed or fed.
Snorkeling in Maui – Moray Eels Read More »
It’s a sad fact, but the world’s coral reefs are struggling to survive. Climate change, increased ocean acidity, over-fishing, hazardous run-off, and pollution are all taking their toll. Unfortunately, Maui’s reefs are not immune. Careless human interaction is also at fault. Please learn and practice good snorkeling behaviors and encourage others to do the same.
Snorkeling in Maui – Reef Care – Coral Read More »
We frequently receive snorkeling questions from visitors to our website and are always happy to respond. With summer in full swing, a recent query about snorkeling conditions this time of year offered an excellent opportunity for a new blog post… Q: How are the snorkeling conditions in South Maui during August? Is snorkeling typically not as good
Snorkeling Maui’s South Shore in the Summer Read More »
When we’re not snorkeling Maui, we love to explore the island. With its gorgeous beaches and intriguing natural landscapes, there’s an abundance of places to discover that are relatively inexpensive or free (other than the time and gas it takes to get there). While our primary focus is snorkeling, it’s worth noting other activities unique
Discover the Maui Swap Meet Read More »
If you’re up for an adventure and can handle a little exercise, a great way to snorkel some of Maui’s best spots is from a kayak. It’s a blast and an experience you’re unlikely to forget. Whether you go on your own or with a local kayaking outfit, you’re able cover a lot of ground
Snorkeling by Kayak in Maui Read More »
A lot of visitors to Maui don’t know it—but you can reach the best snorkeling spots in Maui right from shore! If you Google the search term “Snorkeling in Maui,” the overwhelming number of listings will link to companies that sell snorkel trips. If you pick up a free magazine at the Kahului airport you’ll
Maui Snorkeling Secrets – Shoreline Snorkeling Read More »
When it comes to snorkeling in Maui, high on the wish list of creatures to spot are turtles. In Maui, you’ll often hear turtles called “Honu” (Ho Noo), the Hawaiian name for turtles. While these days we can fly to Hawaii in a few hours, Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles are genetically distinct from other sea
Snorkeling with Sea Turtles in Maui Read More »
Breaking waves are beautiful to look at, but unless you’re on a boogie board trying to catch one, it’s best to steer clear of the break zone while snorkeling in Maui. Even small waves can pack a punch and it’s important to move through the break zone quickly when entering or exiting the water. Pay
Maui Snorkeling Safety – Breaking Waves Read More »
Every snorkeler we’ve met enjoys seeing fish and they all share the desire to see even more. Our next two blog posts will focus on a few tips to better your chances and advance your snorkeling skills. Take it Slow: A popular Maui bumper sticker reads: Slow Down—This ain’t the Mainland. It’s a sentiment that’s
Maui Snorkeling – Tips to See More Creatures Read More »
Whether you’re snorkeling in Maui or getting decked out for Halloween, choosing the right mask can make all the difference! A leaky, uncomfortable snorkel mask can really take the focus off of enjoying the sights—not what you want if snorkeling isn’t something you get to do everyday. Thankfully, finding a good fit isn’t difficult. Hold
Maui Snorkeling Tips – Choosing a Mask Read More »
“Back to school” has us thinking of something we love to see when we’re snorkeling Maui – “schools of fish!” It’s not every day you’ll spot a large school, but if you know where to look there are several areas around Maui where you’ll likely have the good fortune of seeing them. One spot we
Back to “School” with Maui’s Best Snorkeling Read More »
If you’re snorkeling the waters of Honolua Bay in Maui, keep an eye out for schools of Bigfin Squid. You’ll sometimes find them in the shallows here, and seeing them just a few feet from your mask is a moment you won’t forget. Squid are intriguing to watch, you might call them natural entertainers. They’ll
Snorkeling with Honolua’s Bigfin Squid Read More »
Snorkeling in Maui – Reef Care – Fish Maui is home to many beautiful coral reefs. If you love snorkeling and visiting this intriguing underwater world, you’ll soon realize it’s up to each of us to do our part to be good stewards to the reef and the creatures who make their home there. Part three
Snorkeling in Maui – Reef Care – Fish Read More »
Early one evening in Maui we happened to see a father and his young son snorkeling together in a condo swimming pool. The quality of their interaction captured our attention. The boy’s father was not only helping his son become comfortable with his equipment, but teaching him hand signals so they could communicate non-verbally underwater.
Snorkeling with Kids in Maui Read More »
Snorkeling in Maui is our favorite pastime. But if we’re not out exploring Maui’s coral reefs, we love hopping in the car and discovering new, intriguing places all over the island. One of our favorites is following the road up and around the top of Maui’s West side and back down into Central Maui to
Exploring Maui – Up-n-Around West Maui Read More »
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Every snorkeler we’ve ever met loves seeing marine life, and all share the desire to discover even more. Here’s our next tip to better your chances and advance your snorkeling skills… Think Small: When snorkeling in Maui, it’s easy to be enthralled by a huge fish
Maui Snorkeling Tips Read More »
Every snorkeler we’ve ever met enjoys seeing fish and they all share the desire to see more. To better your chances, here’s an invaluable Maui Snorkel Blog Tip: Get yourself a bottle of anti-fog gel. It’ll extend your time in the water and you’ll see everything better—guaranteed. Whenever we advise snorkelers about equipment, anti-fog gel is
Maui Snorkeling Tips – Use Anti-Fog Gel! Read More »
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
Maui’s Best Snorkeling in West and South Maui Read More »
We can’t have entries about sea creatures and snorkeling in Maui without mentioning the Humuhumunukunukuāpua’a. Renowned as Hawaii’s state fish, its name is one of the longest words in the Hawaiian language—it’s often joked, “the name is longer than the fish!” Also known as the “Wedgetail Triggerfish,” or humu-humu for short, their conspicuous geometric pattern makes
Snorkeling with the Humuhumunukunukuāpua’a Read More »
Fins may not be the first thing you think of when considering snorkeling equipment, but they’re an extremely important part of your gear. At times we’ll see people snorkeling in Maui without them, but we don’t recommend it. Wearing fins make snorkeling easier and safer than going without. If your snorkeling plans include more than
Maui Snorkeling Safety – Wear Those Fins! Read More »
Maui is officially known as the Valley Isle, but many call it the Ocean Island. Maui is blessed with more spots to easily access its waters than any of its sister islands. This is great news if you love snorkeling and are planning a trip to Maui. From Maluaka Beach in the south to Kapalua
Snorkeling in Maui – What Makes it Unique Read More »
Called the “Einstein of invertebrates” the octopus is a real treat to see when you’re snorkeling in Maui. Boasting a large brain for its size, this sea creature makes good use of its smarts. It exhibits short and long-term memory skills, uses tools, and is a problem solver who learns by observation. In captivity, octopuses
Snorkeling in Maui – The Incredible Octopus Read More »
Not only are some of Maui’s best snorkeling spots found right off its sandy shoreline, but those same beaches offer beautiful evening sunsets. So after a fantastic day of snorkeling, one of our favorite ways to spend an evening is back at the beach watching the sun go down. Fortunately, both West and South Maui
Spectacular Sunsets at Maui’s Snorkeling Beaches Read More »