Maui’s Sea Creatures

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 […]

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

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.

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

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

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

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