Discover the Best Place to Snuba in Maui: Turtles, Fish, and Corals Await!

Snuba is a combination of snorkeling and scuba diving, and one of the best ways to explore the underwater world of Maui.

There are many places to snuba on the island, but we’ll focus on the best ones.

Explore the Best Snuba Spots in Maui

Why Maui is the Best Place for Snuba

Maui is renowned for its snorkeling spots, and for good reason! With its shallow and calm waters, it’s the perfect place for beginners to learn the ropes. But experienced snorkelers will also find plenty to explore, from drop-offs to ledges and overhangs. Plus, the marine life in Maui is abundant, so you’re sure to spot some amazing creatures.

Which such a rich snorkeling history, the best snuba spots are also just around the corner.

Top 10 Maui Snuba Locations

If you’re looking for the best snuba spots in Maui, you’ve come to the right place. Here are our top 10 picks for the best Maui snuba locations:

• Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve: This spot is known for its crystal clear waters and abundance of fish.
• Molokini Crater: This crescent-shaped crater is a popular spot for snorkeling, with its diverse marine life and excellent visibility.
• Makena Beach: This beach is known for its calm waters, making it a great spot for beginners.
• Honolua Bay: This bay is home to a variety of marine life, including turtles and dolphins.
• Ka’anapali Beach: This beach is a great spot for snorkeling, with its clear waters and abundance of colorful fish.
• Kapalua Bay: This bay is known for its calm waters and variety of sea life.
• Olowalu Reef: This reef is known for its abundance of tropical fish and excellent visibility.
• Ulua Beach: This beach is known for its calm waters and abundance of sea life.
• La Perouse Bay: This bay is known for its crystal clear waters and variety of marine life.
• Wailea Beach: This beach is a great spot for snorkeling, with its calm waters and abundance of colorful fish.

Exploring the Best Snorkeling Spots on Maui for Families and Beginners

The Best Spots for Beginners

If you’re just getting started with snuba, Kahekili Beach and Olowalu are great places to start. Both spots offer easy water entry and beach facilities, making them perfect for beginners.

Where to See Turtles

Head to the area surrounding Maluaka Beach and Five Graves, otherwise known as “Turtle Town”! Here you’ll find plenty of turtles swimming around in the waters.

Variety of Species

Honolua and Mokulē‘ia Bay are part of the Honolua-Mokulē‘ia Bay Marine Life Conservation District, making them great spots to explore for their diversity in fish and coral species.

Family-Friendly Spots

Take the family on a half-day boat trip out of Molokini for a great snuba experience. This spot is perfect for families of all ages.

Explore Maui’s Underwater Wonders with a snuba Tour

Discover Secluded snuba Spots

Snuba boat tours are the perfect way to explore Maui’s underwater world. You’ll get access to secluded spots with larger fish populations and higher-quality coral. Plus, you’ll get all the gear and instruction you need for a safe and memorable experience. These tours usually last a half day and sometimes, depending on the time of year, you can combine snuba with whale watching (mid-December-April).

Maui’s Best Snuba Spots

Honolua Bay

This stunning bay is part of the Honolua-Mokulē‘ia Bay Marine Life Conservation District, and is home to a variety of colorful fish and Hawaiian green sea turtles. It’s best to start your snorkeling adventure at the rocks on the left (west end of the bay) and follow them out to Kalaepiha Point. Divers should head to the east side of the bay, where the water is deeper.

Mokulē‘ia Bay

Also known as “Slaughterhouse Beach”, Mokulē‘ia Bay is adjacent to Honolua and part of the Honolua-Mokulē‘ia Bay Marine Life Conservation District. It’s a great spot to explore if you’re looking for something a bit more off the beaten path.

Molokini

Molokini is a crescent-shaped volcanic crater about two miles off the west coast of Maui, and is a popular spot for snorkelers and scuba divers alike. To get there, you’ll need to join an organized snorkeling tour, which typically depart from Lāhainā and Maalaea Harbor.

Kahekili Beach Park (Airport Beach)

This beach is a great spot for beginner snorkelers, families, and less-than-strong swimmers. The reef is just beyond the water entrance, so there’s no need for a long swim to start snorkeling. Plus, you’ll find plenty of fish and Hawaiian green sea turtles.

Olowalu‘Āhihi Kinau

Olowalu‘Āhihi Kinau is a great spot for those looking for a more secluded snorkeling experience. The area is home to a variety of fish, including parrotfish, wrasse, and surgeonfish. Plus, you’ll find plenty of coral and sea turtles.

La Perouse Bay

La Perouse Bay is a great spot for those looking for a bit of adventure. The area is home to a variety of fish, including parrotfish, wrasse, and surgeonfish. Plus, you’ll find plenty of coral and sea turtles.

Black Rock at Ka‘anapali Beach

Black Rock at Ka‘anapali Beach is a great spot for those looking for a bit of adventure. The area is home to a variety of fish, including parrotfish, wrasse, and surgeonfish. Plus, you’ll find plenty of coral and sea turtles.

Maluaka Beach (Turtle Town)

Maluaka Beach, also known as Turtle Town, is a great spot for those looking for a bit of adventure. The area is home to a variety of fish, including parrotfish, wrasse, and surgeonfish. Plus, you’ll find plenty of coral and sea turtles.

Five Graves

Five Graves is a great spot for those looking for a bit of adventure. The area is home to a variety of fish, including parrotfish, wrasse, and surgeonfish. Plus, you’ll find plenty of coral and sea turtles.

Wailea Beach (beach bonus)

Wailea Beach is a great spot for those looking for a bit of adventure. The area is home to a variety of fish, including parrotfish, wrasse, and surgeonfish. Plus, you’ll find plenty of coral and sea turtles. Plus, it’s a great spot for a beach day too!

Coral Gardens

Coral Gardens is the name given to the area along the cliffs of the Pali. Here’s what you need to know:

• The Pali is the area along the coastline from Ukumehame and Papalaua to Maalaea.
• There are many great spots to snorkel here, but they’re often impossible to access by car or foot.
• Island Star Maui offers a luxurious and private snorkeling experience in this secluded location.

Kapalua Bay

Just south of Honolua Bay is Kapalua Bay, a semi-protected cove with a small crescent-shaped, golden sand beach. This spot is perfect for a day of swimming and snorkeling, with a good amount of coral and fish just offshore and frequent visits from sea turtles.

Kapalua Bay has all the amenities you need for a great day at the beach, including restrooms, showers, and equipment rental. And if you need a break from the sand, you can take a scenic walk on the Kapalua Coastal Trail. There are no food options on the beach, but there are plenty of restaurants and stores nearby. Learn more about Kapalua Bay here.

Napili Bay

Napili Bay is a gem on the west side of Maui, with a larger bay than Kapalua and a beautiful sandy beach. This spot is great for swimmers of all ages, with small waves in the summer and plenty of fish and turtles to spot.

At Napili Bay, you’ll find limited amenities, including public parking near the Napili Shores Hotel and two restaurants: the Gazebo restaurant on the south side and the Sea House restaurant on the north side. There is just one restroom located near the Sea House restaurant. Get directions to Napili Bay here.

Ulua Beach

Ulua Beach is a great spot for the whole family to enjoy. Not only is it a beautiful beach, but it’s also a great snorkeling spot. On the north side of the beach, you’ll find a reef that separates it from Mokapu Beach. The water is usually calm, making it a great place to explore. Plus, there’s plenty of amenities to make your stay comfortable, like a large parking lot, bathrooms, showers, and plenty of shade.

Makena Landing

Makena Landing is a great spot for experienced snorkelers. The waves can be a bit rough, so it’s not ideal for beginners. But if you’re comfortable in the water, you can explore the excellent sea life here. It’s also a great spot to swim to Turtle Town or Five Graves. Just note that the parking lot is small and there’s not much space on the beach, so it’s best to get in the water and move on.

Kamaole III Beach Park in Kihei

Kamaole III is a great spot for the whole family to enjoy. Not only is it a beautiful beach, but it’s also a great snorkeling spot. On the north side of the beach, you’ll find a reef that’s full of fish and turtles. Plus, there’s plenty of amenities to make your stay comfortable, like a large parking lot, street parking, a huge grassy area, trees for shade, and a swingset and picnic tables.

Ahihi Kinau

Ahihi Kinau is a special area that’s not only great for snorkeling, but it’s also a designated Natural Area Reserve. The reserve waters are closed to motorized boats and fishing, but there’s a small area that’s open to the public. Before you go, make sure you come prepared with food and water, as there’s no place to buy any. Plus, most of the coastline is made up of lava rock, so it’s not ideal for laying on the beach.

A Fun & Stress-Free Adventure

What is SNUBA?

SNUBA is a unique way to explore the underwater world without having to be a certified scuba diver. It’s a combination of snorkeling and scuba diving, and it’s a great way to get up close and personal with the marine life.

Who Can SNUBA?

SNUBA is accessible to all individuals, including kids as young as 8 years old. You don’t need to be a certified scuba diver to join in the fun, but it helps to have strong swimming skills and some snorkeling experience. If you have any medical conditions that may affect your ability to SNUBA, just talk to your instructor.

What Can You Expect?

When you SNUBA, you’ll be accompanied by a certified instructor the entire time. They’ll help you get oriented and point you in the right direction. You can expect to:

• Get up close and personal with the marine life
• Enjoy a stress-free adventure
• Have a knowledgeable guide to help you explore
• Have a unique experience that you won’t forget

Conclusion

When it comes to snuba diving in Maui, there are plenty of great options to choose from. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced diver, you can find the perfect spot to explore the underwater world. Make sure to research the different snuba diving spots and choose one that best suits your needs. Also, remember to bring the right gear and follow all safety protocols. With the right preparation and knowledge, you can have an amazing snuba diving experience in Maui!

Also read: these are the best places to snuba in Kauai

Joost Nusselder, the founder of Kauai Surf Report is a content marketer, dad and loves trying out new sports with everything surfing at the heart of his passion, and together with his team he's been creating in-depth blog articles since 2019 to help loyal readers with surfing and water sporting tips.