3 Best Snorkeling Beaches in Maui: How to Spot Turtles

One of the most iconic animals to spot during a Hawaiian vacation is the green sea turtle, and there is no better way to see one than snorkeling! Below, we will cover some of the best snorkeling beaches in Maui in hopes that you can spot a green sea turtle in the wild!

In addition to green sea turtles, you’ll see amazing, colorful fish and coral. Can you say Humuhumunukunukuapua’a? You’d better learn! It’s the state fish of Hawaii, after all. 😎

Get the details below on the 3 best snorkeling beaches in Maui. If you don’t want to snorkel on your own, we’ll go over some great Maui snorkeling tours as well.

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Need to Know Info

• Do not touch or harass green sea turtles! All sea turtles are classified as endangered species in the United States, making it a federal crime to harm, harass, or even touch one. This applies whether the turtle is in the water or resting on a beach, and any physical contact is strictly forbidden.
• Make sure to use and apply sunscreen often. While enjoying the water in Hawaii, you must wear reef-safe sunscreen. Please help protect our ocean ecosystems. Get our favorites here!

1. Honolua Bay

The first pick on our list of best snorkeling beaches in Maui is Honolua Bay. If you read our post about hiking through the enchanted forest, you may remember that doing so will lead you straight to Honolua Bay.

First, to snorkel here, you will need to secure parking near the bay, which can sometimes be difficult during busy times. Parking is located along the road on Highway 30. At the hairpin curve, there might be a parking space near the entrance to the enchanted forest.

During our trip here, there was a fairly tall drop-off from the pavement to the side of the road, and this could be a problem for low-clearance vehicles! Just be careful. The trail through the enchanted forest to Honolua Bay is right near Honolua Farms Kitchen. Don’t forget to take all valuables with you from your car. Additionally, during our visit here, there were portable toilets near the road.

Hike through the forest, and you’ll arrive on the beach. We will warn you that this isn’t a classic beach you might think of because it’s not very sandy. The beach is mostly large rocks, so it’s not really comfortable for sunbathing or relaxing. Be careful on the rocks when getting in the water because they can be very slippery.

Go snorkeling! While facing the ocean, the right side of the bay is best to explore. This area may require a bit of a swim to reach the best coral reefs, but it’s well worth the exploration if you are a good swimmer. We are not pro snorkelers by any means and felt safe in the open water. That being said, snorkeling close to the shore will provide a great experience as well.

➡️ Read next: Spend a day hiking in West Maui on the Lahaina Pali Trail and through the enchanted forest.

2. Kapalua Bay Beach

Kapalua Bay Beach is probably what you picture in your head when thinking of going to a beach in Hawaii, and that’s why Kapalua Bay Beach is also on our list of best snorkeling beaches in Maui! This beach is located near a public parking lot on Bay Club Place. You will also find public restrooms at this location.

This is another popular beach to visit, so plan to get here early to secure a spot to park. We got super lucky here and found an open space in the afternoon. Walk toward the ocean along the Kapalua Coastal Trail to reach the golden sandy beach.

When facing the ocean, some of the best snorkeling can be found on the far left and right sides of the bay, but be careful here as the coral and rocks can be sharp. While snorkeling in Kapalua Bay, we got to see a green sea turtle fairly close to the beach!

If you are short on time, we recommend this beach over all others. It was absolutely gorgeous. We also recommend walking over to the Sea House Restaurant for an amazing open-air lunch or dinner on the beach overlooking Napili Bay. Even better, if you are staying at the top-rated Napili Kai Beach Resort, Kapalua Bay Beach and Napili Bay are all within walking distance.

3. Ka’anapali Beach and Black Rock Beach

Next on our list of best snorkeling beaches in Maui are Ka’anapali Beach and Black Rock Beach. If you are staying at Kaanapali Alii or OUTRIGGER Kaanapali Beach Resort, these resorts are beachfront. If staying elsewhere, we recommend parking at the parking garage here. As part of the resort, you will need to pay to park, but it was well worth the cost.

Head down the beach access trail from the parking garage to reach Ka’anapali Beach and Black Rock Beach. During our visit here, it was super windy, which made lounging on the beach a bit uncomfortable due to blowing sand, but once in the water, it was perfect. While snorkeling here, we saw a few more green sea turtles swimming around close to shore.

If you are feeling a bit more daring, head to the black rock, where you can go cliff diving into the ocean. We saw tons of people cliff diving, so it appeared to be safe, but we stayed in the water to explore Hawaii’s underwater paradise.

If you are looking for drinks or a bite to eat here, we recommend the Cliff Dive Grill. Right on the beach with ocean views, we enjoyed a quick dinner here. Additionally, there is also an option to attend a luau! Check out the Maui Nui Luau at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa or Wailele Luau Including Fire and Knife Performance plus Dinner, which are both nearby.

Maui Snorkeling Tours

Additionally, Maui snorkeling tours are available if you’d rather have a guide or get out on the water! Check out some of the options below:

• Near Lahaina:
  • West Maui Half Day Snorkel from Ka’anapali Beach – half-day tour with snorkeling equipment included and breakfast and lunch on board.
  • Afternoon West Maui Snorkel from Ka’anapali Beach – a half-day Maui snorkeling cruise with snacks and an open bar.
• Near South Maui:
  • Molokini and Turtle Town Snorkeling Adventure Aboard the Malolo -snorkel at Molokini Crater, Turtle Town, or Coral Gardens on a half-day tour with breakfast and lunch.
  • 2-Hour Molokini Snorkel Trip – depart from Kihei on a small group snorkel tour at Molokini Crater.
  • Turtle Town Snorkel with Photo and Video – a small group 2-hour tour with snorkel gear and instruction is provided.

Best Places To Stay During Your Maui Vacation

There isn’t a bad place to stay while visiting Maui! We actually chose to stay in Upcountry, away from most of the popular tourist destinations. It was so peaceful and relaxing with outstanding views.

We really enjoyed our home base right near the entrance to Haleakalā National Park. Check out some of the options to stay in Upcountry, here.

If you want to be closer to the action and beaches, stay in Kihei or Lahaina/Ka’anapali. Here are some excellent options below:

Kihei’s best accommodations:

• Maui Coast Hotel – best seller, white sand beaches just across the street, nearby dining & entertainment with a free shuttle. Book your room now on Expedia or check it out on Booking.com.
• Kohea Kai Hotel Maui – beachfront hotel 15 minutes from the airport, rooftop lounge, and nearby beaches! Reserve your stay now on Expedia or Booking.com.
• AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea – breakfast buffet available along with an outdoor pool, 2 restaurants, and amazing ocean views. Check it out and book it on Expedia or Booking.com.
• Aston Maui Hill – ocean views near Wailea offering spacious condos and nearby beaches and activities. Compare prices and rates on Expedia or Booking.com and reserve your stay now.

Here are some great properties to stay near and north of Lahaina:

• Napili Kai Beach Resort – top-rated and far from the high-rise hotels, this resort is located on the shores of Napili Bay. Perfect for snorkelers and swimmers! Get your stay reserved on Expedia or Booking.com now.
• OUTRIGGER Kaanapali Beach Resort – oceanfront on the golden sands of Kaanapali Beach, one of the best in Maui for a reason! Premium rooms, upgraded features, and open-air dining. Don’t miss out – book your stay on Expedia or Booking.com.
• Kaanapali Alii – looking for a bigger place to stay? Expansive one and two-bedroom condos await at the Kaanapali Alii. Book your condo on Expedia.
• The Mauian – Boutique Beach Studios on Napili Bay – a beachside haven that will feel more like your home than a resort. Ocean views and beach access. Discover paradise at this epic beach location and reserve your stay on Expedia or Booking.com.

🧭 Loving this itinerary? Check out our other trips and itineraries right here!

Final Thoughts

We loved exploring and snorkeling at these 3 beaches in Maui. They were all unique, and we had a great snorkel experience at all of them! As said before, the one you can’t miss is definitely Kapalua Bay Beach – this was our favorite out of all the beaches we visited to snorkel. With restroom access and peaceful surroundings, it was paradise.

To top it off, seeing a green sea turtle here was an awesome experience! The one thing we are bummed about is not having a better underwater camera for our snorkeling explorations!