FAQ
Do you have questions? Auntie Snorkel has answers for the most frequently asked questions.
General (15)
Yes, the beaches across the street from Auntie Snorkel Kihei – Kamaole I, Kamaole II, and Kamaole III – have lifeguard stations. There are also lifeguards at Makena State Park (Big Beach), Hanako’o Beach Park (Canoe Beach), DT Fleming Beach Park, Baldwin Beach Park, and Ho’okipa Beach Park.
For more about Maui County lifeguards read here.
Yes, very close by! Most South Maui beaches are wonderful spots to ride fun shore waves on a boogie board – with Kamaole I, Kamaole II, and Kamaole III being just a short walk away from Auntie Snorkel Kihei.
West Maui also has some great boogie boarding – particularly at the world famous Kaanapali Beach, just a 10 minute drive from Auntie Snorkel Lahaina.
Check out our article Boogie Boarding Maui on Wavy Days for our favorite spots and helpful boogie boarding tips.
Auntie Snorkel Kihei is across the street from one of the most popular spots on Maui to SUP – Kamaole I Beach Park! Come rent a board and cross the street to one of the best local SUP spots.
Auntie Snorkel Lahaina is just a 10 minute drive to the best SUP spots in West Maui – Kahekili Beach Park, Kaanapali Beach, and Launiupoko Beach Park! Come rent a board, and we’ll help you load it onto your vehicle for an epic SUP and beach day.
Yes! Parking is free at the Lahaina Gateway Center.
Yes! Parking is free at the Rainbow Mall.
Absolutely! Auntie Snorkel in Kihei is about 1 block from Kamaole Beach I and Kamaole Beach II, where you can explore the spectacular reef that separates the two beaches.
Auntie Snorkel Lahaina is just a few minutes walk or drive to Baby Beach by Mala Boat Ramp, a 10 minute drive to the world famous Ka’anapali Beach, and a 10 minute drive to other beautiful oceanfront recreation areas like Launiupoko Beach Park.
Yes, very close by! Just 1/2 mile north from Auntie Snorkel Kihei is South Maui’s year-round break at Cove Park.
Just an 8 minute drive from Auntie Snorkel Lahaina, you’ll find West Maui’s year-round break at Launiupoko Beach Park.
When you rent a soft top surfboard from us, our Fun Specialists will help you find the best spot for your skill level and the conditions that day.
Be sure to also check out our guide to the 3 Best Beginner Surf Spots in Maui.
Automatic! All Auntie Snorkel guests are treated with exceptional attention and care. We pride ourselves on spreading unconditional Aloha to every customer, every time. That’s why we have thousands of 5-star reviews across Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor!
Yes, you may pay with cash. However, we do require a credit card to secure rentals.
For rentals, we offer no-hassle full refunds with no fees for all rentals reserved through our website, at the shop in person, or over the phone. Once you have picked up your rental equipment from our shop we generally only offer a shop credit for returns unless there are special circumstances.
For activities, we offer no-hassle full refunds for all island activity reservations booked through our website, at the shop, or over the phone 72 hours before the activity is to begin. Once we are within 72 hours of the activity start time we must follow the activity provider’s return policy. They typically require 72 hours’ notice for refunds.
For retail purchases in our stores, all sales are final.
Auntie Snorkel in Kihei is about 1 block from Kamaole Beach I and Kamaole Beach II, where you can explore the spectacular reef that separates the two beaches.
Auntie Snorkel Lahaina is just a few minutes walk or drive to Baby Beach by Mala Boat Ramp, a 10 minute drive to the world famous Ka’anapali Beach, and a 10 minute drive to other beautiful oceanfront recreation areas like Launiupoko Beach Park.
South Maui Store in Kihei: 7 Days A Week from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm. Except for major holidays.
West Maui Store in Lahaina: 7 Days A Week from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Except for major holidays.
You may text or call our main line at (808) 298-3021.
To reach the Kihei shop directly, call (808) 879-6263.
To reach the Lahaina shop directly, call (808) 868-0134.
Auntie Snorkel Southside is located in front of the Rainbow Mall at the following address: 2439 S Kihei Rd #101a, Kihei, Maui, Hawaii 96753.
Auntie Snorkel Westside is located in the Lahaina Gateway Center at the following address: 335 Keawe St #218, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii 96761.
South and West Maui beaches are teeming with Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles! If you’re renting snorkel gear at Auntie Snorkel Kihei, just go across the street to Kamaole I or Kamaole II Beach Park and snorkel around the rocky point between the two beaches where lots of sea turtles hang out. We’ve also compiled some more of our favorite spots in this article: 10 Places to See Sea Turtles in Maui.
Rentals (10)
Yes. We will appropriately size our custom-sized fins to your feet when you arrive.
If you need to exchange the rental gear for a new size just bring it in and we will swap it out!
Retail sales are final, so please ask a Fun Specialist for help making sure you have the best gear for your purchase.
Yes! We offer free delivery on weekly SUP rentals. Rentals of less than one week may be available for delivery with an additional charge of $50 per board.
Please connect with us at least 24 hours in advance to coordinate delivery.
Deliveries are typically available in the hour before or after our shops close (i.e. 7am-8am, 5pm-6pm).
You must be present to receive delivery and facilitate pick up. You must have a safe place to store the boards overnight.
We do not deliver snorkel gear. We recommend everyone get fitted properly in the store to ensure the best experience.
We do not have an after hours drop box for either of our locations.
Auntie Snorkel Kihei is open 7:30am – 5pm daily.
Auntie Snorkel Lahaina is open 8am – 5pm daily.
You may return your rental gear to either location, regardless of where you picked it up!
If you have special circumstances and need after hours assistance, please reach out to us at (808) 298-3021.
Yes! All of your snorkel gear rentals will include a complimentary bottle of defog. We also sell defog solution.
Yes, every GoPro rental comes with a floating waterproof housing, charging cable, 32gb micro SD card, and carrying case.
Yes! We rent GoPro Hero models 5, 7, 8, and 10. Your rental comes with a floating waterproof housing, a charging cord, and a 32gb micro SD card. Learn more about renting a GoPro at Auntie Snorkel Kihei or at Auntie Snorkel Lahaina.
Yes! We rent snorkeling equipment for kids and youth. We will size everyone appropriately in the store. Rent your snorkel gear from Auntie Snorkel Kihei or Auntie Snorkel Lahaina.
Yes! We rent wetsuit tops and spring suits (full body coverage with short sleeves and shorts). We carry sizes for little kids (6-8) to big grown ups (XXL).
While Maui’s water temperatures are warm year-round, they are cooler than your body temperature. This can lead to feeling chilly in the water after longer periods of time, such as for snorkeling or surfing. Rent a wetsuit from Auntie Snorkel Kihei or Auntie Snorkel Lahaina.
Activities (11)
Yes. That is our specialty! We guarantee the lowest prices on all the island’s activities. Check out the wide variety of activities we have available for convenient online booking:
See a lower price elsewhere? Give us a chance to beat any of your quotes. We also beat our competitor’s pricing! Reach out to us to find the best deal for you at (808) 298-3021.
Yes! As a licensed activity broker, we offer nearly all island activities. Check out the wide variety of activities we have available for convenient online booking:
If you have a favorite activity that you don’t see on our website, give us a call at (808) 298-3021.
Yes! We often have many great island dining coupons for FREE! Come by and grab some! 😉
Yes! Just ask us and we’re happy to provide a map highlighting all the great snorkel spots on the island and much more.
Even better, our Maui Beach Guides help you learn all about the best spots for snorkeling, surf, SUP, and family beach days! Click around our interactive map to get directions, parking tips, live webcams, and all our local insights into Maui’s best beaches.
Our Maui Guidebook also offers very helpful articles on just about any question you might have about snorkel spots, ocean safety, snorkel tours, and so much more.
Be sure to also check out our Snorkel 101 page for our expert gear tips and anything else you might need to know to have the best snorkeling experience on Maui!
Of course! Like we always say, our expert information is free 😉 Just come chat with our Fun Specialists at Auntie Snorkel Kihei or Auntie Snorkel Lahaina.
We do not offer snorkel lessons, but we do offer detailed guidance for using your gear and having a great snorkeling experience when you get fitted for your snorkel gear rentals in our Kihei or Lahaina shops. Get an idea of what that guidance is like on our Snorkel 101 page!
We can also help you book a snorkel lesson. Just call us to find out more.
We book all the awesome island vendors that offer surf lessons! We would be happy to book the most suitable lesson for you.
Some of our favorites are Maui WaveRiders Kihei and Maui WaveRiders Lahaina, which you may conveniently book right here on our website.
Automatic! Give us a call to find out for yourself!
We are an activity broker. We will book jet ski tickets for you. Jet Ski rentals are on Ka’anapali Beach. Give us a call and we can reserve your spot.
Absolutely! We book nearly all the island’s activities. There are so many activities that we just cannot fit them all on our site. Call us to book! 808-298-3021.
We do have busier rental hours between store opening and noon. We highly recommend if you have an activity question to come in the afternoon when we are likely to have more time to work on the best activities for you. We are so grateful for your patience if we are helping other customers!
You may also book many activities on our website or call our activity specialist number @ 808-298-3021.
Retail (5)
Yes, we do sell snorkels and masks for kids and youth. However, because kids grow quickly, we recommend renting snorkel gear, unless you are a frequent user.
Yes! We sell a variety of specialty masks. Our masks feature high-grade silicone skirts, tinted or clear tempered glass, and silicone adjustable straps. We also sell dry snorkels, fins, defog, and other related gear. Our prices are the best on Maui for retail gear. If you’re looking for specific snorkel equipment, give us call.
Yes! The State of Hawaii passed a law to support the ban of Oxybenzone and other harmful chemicals found in sunscreens from further damaging the coral reefs of Hawaii, and Maui County passed supporting ordinance, effective October 2022. Of course, we at Auntie Snorkel fully support this ban, for the sake of our community’s beautiful reefs and ecosystem. Therefore, we carry a wide selection of mineral-based sunblocks to protect both your skin and the coral reef’s ability to reproduce, helping to keep our shoreline ecosystem healthy for generations.
To verify whether your sunscreen is truly reef-safe, check the active ingredient list. It should list only zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which are considered to be less harmful to coral reefs than the chemical UV filters found in many conventional sunscreens. For sunscreens using zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, it’s also important to choose those that use non-nano particles. Non-nano particles are larger and less likely to be absorbed into the skin or cause harm when washed off into the ocean.
Our mineral-based sunblock selection varies from 3oz – 6.50z tubes, 6oz sprays, and lip balms.
We also sell a variety of UPF 50+ sun shirts and wide-brim hats.
Finally, renting a wetsuit is a great way to prevent sun exposure while snorkeling!
Snorkeling (2)
Check out our Maui Beach Guides for detailed information about the best beaches in South Maui for snorkeling, surfing, SUP, and family beach days.
Also, peruse our Maui Guidebook for very helpful articles like A South Maui Snorkeling Spot for Every Level, and The 5 Best South Maui Beaches for Families.
We’ve also highlighted some of our favorite snorkeling spots in South Maui on this Google Map:
Click the above map for Google directions to our favorite snorkel spots near Kihei, Wailea and Makena.
Check out our Maui Beach Guides for detailed information about the best beaches in West Maui for snorkeling, surfing, SUP, and family beach days.
Also, peruse our Maui Guidebook for very helpful articles like A West Maui Snorkeling Spot for Every Level, and The 5 Best West Maui Beaches for Families.
We’ve also highlighted some of our favorite snorkeling spots in West Maui on this Google Map:
Click the above map for Google directions to our favorite snorkel spots near Lahaina, Kaanapali, and Napili.
