A West Maui Snorkeling Spot for Every Level
West Maui is a snorkeler’s paradise, offering a variety of spots that cater to all levels of experience, from beginners to seasoned enthusiasts. With its crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and abundant marine life, the region promises unforgettable underwater adventures. However, with so many spectacular locales to choose from, it can be hard to decide where to start. We get this question in our stores…a lot. Well, if someone asks us to suggest a snorkeling destination, the first thing we want to know is whether our eager snorkeler is a beginner, intermediate, or more advanced water person. This is because our experience and skill level in the ocean and with snorkeling in particular make all other factors, like geography and conditions, relative to our ability to navigate them. So, with that in mind, we’d like to offer a favorite West Maui snorkeling spot for every level, whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced snorkeler.
P.S. When you rent a premium snorkel set from Auntie Snorkel, you’ll always get our best advice for where you should go so you can have the most fun. Cheehoo!
For Beginner Snorkelers – Kapalua Bay
Popular bay that offers some shelter from wind/waves for snorkeling, paddle boarding, and family beach days.
Kapalua Bay is an ideal West Maui snorkeling spot for beginners due to its calm, sheltered waters and easy access. Located on Maui’s northwest coast, this picturesque bay is naturally protected by two lava rock formations, creating a tranquil environment that is often sheltered from waves. This makes it a safe and comfortable place for novice snorkelers to explore without worrying about strong currents or rough conditions.
Kapalua Access
A free parking lot, easy pathways to the beach, and good restrooms and showers make Kapalua Bay easy to access and enjoy for everyone. Further, access to Kapalua Bay snorkeling is among the easiest on the entire west side. The sandy beach slopes gently into the water, providing a smooth and straightforward entry.
Kapalua Snorkeling
The snorkeling areas in Kapalua Bay are highlighted in yellow. Enter the water at either end of the bay.
You’ll find good snorkeling at either side of the bay. Along those sides, snorkelers are greeted with clear, shallow waters that offer excellent visibility. The coral reefs are just a short swim from the shore, making it easy for beginners to start exploring right away. These reefs are home to a variety of colorful marine life, including parrotfish, butterflyfish, and even green sea turtles, providing an exciting and rewarding experience for first-time snorkelers.
On balance, Kapalua Bay is often hailed as one of the best snorkeling spots in Maui, especially for beginners. Snorkelers can explore vibrant coral reefs teeming with colorful fish, such as parrotfish, butterflyfish, and occasionally, green sea turtles. The bay’s gentle conditions and rich marine life make it a perfect introduction to snorkeling.
For Intermediate Snorkelers – Olowalu Mile Marker 14
Explore Maui’s “mother reef” with easy beach access and typically gentle waters.
Olowalu Mile Marker 14, also known as Maui’s Mother Reef, is an excellent West Maui snorkeling spot for intermediate snorkelers seeking a slightly more challenging yet rewarding experience. Located along the scenic Honoapi’ilani Highway, this spot is renowned for its expansive and diverse coral reef system, which is one of the oldest and most vibrant in Hawaii. The reef’s intricate structures and the variety of marine life it supports make it a fascinating site for those with some snorkeling experience.
Olowalu Mile Marker 14 Access
Park on the hard-pack sandy beach across the highway from the mile marker 14. There are no facilities here, so be sure to bring everything you’ll need and pack everything out. Access to the water is fairly easy. Simply look for sand ribbons between the reef. They show as light turquoise water in contrast to the darker colored water over reef. The waters at Olowalu are generally calm, but the reef extends quite far from the shore, allowing intermediate snorkelers to navigate slightly deeper waters and larger areas.
Olowalu Mile Marker 14 Snorkeling
The main snorkeling area at Olowalu Mile Marker 14 is highlighted in yellow. Very experienced snorkelers or those on water craft can venture even farther outside this area.
The expansiveness of this spot provides an opportunity to explore different sections of the reef and encounter a wide range of sea creatures, from schools of colorful fish to the iconic Hawaiian green sea turtles, which are commonly spotted here. The reef’s complex topography, featuring large coral heads and unique formations, offers plenty of nooks and crannies to investigate, adding an element of adventure. Additionally, Olowalu’s clear waters offer excellent visibility, allowing snorkelers to fully appreciate the vibrant underwater world.
The combination of calm conditions, extensive reef systems, and abundant marine life makes Olowalu Mile Marker 14 a perfect choice for intermediate snorkelers looking to enhance their skills and experience the beauty of Maui’s underwater landscapes. This spot strikes a balance between accessibility and adventure, providing a memorable snorkeling outing that goes beyond the basics without being overly demanding.
For Advanced Snorkelers – Mokule’ia Bay
Remote bay with sandy beach and good snorkeling. Stair case access only.
Mokule’ia Bay, also known as Slaughterhouse Beach, stands out as an advanced West Maui snorkeling spot due to its unique and challenging access and underwater landscape. Located on Maui’s northwest coast, this bay is less frequented by visitors, providing a more serene and exclusive snorkeling experience. The entry to the bay can be difficult, with rocky terrain and sometimes strong currents requiring skill and experience to navigate safely. However, once in the water, advanced snorkelers are rewarded with a rich underwater environment.
Mokule’ia Bay Access
Parking here is very limited, so an early arrival is best. If you score a parking spot, you must then take a very long staircase to access the beach. This staircase is the only way in and out, so it also limits access. There are no facilities at this beach, so you’ll need to pack in everything you need, and pack it all out. Once on the beach, access to the water on a calm day is fairly easy. Snorkelers will want to enter on either end of the bay, as the middle is mostly just sand. On days with swell that reaches the bay, snorkeling is not advisable.
Mokule’ia Bay Snorkeling
Near shore snorkeling areas at Mokule’ia Bay are highlighted in yellow.
Most people prefer the snorkeling to the east side of the bay (right side as you look out at the ocean from shore). Advanced snorkelers and strong swimmers can follow the right side of Mokule’ia all the way out to the point and around to the west side of Honolua Bay. Note that one should only attempt this on a very calm day to avoid surprise currents. One will also find good snorkeling to the west side of the bay (left side as you look at the ocean from shore). Again, one should only snorkel here on calm days, and should be a strong swimmer to navigate the area comfortably.
Snorkeling areas at Mokule’ia Bay are highlighted in yellow, along with a path for advanced snorkelers on very calm days around to Honolua Bay.
The bay features dramatic coral formations and underwater arches that create a fascinating topography, ideal for exploration. These structures are home to a diverse array of marine life, including vibrant schools of tropical fish, octopuses, and graceful eagle rays. Folks have reported seeing more sea turtles here than at many other spots! The clear, deep waters allow for excellent visibility, offering snorkelers the chance to witness the intricate beauty of the coral reefs and the behavior of the marine creatures that inhabit them.
Furthermore, Mokule’ia Bay’s seclusion means that snorkelers can enjoy a more personal and uninterrupted experience, making it a perfect spot for those looking to challenge themselves and fully immerse in Maui’s underwater wonders. The combination of its challenging access, stunning underwater scenery, expansive area to explore, and abundant marine life makes Mokule’ia Bay a top choice for advanced snorkelers seeking adventure and beauty beneath the waves.
