The Most Beautiful Beaches for Snorkeling in Maui
South Maui is highly regarded for having excellent beaches for snorkeling. The island of Maui is, in fact, home to several wonderful beaches, each offering a slightly different experience. Read on to see some of the best beaches for snorkeling in South Maui!
Why is Maui Great for Snorkeling?
Quite simply, Maui is perfect for snorkeling because of all the splendid beaches available. Because Maui is an island and is surrounded by water, it’s a natural place for beaches to form. The shape of the island also contributes here, creating several beaches with calm waters.
Not all of the beaches in Maui are great for snorkeling. Some are much better for water sports like surfing because of the large waves that hit the shore. This is not an ideal location for snorkeling because fish and other creatures will be disturbed by the currents and waves in the water.
With that in mind, there are still several protected beaches in Maui. The shape of the island prevents water swells from entering the area. Not only does this help keep fish around, but it also makes the water very clear! If that doesn’t sound like the perfect scenario for snorkeling, then nothing will!
The Best Beaches!
Now that you know to look for beaches with calmer water, here are some of the best you can find in South Maui. The beaches on this list are chosen based on availability and diversity of vibrant tropical fish and those easily visited on tour. The best time for snorkeling is almost always in the morning, and this will also help you avoid the crowds! Keep that in mind as you check out the beaches below!
Makena Landing
Makena Landing is located just south of Turtle Town, making it great for spotting majestic sea turtle floating by. Makena does experience a bit of wave activity bu if you pay attention to any warnings and keep a close eye on the waves, you’ll be able to enjoy one of the better snorkel spots in South Maui.
There are plenty of beautiful tropical fish, octopi, and eels to see here, but the biggest creature attraction is definitely the turtles, which are in abundance. Another great aspect of Makena Beach is the number of sea caves that are hidden under the water! These caves are great for exploring, but they’re also where harmless reef sharks like to spend their days. As long as you’re careful and don’t try to explore while waves are strong, you can see some natural architecture that never leaves the water!
Whether you want to view the coral reef, see a vibrant variety of fish, or flop around with the turtles, Makena has something to offer for everyone!
Wailea Beach
Wailea Beach is not only one of the best in Maui, but it’s one of the best beaches in the entire world. When you have a world-class beach right at your fingertips, why wouldn’t you see what it is all about?
Wailea has some incredible sand and clear water, but what really makes it stand out is just how many fish you can see! If you stay close to the shore, you’ll probably see just a few different fish and probably some sea turtles, but if you decide to venture out farther into the water, you can easily see some giant manta rays and a great view of the coral reef.
What Wailea Beach is really known for is great whale watching. Several humpbacks choose to surface the water in this area, quickly turning heads and grabbing attention. The wonders of Wailea are no secret though, so you’ll definitely want to come in the morning for the best snorkeling sights!
Maluaka Beach
Maluaka Beach is one of the best spots in the world to view sea turtles. It is located farther south of Wailea Beach and is a bit more of a hidden secret due to its southern location and it’s more well-known neighbor to the south, Makena Beach or “Big Beach.”
At Maluaka, you’ll find a good variety of fish and the occasional shark, but most people snorkel here for the sea turtles! Sea turtles are so abundant in this region because of the coral reef growing in the area. Turtles love to munch on the coral reef, which also makes for an amusing sight!
In addition to the turtles, the sand on the beach is white and pristine. You can also watch whales from here in the beautiful clear water! Snorkel the south side reef of Maluaka and be prepared to see schools of hundreds of Bluestripe Snapper, Achilles Tang and Butterfly Fish.
A Catamaran Experience to Take You There!
No matter what you’re looking for in a summer vacation to Hawaii, there’s sure to be a beach that you’ll absolutely love! South Maui is world famous for some of the beaches the area has, isn’t it time you come and see why too? Summer is right around the corner, making now the perfect time to plan a week of pure pleasure.
Some of our favorite beaches include Makena Landing, Wailea, and Maluaka! These beaches are all outstanding if you want to relax with a turtle, as they’re all located by large coral reefs. Aside from turtles, you can also have a spectacular snorkeling experience at any of these beaches! Many colorful species live in South Maui, so you won’t want to miss out on a chance at seeing them!
Because South Maui is such a hotspot for snorkeling, there are several tours available that can help you craft the perfect vacation experience. Because the time of day you go snorkeling matters, you want to find a tour that goes early in the day. This will maximize your potential to see as many beautiful fish as possible!
If you’re interested in a casual guided tour, consider booking a catamaran experience! A catamaran is a boat that will take you to some of the best viewing and snorkeling locations in South Maui. Food and music are available to help set the mood for you and your family! There simply isn’t a better way to enjoy the sights of Maui! Check out all the snorkeling tours from Kai Kanani available here!