Snorkeling in Maui

Snorkeling in Maui

Once you decide you want to go snorkeling in Maui, you have to decide how to go - do you want to shore snorkel from a beach or pay to go on a snorkel trip on a boat?

Or, like our family, do you want to do both? This page will help you decide how and where you want to go snorkeling in Maui.

Shore snorkeling and snorkeling trips each have their advantages and disadvantages in terms of what else you get to do (such as watching whales or sailing), how much they cost, how easy it is to get to the snorkel location, and how much of crowd is around you.

Beach Snorkeling in Maui

Protected snorkeling at Kapalua Bay in northern Maui

Beach snorkeling in Maui doesn't cost much. We bring our masks and snorkels from home, and skip swim fins and wet suits. There are many Maui dive shops where you can rent or purchase snorkel gear.

Although there are lots of Maui beaches, not all of them have the right conditions for snorkeling.

See our page beach snorkeling in Maui - you don't have to use a boat! to help you select the right beach for your shore snorkeling.

Maui Snorkeling Trips

In comparison to shore snorkeling, Maui snorkeling trips let you combine snorkeling with the fun of sailing or motoring on the ocean as well as viewing ocean creatures. But they do cost money. Check the following when selecting your snorkeling trip:

• Type of boat - large motorized boats or smaller sailing catamarans

Use the buddy system when snorkeling in Maui. • Where you depart - usually Lahaina Harbor, Kaanapali beach, and Maalaea Harbor

• Snorkel destination - most common destinations are Honoloa Bay or Lanai from Lahaina and Kaanapali; and Molokini from Maalaea.

• Cost - general rule: as the boat gets larger and can carry more passengers, the price gets lower - sometimes kids are free.

• Onboard meals - some boats offer burgers and hot dogs, while other boats offer more upscale fare

• Other activites - such as watching whales, dolphins, and sea turtles

Pacific Whale Foundation Snorkeling Trips

Pacific Whale Foundation has a big presence on Maui, with storefront locations at Maalaea and Lahaina. They offer wallet friendly snorkeling trips (usually to Molokini) on large boats out of Maalea and Lahaina harbors.

Read about our two snorkel trips with Pacific Whale Foundation:

• Molokini Snorkeling Trip on a big motorized boat

• Upended by High Winds - our Molokini Snorkel Trip that never got to Molokini

Catmaran Snorkel Trips

Several types of smaller boats, such as catamarans and power rafts, also offer snorkeling trips out of Lahaina Harbor, Kaanapali beach, and Maalaea Harbor.

Catamaran sailboats motor right onto Kaanapali beach. Read about our Catamaran sailboats go right onto Kaanapali beach to load and unload passengers

• our early morning Dolphin Snorkel Sail on the Gemini catamaran

• our Snorkel, Whale Watch, Spinner Dolphin Sail on the Kapalua Kai.

Snorkeling trips in Maui can start with a catamaran from Kaanapali beach.

Maui Ocean Center

If you would like to view a variety of reef fish and sharks without even getting in the water, visit the Maui Ocean Center near Ma'alaea

Watching a scuba diver while we were standing in the clear see-through tunnel of the Open Ocean exhibit made us feel like we were snorkeling or scuba diving - but without the need for any gear.

Why we like Maui snorkeling

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