Maui Snorkeling Guide
Honolua Bay
Honolua Bay is a premier Maui snorkeling spot in our book. It is one of the few protected bays to snorkel on Maui, and offers a wonderful short hike through stunning forest, and a variety of snorkeling options.
It is way up north on the west side of Maui, and it is worth the drive. It can be pretty calm in this bay even when the tradewinds are blowing up a snot out along the coastline. So if you cannot snorkel anywhere else because of wind and waves, this one is a good bet.
You do need to be careful not to leave any alluring valuables in your car, because there is often broken glass in the parking area, indicating that your windows will not be stopping thieves. It might be best to go when there are lots of other cars around. But then again, there is not that much parking available, so arriving early is a must.
Site Snorkeling Details - Honolua Bay
Maui Snorkeling
Honolua Bay is pretty big. You may find it useful to drive past the bay on the road to get a view of the snorkeling grounds from the cliffs above. What you will notice is that there is no beach, just a boulder rock shore. There is good snorkeling evident on both sides of the bay, but the best coral patches on the right hand side of the bay are a bit of a swim. But having seen them from above, you won't give up early.
Here is what we like to do. Most people enter the water on the left hand side of the beach, because there is a little bit of sand over there. The problem is there is a stream on that side, and the water is often so cloudy you can't see a foot in front of you until you reach deeper water. We like to walk along the rocks to the right a distance, then enter the water, and swim close to the rocky shore until we reach the big coral heads that are half way out the bay. You will often see big catamarans dropping off snorkelers right in that spot.
There are tons of fish in a big variety on that side of the bay. Visibility can be excellent, or sometimes kind of cloudy, depending on the waves and wind, and rainfall when you are there. We also have always seen some big Green Sea Turtles in that area. In fact, it is fun to watch them from the cliffs above. They look so big compared to the snorkelers down there.
Next, we like to swim across the middle of the bay to explore the left hand side. This is over deep water and you may not be able to see the bottom, depending on how cloudy it is.
There is some coral out past the first big rocky point from the beach. So when you swim across, stay to the left of that. You will find some interesting rocky channels, and if you get really close to shore, some fascinating underwater topography, including some huge boulders. We have not seen as many fish on this side, but it is still worth doing.
Then heading back to shore, if it is pretty cloudy, you may want to head back across to the other side of the boat ramp, where you got into the water.
We never miss snorkeling here when we are on Maui. You shouldn't either! And don't forget to leave your story and pictures about Honolua here. Here are a couple more underwater pictures.
Don't miss more underwater pictures and a neat turtle video that we took at Honolua
on this page.
We are not the only avid Maui snorkelers to think Honolua is fantastic - read what Alex from San Francisco thinks here.
Driving Directions - Honolua Bay
Maui Snorkeling
Driving Directions to Honolua Bay from Kihei
In Kihei get on Hwy 31 (Piilani Hwy) or S Kihei Rd heading north. When you reach the intersection with Hwy 311 (Mokulele Hwy) and Hwy 310 (N Kihei Rd) turn onto Hwy 310 (N Kihei Rd) and follow to the next intersection with Hwy 30 (Honoapiilani Hwy) and turn left, heading initially south. This road is what you will follow halfway around west Maui. You will pass by Lahaina, Kaanapali and Kapalua. After you pass by the Kapalua Resort area, you will come closer to the water again and pass signs for DT Fleming Beach Park. Past the 32 mile marker, there will be a turnout with a green chainlink fence on the bluff which is Slaughterhouse Beach. The next large turnout overlooks Honolua Bay, and heading downhill, before the curve in the road to the left is the best turnout to park in for the short hike to the bay.
See more underwater pictures at Honolua
Explore the next spot Slaugherhouse Beach
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