Maui Snorkeling Guide
La Pe'rouse Bay
La Pe'rouse Bay offers some unique Maui snorkeling, and some unique challenges. Most folks pull up to the bay, jump in the water, and start snorkeling. But the bay itself offers very poor snorkeling, and generally bad visibility. Although we have seen dolphins in the bay in the early mornings.
And even though all beaches are public in Hawaii, somehow the beach in front of the house on the right is private, and they let you know that very clearly with all kinds of nasty signs. And even the signs to the trail have been taken down by locals, and the access blocked by rocks. If you feel a little discouraged at this point, we did also. But it is a public reserve, and you do have the right to hike out there.
So basically the challenges are to find the trail, and hike out over some very rough lava (wear shoes, not flip flops, unless you have very tough feet). Then the next challenge is to ignore the negative signs and keep going down the trail to the first little cove that is not private.
Site Snorkeling Details - La Pe'rouse Bay
Maui Snorkeling
The snorkeling here can be excellent, but it needs to be very calm, and to get to the clearest water and best snorkeling, it is a bit of a swim. So it is probably for more advanced snorkelers.
Basically, the further you swim around the rocky point on the right hand side of the bay, the better the snorkeling gets. There are a series of little coves to explore, and the fourth cove has many fish and a nice variety of corals. You can see what it is like pretty clearly from this picture we got from the airplane flying in.
Here is a picture of one of those little inlets that you can hike to. The further ones around you need to swim to.
So it is good, but our reservations about snorkeling here are that there is an unfriendly energy from the local homes, there is a bit of a hike, and the first three coves are pretty uninteresting, meaning you need to swim a good distance to see anything good.
But if it is calm, and you have some experience, then it can be a joy!
Driving Directions - La Pe'rouse Bay
Maui Snorkeling
Driving Directions to La Pe'rouse Bay from Kihei
Head south on S Kihei Rd. Towards the end of the road, there is an intersection where you can veer left onto Okolani Dr, do this and go to the intersection with Wailea Alanui Dr and turn right. Follow this through the big intersection with Wailea Iki Dr near The Shops at Wailea. Keep driving through the intersection with Kaukahi St, the road you are on is now called Makena Alanui Rd. You will pass Makena Rd three times on your right. You will pass Makena State Park on your right and the road will come down to the water again. You will drive through a lava field and park at the end of the road.
Explore the next great spot - Molokini
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