Snorkeling Poolenalena Beach
Maui Snorkel Guide
Snorkeling Poolenalena Beach is a joy. This Maui snorkel spot has it all: a long beautiful beach and some fantastic snorkel spots. In fact there are three different places you could snorkel along Po’olenalena Beach.
We took the picture below when we flew in. The rocky point to the right of the big central beach is the best snorkel spot. The little tiny beach around that point to the right is Chang's Beach.
There are two different public accesses to this beach. The south location, where the best snorkel spot is, has a small parking lot, and you access the beach through a resort property (Makena Surf Condos). The north lot is much bigger.
Site Details - Snorkeling Poolenalena Beach
Water Entrance When Snorkeling Poolenalena
No matter which rocky point you choose, this sandy beach offers the easy entrance you would expect. There are some large rocks popping out of the beach on the south end, but they are easily avoidable. So, walk out in your bare feet until you’re ready to put your fins on.
Where To Snorkel
The three spots to snorkel are the rocky points. There is one to the south, one in the middle of the beach (just north of the northern access) and one is a climb over the rocks and a walk down the beach to the north. This third one is better accessed from Palauea Beach to the north which is described in our Maui Snorkeling Guide eBook.
At the very south end of Po’olenalena the snorkeling is around the big rocky point. In fact you can snorkel all the way around to Chang’s Beach. This is a stellar snorkeling spot. We recommend this as one of the best snorkeling spots in Maui. It sometimes has low visibility next to shore, so swim out a little way. Then you are treated to a great variety of coral, interesting finger reefs, and tons of fish. The depths range from 5-25 feet, which makes it that much more interesting. We also had a great time watching a turtle family feed, swim and rest. As you get farther around toward Chang’s Beach you will come along a wall that is about 40 feet deep, with caves, corals and tons of fish. It is spectacular.
What looks like the north end of the beach, is actually just a rocky point in the middle of the beach. You are pretty much next to this point when you walk down to the beach from the northern parking area. The snorkeling around this point is good. It is a small area so it won’t take long, but interesting reef formations, fairly healthy corals and fish. Some of it is a little deep for good snorkeling, so stick to the shallower stuff. This point can sometimes have wavier conditions than the ones nearby, which also lowers visibility, so use your judgement.
What We Saw Snorkeling Poolenalena Beach
In addition to the many turtles there were, there were also many urchins in the reef. We saw some varied fish here too: Bluespine Unicornfish, Spotted Puffer, Moorish Idol, large schools of Yellowtail Goatfish, schools of Blackfin Chromis, Saddle Wrasse, Arc-Eye Hawkfish, and Whitemouth Moray Eel.
More Snorkeling Poolenalena Beach Details
For full details about snorkeling Poolenalena, including detailed driving directions (and to find all the best snorkeling spots on Maui), check out our Maui Snorkeling Guide eBook.
Now check out Kahekili Beach
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