Wailea gives you a variety of options for the best snorkeling on Maui. Whether you take an excursion or venture yourself, you’ll find that Wailea offers snorkeling for all skill levels. Maluaka Bay, also known locally as Turtle Town, is a white sand beach that is known for its calm waters. The beach does not have a lifeguard on duty, but there are picnic tables, grassy areas too, a paved parking lot and restrooms. The beach is located on Maui’s South Shore at the end of Makena Road, south of Wailea. Find the south part of the beach for the coral reef alongside the rocks. The slope makes it a bit easier to find your comfort level in the water and you’ll soon discover turtles, fish, eels, crustaceans and maybe even an octopus or two.
Enjoy all of the great snorkeling Wailea has to offer from one of our Wailea vacation rentals.
Ahihi-Kina’u Natural Area Reserve is a unique and incredible site for snorkeling near Wailea. While the beach has no sand, the snorkeling is right at the edge, with lava rock and reef just waiting to be explored for the marine life, which is a mix of temporary and permanent habitat for the fish and turtles. Most beginners will want to wade in and families will find this cove area safe and easy as well as clear in the morning (enter on the north side, the right side of the cove). Haleakala lava flow from 1790 created this now protected area. Careful of the living coral on the ocean floor while exploring.
While visiting Maui, it is imperative that you experience a Molokini snorkel trip, which is a short boat ride of three miles from Maui’s South Shore. The crescent-shaped island is what was once the northern rim of the volcano between Maui and Kahoolawe in the Alalakeiki Channel. The waters forced the formation of a stunning crescent, whether seen from the sea or from the air. A variety of fish, eel, crustaceans, whales, monk seals and manta rays are swirling in the vast waters of Molokini.
Also please consider our Wailea condos and Wailea luxury rentals for your stay on Maui’s south shore.