Here is a list of snorkel spots. I’ll try to keep updating this post as I get more photos etc.

In general you want to try and go early before 9AM to get the best conditions and see the most fish.

Kamaole Beach III

This is the beach right across the street. We spend a crazy amount of time there because A) it is a GREAT beach and B) it is right across the street! There is a nice open lawn area to play, bathrooms, life guard, swings, barbeques. This is the beach where the locals hang out. Every Sunday you will see a church group of some kind having a luau there with a jumpy castle for the kids etc.

The best snorkeling is to the left going towards the boat launch. Plenty of turtles (we saw six in one spot one day) and lots of fish. If you are a good swimmer go way left until you get to the first swim buoy (the white ones that mark the line between boaters and swimmers) then go straight out. You will have to cross a bit of open sand along the way… just keep going I’m not crazy. The coral opens up into a HUGE field that you can swim over. See the snorkel boats coming in the the boat landing, where they always stop just outside of the entrance? They are doing one last snorkel to see turtles. Go that way.

The wind will pick up about noon so you probably want to be done by then.

Most days have good waves for boogie boarding if you go just to the right by the life guard stand.

Here is a ʻdroneʻ video done at Kam III by my good friend Darrell Burkey from ProUAV Australia.

Here are some turtle videos I shot with the GoPro. If you listen very carefully on the second one you can hear whale songs in the background. This was a low visibility day just after a rain. It is usually much clearer than this.

Keawakapu

No need to drive, just go across the street to Kam III but then enter the trail to the left and walk along the Eddie Pu trail past the boat launch and just past the Five Palms restaurant at the Mana Kai. This is a great beach! Lots of fish, an easy entry and small waves. Go out along the lava outcropping on the right. If you walk all the way to the other end of the beach there are bathrooms and good snorkeling there too. If you walk past the Five Palms, past the pool, you will find a rental place where you can rent kayaks and stand up paddle boards (and bikes).

Mokapu/Ulua

You are going to want to drive to this one. Go like you are going to the shops at Wailea (exit left from the condo, turn right at the stop) but it is only a mile or so. Look for the sign that says Ulua Beach on the right (past Ekahi, past Elua condos) and go down to the end. Parking is limited so go as early as you can to make sure you get a spot.

This is where a lot of SCUBA divers go because the fish are awesome. Ulua beach is on the left, Mokapu on the right. Ulua is the better bet. Go straight out, super easy entry. Follow along the rocks and eventually you get to a nice wall that drops off into deep water. Turtles there most days. Nice beach with good shade. You can walk up the beach and go along a walking path that takes you through the shops at Wailea where you can get a snack at the Whalers general Store.

Turtle Town

There is no such place. “Turtle Town” is wherever your guide or boat captain says it is. Turtles are all over south Maui.

Makena Landing

Drive to Wailea and go past the shops. Just past Makena Surf hotel you want to take a right on Makena Road. Wait weren’t we on Makena Road? Well yes and no. After this point the main road becomes Makena Alanui, and this right turn off becomes Makena Road. Alanui means road in Hawaiian. Confusing isn’t it?

Go down the road past the fancy houses until on your right you see Makena Landing parking. Lots of kayakers go from here. It is an easy entry. The visibility can be not super great here but it is fun to hang out on the little (tiny) beach and lawn area.

Maluaka

Drive like you are going to Makena Landing, but go past and keep going. You will come to a parking area on the left and an old church on the right Keawala’i Congregational church. Check it out, it it the coolest church, and graveyard (but be respectful please). Parking can be limited so go early. This has darn good snorkeling and lots of fish. The visibility can be low especially after a rain.

Ahihi Kina’u – the dumps

Drive down Makena Road, it changes to Makena Alanui, then changes back to Makena Road. Whatevah! Just keep driving south. Keep driving. No you are not lost, keep driving. More details here. The scenery is amazing but keep your eyes on the road! You will see a sign that says Ahihi Kina’u Reserve, keep going. Your brain will be telling you to pull off here because it is gorgeous but fight the urge and keep going. It starts to turn into a moon scape lava field and you are saying “Duane, why did you make me go past all that idyllic scenery to this place where I could die and the buzzards would have trouble finding my body?” But look to the right at the yellow gates and go into the parking area. Walk out on the lava trail (bring good shoes and booties if you have them) until you get to the lava rock beach.

This has THE BEST SNORKELING ON MAUI it will blow your mind. But it has a difficult entry and to get there you have to cross a lava field. Not a spot for beginners. Please don’t die.

La Perouse

Drive like above until you get to the end of the road. This is the end of the line for cars. This has a difficult entry and the wind can blow like a mutha. Snorkeling is good but visibility can be a challenge. Dolphins hang out here in the morning.

Molokini

Take a boat trip to this tiny cinder cone. You can get one that leaves right from Kihei boat ramp. It can get crowded, go on the early trip. This is a must do if you have never gone.