Posted on: October 24, 2024
Maui is renowned for its incredible marine life, with a diverse range of species that call the island’s waters home. From colorful fish to majestic whales, Maui offers a wealth of opportunities to encounter these amazing creatures up close. Here are the best marine life encounters in Maui, including snorkeling, diving, and whale watching hotspots.
Snorkeling Spots

- Honolua Bay: This marine preserve is home to an incredible array of fish, including parrotfish, butterflyfish, and angelfish.
- Hanauma Bay: This protected bay is a snorkeler’s paradise, with an abundance of tropical fish, sea turtles, and colorful coral.
- Turtle Town: Located on the south side of Maui, Turtle Town is a must-visit for sea turtle enthusiasts. Learn more
- Slaughterhouse (Mokuleia Bay): Accessible by a steep staircase, this bay is a designated Marine Life Conservation District and offers beautiful snorkeling opportunities.
- DT Fleming Beach: This beach is perfect for families and offers great snorkeling with lifeguards and public restrooms available.
- Kapalua Bay: Known for its calm waters and vibrant marine life, Kapalua Bay is a favorite among snorkelers.
- Napili Bay: With its crescent-shaped beach and vibrant coral reefs, Napili Bay guarantees a fantastic snorkeling experience.
- Kahekili (Airport Beach): This beach offers excellent snorkeling opportunities with easy access and abundant marine life.
- Black Rock (Kaanapali Beach): A popular spot for both snorkeling and diving, Black Rock is known for its variety of fish and sea turtles.
Diving Hotspots

- Molokini Crater: This crescent-shaped volcanic crater is a popular spot for scuba diving, with an incredible array of marine life, including sharks, rays, and tropical fish.
- Honolua Bay: In addition to snorkeling, Honolua Bay offers excellent diving opportunities with its diverse marine life.
- Black Rock: Located in Kaanapali, Black Rock is a great spot for both snorkeling and diving, with a variety of fish and sea turtles.
- Five Caves (Makena Landing): Known for its underwater arches, caves, and swim-throughs, this site is synonymous with green sea turtles and white tip reef sharks.
- Mala Wharf: This site features abundant coral growth and hiding places between cement slabs, making it ideal for spotting frogfish, eels, and whitetip reef sharks.
- Lanai Cathedrals: Famous for its underwater lava formations, this site offers a unique diving experience with the chance to see a variety of marine life, including dolphins and manta rays.
Whale Watching

- Maui Nui Basin: The best place to see whales in Maui is the Maui Nui Basin, a protected sanctuary located between Maui, Lanai, and Kaho’olawe. It’s estimated that more than half of the humpback whale population migrates here for breeding every winter.
- Lahaina Harbor: Departing from Lahaina Harbor offers some of the closest encounters with whales, as it provides direct access to the Maui Nui Basin. Whale watching tours from Lahaina are available from sunrise to sunset.
- Kaanapali Beach: Another excellent spot for whale watching, with tours departing from Kaanapali Beach offering great opportunities to see humpback whales up close.
Sea Turtles

- Turtle Town: Located on the south side of Maui, Turtle Town is a must-visit for sea turtle enthusiasts. It is known for its high population of Hawaiian green sea turtles.
- Makena Landing: This spot in South Maui is known for its frequent sea turtle sightings.
- Maluaka Beach: Another South Maui gem, Maluaka Beach is a great place to see sea turtles.
- Keawakapu Beach: Located in South Maui, this beach offers excellent opportunities to spot sea turtles.
- Ulua Beach: A popular snorkeling spot in South Maui, Ulua Beach is also great for seeing sea turtles.
- Black Rock: This spot in Kaanapali is known for frequent sea turtle sightings.
- Honolua Bay: This marine preserve is home to many sea turtles, which can often be seen swimming in the bay.
- Ho’okipa Bay: Located on the North Shore, this beach is famous for turtles basking on the shore.
Dolphins

- La Perouse Bay: Nestled on the island’s southwestern tip, La Perouse Bay is a magnet for dolphin lovers. The bay’s clear waters offer excellent visibility, and it’s not uncommon for snorkelers to spot Hawaiian spinner dolphins here.
- Molokini Crater: While primarily known for its coral reefs and diverse fish population, you may chance an encounter with dolphins in their natural habitat while traveling to Molokini.
- Lanai Coast: The waters off the coast of Lanai, especially those explored during the Lanai snorkel and dolphin watch tours, offer snorkelers a dual treat. The coast is frequented by pods of Hawaiian spinner dolphins, spotted dolphins, and bottlenose dolphins.
- Honolua Bay: Apart from its world-class surf in the winter, Honolua Bay is a favorite for snorkelers eager to see dolphins. Tours may encounter bottlenose dolphins outside the bay.
Manta Rays

- Olowalu Bay: A favorite among beginning divers due to its shallow depth of just 35 feet, this bay is frequented by numerous manta rays, and divers can also encounter a variety of other marine life, including turtles and octopuses. Additionally, Olowalu is renowned for its vibrant coral garden, often compared to the Great Barrier Reef.
- Wailea Point Reef: This reef is a great spot to see manta rays. Divers often encounter these gentle giants in the 20-40′ depth range. Book your stay in Wailea today and be right by all the water activities.
- Mala Wharf: Known for its abundant coral growth and diverse marine life, Mala Wharf is another excellent spot for seeing manta rays.
- Molokini Crater: While primarily known for its coral reefs and diverse fish population, Molokini Crater also offers opportunities to see manta rays.
Maui is a marine life lover’s paradise, with a wealth of opportunities to encounter incredible sea creatures. From snorkeling and diving to whale watching and sea turtle sightings, there’s something for everyone on this beautiful island. So why not dive into the magic of Maui’s marine life and experience it for yourself?
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After a day of snorkeling, diving, or whale watching, relax in your spacious condo or take a dip in one of our refreshing pools. Wailea Ekahi Village provides everything you need for an unforgettable family vacation. Book your stay today and start planning your dream marine life adventure on Maui!