As many of you can imagine, snorkeling is a very popular activity in Maui, and personally it’s one of my favorites.   The ocean water is almost always warm, and there are plenty of spots around the island with a wealth of fascinating oceanlife to see, both plant and animal.  Depending on if you want to see large schools of unusual fish, turtles, amazingly colored coral formations, or plant life like nowhere else, the best snorkel spot for you may range from one end of the island to the other.   

My favorite snorkel spot is at Olowalu Beach.    It features acres of coral reef and all sorts of different plant life.   It’s a lot of fun to swim through the mazes of volcanic rock formations, and the water stays relatively shallow for a great distance from shore.  If you’re lucky, you may see the occasional turtle or eel, but you’re certain to see all sorts of fish playing hide and seek.   I also think it’s a great location because it’s not a busy beach, and because of the location on the island, the water is rarely anything but calm.

If you’re in the area or planning a trip here soon, it’s a must do if you’re a fan of snorkeling.  To get there, follow Hwy 30 toward Lahaina to mile marker 14.  There’s a long stretch of sand and gravel to park in.  Be careful to park completely off the roadway, but as close to it as possible.  The sand gets softer and deeper the further in you go, and I’ll admit I’ve had to had people help push me out before (before I got my 4 wheel drive Jeep, that is!) .    Make sure you bring all your necessary snorkel/beach supplies, plus plenty of food and water.   There are no facilities nearby.

In future posts I’ll discuss some of my favorite Maui snorkel spots, but in the meanwhile, I’d love to hear some of yours!