Snorkel in Maui

The crystal clear waters of Maui hold a spectacular natural underwater treasure. It's no wonder that snorkelling is one of the most popular activities on Hawaii's second largest island. Discover the best snorkelling tours in Maui.

Getting up early has never been so exciting. The early hours of the morning are the perfect time to go diving in the waters of Maui because there are hardly any people around. Would you like to join a boat trip to Molokini for some snorkelling?

What I like most about these trips is that they are extremely comprehensive. You won't need to worry about finding a good guide to show you the best places to dive, nor will you have to hire snorkelling equipment, as all this is usually included, as is breakfast on board. All you need is the desire to have fun!

During these types of activities, you will visit places such as Molokini Island , Turtle Town, Keawakapu Beach and La Perouse Bay. Visibility often exceeds 55 metres and during the activity you will have the opportunity to see a multitude of marine creatures such as tropical fish, manta rays, green sea turtles and dolphins in their natural habitat.

Keep your eyes peeled and get your camera ready because you won't stop taking photos!

Another great option is to hop on a cruise and spend an incredible day snorkelling in Maui.

If you're looking to go diving with all the comforts of a boat, this is the best option. You'll visit Molokini and Turtle Town, two of the best areas for snorkelling, with all the necessary equipment and plenty of food on board. What more could you ask for?

During this activity, you'll see tropical fish, sea urchins, manta rays, eels and even sharks. If you don't want to go in the water, you can always observe Maui's natural surroundings from the deck or from the catamaran's glass-bottom observation room. Impressive!

For those who want to enjoy the nature of this corner of Polynesia while on holiday in Hawaii by practising sports, there is nothing better than joining a small kayak excursion to snorkel in the waters of the Pacific.

These types of excursions are carried out with a guide in small groups (maximum eight people), ensuring you have a super personalised experience, as if you were out with friends.

It is also a very interesting option to consider if you are travelling to Maui with your family, as the activity is suitable for beginners, so children can also participate. They will have a blast seeing all kinds of sea creatures such as manta rays, colourful fish, octopuses, eels, dolphins and even whales!

Try a transparent kayak

Have you ever been in a transparent kayak? Now's your chance! It will allow you to see the marine life that inhabits Hawaiian waters from a new perspective, including stunning corals, colourful fish, dolphins and green sea turtles.

In the winter months, you can also see the beautiful humpback whales that inhabit this area. It's an absolutely amazing experience!

If you don't have much time to visit Maui but don't want to miss out on exploring the island's waters, the best option is to take a half-day catamaran excursion for snorkelling from Ka'anapali Beach and throughout West Maui.

The captain of the ship will take you to Mala Wharf, Oluwalu, Cliff House or Honolua Bay for the best snorkelling.

There will be two stops so you can dive into the sea and see beautiful schools of fish, green sea turtles, dolphins and even humpback whales in winter. Meanwhile, the crew will prepare a delicious breakfast and lunch on board so that when you return to Ka'anapali Beach, you'll be full of energy to continue your holiday.

If you would like to go snorkelling in Maui during your holiday, there are a wide variety of options available depending on your budget. There are comprehensive snorkelling tours starting at €60. On these tours, you will have the opportunity to take a boat out to sea, where an instructor will accompany you to the areas with the greatest number of species.

If, on the other hand, you prefer to do it on your own, you can always put on a snorkel and goggles and snorkel near the shore, but I don't recommend missing out on the deeper areas, as that is the only place where you will be able to see countless marine species.

The best places to snorkel in Maui are Molokini Island, Turtle Town and La Perouse Bay. As you will see, many of the snorkelling tours take you directly to Molokini, as it is one of the key snorkelling spots on the island. Don't miss it!

Snorkelling in the Molokini crater

The crater of Molokini Island is one of the best areas for snorkelling in Maui. Located offshore near the southwest coast of Maui, it is a large extinct volcanic cone but teeming with life. In fact, its importance is such that it has been named a State Marine and Bird Conservation District.

Yes, there are several establishments on the island where you can rent snorkelling equipment, although if you book a tour or cruise that includes snorkelling, you won't really need to rent it as it is usually included in the activity.

As I mentioned, you can always rent equipment (or bring your own from home) and set out to explore the island's coastline, but you would be missing out on the underwater scenery offered by the island's depths, which you can only visit if you go there on an organised tour with a team of experts.

The pristine waters of Maui hold a natural underwater treasure in the form of lava and coral formations inhabited by a multitude of green turtles, tropical fish, sea urchins, eels, dolphins, manta rays and humpback whales that will leave you in awe.