Swim with turtles in Maui: best beaches and tours
Few experiences in life are as memorable as the opportunity to see Maui's beautiful turtles up close or swim among them. Want to know how to embark on this adventure? Here's everything you need to know!
Turtles in Maui | ©Roopesh Sheth
The island of Maui is a paradise destination for holidays. It is the second most visited island in the Hawaiian archipelago, surpassed only by Oahu. There is so much to see, do and enjoy in Maui that it is often difficult to prioritise and choose.
Regarding the island's turtles, it is important to note that Maui has two main native species: the Hawaiian green turtle, known locally as the Honu turtle, and the famous tropical turtle known as the hawksbill turtle.
Basic turtle viewing experience at Turtle Town
Travellers visiting the island of Maui for a short time and looking for short experiences will find everything they dreamed of and a little more in this type of excursion.
It is a basic experience that takes travellers swimming and snorkelling with the beautiful turtles that inhabit the Turtle Town area.
The adventure is run by local companies with many years of experience that guarantee the quality of the service, which is why it is rated among the best activities and tours in Maui by travellers visiting the island.
The tour is conducted in small groups of 10 participants or less. It is also one of the most economical experiences in this range of activities, making it ideal for adventurers travelling on a tight budget.
The price usually includes transport, a specialised guide for the group and all the safety equipment necessary to carry out the experience.
Some companies offer free photographs of travellers swimming with the turtles as a souvenir – truly impressive shots!
Variations: Kayaking and snorkelling experience among turtles.
One of the most common formats for this excursion is a combined experience that includes snorkelling with turtles in Turtle Town and kayaking in the itinerary.
Maui is considered one of the best destinations for kayaking adventures and activities, and you will find several places on the island where you can enjoy this adventure, each destination with its own unique charm.
This is a fun family activity that you can enjoy even if you are visiting Maui with children. Your children will only need to meet certain general requirements, such as being in good health, being of the minimum age required, and knowing how to swim.
If you want to enjoy this adventure as a family, just follow the tips for kayaking with children.
Useful information
- Price: The price is approximately €100 per participant.
- Duration of the excursion: This is a short adventure that usually takes 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete.
- Transport: Minibus or van.
- Recommended if: You are looking for a short, basic adventure that allows you to get up close and personal with Maui's turtles. It is ideal for those whose Hawaiian adventure takes them to different islands and who have set aside 5 days or less to see Maui.
Combined excursion to see turtles at Tuttle Tow and visit Molokini Crater
Another memorable experience designed to introduce travellers to Maui's turtles is the excursion that takes travellers directly to one of Maui's most memorable spots.
Molokini Crater Island is a tiny piece of land located a short distance from Maui. It is one of the most unique rock formations in the area, as it is an ancient volcanic feature that is now partially submerged underwater.
From above, you can see how the islet is shaped like a crescent moon, forming a kind of natural harbour where boats stop so you can swim and snorkel in the calm waters.
Although visiting Molokini Crater in Maui is, in itself, one of the best experiences you can have, this visit is complemented by an excursion to Tuttle Town where you can swim and snorkel, but this time surrounded by Maui's famous green turtles.
This type of adventure is offered by numerous local companies and usually has Maalaea Harbour as its meeting point. They usually start early in the morning to make the most of the day.
Useful information
- Price: You will need to pay approximately €150 per participant.
- Duration of the excursion: Depending on the company you hire, this adventure usually takes an average of 5 to 6 hours to complete.
- Means of transport: The excursion is carried out on board a boat.
- Recommended if: You are looking for a complete and totally memorable experience. The adventure is ideal for friends and family, and especially for couples looking for activities for their honeymoon in Maui.
Turtle Tow turtle watching and snorkelling excursion to Lahaina
This combined adventure takes travellers through the highlights of Maui's coastline, offering breathtaking scenery and a fun boat trip.
This is a popular adventure that starts in the pretty fishing town of Lahaina, close to several hotels and accommodation areas in Maui and famous for being one of the oldest towns on the island.
You will find numerous local companies offering this type of experience, including everything you need at an affordable price, such as return transport from Lahaina Harbour to Turtle Town, a captain and crew at the service of travellers, a snorkelling tutorial and the necessary equipment.
Aspects such as food and drink may vary from one company to another. Whale watching during the tour is possible, depending on the season in which you travel to Maui.
I recommend spending time in Lahaina to enjoy this and other exciting adventures, as in addition to its history, the town is famous for offering diving and some of the best surfing lessons on the island of Maui.
Useful information
- Price: Starting at €90 per participant.
- Duration of the excursion: You should reserve at least 3 hours of your itinerary for this experience.
- Means of transport: Boat
- Recommended if: If you are staying on the north-west coast of Maui, such as Kaanapali, Lahaina and the surrounding area, this adventure may be the most suitable for you due to its proximity to the port of departure.
Turtle watching excursion from Ka'anapali Beach
Located in the northwestern part of the island of Maui, Kaanapali Beach was long known as the best beach in Hawaii. The reason? Half a kilometre of fine white sand and crystal-clear waters where you can swim and enjoy a perfect family day out.
Kaanapali is also one of the best places for snorkelling in Maui. Because of this, numerous local companies offer the traditional turtle adventure on the island in conjunction with a visit to this paradise destination.
Some specific aspects of the experience may vary depending on the company you hire. However, due to the length of the excursion, most local companies include amenities such as lunch or breakfast on the boat.
The adventure is a circular trip between Kaanapali Beach and Turtle Town to swim among beautiful tropical fish and the lovely Honu turtles.
During the tour, you will have the opportunity to admire the entire coast of Maui, making this one of the best boat trips and excursions in Maui.
Useful information
- Price: The experience is available from approximately €150 per traveller.
- Duration of the excursion: This is a half-day excursion, so you should set aside at least 5 hours for the experience.
- Means of transport: boat.
- Recommended if: The Kaanapali area is located at the northern tip of the island of Maui, where there are numerous accommodation options. If you are staying nearby, either in Kaanapali or Kapula, this excursion is the best option for you.
Turtle viewing experience at the Maui Aquarium
Visiting the famous Maui Ocean Centre is one of the best alternatives for seeing turtles up close in Maui, but also for learning about the island's marine fauna from real experts and caretakers.
Although visiting the aquarium certainly cannot compare to the experience of swimming among them or watching them rest on the sands of Turtle Town, it is an alternative you can consider on rainy days in Maui, when outdoor activities become impossible.
It is important to know that the Ocean Centre offers visitors numerous interesting experiences, such as the opportunity to swim with sharks in Maui. Do you consider yourself brave enough? Don't hesitate to give it a try!
Useful information
- Price: Adult admission is around €45 and includes access to all facilities.
- Duration of the excursion: Allow at least 2 hours to explore the facilities.
- Opening hours: The Maui Ocean Centre is open to the public every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Recommended: It is ideal for days when outdoor activities are not possible, or if you are visiting Maui with people with reduced mobility who would not be able to participate in traditional excursions.
What are the best beaches for seeing turtles in Maui?
When embarking on your adventure to see turtles in Maui, keep in mind that these charming creatures spend most of their time in the sea, where they feed and sleep.
This is why an organised excursion is always the best way to embark on this adventure.
On occasion, turtles come ashore to nest or sunbathe. At these times, it is possible to see them not only in their natural habitat, but also on the white sands.
Below is a list of the best beaches in Maui for seeing turtles.
Turtle Town
As its name suggests, this place is famous for its large population of green sea turtles.
Turtle Town is also considered one of the best places for diving in Maui. That's why most turtle-watching excursions on the island take travellers to this beautiful spot in southern Maui.
Honolua Bay
Honolua Bay is one of the best places for surfing in Maui and also a turtle viewing spot that I recommend exploring.
If you decide to go to this area, I advise you to snorkel when the surfers are not around for better visibility.
Black Rock Beach
Black Rock Beach is one of Maui's geological wonders, a site that was formed at the end of the Ice Age where you will find ancient tree skeletons and, of course, sea turtles!
Ho'okipa
This picturesque corner of Maui is ideal for windsurfing. If you are a fan of this sport, consider renting the necessary equipment to enjoy a sunny day and complete your adventure with some snorkelling among the turtles of Maui.
When is the best time to see turtles in Maui?
Any time is a good time to see sea turtles in Hawaii. These adorable creatures are so abundant that they can be seen swimming near the coast or sunbathing on the beach all the time.
However, as experience has shown, there are times of the day and specific times of the year when you will be able to see a greater number and variety of species. I will detail these below.
The best season to see turtles in Maui
When the weather is sunny and the waters are perfectly calm, some species of turtles like to come close to the shore and enjoy the sun. Consequently, if you are looking to see giant turtles walking peacefully along the island's beaches, the best time of year is undoubtedly summer.
However, if you are travelling to Maui during the winter, your best option is to book one of the organised excursions mentioned above.
These excursions take advantage of the best days to take travellers directly to the turtles' natural habitat and enjoy them in a relaxed and pleasant environment.
The best time of day to see turtles in Maui
If you intend to embark on a solo adventure, you should know that the best time to see sea turtles in summer is between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., when they usually come out to sunbathe and enjoy the sand.