Here, turtles congregate around a collection of underwater lava formations, which also attract swarms of tropical fish. There are a number of beaches along the southwestern coast of Maui where turtles are plentiful, and the most famous is the site known as Turtle Town. The bay can be reached by land, but most snorkelers arrive aboard charter boats. Maui’s Honolua Bay offers plenty of sea turtles plus the chance to encounter spinner dolphin. Another site in the area worth checking out is the Mala Wharf, where turtles glide through the remains of a ship’s pier that was destroyed by Hurricane Iniki in 1992. For land-based snorkelers, the prime site near Lahaina is the headland known as Black Rock, which is located on the north end of Kaanapali Beach. From the Lahaina area, Honolua Bay is a favorite stop for snorkel charters, where in addition to the ubiquitous turtles, there’s a good chance of sighting octopus, parrotfish and even the occasionally spinner dolphin. Maui has numerous bays and miles of beaches where snorkelers can swim with turtles, whether entering the water from shore, or by boat. Big surf can limit snorkeling in winter months, but these same sites are often calm during summer, which is also when turtles are most abundant. A quick stop at one of the dive shops in Haleiwa will give you the latest word on conditions at sites such as Three Tables, Shark’s Cove, Waimea Bay and Laniakea-aka Turtle Beach. Photo: JS Callahan/iStockĪs an alternative to Hanauma Bay, head to the North Shore. Snorkel sites along Oahu’s north coast, such as Waimea Bay, are best enjoyed in calmer summer months, as winter swells can create towering surf and dangerous rip currents.
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