Snorkeling Maui

[Delphinus]

Molokini probably has the nicest reef around that island. Anywhere close to shore has more turbidity but there are a few spots where snorkelling is still pretty good. When I was there (been a couple years now) Honolua Bay (north of Kanapa'ali) and the "Fish Bowl" (south of Wailea) were regarded as the better spots off the shore, but I think I heard that the Fish Bowl has been closed off to public access to allow the area to recover or something. Off Kihei there are three beaches, Kama'ole Beaches 1, 2, and 3 and I seem to recall these have lava reefs on the sides with good fish and turtle spotting opportunities.

I am starting to forget most of the names of the places I snorkelled but truthfully anywhere you see people snorkelling it's a sure bet there's something to see.

There are some coral formations, mostly Pocillipora and other hardy type SPS. The water is a little chilly for serious reef formations like you get further south in Fiji and etc. Molokini again probably the best bet for that sort of thing.

I wish I could remember more details but up the NE coast we found a little swimming hole river/ravine that was just off the highway a few miles up. Looked sketchy to park on the side of the highway and then traipse through some scrub brush but then suddenly it was like a waterpark made out of lava with a small waterfall and everything. The water had channeled the rock so smooth it was like a waterslide.

First time to Maui? If so outside of the beaches and snorkeling, couple other things you'll want to do: Iao Needle, the Aquarium (seriously very nice aquarium, small, but truly one of the nicest around anywhere), Haleakala (go see the sunrise up there, it's a bucket list item, trust me, although you have to get up VERY early!!), Hana (but expect to spend the whole day in the car getting there and back - if I ever go back, I'm going to spend a night or two there just so that I don't have to waste the whole day in the car and can spend more time around there. It's a VERY scenic drive though, probably one of the most beautiful drives in the world. Black Sand Beach is a worthwhile stop along the way there.). Lahaina is kinda neat, lots of restaurants and clubs there, not really my bag of tea but the Banyon Tree is worth seeing, and getting a burger at Cheeseburger in Paradise (although there's one in Wailea as well). Ho'okipa and watch the insane windsurfers catch 20' of air..

There's a guide book called "Maui Revealed" I suggest heading over to Chapters and picking it up, it's the best $20 (or whatever it is) you'll spend on the trip. The waterslide swimming hole was an idea out of that book, for example.

Edit/PS - it's this book: http://www.wizardpub.com/maui/maui.html