The Hawaiian Islands, isolated over 2,000 miles from the nearest major land mass, combine some of the most beautiful and varied landscapes to be found anywhere in the world (above and below water!). Hawaii’s marine world is replete with luminous coral reefs as well as numerous endemic species of reef fish and invertebrates. In these pages, we have documented over 70 shore-accessible reef sites; truly premier locations for dive enthusiasts of all levels!

Hawaii

The second largest island, known as the ‘Magic Island’ because of its inspiring beauty, Maui is also host to vast beaches and seemingly endless underwater reefs and exotic sea-life. A diver’s paradise!

Here is a good curated list with <a href="https://www.lovebigisland.com/maui/snorkeling/">beginner-friendly snorkeling spots for Maui.</a>

Check out this list for recommendations on the <a href="https://goingawesomeplaces.com/best-area-to-stay-in-maui/" target="_blank">best areas to stay in Maui</a>

Maui

Divers will travel far and wide to find the best diving. But those who live in the United States have plenty of great diving on their doorstep as well, with plentiful access to the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. From warm-water reefs to temperate seas, here are some of the top places to scuba dive in the United States.

United States

Shore dive in the Summer months when the North and West shores are relatively calm (surf territory in the winter). One of the better shore dives on Maui, due to being a marine preserve. There are reefs to the right (North side) and left (South side) of the bay although the right side is generally the best. Parking is very limited on the main road.

Short walk from road.  Ask locals or Maui Dive Shop about shortcut.  Apparently, there is parking closer to the bay.

Kapalua

Honolua Bay

Honolua Bay is a Marine Life Conservation District located on the north western end of Maui.  No fishing of any kind is allowed here making for a sealife density and diversity that is second to none on the Valley Isle. Honolua Bay is surrounded by high rocky cliffs on both sides that shelter it from the wind and keep the water calm.  An old cement boat ramp in the center of the beach divides the shoreline in two. As you sit on the beach you will be looking out across the Pailolo Channel at the eastern shores of the Island of Molokai.

Mokule'ia is another great dive and snorkel site, but it's a good hike down to the beach.  A great place to spend the day with the kids, so bring a cooler with food and water.

The name “Slaughterhouse Beach” comes from the Honolua Ranch slaughterhouse and tanning/storage shed that were (oh, so conveniently) located on the cliff’s edge above the ocean. The buildings were torn down in the 60’s, but the lovely name stuck. In contrast, the Hawaiian name Mokule’ia means “district of abundance”, and like most Hawaiian names, is a very accurate description.

Mokule’ia Bay is part of the same preserve as its neighbor Honolua Bay: the Honolua-Mokule’ia Bay Marine Life Conservation District. But unlike its rocky neighbor to the north, much of the year this bay has a nice sandy beach to relax on.

During the winter months there are often large well-formed waves that are perfect for the more experienced boogie boarders and surfers. But the large surf can often become dangerous, and even the most experienced need to keep a healthy respect for the ocean in mind. In summer months the waves are much more mellow and are often suitable for beginners. When the ocean is tame there is also very good snorkeling around the the north point and into Honolua Bay.

Travel North on Highway 31 until about mile mark 32.6.  You can't miss the bay off to your left.

Mokule'ia Beach (Slaughterhouse)

Honokohau Bay is a remote boulder beach in West Maui. It is popular among surfers in the winter months. So when the surf is up it can get crowded here and there is only a small parking area. The ocean bottom in the bay is rocky too and rip currents are common, so the bay is not suitable for swimming or snorkeling.

Honokohau Bay

Kapalua Bay is a sheltered white sand beach on the north west side of Maui.  The bay is protected by two reefs that extend out on both ends forming a C-shaped cove making it ideal for snorkeling. The bay’s calm water makes it one of those perfect places for beginner snorkeling and is an ideal spot to take the kids.  Getting into the water couldn’t be easier.  The ocean will literally be a few feet from your beach towel.  The Kapalua Bay Hotel overlooks the beach’s soft sand and tranquil blue water.

As you stay to the right on the dive, you will actually exit the Bay and start to make your way into Namalu Bay (the next bay over. Very interesting coral, lava formations, and marine life can be seen. This is an excellent night dive as well.

Kapalua Bay never gets old for diving. It is also a very safe dive (other than the occasional current).

Kapalua Bay is accessed by taking Lower Honoapiilani Road into Kapalua Resort. Located between Napili Kai Beach Resort and Merriman's Restaurant is public beach parking for the Bay. This includes showers and restrooms.

Park in the lot or along the road (by all of the other cars). The beach is about 100 ft walk from the restrooms. While the entire Bay is worth diving, the best is on the far side (located furthest away from the parking, near the Ritz Carlton Kapalua Bay Residences).

Surface swim out across the Bay until you are near the rocks on the far side and are out just past the restaurant (in terms of distance from the shore).

Drop down and stay to the right. This is a great dive, especially at night.

Kapalua Bay

Entry is sandy, and the bottom is sandy with moderately steep entry and then reef further out. Sea turtles frequent the bay, and snorkeling can be fair when the surf is mellow. When the surf is up visibility, and thus snorkeling, is poor. The water is frequently glassy, but when big swells come in waves can become quite large, and the rip currents which form here pull directly out to sea. Less experienced swimmers should avoid the water here during such conditions. There are restaurants, bathrooms and a general store in the resort. There is a shopping center with supermarket between the main highway and the resort.

Napili Bay

Level Of Skill: Advanced Divers, No Exceptions. It is NOT recommended to dive here. You could get yourself killed.


Depth Of Location: 150 feet max, but you only need to dive to 80 to conserve air


Transportation Needed: A car


How To Get There: Drive North on Honoapiilani Hwy. 30. past Lahaina and Kapalua. It is at the 38 mile


marker. Turn left at the Nakalele Point Light Station sign. Park as close to the lighthouse as your car will allow you. Walk your way in.


When To Snorkel Or Dive: Summer and Autumn. To rough in winter. Also, all site are better in the morning before the wind kicks up.


Where To Snorkel Or Dive: Check the map. Go along the wall till your halfway out of air and start back at a different depth for another view.


What You May Find: A extremely large amount of reef fish and a beautiful, colorful reef. One of the best dives on the island. Best wall dive outside Molokini.


Site Hazards: High surf in the winter, tricky entry/exit, tough walk down


Site Facilities: None


Notes Of Interest: Wear a wetsuit for protection from rocks. Only advanced divers.

Nakalele Point

Kahekili Beach Park is the park that includes Airport Beach Maui. It’s sometimes called North Beach because it is the north half of Kaanapali Beach.
Airport Beach Maui in Kahekili Beach Park is one of Maui’s best beaches for several reasons.  It is adjacent to Kaanapali Beach, the most famous beach in Maui, but it is not nearly as crowded as the main section of Kaanapali Beach, because it does not have any of the major resort hotels found in that nearby area (the Hyatt, Marriott, Westin, and Sheraton). It has a long wide stretch of smooth light sand. The ocean near shore is shallow. The waves are usually not too big for swimming.  It’s a great snorkeling spot with plenty of fish to see, including the Hawaii state fish, the humuhumunukunukuapuaa.
Kahekili Beach Park has a large free parking lot. There is a pavilion with benches and picnic tables.  Additional picnic tables are on the grassy areas. There are real bathrooms. The boardwalk through the park provides a paved path for walking several miles along the beach. Airport Beach Maui is within a ten minute walk of several large condos, including Maui Kaanapali Villas, Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas, Nanea Ocean Villas, Honua Kai, and Mahana.
Why is this called Airport Beach? From 1961 to 1986 there was a small airport here called Kaanapali Airport (HKP). Royal Hawaiian Air Service was the airline that flew small twin-engine Cessna propeller planes here from Oahu. The 2615-foot runway was surrounded by sugar cane. The small A-frame terminal had an upstairs bar called the Windsock Lounge.
Who was Kahekili that this park is named after?  He lived from 1737 to 1794 and was the last king of Maui from 1766 to 1793, before King Kamehameha came from the Big Island of Hawaii to conquer Maui and unite the Hawaiian islands into the Kingdom of Hawaii.

Airport Beach (Kahekili Beach Park)



Park at Kai Ala Drive

Kahekili is also known as Kahekili Beach, Old Airport, North Kaanapali Beach.

Kahekili

Used by the local instructors for OW training.  There's a good-sized shallow reef straight off the beach, and an outdoor shower for rinse.  The parking lot fills up early as it's a popular picnic site with a covered pavilion, picnic tables, barbecues and restrooms.  The park is open from 6am to 1/2 hour after sunset. I was there in 2002, unknown what state the reef is in today.

To get to Kahekili Beach Park, drive north on the Honoapi'ilani Highway (State Route 30) through Lahaina and past Ka'anapali Parkway on the left. Turn left at the next traffic signal, Kai Ala Drive (the road on the right at this intersection is named Puukolii Road). Kahekili Beach Park's parking lot is straight ahead. It looks like you're going into the Westin hotel parking lot, but in fact their lot is off to the right.

Kahekili Beach Park is also known as North Beach, Airport Beach.

Kahekili Beach Park

Black Rock was formed from one of the last-gasp lava flows on this side of the island. It is a rocky outcrop at the far North end of Ka’anapali Beach and blocks off access (from the beach) to the lesser-known Ka’anapali Resort beach called Kahekili Beach Park. The Hawai’ian name for Black Rock is Pu’u Keka’a, and ancient Hawaiians believed that this was the place where their spirits went to jump off to join ancestors forever. Unlucky souls who could not be shown the way by their family ‘aumakua (guardian animal spirit), would wander and attach themselves to rocks in the area. This is likely where the “it is bad luck to take a Hawai’ian lava rock” superstition comes from.

This is also a popular spot for cliff jumping. If you are cliff jumping, swim to the far side of the rock and climb up from there. It's much more challenging and dangerous to reach the rock by click up it from shore.

Honolua Bay

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Honolua Bay

Recommended dive shops