Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Kihei

This is a must-do site! This picturesque area is perfect for beginners and advanced divers alike. The entry is easy, and the fish are friendly (they know they're protected here)! There are no facilities here, and the parking is limited-- but don't let that deter you! At the South End of Highway 31, bear right onto Wailea Iki. Continue to the T, turn left on Wailea Alanui, which becomes Makena Alanui. After 5.0 miles, you'll see the cove.

Five Caves is know by several names including Five Graves and Nahuna Point. This is a must-do dive for Maui, as the entry is easy and formations and sea creatures are impressive. If it is your first time to the area, a guide is recommended to ensure you find the caves on your first dive. The nearest facilities are at Makena Landing, just a short drive up the road. Vast reef with plenty to see. There are five caves found throughout the site. Aquatic life includes: pacific snake eel, schools of needlefish, and the infamous green sea turtles. This site is located right next to an old cemetery, thus the correct name "Five Graves". I think dive boat operators want to call it 5 caves so you don't realize it is such a great shore dive! There is no beach and no facilities. You need to climb down a little wall into the water, but it is well worth it. Five Caves is also known as Five Graves. At the South End of Highway 31, bear right onto Wailea Iki. Continue to the T, turn left on Wailea Alanui. After 2.2 miles, turn right onto Makena Road. In a couple of hundred yards, you'll see the parking area.

Located in a stone’s throw from the Grand Wailea in south Maui, Makena Landing is a favorite retreat for both Maui locals and visitors. Despite its relatively small, sandy beach, Makena Landing boasts one of the most accessible coral reefs on the island. While not ideal for sunbathing, it is a perfect spot for those looking to enjoy Maui’s underwater world. From snorkeling and SCUBA diving to kayaking and stand up paddle boarding, Makena Landing offers a wide range of ocean activities. The area is an active launching area with numerous tour operators offering local kayak and stand up paddle boarding (SUP) trips.

Lesser known Palauea Beach, or White Rock in the Scuba community, is an excellent dive site. Perfect for beginners and intermediates. Closest facilities are a short drive North to Polo Beach. At the South End of Highway 31, bear right onto Wailea Iki. Continue to the T, turn left on Wailea Alanui. After 1 mile, turn right onto Kuakahi. Drive down to the T and turn left onto Makena Road. Continue for a little less than half a mile. Park on shore side of the road onto an unpaved small parking area. Basically, this is the South side of Haloa Point.

Across the road from the parking area is a trail leading into the dive site. About mid-way the trail branches; to the left lies 5 caves, to the right lies turtle town. Follow the right trail into the narrow bay, and crawl down the rocks on the north (right) side of the bay into the water. This is actually easier at low tide as a series of stone "steps" becomes exposed, thus easing entry. From the bay you want to swim straight out to sea, following the rock point to your left. The dive itself consists of a series of interlinking reefs. The life among these reefs is the same as you would see at 5 caves, although not as densely packed. The dive site is well named, as you are bound to see several turtles every dive (we saw a dozen in a 40 minute dive). This is also a popular site for dive boats to drop off snorkelers, so there can be a lot of traffic on the surface. The dive itself is 20' to 35' deep. Visibility is good once you clear the entry point - the water upon entry is very turbid due to a fresh-water stream which flows into the bay. For an easier exit you can swim around the rock point to the 5-caves entry, although if there are waves the turtle point entry is safer and more protected. This site is located immediately next to 5 caves, and shares the same parking area/access trails. At the South End of Highway 31 bear right onto Wailea Iki. Continue to the T, turn left on Wailea Alanui. After 2.2 miles, turn right onto Makena Road. (There are two Makena Roads, its the second one ie NOT the one right before Po'olenalean Beach). In a couple of hundred yards, you'll see the parking area.

Kam III is the most popular of the three beaches. It is also the best for boogie-boarding, with a regular break here that can get fairly large during south swells. It is shortest and least wide of the Kama’oles, but it does have the most facilities and a gigantic grassy park area. It also has a new playground and bathroom, and plenty of parking (But weekends & holidays are very popular here – so you will probably need to park in the overflow parking lot.) Be aware that some Large rocks are found protruding from the ocean (and less so, the sand) along some pockets of Kam III. There is also a second rock-bracketed area that forms a more protected cove at the south end Kam III, the cove is called Ana’iao by old-timers. (You’ll likely be the only person there that knows that name!)

A wide, sandy beach, with good swimming. The north end of this stretch of beach is called “Charley Young Beach.” Charley Young was a military reporter who came at the wrong time to build his house here – during WWII all these beaches were taken over and made to simulate enemy beach landings. Anyway, Charley got his land back after the war, and built his house. The Charley Young end of Kam I is more popular with locals, and since the lifeguard and more visible parking and beach access for Kam I is at the other end of the beach, Charley Young is not usually as crowded with visitors. The Charley Young parking lot is on Kaiau St., as is a public access path and stairs to that end of the beach. Parking for the rest of Kam I is at the main parking area right in front of the beach, on street, and at an overflow lot across the road. (see Google map below for all Kam parking lots.)

At the south end of the beach, there is excellent snorkeling, and good diving a bit further out. At the north end of the beach there is decent snorkeling, but it is a bit shallow for diving. As with most beach in the islands, if the surf is crashing, stay out of the water. Rip tides and strong currents pose a genuine threat. There is no full time lifeguard. Parking is just past the Maui Prince Hotel. Do not leave any valuables in your car or unattended on the beach. There is a second parking lot near the Keawala'i Church but it is kind of isolated. The showers and restrooms are at the parking lot across the street from the church.