Honolua Bay (da bay) is one of the best snorkeling spots in Maui. The beach itself is rocky and not that exciting, but everything else here is amazing.
Before you even get to the water, you get to experience a beautiful little hike through a lush jungle-like area. This type of scenery is what people come to Maui for. Enjoy the views of vines, trees, chickens, and water features. The trail can be muddy, so bring shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty or just hoof it barefoot. The hike is easy, but feels like such an epic journey.
The secret to snorkeling here is to swim away from shore. The further you get, the more clear it’ll get. Just watch out for boats! If you see a lot of boats in the bay, that means it’s a good day for snorkeling. If it’s been raining a lot, it may be a bit murky. Make sure to bring reef safe sunscreen!
In addition to snorkeling, Honolua Bay offers up one of the best surf breaks in the world if a swell is hitting Maui correctly. In the winter, this spot will be lined up with surfers so be careful if you are snorkeling.
There are bathrooms and a few parking spots at the entrance. There is additional parking a little bit south on Honoapiilani Hwy. There is also a great little food truck right by the entrance with smoothies and sandwiches.