Do you love snorkeling? You would know the excitement of swimming and exploring the rich underwater world if you do snorkeling. As an ardent enthusiast, you must have heard of Hawaii being an ideal snorkeling destination. The numerous islands of Hawaii offer plenty of exciting opportunities for this sport.
But which is the best Hawaii island for snorkeling, you might wonder? It helps to have the perfect conditions, including smooth seas, excellent visibility, and plentiful marine wildlife. Maui, the second-largest island known as “The Valley Isle,” is best for snorkeling.
But why? Continue reading to find out.
Extreme high visibility
Maui offers exceptionally high visibility for snorkeling throughout the year, particularly around the south and west shores. The primary reason is that the bays are located on the island’s leeward side and are protected from open ocean water, storms, and rain. That creates the ideal conditions for tropical fish and marine life to flourish and thrive. Further, the ocean currents in the island do a great job of clearing the debris, sand, or other particles that reduce visibility.
However, the visibility may be low on days when there is solid wind. Since solid currents usually flow in late afternoons, early morning is the best time to enjoy snorkeling.
Easy to reach the best spots
The top spots for this sport in Maui are Honolua Bay, Coral Gardens, Molokini Crater, Turtle Town, Black Rock, Five Caves, Napili Bay, Kapalua Beach, and Ulua Beach and Ahihi Kinau Natural Area Reserve. While you can reach some of them quite easily by foot, others are easily accessible via a boat. For example, Molokini Crater can be reached by dive boats departing from Maalaea Harbour, Lahaina, and Kaanapali. The reason is that Maui has a lot of beaches that are conducive to swimming, and therefore are great for snorkeling launches.
Swimming with Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles
Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles are the top marine attraction in Hawaii. They were classified as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 1982. It is, therefore, illegal to touch, disturb or harass them in any way. Compared to the other islands in Hawaii, Maui has a significant number of turtles. They are found on the jagged walls of the bays, reefs, and “coves” dotting the beaches. It is fascinating to know that turtles in Maui are the “largest hard-shelled sea turtles in the world” and reach a weight of almost 300 pounds. They are also known to remain underwater for a long time, with the current record being five hours! It is perhaps a privilege to swim along with these magnificent creatures and observe them at a close distance while snorkeling.
Listen to the sounds of the humpback whales
Have you ever wondered what sound a humpback whale makes? Maybe you have heard recordings of them on Youtube or television. But that is nothing to being underwater and hearing the grunts, groans, blasts, and shrieks made by a humpback whale about twenty miles away.
But you cannot get that experience on any other island in Hawaii except Maui, and that’s what makes it so unique. Maui witnesses a migration of almost ten thousand whales to its comforting waters during the winter season between December to April. The sight of these behemoths splashing and landing on the water leaves a profound and lasting impact on your body and mind.
Snorkeling options for everybody
Whether you are an amateur or advanced snorkeller, Maui has everything in store for everyone. Head to spots like Molokini Crater, Honolua, Mokuleia Bays, and Makena Beach for a fantastic snorkeling experience if you are an amateur. Advanced snorkelers can try spots like Five Caves and Coral gardens. Spots like Turtle Town, Polo Beach, Ahihi Kinau Reserve, and Kahekili Beach Park are the best options for families.
These are a few reasons behind Maui being the best Hawaii Island for snorkeling, whether for amateurs or advanced snorkelers. Next time you find yourself there, don’t forget to try this adventure-filled sport.
