If you’re searching for your next snorkeling adventure, you’re not lacking options. Spin the globe and there’s a good chance you’ll find a great place to snorkel. From the Bahamas and Caymans to the Florida Keys, you’ll find a place to put your fins in the water.
However, don’t forget about Maui. Hawaii’s second-largest island can be a snorkeler’s paradise. If you want to have an unforgettable Maui snorkeling tour here are a few tips to help ensure you have the adventure of a lifetime.
What Can You See in Maui’s Waters?
Even avid swimmers want to see something when they get into the water wearing fins and a snorkeling mask.
The waters around Maui won’t disappoint. If you plan your snorkeling tour anytime between December and April, you can even catch a glimpse of the area’s humpback whales. The whales migrate from Alaska each year to breed and birth their calves before heading back to the colder Alaskan waters.
While you don’t want to snorkel right up to the whales. Not only is it extremely dangerous, but it’s also illegal. Humpback whales are a federally protected species, so keep your distance.
However, there’s plenty of ocean life you can see up close. Spinner dolphins and green sea turtles are common sights, along with eels, coral reefs, butterfly fish, and triggerfish, to name a few. The waters around Molokini Bay are home to over 250 species of tropic fish.
How to Have an Unforgettable Snorkeling Adventure in Maui
Are you excited about what you can see snorkeling in Maui’s waters? There’s plenty to get excited about. To ensure your Maui snorkeling tour is one you’ll always remember for the right reasons, here are a few tips to help you have an unforgettable experience.
Practice Swimming
Even if laps in the pool are part of your routine, swimming in the ocean is a little different. Remember, you’re not going to have rails or the side of the pool to grab onto out in the ocean. You may also find yourself dealing with wind, waves, and currents.
Yes, the waters around Maui are usually calm in the morning. However, the wind can pick up pretty quickly, especially on Maui’s south shore.
Even if you don’t live by the ocean, you can still get a little practice in. You can head to a nearby lake or the nearest swimming pool. Even if you can’t replicate ocean currents, you can still practice your kicks and strokes.
Get the Right Snorkeling Gear
Not everyone has snorkeling gear packed away. Even if you have fins and masks at home, packing flippers can be a hassle. Thankfully, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to rent snorkeling equipment on Maui.
Beach kiosks aren’t hard to find and the prices are usually pretty reasonable. The downside to this rental option can be quality, as the gear from a beach kiosk often isn’t the best. You may find out you have a leaky mask and this can ruin your snorkeling tour.
A better option may be renting your snorkeling gear from your hotel. Most hotels partner with tours and rent out equipment to their guests. You can also rent the gear directly from the snorkeling tour outfit. You may pay a little more compared to a beach kiosk but you also don’t have to worry about the equipment’s quality.
If this is your first time snorkeling, try out the gear before heading out on your adventure. Fins can take a little getting used to, along with wearing a mask. Don’t forget to practice breathing through the air tube.
Watch the Weather Forecast
The weather in Maui is almost always picture-perfect. You know, bright blue skies, plenty of sunshine, and only a few puffy white clouds. However, the Hawaiian island can also see a few storms throughout the year, and you don’t want to get caught in the water.
Before heading out on your snorkeling adventure, check the local weather forecast. Even if rain is forecasted for part of the day, there’s a good chance it’ll clear up in a few hours. Don’t forget about checking the beach flags. If you can’t see the flags from your hotel, the desk clerk should be able to tell you if there’s a green, yellow, or red flag. The weather forecast also typically includes this information.
If you’re wondering what the different beach flags signal, it’s for water conditions;
- Green means the waters are calm and ideal for snorkeling.
- Yellow indicates some choppiness but nothing too dangerous.
- Red flag indicated dangerous water conditions, which should be avoided.
Surfers tend to be thrilled when yellow beach flags are put out. When the flag is red, the waters are too dangerous for snorkeling. You may still see surfers catching waves on red-flag beach days, but it’s still not a good idea for you to get in the water. Wait until the flags are yellow or preferably green before putting on your snorkeling gear.
Respect the Environment
Maui is a beautiful island and residents are working hard to protect its natural beauty and wildlife, which includes several species of fish living in the waters, along with the humpback whales and green sea turtles.
While there’s nothing wrong with taking pictures. Most snorkeling tours offer waterproof cameras to their guests. However, don’t get too close to the turtles, it’s illegal to touch or disturb the protected creatures.
Along with not disturbing any wildlife you come across, you also want to watch where you put your flippers. The coral reefs around Maui are also protected. The reefs are extremely fragile and even a light tap can destroy part of the reef. The reefs are part of a vital underwater ecosystem providing food and shelter for hundreds of species of fish and other aquatic life.
Damaging a coral reef or disturbing a protected species can result in hefty fines and other potential penalties.
Making the Most Out of Your Maui Snorkeling Adventure
There are plenty of places in the world to go snorkeling but none are quite as special as Maui. To make sure that you’re ready to have an unforgettable experience, rent quality gear and try it out before heading out.
Oh, and don’t forget to respect the environment and keep your eyes open. You never know what you may see snorkeling in Maui.
