Olowalu Snorkeling

 One of the best snorkel spots on Maui can be found in one of the unlikeliest places. There are stunning coral reefs around mile marker 14 on Honoapiilani. This is the highway that passes through Olowalu and links West Maui to central Maui. The narrow beaches lie right along the highway, nestled among kiawe trees, hiding beautiful reefs teeming with exotic Hawaiian fish.

Should you choose to enjoy a spectacular day of snorkeling in this location, keep these few things in mind: The reefs are shallow, and near the shore you will feel like you are in a maze of coral, so look for a sandy path through it. The water is also a bit cloudier here. Swim out a little farther and you will find more space and better visibility. You will often see butterflyfish, damsels, wrasses, angels, blennies, triggerfish and many more breathtaking species. About two hundred feet from shore you may be lucky enough to find the turtle cleaning station, a place where turtles go to have cleaner wrasses take care of their parasite problems.

The beach is nice for sunning, but the sound of the road is ever-present and you should be careful to avoid the thorny debris dropped by the kiawe trees. For all snorkeling on Maui, stick to the rule that earlier is better. Waters are calmest and clearest in the wee hours of the morning unless there is some unusual weather. This goes for wind as well. If you are lucky, calm conditions will persist to noon and maybe even later.

If you are considering a relocation to Maui's exquisite west side, please feel free to browse our numerous property listings. Take a look through our Kaanapali condos, Lahaina homes, or even land in Kahakuloa for example. Our friendly and experienced agents will ensure that you find the perfect Maui home for you.

[Pictured in this aticle in order of appearance: bicolor angelfish, purple basslet, masked butterflyfish pair.]