Best Papalaua Wayside Park Snorkeling

Southeast of Lahaina and west of Maalaea of Maui, the snorkeling at Papalaua State Wayside Park is known for its coral gardens on the eastern end. Snorkelers are treated to a bountiful display of butterfly fish and humuhumunukunukuapua'a (Hawaiian state fish aka rectangular triggerfish) along the shallow coral.

The Papalaua Wayside Park snorkeling is best early in the morning before the winds kick up.

The Papalaua Wayside Park is located on a long sliver of sand beach on Honopiilani Highway. To reach the snorkeling on Maui by air, you will need to fly into Kahului Airport (OGG) which is located in the middle of the north coast of Maui. It is served by direct flights from the mainland US and also by inter-island flights from several other Hawaiian Islands by regional carriers. When planning a trip to the Hawaiian islands, be aware that the State Of Hawaii has banned all sunscreens that oxybenzone, which has been proven to kill coral reefs.

Overall, Papalaua Wayside Park is the 16th most popular snorkel dive spot of all 21 snorkeling dives in Maui. Several of the better snorkeling spots are nearby Papalaua Wayside Park including Olowalu Reef, Coral Gardens and Wahikuli State Park.