Best Honokeana Bay Snorkeling

North of Lahaina and south of Napili Bay on Maui, the snorkeling Honokeana Bay is popular with beginners for its protected calm waters. Honokeana Bay is kind of a hidden bay with a rocky beach. When snorkeling at Honokeana Bay, you may encounter turtles, humuhumunukunukuapua'a (Hawaiian state fish aka rectangular triggerfish) and wrasse. The best snorkeling is along the north edge of the cove.

There is no designated parking for Honokeana Bay, so use the street side parking. There is a public access path along the north side of Honokeana Cove condos. This public access path is marginally maintained and is overgrown. It doesn't really lead to good water access since it is about 10 feet above the rocky waterline. If, and only if, the surf is very calm, there is a good water entrance far out on the north edge of the cove.

Keep an eye on the water before entering. The Honokeana Bay is known for a pretty good wave surge.

To reach the snorkeling at Kapalua Bay from the Napili Plaza on SR30, turn on Napilihau Street toward the water. Turn right on Honoapiilani Road for about 0.5 miles to the Honokeana Cove condos. Park on the street. 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, Honokeana Bay is the 2nd most popular snorkel dive spot of all 22 snorkeling dives in Maui. Several of the better snorkeling spots are nearby Honokeana Bay including Honolua Bay, Mokuleia Bay, Napili Bay and Kapalua Bay.