Where to See Turtles in South Maui
The short version
- Maluaka first: the best South Maui morning even if no turtle shows. Ulua or Mōkapu for the easy Wailea version.
- Go 7–9 a.m. in clear, calm water; turtles are year-round, there’s no “turtle season”.
- South Maui turtles swim and feed on the reef; they don’t line up on the sand. For resting turtles from shore, that’s Hoʻokipa.
- 20 feet, always. Never touch, chase, feed or block.
At a Glance
Our pick: Maui Clear Kayak and Snorkel Tour: Swim with turtles (Makena)
Best for beginners and families who want Turtle Town by clear kayak, not boat.
Our pick: Maui: Molokini Crater and Turtle Town Snorkeling From Kihei
Best for snorkelers who want a small 19-guest raft from Kīhei Boat Ramp and an early 7 a.m. start.
South Maui Turtle Spots, Ranked
| Rank | Location | Best use | Entry and turtle reality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maluaka | Best overall | Sandy entry; search the rocky reef edges in calm morning water |
| 2 | Ulua and Mōkapu | Best easy Wailea option | Simple sand entry and reef close to shore |
| 3 | Mākena Landing | Best guided kayak or SUP launch | Protected cove leading toward the broader Turtle Town reef |
| 4 | Kamaʻole III | Best casual Kīhei possibility | Look near the rocky points only in calm water; not dependable enough for a turtle-only trip |
| 5 | Keawakapu | Best beach walk with a possible reef encounter | Reef at the ends; choose it for the beach rather than turtle odds |
| 6 | Polo Beach | Resort convenience | Occasional honu along the rocks; not a dedicated turtle destination |
| 7 | Oneʻuli (Black Sand Beach) | Confident snorkelers only | Rocky entry, limited facilities and less forgiving conditions |
We don’t list the Kīhei Boat Ramp as a shore-turtle spot: it’s an active launching facility, not a place to drift around looking for wildlife.
1. Maluaka
Our first choice, because it stays one of South Maui’s best mornings even when no honu appears: a real beach, a straightforward sandy entry and reef along the broader Turtle Town coastline, easy for less-confident swimmers in calm water. Facilities and parking are at both ends, with a walk to the sand; the beach fronts the private Mākena Golf & Beach Club, but the beach itself is public. No lifeguard.
Maluaka, Mākena. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)
2. Ulua and Mōkapu
The easy Wailea version: sandy entries and reef close enough that you don’t need a long swim. The right call when you’re staying in Wailea or a Mākena morning feels like more effort than you want. Both have public parking, restrooms and showers and no lifeguard. Go for the snorkeling first and treat the turtle as the bonus.
Ulua Beach, Wailea. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)
3. Mākena Landing
A protected bay and rocky shoreline on the same reef system: the natural start for a guided kayak, paddle or snorkel along more coastline than one beach entry covers. The shaded lawn over the bay, with parking close by, makes it one of the easiest South Maui spots to enjoy the ocean without spending the morning in the sand.
4. Kamaʻole III
The casual Kīhei chance. Look near the rocky points only in calm water; it isn’t dependable enough to plan a turtle-only trip around.
Kamaʻole Beach Park III from the air. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)
5. Keawakapu
Reef at the ends of the best all-around beach in South Maui. Choose it for the beach and the walk; a turtle is a possible extra.
Keawakapu Beach. Photo: Olivier Koning
6. Polo Beach
Resort convenience: occasional honu along the rocks, but not a dedicated turtle destination.
7. Oneʻuli (Black Sand Beach)
Confident snorkelers only: a rocky entry, limited facilities and less forgiving conditions.
Every shore spot for snorkeling: South Maui snorkeling guide →
Best Time
- Arrive between roughly 7 and 9 a.m.
- Choose clear, calm water before the afternoon trades.
- Skip snorkeling during active swell, runoff or brown-water advisories.
- Turtles are seen year-round; there is no useful “turtle season.”
Choose the conditions over yesterday’s sighting: if the ocean looks wrong, try another reef or another morning.
Shore vs Boat
Choose shore snorkeling when you’re comfortable reading conditions and want flexibility. Choose a guided kayak, paddle or snorkel when you want equipment, instruction and help finding the reef without drifting farther offshore than your ability supports. Choose Molokini plus Turtle Town when the boat day is part of the vacation, not just to guarantee a turtle.
Shore snorkeling lets you stop the moment someone gets cold, tired or uncomfortable; you don’t need to book a “turtle tour” just because turtles are the goal.
Molokini, off South Maui. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)
Which boat, which departure: Molokini Snorkeling Guide →
The 20-Foot Rule
The commonly quoted minimum is 10 feet; our rule is 20 feet / 6 meters, on land and in the water. Never touch, chase, feed, surround or block a honu’s route to the surface or shore. Twenty feet is our house rule, not a legal distance, but harassing or disturbing protected turtles can break federal law.
If a turtle swims toward you, stop and let it pass; if it has to change direction or weave around people, give it more room. Use zoom rather than moving closer for a photo, and never stand on coral to rest. Twenty feet is the minimum, not a target.
Haul-Outs and Cleaning Stations
South Maui turtles are more often met swimming, feeding or resting around the reef than lined up on the sand, so don’t expect a South Maui haul-out. If you want to watch honu resting from shore without swimming, Hoʻokipa on the North Shore is the dependable option.
At Hoʻokipa, follow the signs and volunteer guidance and never stand between a turtle and the ocean. Cleaning stations are reef areas where fish pick algae and parasites off turtles; if you find one, hold position well away rather than approaching every turtle that arrives.
Resting turtles from shore: Hoʻokipa guide → West side: West Maui turtles → Island-wide: Where to See Turtles on Maui →
One Last Tip
Take it slow and enjoy the reef. Go to the healthy reef early and let the turtle be the bonus; the mornings you remember are the ones you didn’t chase.
Check before you go: Surf and wind warnings (NWS) · Brown-water advisories (DOH)
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can you see turtles in South Maui?
Maluaka in Mākena is the best overall, then Ulua and Mōkapu in Wailea and Mākena Landing for a guided kayak or paddle. Kamaʻole III, Keawakapu, Polo and Oneʻuli (Black Sand Beach) are possibilities, not turtle destinations. Go early in calm, clear water.
What time of day do you see turtles at Maluaka?
Early morning, roughly 7 to 9 a.m., before the trade winds roughen the water. Turtles are there year-round; the morning matters more than the month.
Where is Turtle Town?
It’s the reef zone between Maluaka and Mākena Landing in Mākena, not one exact spot. From shore, start at Maluaka; boats pick among several reefs along that coast depending on the morning’s conditions.
