At a Glance
Our pick: Maui: Molokini and Turtles Luxury Yacht Snorkel
Best for travelers who want a genuinely upscale Molokini day. ʻElua has A/C, cushioned seating, warm showers, large bathrooms and runs well below its 57-person capacity, so it feels spacious.
Our pick: Turtle Town Coastal Kayak & Snorkel: Turtles Guaranteed
Book this in whale season if you want a beginner-friendly kayak from Olowalu plus turtle snorkeling in one trip.
Where We'd Look
Hawaiian green sea turtles — honu — are regularly seen around Maui's reefs and beaches.
You don't need a special turtle tour or secret beach.
In South Maui, we'd start around Mākena and the broader Turtle Town reef area.
In West Maui, Kahekili, Kapalua and Nāpili are our favorites.
And if you want to see turtles without snorkeling at all, go to Hoʻokipa on the North Shore.
They're wild animals, so sightings are never guaranteed. But spend enough time around Maui's beaches and reefs and there's a good chance you'll eventually see one.
South Maui: Mākena + Turtle Town
This is our favorite area to look for turtles while snorkeling in South Maui.
- Best beach + turtles — Maluaka Beach. Our favorite combination of turtles, snorkeling and a great beach day.
- Best alternate shore entry — Mākena Landing. Another good entry into the broader Turtle Town area.
- Best boat combination — Turtle Town by Boat. A common second stop on Molokini trips.
Where: Mākena and the broader Turtle Town reef area.
First, understand what Turtle Town actually means.
It's not one specific reef or attraction. It's a nickname used for a series of reefs along the Mākena coastline, and different snorkel boats may visit different locations depending on conditions.
For shore snorkeling, start with Maluaka Beach or Mākena Landing.
Maluaka Beach
Our favorite combination of turtles, snorkeling and a great beach day.
Honu over the South Maui reef. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)
At Maluaka, the reef is around the southern end of the beach. When the ocean is calm, it's one of our favorite places in South Maui to snorkel and look for honu.
The advantage is that Maluaka is worth visiting even if you don't see a turtle.
It's a beautiful beach, generally more protected from normal trade winds than many South Maui beaches and easy to turn into a relaxed morning on the water.
Mākena Landing
Another good entry into the broader Turtle Town area.
The protected cove and surrounding rocky coastline give you another place to explore the Mākena reefs.
As always, look at the ocean before getting in. Conditions matter more than yesterday's turtle sighting.
Turtle Town by Boat
If you're taking a Molokini snorkel boat, there's a good chance turtles are already part of the plan.
Many South Maui Molokini trips combine the crater with a second stop around Turtle Town.
Turtle Town, Mākena. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)
It's a nice combination because the two stops offer completely different snorkeling experiences: Molokini gives you the offshore crater, while Turtle Town brings you back toward Maui's shallower coastal reefs.
If snorkeling is a priority on your trip, this is one of our favorite ways to experience both.
West Maui
West Maui gives you several excellent turtle beaches without having to drive around looking for them.
- Best all-around — Kahekili Beach. Our favorite all-around West Maui snorkel spot.
- Best for beginners + families — Kapalua Bay. A sheltered bay with reef along the rocky sides.
- Best protected beach morning — Nāpili Bay. A beautiful cove where turtles can be seen around the rocky sides.
- Best if you are staying in Kāʻanapali — Puʻu Kekaʻa (Black Rock). The easiest turtle-snorkel option without leaving the resort area.
Where: Kāʻanapali through Kapalua.
Kahekili Beach
Our favorite all-around West Maui snorkel spot.
The reef begins close to shore and extends along the beach, giving you plenty of area to explore.
Turtles are commonly encountered around the reef, but even without them, Kahekili is one of our favorite snorkeling beaches in West Maui.
Kapalua Bay
Our favorite choice for beginners and families.
Kapalua's curved bay is one of Maui's more sheltered snorkeling areas during normal trade-wind conditions.
Look around the rocky sides of the bay, where you'll find more reef habitat.
It's another perfect example of our turtle rule:
Go because Kapalua Bay is beautiful. If you see a honu, even better.
Nāpili Bay
Nāpili is another beautiful, naturally protected West Maui bay where turtles can be seen around the rocky sides.
Like neighboring Kapalua, it's worth visiting regardless of whether the turtles show up.
Puʻu Kekaʻa (Black Rock)
If you're staying in Kāʻanapali, Black Rock is the easiest place to look without leaving the resort area.
Turtles can be seen around the rocky reef, but Black Rock can also be busy with swimmers and cliff jumpers, and currents can be a factor.
Go early and pay attention to conditions.
If we were driving somewhere specifically to snorkel in West Maui, we'd generally choose Kahekili over Black Rock.
Hoʻokipa: Best Place to See Turtles From Shore
Don't want to snorkel? Go to Hoʻokipa.
Hoʻokipa on Maui's North Shore is our favorite place to see honu resting on the beach.
Turtles regularly come ashore here, often gathering around the quieter eastern end of the beach.
This makes Hoʻokipa particularly good for families with young kids, non-swimmers or anyone who simply wants to see turtles without putting on a mask and snorkel.
Look carefully before assuming every dark shape on the sand is a rock.
And once you spot them, give them plenty of room.
Follow posted signs, barriers and volunteer instructions.
Snorkeling or Shore Viewing?
Snorkel at the spots below for the best chance of seeing turtles in the water, or go to Hoʻokipa for the easiest shore viewing.
Want the easiest shore viewing?
North Shore → Hoʻokipa
Staying in Kāʻanapali and don't want to drive?
→ Black Rock
Taking a Molokini boat?
→ Look for a trip that includes Turtle Town as the second stop.
How Reliable Are Turtle Sightings?
Turtle sightings are common on Maui, but never guaranteed.
That's why we wouldn't build an entire day around finding one.
Go snorkeling at a reef you want to explore anyway. Visit a beach where you'd happily spend the morning. Stop at Hoʻokipa while exploring the North Shore.
Eventually, Maui has a funny way of delivering the turtle encounter when you're not trying quite so hard to find it.
Give Turtles Space
The best turtle encounter is one where the turtle barely notices you're there.
Stay at least 10 feet away on land and in the water.
Never chase, touch or crowd a turtle.
If a turtle changes direction or has to swim around you, give it more room.
Never stand between a resting turtle and the ocean.
Use your camera's zoom instead of moving closer.
Follow posted signs, barriers and instructions from wildlife volunteers.
Practical Tips
Choose a reef you would enjoy even if no turtle appears.
Go early for calmer water and easier parking.
Stay at least 10 feet / 3 metres from honu on land and in the water.
Never touch, chase, feed, surround or block a turtle's path.
Use zoom for photos and let the animal choose the distance.
One Last Tip
Don't follow the turtle. Let the turtle come to you.
Float quietly, give it space and enjoy the moment.
You'll remember the turtle that unexpectedly swam past you a lot more than the one you spent half the morning chasing around a reef.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are turtles guaranteed at Turtle Town?
No, turtles are not guaranteed at Turtle Town.
What is the best time?
For snorkeling, morning often gives you better water conditions; turtles do not operate on a visitor schedule.
Can I touch a turtle if it swims up to me?
No, you cannot touch a turtle, even if it swims up to you. Stay still and let it move past.
