Bring bug spray! The trail is nicely shaded with lush green tree, ground coverage, and softened dirt path. Although, that meant lots of mosquitos for the 5 min walk from the trail head to the stream. The stream during this season is dry and zero water. There were plenty of chicken and roosters running around. The sunlight peaking through the trees and branches created nice backdrop for pictures. Definitely would explore more if we ever come back. read more

Honolua Bay - Trail near entrance - Beaches Near Me - Kapalua, Hawaii

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The best place to snorkel at. There were so many fishes and different kinds also! It was my first official time snorkeling so it was a little spooky but man oh man, I had a blast. Didn't see ant sea turtles but did see a variety of fishes. read more

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I know everyone is tasting this 5 stars. I can see why they're doing that. There's a nice little hike from the road to the water. Catamarans come all day with tourist snorkelers. So there normally must be something good here. But on my visit, I combed the entire area for an hour and there were hardly any fish to see. No turtles. No octopus. I just can't rate it very high. I can give a couple pro tips, though: 1. You may be tempted to park at this little lookout area which oversees the bay with about five parking spaces. Do not park here if you're going to the water. There is another parking area about half a mile north. 2. It's not even a beach. You basically have to walk over Boulder to get to the water. I think it's easiest to take the little concrete ramp. You may want to wear water shoes if you don't have flippers. read more

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The best spot for snorkeling! We snorkeled to the right of the beach and saw so many colorful fish, a turtle, and a creepy large eel. The turtle was amazing to watch from a distance. He didn't seem to mind we were there and just did his thing. The eel on the other hand, half its face was all messed up and he looked at us with his good eye and looked like he was ready to attack. We hopped out the water for a moment until the eel left. We also took some really cute photos in the forest that leads to the beach. Parking is just along side of the road. We didn't have any issues finding a parking spot. read more

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I don't get the four and five star reviews. I've snorkeled half a dozen spots in Maui and this the far the worst. The water was murky and gross, there's slippery rocks all over and very dangerous to walk on. I was in the water for an hour and barely saw any fish or corals. Honestly, I was mad that I saw the great reviews and spent my time to visit this place. Bad, bad, bad!! read more

Great snorkeling not much currents calm and a relatively easy launch from the rocky beach. Adequate free parking along the road but beware of No Parking / Tow Away signs if you don't park in one of the designated shoulder strip lots. We saw lots of different fish. No turtles on the day we went. The bay can get a little crowded. Short 0.3 mile walk from the road to the bay. read more

Honolua Bay - Bay - Beaches Near Me - Kapalua, Hawaii

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Snorkeling is awesome with a lot of fish and some turtles. Although getting into the Bay and back out is a bit tricky. Definitely don't where anything light colored or that you don't want stained up. We basically had to slide across the big alge covered rocks to slide down into the water, so needless to say our shorts were stained up. But the snorkeling is great once you're in!! *Be mindful of the locals that have a encampment at the bottom of the trail, they won't bother you, just don't cut thru their camp. read more

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Snorkeling heaven. Somewhat challenging park & hike access. Not for sun bathers ~ no sand, all large rocks. All which make it more a seclusive experience for snorkeling. The occasional tour boat filled with snorkelers will come by midway but they usually stay less than an hour. Mornings are best to find parking and calm waters. *Be wary of the wind & tide conditions before attempting. read more

Honolua Bay - Beaches Near Me - Kapalua, Hawaii

Let's just get into it: if you're looking to snorkel there are much better options across the island and this spot is a skip. Parking is not great as many park along the street just to get in. The walk through the trees to get to the bay is the best part of the entire thing. Once you reach the bay you have to navigate a very rocky beachfront, if you can even call it one. You have to watch your step because there are a lot of rocks that will slide out under your feet as you come down. Getting in the water is also difficult as the rocks are very slippery. Once you're able to get past all that get ready for some low visibility snorkeling as the sand and silt provided limited visibility. We were able to see a few fish but definitely nothing compared to other spots. Mid snorkeling it started to pour which forced us out and back onto even wetter and slippery rocks. Not a great time, would rate it lower but we know we can;t blame the bay for it raining, only the god of rain. read more

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Parking very limited... free Short 5 min walk from the road Very very very rocky beach Not a place to lay out. Fish... meh Given the rocky beach not worthy of getting high marks or a revisit. Watch out for the very slippery rocks. read more

Honolua Bay - Very very very rocky beach - Beaches Near Me - Kapalua, Hawaii

Best snorkeling in Maui! It's a little bit of a walk out here but it's a relatively easy walk through the forest, and the bay is rocky so I recommend water shoes. However, once you're in the water...it's incredible!! There are so many different species out here. We saw so many turtles, along with so much aquatic life and many beautiful fish I have never seen or heard of before! Bring your snorkel gear and enjoy! read more

What a nice snorkeling beach! It's not a same beach so be prepared to walk on some rocks to get your snorkel on. The path to the beach itself is beautiful. Will be back again! read more

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A nice historical site, now most prominent for being part of the Marine Conservation program with no fishing or removal of natural resources allowed and for being a spot for snorkeling and scuba diving. The old chief of Maui used to come here to relax and fish. Kihaapiilani his son was purported to have surfed at this pay. In more modern times it was used to load and unload supplies onto ships by Honolulu Ranch. A hint at the history is a sign that says stay on the trail "many unmarked graves in this area". The walk to the bay was the most fun for us. Huge tropical trees and foliage, you'll see vine covered giant trees and leaves that are so big you can use them as umbrellas. Mosquitos will also attack you so be prepared especially if you are O blood type. There are also truly wild Maui chickens in this area. If you come at the right time you can see a local man feeding them with dried corn making them more fearless around other humans. Bay itself is not a beach for relaxing at. It's covered in stones and there's a stream emptying into the ocean carrying all sorts of dirty water and runoff from the still functioning farms next to it. There's also the inevitable tour boats for snorkeling and diving that park here, if you came for snorkeling you can watch the boats to see how far you have to swim out to for better visibility and sea life. read more

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This was my favorite activity on my trip to Maui. Not only do you get some quality exercise in a swim, but you get to see some beautiful wildlife in the water. I got to see a bunch of fish and some turtles. I absolutely love this place! In terms of the utility you get out of cost for touristy activities, this is prob the best value you can get. I went to a nearby store, can't remember which one, and rented snorkel gear for less than $15 for the day. My family and I then drove to this location and parked. The walk or hike is about a quarter mile until you get to the actual bay. It's a little rocky near the water, so make sure you bring proper footwear before you go out there. If I ever find myself back in Maui, this is on my list of things to do for sure. read more

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12/1/2022: I'm out of breath~the ocean's surf is too hard core! Low tide is high tide despite, waiting five hours for the ocean's angry surf abating . . . It didn't dissipate its angry, turbulent surf: I'm absolutely beaten up. Time packing up and forget snorkeling . . . Maui Beer burning my brain coming up! read more

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Access trail is a short hike through some beautiful greenery - kids enjoyed hiking through an "enchanted forest". Beach is all rock and very slippery access to water. Wasn't good for our five year old but was told snorkeling is the best on the island. Unfortunately we weren't able to get in because of steep slippery access for him but older kids who are good swimmers would be fine. read more

Out of all the places we visited in Maui, Honolua Bay is by far the best for snorkeling if you're willing to work a bit more. It's not the easiest to reach, as it's right beside private property and you'll need to mind the warning signs. You should also wake up early (7-7:30am) to avoid the massive crowds/tours and get a rare parking spot (it's by the highway so you need to park on the side of the road). If you're unable to find parking closest to the entrance of the forest, there should be much more road parking at the nearby Honolua Farms up the road. You'll go through a "magical enchanted forest" (which is indeed quite unique) to reach the bay, and also navigate through a LOT of rocks to get to the water. (There's no sandy shore). Be careful as many of the rocks can shift, especially the sheer, moss covered rocks by the water. Hiking or swim shoes are recommended before donning your snorkel fins at the edge of the water. Lots of little skittering bugs around the water, but they shouldn't bother you. Water is fairly calm but slightly cold. I'd highly recommend the North side of the bay (to the far right of the bay entrance). The diversity of sea animals is incredible; the further you go out, the more things you see (we reached open water at the very edge of the bay). However, don't go out further than you can swim back! We saw so many different kinds of fish, from huge parrotfish to Hawaii's state fish, an enormous barracuda-like fish, a white-tipped reef shark (don't worry, they don't bother humans much), and a bunch of sea turtles, including a mother and child (most were nesting on a large rock at the mid-point of the bay). At one point, we thought we saw a whale in the bay, but it turned out to be an endless school of fish. Again, getting to the bay and the water isn't east, but it's definitely worthwhile. Make sure to bring your waterproof GoPro and take lots of video and pictures! read more

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I've written a few reviews about this beautiful easy 1/4 mile bush walk leading to a serene rocky marine sanctuary that is heaven on earth. It is privately owned and the owner shares it with everyone, which is amazing. If it were mine I would keep it to myself! So, when you visit, PLEASE DONATE even if it is just a $1, or hopefully more, to cover the owners expenses. He provides toilets and landscapes and collects the trash people leave. Expensive business keeping the are pristine for locals and tourists alike. Also please cover up with rash shirts not sunscreen. Sunscreen kills the coral reefs and pollutes the water. It is a major problem on Maui. If you cover up you don't get sunburned ("tourist camo") and remember sunscreen causes cancer too. Keep it green, clean and pristine :) read more

On Maui, the Honolua name is shared by a store, clothing company, and this bay which is located just north of Kapalua. PARKING: A few stalls are located along Honoapiilani Highway (30) though they're quite far from access to the bay. THE BAY: There is no sand here, just a rocky shore surrounded by high cliffs and lots of trees. That being said, snorkeling is good as there are two huge reefs on either side of the bay, about 20 feet down, with adequate protection from wind and currents. Multiple catamarans full of ready-to-be-sunburnt tourists can be found here daily depending on conditions. There are no comfort facilities available. I am not into snorkeling or SCUBA but tagged along with my spouse and friends for a snorkel sail on which we ended up here. On the way over, another boat captain radioed to our captain saying conditions here were "green". What that meant was visibility at the bay was unfavorable. From the surface, the water was a cloudy green like the ocean's floor got churned-up by some massive force. We anchored anyway along with two other boats. I didn't go in but others did and reported "okay" snorkeling conditions with not only fish-spotting but turtles too. TIP: There is a lookout area along Honoapiilani Highway (30) if you want to see the bay but don't want to walk in or are not on a boat. OVERALL: Great for snorkeling, not for beaching. read more

This place will hold a special memory... because in all the years I've gone to the Hawaiian islands, this was the first area I was able to swim with sea turtles. The snorkeling here is superb! There was a Northern AND Southern swell that was making snorkeling conditions difficult on the islands... so we took our chances going here. We lucked out because the water was pretty calm and it made it easy for us to enter the water and swim a far distance with our fins. The funny thing I had considered chartering a boat to take us snorkeling due to the conditions - it turns out all the snorkel tours came here. We were able to swim all the way out to where the snorkel tour groups were without having to pay. Getting into the water couldn't have been easier. While the rocks can be slippy and difficult to walk on, I found it easier to enter and exit the water. Why? Because even if there were waves pushing and pulling you, at least you didn't get sand in your pants. I hate that feeling. You also get a better control with your hands on rocks than you would on sand that's moving around a lot. We saw a wide variety of colorful coral and fish, like wrasse, butterfly fish, tangs, and sea urchins. The Snorkel Store gave the area of rating of 6.5 for the the day, but we had good visibility and calm waters in the bay. It made us wonder what a 7+ rating looked like! During our 3 hours of snorkeling we even saw 3 sea turtles at different times - I was so happy as my last times snorkeling in Hawaii did not allow me to see these wonderful creatures. We kept our distance but enjoyed watching them glide in the water and come up for air. We did have to go out pretty far to get them - basically where the boats were... which I think was past 50 ft from the shore? Fins help get you around when snorkeling, so use them! I have to hand it to Maui, unlike the places I went snorkeling in Oahu... people, even tourists, were a lot more respective of the coral. It's not as dead as there is still some color, and people aren't as stupid as to step on it. Keep in mind you need to use reef friendly sunblock here - there's a lot of information on the websites on what kind of sunblock should be used. No facilities either - the only bathrooms here are porto potties. We also lucked out with parking here - it's very limited. Come really early to beat the crowds! We got here around 8:45 am on a Thursday and parking was already limited. Some folks had to park far and walk. We were able to get a spot right in front of the porto potties because a lady let us know she was leaving and made it so that the other car coming in the other direction wouldn't just grab it. Just be patient and plan ahead. The other thing to note about this place - there is a short trail from the main road to the actual beach. It's REALLY short, like maybe 5-10 minutes one way? And the walk is pleasant because it's through a rainforest with wild chickens and wild papaya trees (they're right on the trail and hard to miss). If I have any complaints at all... it's that the limited parking situation gets people a little competitive on the road. That and the beach is rocky so it's hard to just lay down a towel to sit on when you're taking a break from snorkeling. But given the snorkel situation and how easy it is to enter the water, I can overlook these minor things. read more

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I try to visit Honolula Bay anytime I am in Maui. It is a bay, so you are protected from the waves. It is rocky & difficult to enter the water if you have any disabilities. There is tons of marine life. You can spend a lot of time here. It is a little walk from the parking. read more

Absolutely gorgeous and easy trail - such a special place. So happy we were told about this wonderful stop read more

Honolua Bay - On the trail - Beaches Near Me - Kapalua, Hawaii

What a beautiful hike, but a little muddy so bring some burner shoes. It's like walking through the jungle and yes there are mosquitoes. Honolua Bay is so beautiful and if you go early there will be no one so you can hear the babbling creek, birds and chickens. Great little hike and parking can be a challenge if you don't go early. read more

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This gem is one of the best snorkeling beach/Bay. There's no sand to rest on, just bunch of different size river rocks so wear thick water sandals. Had many different types of fishes and sizes. It was great. read more

Honolua Bay - The 5 min route to the bay - Beaches Near Me - Kapalua, Hawaii

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One of the best spots on Maui to go snorkeling without having to book something by boat. Super easy access through a cool enchanted forest/burial site and soooooo much life in the water! We saw lots of different fish, an octopus, plenty of turtles and even a reef shark! We even spotted a hidden treasure.....the entire rear differential and wheels from a vehicle at the bottom of the ocean floor (hint....its in off the right side of the bay about half way out between some coral)! Some advice....get there EARLY! There's not a lot of parking and it can fill up fast. The catamarans usually come in after 10 and so do their passengers in the water, so if you want less bodies in the water, again....get there early. There's no sandy area at this beach, so it can challenging for kids to walk on, but if they can make it, they WILL NOT regret it! read more

Honolua Bay - Beaches Near Me - Kapalua, Hawaii

Initially my friends and I were trying to go to kapalua bay to snorkel but couldn't find parking so we decided to drive to honolua bay. Best decision ever!!! The drive to the bay was beautiful. I didn't realize we had to go through a trail. It was tropical. Lots of trees and wild roosters. I felt like I was in the Amazon or a Jurassic park movie. It was awesome. Definitely in Hawaii. Once you get to the water there's a lot rocks where you can put your stuff. It wasn't a typical beach where you lay near the shore and tan. Not ideal for kids to play in either. Lots of cool fishes, sea urchins and octopus! We spent hours here. read more

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This is, easily, the best snorkeling spot on Maui. There is limited parking, but it's free. There isn't a beach either. There are large round rocks leading down to the water. The morning time is the best because a lot of tour boats come dock in the bay and let out hoards of snorkelers. Either side of the bay is equally amazing also. read more

This was a popular smoking spot! The path to get down to the water is not well identified; so hard to find. And there is private property that needs to be avoided. The beach is rocky without much sand. We were there mid week and there were a lot of people there. My husband went out and snorkeled; he felt there are better locations. But it's still a pretty spot! read more

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07.27.2018 Stopped here after making a trip to Nakalele Blowhole. It's not a sandy beach but has a rock shore. It's a short 1/4 mike (or less) walk from the road to the water through the trees. Look out for the chickens and roosters that come out to greet you. They've chopped down some trees and made a more open path for people to walk. It was a nice place to snorkel but not the most comfortable to sit unless you bring a chair or find a bigger rock that your okole can sit on. But you have to learn how to balance the chair on and between the rocks. Water was clear and you were able to see fish even near the shore. read more

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Chose this place based on a snorkeling site's recommendation as its top choice on Maui. Yes, we saw a good variety of fish, but the slippery rocks make it VERY difficult to get to the water's edge and to get in and out of the water. And, the fish were not quite as abundant as at Kahekili ("Airport") beach which has more parking, no long damp hike, was less crowded, and comfy sand adjoining the water. read more

Not an easy entrance to the bay. Very rocky to enter the water. Absolutely would do it again. Easy to snorkel and saw a number of sea turtles which was the goal. read more

This is the best spot for snorkeling. Numerous varieties of fish to see. We also saw a turtle. Be sure to go our far enough and to the north side of bay. There is a lot of coral and the fish gather in great numbers there. Water is pretty clear and smooth. The walk from the road to the bay is private property that the owner is generous enough to allow people access through his property to the bay. It's beautiful. The walk is very easy. Be sure to take your trash etc. out with you. It's important to take good care of his property so he continues to let the public on it. You can also give a donation to help cover the cost of upkeep and he also provides outhouses. This is my 2nd most favorite place to snorkel after Molokini and we didn't have to pay for a tour. Only had to rent snorkel gear. read more

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One of the highlights of my trip. No doubt. Not much signage or parking. I had this on my must do list and just happened upon it while driving back from Olivine and Blowhole. I was drawn in by the Tarzan like jungle off the side of the road. Had to do 3 loops before getting a parking spot. Don't give up, I almost did but then lucked out. The jungle small hike in was incredible. Perhaps the coolest mini jungle hike I've even been on. If I had a better Tarzan call, it would have been the perfect setting. Got to the rocky beach which wasn't too crowded. You're really only dealing with fellow snorkelers, loungers would it to go to one of the many nearby sandy beaches instead. I got on my gear and went straight to the water. It is pretty shallow all the way out. Very clear and easy to see the bottom. Supposedly the best snorkelling in Maui, I could see why. Coral, lots of fish variety and a couple sea turtles. Be sure to head northeast up the coast, especially to where the big boats are anchored. There is a reason so many people are over there! I saw a lot of people only snorkel by the rocky beach entrance and they truly are missing out! read more

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This is one of the best places to snorkel in Maui. The hike or stroll getting to the bay is quite picturesque. You have this lush, tropical forest you walk through to get there. We got there later in the afternoon and there were only few other snorkelers. The stands were closed for fresh coconut juice. Getting into the water was a bit tricky, there isn't a sandy beach but lots of rocks and slippery boulders. Although there are some deterrents, it's still a great place to snorkel. read more

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My PSA before my review - 1. Don't step or touch the coral - it is alive! And home to fishes! 2. Wear reef safe sunblock pls 3. Keep your distance from the amazing sea turtles 4. Pick up your trash and only leave footprints 5. Keep off the private property and respect the signs Anyways! This place is great! There is a small hike/walk to get to the bay. Be prepared for lots of rocks. There isn't much sand at this beach or a place for you to roll our your towel to beach yourself. But why would you come here to do that? Come here to snorkel for your heart's content! You'll really feel like a small fish in big water here and appreciate the beauty of Maui. Warning - the rocks along the beach do get very hot! So wear some sort of footwear or slipper. And take your time making your way into the water. Also! There is very little shade. So in conclusion- cut your can plastic rings before recycling. Save the coral reefs, save the fishes. read more

This was one of our favorite beaches in Maui. It was a little hard to find and perhaps that's why it was not crowded when we were there. The snorkeling was awesome. Tip - take some water shoes or other shoes which you can use to walk on rocks, this is not a sandy beach. read more

Super cool walk through the thick greenery and grand trees to get to the beautiful cove with clear water and rocky shore. Often has sailboats. read more

If you're coming to Maui, Honolua Bay is a must visit! Located on the west side of the island, north of Kapalua, I highly recommend coming early to the bay if you're interested in snorkeling. Parking is limited. There's space for 8-10 cars near the trailhead, some other parking spaces along the road, but not much else. If you enter through the trailhead, it's a .5 mile walk through the jungle to get to the rocky edge of the bay. When snorkeling, it's best to swim out along the edge of the bay ( i recommend to the right ). Swimming out straight leads to a large empty space with little sea life, but along the edges are overflowing with sea life. read more

This is one of the best snorkeling spots on the west side of Maui. Parking on the road can be a bit tough but we arrived about 10 AM and were able to secure a spot. There's a short walk to get to the water but it's through a peaceful forest. There was lots a sign saying you should stay on the path. Along the shore there isn't a smooth sandy to beach to sit on but are rocks. It can be challenging if your balance isn't that good. It's helpful to wear your flip-flops and kick them off right near the shore. Once in the water it's beautiful. The snorkeling is best on the north and south sides; in the middle there isn't much to see. read more

Honolua Bay - Stay on path sign. - Beaches Near Me - Kapalua, Hawaii

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Great spot for snorkeling. No beach but a bunch of big rocks! I brought a phone holder but nobody touched our stuff. A lot of people just sitting on a rock so they kind of know it's your stuff. The water was murky and actually brown when we entered. But as we snorkeled to the right it got clearer and there was lots of fish. In fact, there was a giant school of gray fishes. The further you are away from shore the clearer they water is. The fish are hanging by the coral on the bottom. We had a great time! read more

Honolua Bay - Beaches Near Me - Kapalua, Hawaii