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Where to See Turtles in Maui: Snorkeling at Turtle Town + the Best Beaches

Seeing a turtle in the wild is at the top of many people’s Hawaii bucket lists and honestly, it’s pretty magical. 

I can’t tell you how many turtles I’ve seen either resting on a beach or while snorkeling, but it never gets old. 

Called “Honu” in Hawaiian, Hawaiian green sea turtles aren’t quite as ubiquitous as squirrels, but they’re also not that hard to find. Especially on Maui. 

Where to See Turtles in Maui

So whether you’re hoping to find the perfect spot to snorkel with turtles or find them lounging on the beach, here are my best tips on where to see turtles in Maui: 

Rules about the Turtles

First things first…yes, it is VERY exciting to see a turtle. I’ve seen hundreds of them and it is no less special every time. But besides being incredibly important animals to Hawaii locals, they are a protected species meaning IT’S A FEDERAL OFFENSE TO TOUCH THEM. You’re legally required to keep a MINIMUM 10 foot perimeter from them whether they’re in the water or on the land (it’s not uncommon to see them sunning themselves on beaches). 

And if you’re in the water you should stay even further away because they move fast and you have less control. 

Some beaches (where visitors have become plentiful) set up fairly large perimeters around turtles so be sure to respect the perimeter and don’t be one of those people that ducks under a rope because you’re “technically allowed to be 10 feet away.” 

Especially since the state’s reopening from the COVID closures (there’s been an uptick in “idiot tourists”…you know the type and I’m sure it’s not you), locals have grown increasingly sensitive to visitors not respecting these animals. It’s not Mickey Mouse at Disneyland. It’s super cool to see a turtle in the wild, but you don’t line up to get your picture with one on the beach. They’re resting…let them be. 

So always be aware of how close you are and make sure never to disturb them. This includes blocking their path if they’re trying to come up to the beach or get back to the water and also being careful not to snorkel over the top of them (they do have to come up for air) if you see one in the water. 

The good news is that the numbers for the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles are GROWING because of their protected status and the respect that they get from 99.9% of locals and visitors. 

Snorkeling at Turtle Town

Let’s start with the best places to snorkel with turtles on Maui. If you’ve done much research at all about snorkeling on Maui, you’ve probably heard about Turtle Town. 

There are some underground caves offshore in this area (plus a lot of algae that they feed on) that attract a large number of turtles so it’s pretty reliable to spot them swimming in the area. A lot of the Molokini snorkel boats make a stop offshore in the area for snorkelers, but if you know where to go you can snorkel in the area from the beach too. 

In general, “Turtle Town” is roughly the area of Makena Bay from Makena Landing Park (on the north end) to Maluaka Beach (on the south end). And the two best access points are at Makena Landing and Maluaka Beach. 

The turtles swim around so there’s always a good chance of spotting one wherever you are, but for the best odds you’re going to want to swim out away from shore a bit. 

It’s not necessarily unsafe and a lot of people snorkel in this area on their own, but I would recommend staying a little closer to shore than you see the people snorkeling on the boats maybe unless you have a paddleboard. I’m also generally a fan of wearing a flotation belt when you’re snorkeling (especially if you’re not on a tour), and of course making sure there’s somebody on the shore who is tracking where you are. 

If it were me, I would enter the water at Makena Landing and swim a bit south/away from the shore from there. It’s a fairly protected area and there’s often other snorkelers there. Also, you could sit and wait for a snorkel boat to pull up and swim over to check out what they’re looking at. 

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Here are directions for getting to both Makena Landing and Maluaka Beach: 

Makena Landing

Drive south from Wailea (past the Fairmont Kea Lani) and Wailea Alanui Drive will turn into Makena Alanui Road. Take a right onto Makena Road just past the Makena Surf Resort and follow that road until you come to Makena Landing Beach Park. You’ll know it when you see the boat ramp. 

Maluaka Beach

If you’re driving south, turn right onto Makena road (you’ll see signs for the landing) and continue on until you see a parking lot on your left. The beach access is actually a few hundred feet past the parking lot on your right. There’s a drop off area right at the beach so you can unload everything and then send someone back to park if you think it’s too far to walk. 

Once on the beach, enter the water and snorkel north towards the rocks and reefs.

Besides looking for turtles, Maluaka Beach is a gorgeous beach to spend the day. They’ve been doing a ton of construction in the area (they’re turning the former Makena Beach and Golf Resort into some kind of vacation club owners resort), but if you want great snorkeling AND a fabulous sandy beach to hang out on, this is your spot.

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Snorkel Tours to Turtle Town

If swimming out to see the turtles from the shore on your own seems a little scary, there are some good tour options (I love a good organized tour ; )

Kai Kanani Sunrise Snorkel: This is one of my all time favorite excursions on Maui. It combines a trip out to Molokini with a stop at Turtle Town and it leaves from Makena which is super close to Wailea (where I usually stay). The early morning start means you’re the first boat at Molokini and you’ll be able to do all of your snorkeling with no crowds plus you’ll have had a full day’s adventure by mid morning leaving almost a full day to relax at the beach. Book Kai Kanani’s Sunrise Snorkel here

Turtle Town Eco Adventure: If you just want to snorkel at Turtle Town and save a little money, I recommend this kayak tour

Where to Find Turtles Resting on the Beach

If you’re not a snorkeler, you have small children or elderly people in your group, or you’re just hoping for a better look than a quick glimpse in the water, there are a couple of spots on the north shore where it’s really common to see turtles resting on the beach. 

Ho’okipa Beach

Ho’okipa Beach is one of the most popular (and reliable) spots to see turtles resting on the beach on Maui. Located on the north shore, Ho’okipa is a well known turtle “resting ground” and the turtles show up here like clockwork every afternoon. 

Ho’okipa Beach is a few miles past Paia on Maui’s north shore (you’ll pass Mama’s Fish House just before). 

 Ho’okipa overlook is about a mile past Mama’s (there’s a small sign but there’s usually a couple of food trucks in the small parking lot). The overlook is a great spot to watch the surfers, but to get to the actual beach you’ll have to drive or walk down below. 

It isn’t a good beach for swimming but the rocks/reef create some tide pools, which can be a good place for kids to play.

The east end of the beach is the resting area for the Hawaiian green sea turtles. Every afternoon they will swim up onto the beach to sun themselves while they nap. A volunteer group has taken it upon itself to protect the turtles by enforcing a perimeter around them, but this is the perfect spot to see a whole herd of turtles (usually around 20) both in and out of the water. 

***This is a VERY local beach (probably the most on the island) and while 99% of locals are always super friendly, just be really sensitive to your surroundings. It’s a neighborhood spot, but it’s become sooooo popular because of the turtles in recent years so it’s an interesting vibe. Be on your best behavior (be friendly, polite, respectful, and aware that you’re in someone’s “backyard”) and you won’t have any problems.

Kuau (Tavares) Bay

Okay, this is the good info. Ho’okipa may be the most famous place for spotting turtles, but there’s an even better spot close by. Tavares (Kuau) Bay is just east of Paia town and the water is usually calmer and there are a ton of turtles. 

There’s a small parking lot and you’ll know you’re in the right spot when you see the big blue tile house.

It’s a mix of local families (watching small children being nonplussed about a turtle because they’ve grown up with them is pretty cool) and visitors staying in Airbnbs nearby. 

The turtles aren’t monitored here like they are at Ho’okipa and there aren’t nearly as many people so it feels like a more natural environment. Just remember to stay at least 10 feet away from them and don’t be tempted to sneak in close because there’s nobody enforcing the rules. 

On Another Note: If you’re looking for a condo or vacation rental for your trip, I’ve put together a post about where to find condos on Maui. It breaks down different areas to look for condos depending on your budget and what you’re looking for. Seriously, don’t miss this post

Other Beaches Where You Might Swim with Turtles

Turtles are pretty common everywhere in Hawaii, so you never know where you might see one, but they tend to pop up with some frequency around Black Rock at Ka’anapali, Napili Bay, and Kapalua Bay. These aren’t necessarily beaches I would seek out JUST to find turtles, but they’re also the three most popular beaches on the west side, so if you happen to be staying around there, keep your eyes peeled. 

Other Places to See Turtles on Maui

Maui Ocean Center: It’s not the same as seeing them in the wild, but this is a nice rainy day activity or a great thing to do with little kids. 

Reef Dancer: This glass bottom boat is a fun activity if you have little kids or older folks in your group that aren’t able to snorkel. The Reef Dancer has always operated out of Lahaina and they’ve been closed down since the fires last year so check their website for updates on their reopening plans.

Want to read more? Don’t miss some of my most popular (and favorite) posts about Maui:

If you’re trying to figure out where to stay, you’re going to want to read up on Wailea vs Kaanapali to decide on which side of the island and then My Favorite Hotels on Maui and Where to Find Condos on Maui for specific recommendations.

If you’re looking at staying in Wailea (South Maui), I’ve got a TON of posts. Start with All of the Wailea Resorts Ranked and then read reviews for Four Seasons Maui, Andaz Maui, Fairmont Kea Lani, and Wailea Beach Resort plus comparison for Four Seasons vs Andaz Maui and Andaz Maui vs Wailea Beach Resort. And I’ve got info on the, the Best Restaurants in Wailea, the Best Breakfast in Wailea & Kihei, the Best Luaus in Wailea

If you’re trying to put together an itinerary full of the best things to do on Maui, take a look at my best 4 Day Maui Itinerary and My Favorite Road to Hana Itinerary, plus roundups of Things You Can ONLY Do on Maui, Things to Do Upcountry, the Best Beaches in Wailea & Kihei, My Favorite Things to Do in South Maui, and a full review of Mama’s Fish House (my favorite restaurant in Hawaii). 

And last but not least tips for some of Maui’s best adventures like Road to Hana Tips, Driving the Backside of the Road to Hana, Tips for Sunrise at Haleakala National Park, Where to See Turtles on Maui, Snorkeling Molokini Crater, and Whale Watching. And everything you need to know BEFORE you go to Maui

 

P.S. Thanks for sticking around and reading this whole post! If you have ANY questions about planning your trip to Hawaii, you can join my free Facebook group here. I’m there answering questions every day and there are 7500+ other friends who have a ton of Hawaii information to share!

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