Before we went to Maui we were planning on snorkeling one day. The tours there were a little pricey for us so it was going to be our ‘splurge day’. Then we learned you can just rent snorkeling gear and snorkel pretty much anywhere on the island! To us, choosing when and where we wanted to snorkel sounded way more fun than being packed on a boat with tons of people.

Where to rent your gear:

Snorkel stores in Maui are as common as a Starbucks or a McDonalds in any given city in America. Everywhere you look there’s a place to rent snorkel gear. Here are a few just to get your started on your search.

Boss Frog’s (We rented from here because we could walk there from our house) : $10/day, 2 for 1 weekly rates, includes free underwater camera for one day with weekly rental.

Maui Snorkel Store: $7/day, $20/week, $35/2 weeks, Wrap around goggles (180 degree viewing)

Snorkel Bob’s: $38/week for their lowest package, $58/week for their top line gear.

Now for the fun part, Where to Snorkel:

If your goal is to swim with sea turtles (duh, always the goal), just get in the water, anywhere. We snorkeled for 7 days all over the island and every single day we swam with sea turtles.

Honolua Bay : This is a Marine Life Conservation District which means there’s no fishing allowed, meaning more wildlife! This was our favorite place to snorkel, there were so many neat kinds of fish. The water is more shallow here so the wildlife were much closer to us! There’s a short walk down a dirt path to get to the beach. When you cross over the small stream you’re nearly there! No showers or restrooms are located here.

Black Rock/Kaanapali Beach : Cliff jumping and snorkeling? Yes please! Great for families with kids because you don’t have to swim out very far to see cool stuff! You will see plenty of people climbing onto the black rock to jump off, it’s pretty fun if you’re looking for an adrenaline rush! This beach sits on the back side of a hotel but there is a small free parking lot for the public. Get there early to get a spot! Restroom is located by the hotel.

Molokini Crater : Requires a tour. We recommend this one! Book through the link (AirBnB) because they have a special boat for the AirBnB people! It’s way smaller, 20 people vs 150! The food was absolutely delicious (breakfast and lunch included + alcohol) and our guides were super fun and knowledgable! The guides are also Marine Naturalists so they have tons of great information to share with you! Our captain also looked like Ed Sheeran so that didn’t hurt either. A portion of the ticket price goes towards the Pacific Whale Foundation, so, help save the whales!

Kapalua Bay : The water here is super calm, which makes it a great place for beginners and kiddos! Try to swim near the reef and rocks, sandy bottom spots makes for cloudy water, especially when it’s windy. There are also outdoor showers and restrooms by the parking lot.

Turtle Town/ Maluaka Beach (not Makena Landing): Many snorkel tours end up in this area because the chances of seeing turtles are higher here. Like I said earlier, you can see turtles anywhere, but this is a good place to start! The water here is calm due to being blocked by winds by Haleakala. The entrance to the beach is easily missed, so keep your eyes peeled while you’re on Makena Road.

Before you snorkel:

• Use the goggle de-fogger, it really works!
• Wear a shirt/shorts or tons of sunscreen. Your back is exposed because you’re floating on the water so it’s super easy to get burnt. We got roasted our first day on the water.
• Be aware of rubbing on your feet and cover them up with tape/moleskin so it doesn’t ruin the rest of your time snorkeling.
• Get to the beach early! The waves start to kick up in the afternoon so the earlier the better! We tried to get out around 7am and were often the only people there.

While you snorkel:

• Don’t forget to look up once in a while! It’s easy to forget to look up because you’re so mesmerized but you need to keep track of where you’re at. The current can gently push you around.
• Swim near the edges of the water, that’s where the reefs usually are. Animals love to hang out there, not really in the open water.
• Dive below the surface! Diving down with the fish is super fun! Remember to equalize during your dive. And always clear out the snorkel after you come up or you’ll breath in water.
• Bring a waterproof camera. And make sure to rinse it after your done. Saltwater is pretty destructive.

* Please be aware! When you are snorkeling alone, there is no one looking out for you. Be aware of the currents. Don’t get too close to the reefs; waves and currents can push you into them and they are extremely fragile environments.