Maui

Hawaii

Papawai Point is a great vantage point for viewing the Maui coast line. The diving here can be spectacular, although the entry is for advanced shore divers only. Check it out to see if you are comfortable. Also, be sure to look for the local artists, working on their baskets and drawings. Talk to them and patronize their work!

Papawai Point

The reef at Olowalu is one of the better reefs in Hawaii. Because of the lack of divers and distance from the shore (so lack of snorkelers), the reef is very pristine. There are multiple turtle cleaning stations and dozens of turtles can be seen. The crushed coral/shell bottom, also makes for a unique dive. Besides turtles, large puffer fish can be seen here. Definitely bring a compass as the coral and channels can create a fun underwater maze.

Note that Olowalu is the site of one of the few fatal shark attacks on Maui. This was in 1991, and happened to a swimmer during very murky conditions. Regardless, there are signs posted on the beach. I have dove Olowalu multiple times, and yet to see a shark. Regardless, exercise caution as tigers have been seen in the area.

Olowalu (Mile Marker 14) is located right alongside Honoapiilani Highway. Park as close as possible to mile marker 14. The dive entry is exactly across from the mile marker sign. Depending upon the tides, you might be able to see the sand channel from the surface. This will be your path out to the dive. You can drop down as soon as it gets deep enough, although I recommend a long surface swim until you are about equal to the lone home to the north. Follow the sand channels between the coral formations for an excellent dive. 

Olowalu is also known as Mile Marker 14.

Olowalu

Mile Marker 14 is the common nickname for a beach in Olowalu, on the west side of Maui. You can find it by looking for the “14” mile marker sign between Lahaina and the cliffs that separate west Maui from central Maui.  It’s seven miles south of Lahaina on the Honoapiilani Highway (Route 30). This area is said to be the best snorkel spot for beginners.  The water is shallow close to shore and is calm on most days (usually most calm in the mornings).  Be careful not to step on or touch the coral reef.  No facilities.  No turn lanes or paved parking, so watch for traffic when turning back onto the highway. The beach is not as wide or beautiful as some other Maui beaches, so this spot is best for snorkeling but not best for lying on the beach.

Olowalu Mile Marker 14

A wide, sandy beach, with good swimming. The north end of this stretch of beach is called “Charley Young Beach.” Charley Young was a military reporter who came at the wrong time to build his house here – during WWII all these beaches were taken over and made to simulate enemy beach landings. Anyway, Charley got his land back after the war, and built his house. The Charley Young end of Kam I is more popular with locals, and since the lifeguard and more visible parking and beach access for Kam I is at the other end of the beach, Charley Young is not usually as crowded with visitors. The Charley Young parking lot is on Kaiau St., as is a public access path and stairs to that end of the beach. Parking for the rest of Kam I is at the main parking area right in front of the beach, on street, and at an overflow lot across the road. (see Google map below for all Kam parking lots.)

Kamaole 1

Another fairly wide sandy beach, the Maui Banyan sits on the end of this beach. While they like to tout it as “one of the finest beaches on Maui”, that claim is a bit exaggerated. What they don’t share in the glossy literature is that after large Kona storms, the sand can temporarily be removed by the ocean leaving rounded lava rock (resembling river rocks, except black.) In fact, the old-time Hawai’ian name for this beach (you know, from the folks that weren’t trying to sell you a condo) is “Ili’iliholo”, which literally means “running pebbles.” (Salesman bashing aside, most days of the year this is still a pretty nice beach!)

Kamaole 2

Kam III is the most popular of the three beaches. It is also the best for boogie-boarding, with a regular break here that can get fairly large during south swells. It is shortest and least wide of the Kama’oles, but it does have the most facilities and a gigantic grassy park area. It also has a new playground and bathroom, and plenty of parking (But weekends & holidays are very popular here – so you will probably need to park in the overflow parking lot.) Be aware that some Large rocks are found protruding from the ocean (and less so, the sand) along some pockets of Kam III. There is also a second rock-bracketed area that forms a more protected cove at the south end Kam III, the cove is called Ana’iao by old-timers. (You’ll likely be the only person there that knows that name!)

Kamaole 3

Old 50 foot fishing trawler addition to the artificial reef (tires in-bedded in concrete), thus other name "Uniroyal Reef". Dive site is do-able from shore, with scooters or fairly long surface swim, many use kayaks to get there. Bottom is about 70 feet, top of boat around 55 feet. Hull is penetrable (try not to kick up the silt), pilot house cool place to check out as well. TURTLES hang out here a lot, resting in the hull and on the pilot house roof. Tires are also a great place to see eels, red soldier fish, trumpet fish, schools of goat fish, occasional frog fish, lobster, or octopus.

Dive site is do-able from shore, with scooters or fairly long surface swim, many use kayaks to get there. Keep going South on So. Kihei Road, do not vear left to go to Wailea, road dead ends, turn right at end, Park at Keawakapu Beach Parking. There is a beach shower near stairs, no fixed restroom facilities, "porta-pottys" only. Reef dive is very good here. Location to tire reef & boat is approximately a 240 degree heading from bottom of stairs, about a .4 mile swim, 70 feet depth. Couple dive boats use site as 2nd dive, call the Kihei operations to verify.

St. Anthony Wreck is also known as Uniroyal Reef.

St. Anthony Wreck

Location to tire reef and boat is approximately a 240 degree heading from bottom of stairs, about a .4 mile swim, 70 feet depth. Dive site is do-able from shore, with scooters or fairly long surface swim, many use kayaks to get there. Keep going South on S Kihei Road, do not veer left to go to Wailea, road dead ends, turn right at end, Park at Keawakapu Beach Parking. There is a beach shower near stairs, no fixed restroom facilities, porta-pottys only. Reef dive is very good here. St. Anthony is a 65-foot shrimp boat was intentionally sunk in October 1997, creating Maui’s most popular wreck dive and home to many Green Sea Turtles. The turtles can be seen on the decks, inside the V-berth and cabins. On occasion you even may encounter a turtle clinging on one of the horizontal or vertical bars while it rests. What a great dive!

Along the sandy bottom next to the wreck, old tires and cement blocks are scattered, creating an artificial reef that is fun to explore. In addition to turtles, you may see Moray Eels, Trumpetfish, Batfish, reef sharks, and an abundant supply of curious Milletseed Butterflyfish.

St. Anthony Shipwreck

Ulua Beach is one of the beaches in the Wailea resort complex development on Maui's south shore. The sandy beach is located between two rocky points. Ulua Beach is a bit more popular than neighboring Mokapu Beach, with which it shares a parking lot. When the surf is up, it is usually a little higher here than at other beaches in this area, attracting many bodyboarders who enjoy the waves. During calm days, the snorkeling and diving here is excellent. There are many colorful corals and fish. Ulua means `adult crevalle fish in the Hawaiian language.

Ulua Beach

Wailea Beach is a great site for scuba.  Full facilities, and a great beach for all ages.

At the South End of Highway 31, bear right onto Wailea Iki.  Continue to the T, turn left on Wailea Alanui.  In .5 miles, turn right into the public access.

Wailea Beach

Lesser known Palauea Beach, or White Rock in the Scuba community, is an excellent dive site. Perfect for beginners and intermediates. Closest facilities are a short drive North to Polo Beach.

At the South End of Highway 31, bear right onto Wailea Iki. Continue to the T, turn left on Wailea Alanui. After 1 mile, turn right onto Kuakahi. Drive down to the T and turn left onto Makena Road. Continue for a little less than half a mile. Park on shore side of the road onto an unpaved small parking area. Basically, this is the South side of Haloa Point.

Palauea Beach (White Rock)

This is one of my favorite sites on the island. The entry is tricky as well as the hike down and then back up to the parking lot. When I dove it, the visibility was great. The reef drops off quick into some sand, and depths of 90 feet plus are quickly accessible. The reef close to shore is beautiful aside from the gross amount of fishing line and lead lost by the shore fishers. I have seen hooks here as big as my fist (not sure what there trying to catch). This is one of the healthiest yellow tang populations I have seen on Maui with schools of 50 plus fish. A fun sight for any advanced and healthy diver willing to work for a great dive.

Papawai Point

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Papawai Point