Honolua Bay, Maui: The Best Snorkeling on West Maui

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase through my links we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. The Hawai’i Vacation Guide has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. The Hawai’i Vacation Guide and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Read about our affiliate policies here.

Honolua Bay is well known among locals and tourists for its incredible underwater world. It’s part of the Mokuleʻia Marine Life Conservation District, so fishing is prohibited here, allowing the sea life to flourish.

Honolua Bay Beach Overview

This isn’t an amenities beach but a beach with a purpose. This is your spot if you’re looking for phenomenal snorkeling or great surfing!

Honolua Bay Beach Amenities
Restrooms	No
Showers	No
Parking	Minimal, free street parking (a small gravel lot)
Lifeguards	No
BBQ Grills	No
Picnic Tables	No
Playground	No

Who is Honolua Bay Beach Best For?

This is a great place for snorkelers in the summer and experienced surfers in the winter months.

It’s not a sandy beach where you can hang out with the family, so be sure to check out our list of favorite beaches if that’s what you’re looking for.

Is Honolua Bay Beach Good for Swimming?

Yes, it’s an excellent place for swimming. During the summer, the waters are calm and make for a nice swim, but you shouldn’t pass up the snorkeling if you come out here.

Is Honolua Bay Beach Good for Snorkeling?

It’s not just suitable for snorkeling, it tops our list of the best snorkeling spots on Maui (arguably the best spot on the west side).

It’s a marine life conservation district, so fishing in the bay is restricted. That allows fish to grow and reproduce without threat and makes for excellent snorkeling spots. 

The waters are generally calm, and visibility is excellent. Without swimming too far from shore, you can expect to see various fish, eels, corals, and turtles. Sticking to the rockier sides is often one of the best bets for seeing the most sea life. 

We like to snorkel along the north side of the bay, where we usually see Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles.

If you want to see the bay, check out our video below (we talk about Honolua Bay at 14:25 minutes).

How To Get to Honolua Bay Beach

Honolua Bay is just over 5 minutes from Kapalua and about 15 minutes from the Ka’anapali Resort area. If you’re staying in South Maui, you’ll need to drive for an hour, but don’t worry—it’s well worth it.

Once you find a place to park, you’ll follow a short unpaved trail that leads to the rocky beach.

Honolua Bay Beach Parking

Honolua Bay is one of the more difficult spots to access. There is no official parking lot and limited parking spots along the road. You’ll need to walk 5-10 minutes from the street parking areas to the rocky cove.

Please do not leave valuables in your car or ensure they are out of sight.

One of our favorite parts is the walk from the parking lot to Honolua Bay. The trail is a jungle path lined with papaya and banyan trees, everything you would imagine in an island paradise.

This creek bed and area are sacred to Hawaiians. Heiaus, or temples, are nearby. The State of Hawaii has goals of turning this area into a state park, but that has yet to materialize.

For now, please respect the land (‘aina) by not littering, staying on the trail, and leaving the land as you found it. Mahalo for your kokua.

There are two beach access paths, depending on where you park. The northernmost trail is slightly longer, but they spit you out at the same spot.

Things to Do at Honolua Bay Beach

Honolua Bay is a specialist, not a jack of all trades. This is the place to be for snorkelers on West Maui in the summer or experienced surfers in the winter. If you’re visiting in the winter and want to watch the pros, there’s an overlook where you can safely view the surfers.

While you won’t find other activities like a playground or miles of sand to stroll along, the specialties won’t disappoint you.

Once you’ve had the snorkeling experience of a lifetime, you can head over to Nakalele Blowhole (best viewed at high tide), just a 15-minute drive further up the road. Heading south, there’s a ton to do in Kapalua and Napili.

Honolua Bay Beach Safety

There’s no lifeguard on duty here, so be aware of ocean conditions, and, as always, if in doubt, don’t go out. Since snorkeling is the main attraction here, we have a few snorkel safety tips:

• Be an experienced swimmer
• Always snorkel with a buddy
• Never turn your back on the ocean
• Check ocean conditions before you step into the water

Places to Eat Near Honolua Bay Beach

There is a food truck where you can get banana bread and lemonade outside of the northern beach access trail. Outside of that, the closest restaurants are back in Kapalua.

You can also find a banana bread stand at the Nakalele Blowhole parking lot.

Visit Honolua Bay Beach and More

Here are some of our favorite activities near Honolua Bay:

• DT Fleming Beach Park is just over a mile away.
• Kapalua Ziplines: Just 2.5 miles away from this beach, you’ll have a blast at this zipline course – Erica sure did!
• Tales of the Kapa Moe Luau: Located at the Ritz Carlton 2.5 miles away, this luau makes our list of the best on Maui!
• Check out our activities directory for more options!