Maui reefs

[whitepines1]

Just got back from Maui. I had never really dove or snorkeled in Kihei, but I was very impressed with the reefs there. I went to Kam III park and there is a rocky outcrop to left of the beach with very healthy coral colonies and awesome fish.

It matched or beat most of the trips I paid for in lanai and molokini. There was also a bunch of really nice zoanthid colonies within 20 feet of shore on the rocks just under water and in the tide pools. There were some of the nicest pink zoas I have ever seen.

Food for thought if anyone goes. You can save some money on the turtle town or molokini trip and go there. Lanai was very nice also. There are tons of great snorkel spots, but this was in my top 3 that I have been to

 

[Brian Prestwood]

Hey Nick

Glad you had fun

I've always been surprised at how healthy the coral is on Maui. I've done about 30 shore dives on Maui. Kehei is very nice but Kaanapali beach blew me away. Just 20' off a beach covered with oil slathered sun bathers is a healthy reef that runs the length of the beach and extends at least 30 feet out.

 

[mikid]

maui

maui

went there in 2008, went to the same areas as you went, was also very impressed with these reef sights, close to shore.....saw lots of butterfishes and puffers......great time.......rented equipment for cheap......

 

[DrDNA]

My wife and I have made a few trips to Maui. I haven't snorkeled in Kihei though. My favorite spot is still Black Rock in Kaanapali.

Another neat place to dive that has really cool coral formations is Makena Landing. There is a parking lot there and easy water access.

 

[miyzfrider]

+1 for Kaanapali Beach, especially the north side of Black Rock. We visited Maui for the first time this past December. It was an awesome trip and I also was amazed at the beauty and strength of the reefs just off shore. Had a chance to see so many varieties of fish and sea turtles, just with a snorkel off the beach. It's why I now have a 90 gallon tank in my living room, with a Kole Tang and soon a Yellow Tang! A bit of paradise here in the house.

 

[Brian Prestwood]

Makena Landing is nice.

On one dive at Makena we were about 20 yds off shore. We'd just come up to take check our position and we're descending again. My dive buddy was facing the open ocean I was facing the shore. I saw my buddies eyes get huge. I was relieved to see a huge (6' ish) turtle came barreling past us heading for the rock wall of the shore near Makena.

Then my brain kicked in and asked "What would make a turtle that big go that fast toward a wall." We both noticed we were just about out of air at the point and headed for shore

 

[h2obaby]

yeah, not much will spook a big turtle..maybe a good time to leave the area.
black rock area is our favorite in maui, and we were worried that living on the big island would mean some frequent island hopping for diving and snorkeling..but as it turns out there are several places here that rival anywhere else in hawaii !! especially snorkeling at kapoho tide pools where the corals and fish are spectacular. aloha to all the mainland mars members from kelly and michelle ..

 

[brianbigoats]

here is one i took in Dec

P1000172 by Brianbigoats, on Flickr

 

[brianbigoats]

P1000179 by Brianbigoats, on Flickr

 

[Brian Prestwood]

aloha to all the mainland mars members from kelly and michelle ..

Aloha Kelly and Michelle!