Honolua BayWest Maui, HI

Visibility is an estimate — wind, rain, tide & water alerts.

Getting in

Shore or boat access, rocky entry

Depth

5 to 25 ft

Snorkeling

Snorkelable from the beach

Best conditions

Summer, roughly May to September, when the bay is calm and clear. Guides report visibility near 50 ft on a good day.

Getting through the gate

Free, with no entry fee as of mid-2026.

Parking

A small free dirt lot and legal shoulder near mile marker 32 on Highway 30, full before 9am. Leave nothing in the car.

Protection

Honolua-Mokuleia Bay Marine Life Conservation District, a state no-take zone. Taking or injuring any marine life or its eggs is prohibited, as is taking or altering any sand, coral or other geological feature, and carrying any device in the water that could take marine life.

Watch for

Winter swell, about October to April, turns the bay into an expert surf break with waves to 20 ft, and entry becomes unsafe, Entry is over slippery rounded boulders or a slick old boat ramp, Sea urchins among the entry rocks, Current and wind pick up quickly just outside the bay mouth, Stream runoff after heavy rain turns the bay brown and unsafe to snorkel, No lifeguard on duty

Checked 2026-07-19. Sources: Hawaii DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources, Auntie Snorkel, Trilogy Captain's Log.