SOUTH MAUI - Maui: Including Molokai and Lanai - page 273

Rental Shops
Inside the Shops at Wailea there's a Maui Dive Shop (3750 Wailea Alanui Rd., 808/
875-9904, www.mauidiveshop.com , 8am-9pm daily) which is similar to the other stores
throughout South Maui. The staff can offer good advice on snorkeling locations, it's within
walking distance of many of the hotels, and the rental prices will be cheaper than what the
activity booth stands will charge inside the resorts.
MAKENA AND BEYOND
As you move south from Wailea to Makena, you'll notice that the terrain becomes just a
little rawer. While Makena offers some of the south side's best snorkeling, the entry and
exit points can be a little more challenging than at Kihei or Wailea beaches. Makena is a
little more exposed to southerly swell than the beaches to the north are, so not only is vis-
ibility affected, but the waves can sometimes crash into the lava rocks with such a fury it's
the last place you would want to find yourself. High surf is most typical in summer. Just
watch the shoreline for five minutes before going in the water so you can get an idea of
how large the waves are. During winter, nearly every day will be flat and calm.
Snorkeling Locations
The best place for beginner-level snorkeling in Makena is Maluaka Beach in front of the
Makena Beach and Golf Resort. There's a rocky point that wraps around the north end of
the beach, and the entry from the sand into the water is gentle and forgiving. The sailing
catamaran Kai Kanani loads all their passengers from shore here, so if you see the boat
motoring toward you, give it a clear path to the sand.
While Maluaka might be the easiest place to snorkel in Makena, the best snorkeling
overall can be found at Makena Landing. Getting in the water can be a little challenging
here, but once you make it out past the shallow areas, you'll be glad you made the effort.
There are multiple entry and exit points for Makena Landing, the most common of which
is the public parking area off Makena Road. To reach the parking area, drive along Makena
Alanui until you reach Honoiki Street and the turn for Keawala'i Church. When you reach
the bottom of Honoiki, turn right, and follow the road for a quarter of a mile until you see
a parking area on your left. The entry from here can be shallow, but be careful to not step
on any wana, or black sea urchins, a common sight between the rocks. Once in the water,
hug the coastline as it wends its way around the rocky point to the north, and when you
have rounded the tip, you'll notice there is a long finger of lava underwater that extends
out toward Molokini. This is what's known as the South Finger, and there's a sea cave here