Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Mornings are the best time of day for snorkeling on the west side of the island. Different
times of year also mean different snorkeling conditions. During the winter, places such as
Honolua Bay and Napili can be dangerous due to the huge surf, so summer is the best time
for exploring these reefs. Similarly, snorkeling spots on the south shore such as Olowalu
can be prone to large surf during summer, although with much less frequency than the
northern beaches in winter. Since surf comes in swells only lasting for a few days at a
time, there is still the chance you will be able to snorkel at any beach any time of the
year—provided you are there between swells. There is a 95 percent chance that Honolua
Bay will be good for snorkeling May-September, with only a 20 percent chance December-
March. Remaining months of the year will be about 50 percent. If your goal is to snorkel
during your time on the West Side, but the surf is too big or the conditions too poor, there
is probably another place that is calm and beautiful just a 20-minute drive away.
MM
Honolua Bay
Some of the island's best snorkeling is in West Maui.
