Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the trade winds are blowing early in the morning, it can be a rough, wet ride that transcends
into the “adventure” category.
Olowalu
The best snorkeling south of Lahaina is at
Olowalu,
otherwise known as “mile marker
14.” The reef here is a wide expanse of coral heads. The outer reef is popular with tour and
dive boats, and the inside sections can teem with large parrotfish and Hawaiian green sea
turtles. Directly out from the mileage marker is a sand channel that leads through the shal-
low reef and allows you access to deeper water. If, on the other hand, you venture out from
a random spot along the coastline, there is a good chance you will get trapped in a maze
of shallow coral heads where the water is often murky and the snorkeling is poor. Morn-
ing hours are best at Olowalu. In either situation it's best to snorkel elsewhere because
the visibility will be poor and the currents dangerous.
Kayak Olowalu
(808/661-0606,
www.kayakolowalu.com
) rents gear for only $5 and can be found at the Camp Olowalu
location. To reach Camp Olowalu, turn toward the water across from Olowalu General
Store and follow the road for a half mile until it ends at the shoreline.
Feeling adventurous?
Spearfish Maui
(808/205-8585,
www.spearfishmaui.com
, $159/
person) will not only take you snorkeling, but teach you the basics of breath holding, free
diving tactics, and underwater hunting. After a training with master diver Jeremy, it's off
to a dive site along the island's West Side. This isn't for novices; participants should be
strong swimmers in good shape. But hundreds of first-time spearfishers have successfully
survived the six-hour session (typically 8am-2pm). Many actually catch fish! Don't touch
the coral and only aim for fish in the legal size range.
Scuba diving from the west side of the island involves one of two options: Departing from
a west side harbor for an excursion to Lana'i or diving along the West Maui shoreline.
While certified divers should seek out a dive charter, there are also a number of shore oper-
ators who offer introductory dives. Or, if you're a certified diver renting gear and planning
on diving independently, ask at the rental shop about current conditions and use a dive
