Maui boasts some incredible views—you don’t want to miss the sight of the sun rising from the top of the Haleakala crater. You can spend your time on the Hawaiian island hiking, shopping, and relaxing on the beach. There’s also an adventure you don’t want to miss; you can experience Maui’s turtle surfing adventure.
Hawaii is home to five species of sea turtles, and some of the island’s population lives in the waters around Maui. So where are the best places to go surfing with the turtles? We’ve found four great places where you can enjoy the warm water and the company of turtles.
Honolua Bay
Head to the west side of Maui Park. There’s a scenic trail that takes you down to the beach and Honolua Bay. The bay is a world-famous surfing spot, so the beach can get a little crowded. However, don’t worry—there’s plenty of room for you and your snorkeling gear. If you prefer surfing, go ahead and grab a board—however, the waves may make turtle-spotting a little more difficult.
The best time to head to Honolua Bay is when the surf is down. The beach is less crowded, and the water is clear, making it easier to spot sea turtles. In the summer, the turtles are typically closer to the shore, sometimes only about 200 yards out. The water is crystal clear, so you can watch the sea turtles swimming in the reef.
Olowalu Reef
Snorkelers often flock to Lahaina, Maui, and Olowalu Reef. The coral reef often draws green sea turtles in, especially during the summer. The cleaning stations located a little way offshore are also great places to watch the sea turtles lounging around in the sun.
The shallow water is ideal for snorkeling, and the reef is also protected from the wind so waves are rarely an issue. If surfing is on your agenda, you may want to stick with Honolua Bay. The combination of low winds and shallow water makes it difficult to get a surfboard in. Some of the reef is also protected which means you can’t access these areas from the beach.
You can book a turtle-surfing experience, where a charter boat anchors away from the protected area. You can snorkel to the reef and spend some time watching the sea turtles before heading back to the boat.
Island of Lanai
If you really want to get away from the crowds and don’t mind a bit of a boat ride the Island of Lanai is the place to go for an unforgettable sea turtle experience. If you charter a boat in Lahaina, Mau, you should expect the trip to take around 30 minutes.
Along the Lanai coast, you’ll find several spots to set down anchor. From there, grab your snorkeling gear and jump into the water. You should expect to see green sea turtles, schools of tropical fish, and maybe even a few reef sharks.
A great place to drop anchor is at Club Lanai. The Club is currently not in operation, so the beach is usually free of crowds. While this does mean you can’t access the club’s amenities, the reef along the beach is a great place for turtle-watching.
Before heading back to Maui, take some time to cruise around the island’s reefs. You never know what you’ll see in the clear water.
Turtle Town
Not everyone has time to head to a more remote island like Lanai—but don’t worry you can still have a turtle-surfing experience on Maui. Turtle Town is a popular tourist destination, so be prepared for some crowds.
Located on the southern coast, between Kihei and Makena, the reef is home to a large population of sea turtles. You can reach several spots along the reef by foot; however, if snorkeling is on your agenda, you’ll need to charter a boat. The best locations for spotting the island’s sea turtles are easily reached by boat.
Keep Yourself and the Sea Turtles Safe
Maui’s sea turtles are protected by environmental regulations, which means you should follow certain protocols to help ensure your safety and that of the sea turtles. Make sure to always keep your distance from them. In other words, don’t swim up to a sea turtle to pet its shell.
You also want to stay alert when swimming or snorkeling near coral reefs. The reefs are protected, and the coral is sharp. You can easily cut yourself on the reef, which can cause your turtle-surfing experience to end prematurely. With this being said, if you’re looking for a great turtle-surfing experience, Maui is the place to go!