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I am so excited to share this Maui Shore Diving Guide with you from a friend of mine, Caitlin Maratea! She and her husband, Kevin, own Banyan Tree Divers on Maui, and she was our instructor for Garren’s and my first ocean dives after getting SCUBA certified in Minnesota.
That’s me! and a turtle! I think we saw about 100 of them. Do you see Garren peeking around the coral? Caitlin also took photos during our dive, which was so cool to be able to look back and see it all again!
We loved that Banyan Tree Divers did shore dives, because it seemed like an easier entry into the world of SCUBA. I was definitely a little nervous about dropping into the deep. But slowly following the sandy bottom from shore to a gorgeous reef? Yep I can do that! Not many dive companies had the reviews or experience that Banyan Tree could give us, so it was an easy choice. Garren and I were so impressed with our experience with Caitlin, we signed up with her again when we came back to Maui this year.
Caitlin really knows her stuff with thousands of dives under her belt, and I wouldn’t want anyone else guiding me when I’m shore diving on Maui. So when we met up again this year I asked her if she would like to contribute a guest guide for you all. I’m so happy she said yes!
So I’ll pass it off to Caitlin and her awesome underwater photos of all the places she can take you shore diving on Maui!
Hi everyone, I’m Caitlin Maratea and I have been diving for 12 years. I have led over 2,000 dives on Maui and counting! My passion for teaching and scuba diving made becoming a dive instructor a natural career choice. I possess a profound respect for the ocean and its inhabitants, and I try to use every dive as an avenue to talk to people about coral reef and ocean conservation. My husband, Kevin, and I started Banyan Tree Divers in 2013 to offer Maui visitors safe, fun and educational dive experiences. Our hope is that this guide will give those interesetd in diving on Maui unique insight into the amazing beauty Maui’s reef system has to offer, while maintaining awareness of protecting its delicate and finite coral reef environment.
Why Shore Diving?
Maui shore diving is quickly becoming one of the most popular activities on the island. Scuba and Snorkeling are currently ranked 1st on TripAdvisor’s list of things to do on Maui. The accessibility to gorgeous reef systems coupled with the convenience of finishing two morning dives before lunch, makes many divers think twice about committing to long dive excursions to neighboring islands. It is little known that most of the best dive sites on Maui are actually shore dives. Whether you are a seasoned certified diver or have never tried diving before, there are enticing sights and conditions for any level of scuba diver. We will discuss popular sites, what you can expect to see, and tips and tricks for shore diving on Maui safely.
West Maui Shore Diving
Airport Beach (Kahekili Reef), Kaanpali:
Located in front of the Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resorts villas, known locally as Airport Beach, is a stretch of fringing reef that extends along the coastline. This dive site is a great home base for Banyan Tree Divers because the coral reef begins immediately and does not require a long surface swim to begin the dive. Shallow sandy channels make great “classrooms” for teaching students how to dive, and hidden coral heads in depths of up to 80ft make this site incredibly versatile for all levels of diving. Conditions during the summer months are often lake calm allowing for optimal visibility and light.
What you can expect to see:
Aside from the colorful neon green to bright purple corals, divers can expect to see a variety of marine life. Moray eels are a common sight. The yellow margin moray eel is a large resident growing to lengths of up to 4ft (1.2m). If you are lucky you can sometimes see these hunters free swimming in the open looking for injured prey as an easy meal. Slightly smaller spotted moray eels can also be seen hiding in coral crevices. This is a perfect reason not to reach into any holes that might be home to defensive moray eels. Banyan Tree Divers guests were recently lucky enough to see the very uncommon dragon moray eel at this dive site during a stormy swell when conditions were less than ideal. It just goes to show that even if conditions aren’t perfect, you never know what treasures you will find on any dive.
Turtles are certainly at the top of most divers’ lists when Maui shore diving. Airport Beach is a massive dive site and turtle sightings here can be hit or miss. When we do encounter turtles they are usually quite large and are either passing through the dive site, or stopping for a hearty snack. This site is a congregation site for hawksbill turtles during the summer and fall months. Hawaii Wildlife Fund conducts research and monitoring at this site, and collects underwater photos of resident hawksbills. Send your photos of a hawksbill encounter to the email listed here and help contribute to important research and conservation efforts!
Hawaii hosts an incredible amount of endemic species. 25% of the sea life here can’t be found anywhere else in the world. Airport Beach is a place where you can see the Hawaiian damsel fish in abundance and lucky divers even have the chance for a Hawaiian monk seal sighting.
Tips and Tricks:
While Airport Beach is a good place for novice divers, you should still pay special attention to safely enter and exit the water. The rocks begin almost immediately and it is a necessity to protect your feet with dive boots. This means that you will want to have open heel fins for diving. We include all of the equipment you would need at Banyan Tree Divers. Be wary of dive operations that do not provide foot protection and proper diving fins.
Most days are calm but sometimes Airport Beach has some pretty heavy shore breaking waves. If you plan to dive when shore break is present, then make sure you get buoyant and past the shore break before putting on your fins. Entry in these conditions is much easier than the exit. When exiting the water leave enough time to remove your fins before reaching the shore. Heavy surf can send unaware divers for a ride up the beach. Not only is the spectacle incredibly entertaining for beach goers at your expense, you risk damaging your dive gear by filling it with sand. Ultimately we don’t recommend novice divers enter the water under these kinds of conditions. Know your limits!
Mala Pier
Mala Pier is one of the premier Maui shore diving locations. Divers come from all over the island to experience the abundance of sea life that gathers at this sunken pier. Hurricane Iniki decimated the pier back in 1992, giving the structure over 20 years to develop a beautiful artificial reef. The concrete shelters serve as great hiding places for all sorts of sea life, and provide swim throughs for curious divers. Its shallow maximum depth of 30ft allows for extended bottom time. This dive site is also wonderful for night diving. Maui shore diving is not complete without a visit to this dive site.
What you can expect to see:
Where do we start? At Mala Pier, you can find almost any creature that you would hope to see while shore diving on Maui. Turtle sightings are almost guaranteed. White tip reef sharks are also commonly seen here. A plethora of macro life can be found including the well camouflaged frogfish, nudibranchs, crabs and scorpion fish. Spotted eagle rays are known to visit during mating season in the fall, and octopus is known to slink along the developed areas of reef. The vast array of animals all congregating in one place is truly a sight to behold.
Night dives at Mala Pier feature a mind boggling array of nocturnal life including slipper lobster, crabs, and undulate moray eels. Encounters with the resident white tip reef sharks are also common, and they are much more active at night!
Tips and Tricks:
The popularity of Mala Pier has led to an increase in visitors in recent years. It is of the utmost importance to respect this finite area of reef and protect it for generations to come. It’s an all too common theme that popular dive and snorkel sites risk becoming “over-loved” by careless divers and snorkelers. Maui shore diving requires extra care. Entering and exiting from shore can lead to multiple, unnecessary interactions with live coral. We implore scuba divers to follow these important diving practices to ensure not only personal safety, but safety for the reef and its inhabitants. Ultimately, unless you have extensive dive experience, it is best to hire a guide (insert shameless self promotion here ????) for this site.
1) Keep your hands to yourself
Many certified divers have heard the phrase “take only photos and leave only bubbles.” We have personally witnessed divers picking up sea life such as pencil urchins, sea stars, even an octopus and passing them around for a photo op. We have also seen divers and snorkelers touching turtles at this site which carries a hefty fine in Hawaii. We have even seen people harassing the reef sharks resting on the bottom in order to get them to swim around for customers to see. Banyan Tree Divers Scuba is strictly against touching, teasing or harassing sea life. Touching turtles or even a seemingly inanimate object such as sea star or a conch causes it stress, and puts it at risk of infection from bacteria found on human skin.
Any sea turtle harassment or illegal interactions should be reported to Hawaii’s Department of Conservation and Resources Enforcement at (808)-984-8110.
2) Protect the Coral
Mala Pier is a fairly small dive site and reef growth is limited to a confined area. Adequate buoyancy control is an absolute must. Be aware of where you are kicking. Even slightly brushing up against coral can not only cause a nasty cut but can also kill the coral itself. The silty bottom composition means that inadequate buoyancy will stir up the sand and not only harm the visibility, but also cause silt to settle on the reef which chokes it. According to the PADI website divers have on average 10 interactions with coral on each dive. If you imagine many divers in one small area constantly hitting the reef, it’s easy to see how corals get damaged over time. Being mindful is all it takes.
3) Enter/Exit Legally and Safely
Mala Pier is located directly next to a boat launch. It is illegal to enter the water via the launch ramp. Boat traffic is common and even divers with dive flags can be missed. Speaking of dive flags, always have a dive flag with you. It is a $500 fine to dive without a flag and they are especially necessary in areas with high boat traffic.
You must enter and exit along the south side of the pier. The entry is rocky and very shallow so do not attempt without dive boots for foot protection. The area closest to the pier itself is the least rocky and you won’t walk on live coral. Once it is deep enough to float you can put on your fins and kick out the rest of the way.
This site sits adjacent to burial grounds and a local beach. Show reverence to the surrounding land and burial grounds by staying out of the grave sites, and respect the local residents. Dive this site with Aloha and it will reward you with an unforgettable experience!
Olowalu (Mile Marker 14):
Olowalu’s Mile Marker 14 is a shallow dive that sits right on the coastline just south of Lahaina. The dramatic backdrop of the west Maui mountains makes this area incredibly photogenic. Shallow reefs slowly descend to fingered coral formations and sandy valleys. The corals here are some of the oldest in Hawaiian waters. Diving from shore, it is reasonable to reach a maximum depth of about 40ft. This particular site has one of the most well developed reef systems in west Maui. Olowalu was recently named a “hope spot” by conservation giant, Mission Blue. This name designation not only brings reef conservation awareness to Maui’s shores on a wide scale, it will hopefully bring funding to better understand and protect this delicate sea scape.
What you can expect to see:
Some of the large lobe corals at this site are massive and striking. Green turtles rest around these large coral formations and line up to get cleaned by resident cleaner wrasse and tangs. Manta rays have been known to pass through this site but are becoming more and more of a scarce encounter. Sometimes you’ll find octopus hiding in crevices, changing color and texture to reflect their surroundings. You may also spot the occasional white tip reef shark here.
Parrot fish can be seen and heard taking bites out of their coral food sources. Parrot fish are absolutely intrinsic to the health of a reef eco-system. Not only do they keep coral free of algae overgrowth, their excrements provide the very sand we sit on while at the beach! If you are mesmerized by butterfly fish and yellow tang, then this is your spot.
Tips and Tricks:
Since Olowalu has such a shallow entry, utilize special care when entering and exiting the water. The tide is often so low, that exposed coral can easily get divers and snorkelers into a dangerous situation if pushed by waves on top of the coral’s razor sharp surface. We sometimes see ignorant snorkelers standing on top of the coral, and after a proper cringe, we kindly share with them the dangers they pose not only to themselves but to the coral by touching it. There is a specific sandy channel that is the only way to safely enter and exit this dive site. Divers should be comfortable with navigation skills to dive this site without a guide. Ending up in the wrong place can lead to a treacherous route back to shore over shallow, sharp coral heads.
This area of Maui with its close proximity to I’ao valley and its rich Hawaiian history make this a particularly sacred part of the island. Please pay respect not only to the local waters, but also to the lands and people.
Black Rock:
Black Rock is west Maui’s one and only wall dive. While shallow (maximum 35ft), its unique rock formation features small caverns and great photography opportunities at different times of day. Restricted hotel parking limits access to this dive site so the walk to shore can be a bit longer. However, the abundance of sea life makes the stroll worthwhile.
What you can expect to see:
Black Rock usually features turtles and big schools of tang and goat fish. Hawaii’s state fish the humuhumunukunukuapua’a, or Picasso trigger fish, is a common resident. At times, a large monk seal likes to take naps under the awning of a small cavern. White tip reef sharks hide in these caverns during the day with small schools of squirrel fish resting with them.
Tips and Tricks:
Unless you are staying at the Sheraton, Black Rock is really only accessible from the north end. Public parking is limited in this area, requiring a bit of a walk to the beach. While not the most ideal scenario with dive equipment, it is still a dive worth doing. Currents can be strong and unpredictable at this dive site. Maui shore diving currents can change with the change in tides. It is important to be comfortable diving in current before attempting this dive. While considered a novice dive site, proficient swimming ability is necessary.
South Maui
South Maui shore diving also has some location gems worth exploring. While Banyan Tree Divers focuses on diving in west Maui, we have great recommendations for Maui shore diving operations in Kihei and Wailea.
Makena Landing/Five Graves/Turtle Town:
This dive site has many names. It is a popular dive site for both boat diving operations as well as Maui shore diving. The abundance of turtles that frequent this area lend to the name Turtle Town. Five Graves refers to the grave site located close by. No matter what you call it, this dive has the potential for jam packed fun. The maximum depth is about 40ft and various swim throughs allow for exciting exploration. Though it has been deemed Maui’s Turtle Town, I feel compelled to mention that almost every dive site on Maui can be called “Turtle Town.” They are everywhere!
What you can expect to see:
Aside from turtles, there are a few white tip reef sharks that like to hide in the shallow caves. Eels are a likely sighting, as well as cleaner shrimp and colorful fish. Spotted eagle rays also like to visit this area. Lucky divers can even see manta rays here.
Tips and Tricks:
While Maui shore diving is often convenient, this is one site that requires a rather long surface swim. The easiest entry is via a sandy beach with a 200 yard swim to the drop point near the caves. There is also a rocky entry closer to the descent point, but entry and exit are difficult, and it lacks parking.
Around the point you will find various caves that are definitely worth exploring. Because of these overhead environments this site is recommended for advanced divers comfortable with buoyancy control.
Mokapu/Ulua Beach:
This beach features the most popular scuba refresher and training dive site in South Maui. Parking can be difficult, but Ulua has good facilities. The easy entry and exit, short surface swim, and variety of sea life make this spot a great introduction to Maui shore diving.
What you can expect to see:
There is a turtle cleaning station which makes turtle sightings likely. Eels and reef fish including trigger fish, moorish idols, and butterfly fish are also abundant. An occasional scorpion fish, nudibranch or frog fish is also a possibility.
Tips and Tricks:
As with most dive sites on Maui, it is best to dive in the morning when conditions are calm and the wind has not picked up. Be careful not to touch or tease the sea life. This is a popular place to snorkel and dive so frequent interactions with humans are not healthy for the animals.
Final Thought
Without question, Maui shore diving is unique and has something enticing for any water enthusiast. Whether you are looking to interact with sea turtles or find obscure creatures, you don’t have to venture far to have some unforgettable scuba diving experiences!
Banyan Tree Divers Scuba caters to a wide variety of diving options. Is it your first time diving? Try our Introductory Dive. Are you and your partner or family already certified? Find out more about our Certified Shore Dives. Are you heading to Maui for your honeymoon and looking for a private experience? Or you just want to ensure more one on one attention from your instructor? Our Private Dive for 2 is the best option for this.
We offer a wide range of PADI Scuba Certifications, including Referral Dives as well as Scuba Reviews for certified divers in need a of refresher.
Feel free to contact Banyan Tree Divers Scuba via our website or at info@banyantreedivers.com. Stay up to date on all of our dive adventures by following us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. @banyantreediversscuba
Thank you for reading and happy diving!
Aloha,
Caitlin
I hope you enjoyed Caitlin’s expert tips and awesome photos from her shore dives on Maui. If you’re planning a trip to Maui, make sure you contact her soon before she fills up! -Sonja
Maui is great Sonja. Love to be there soon.