Swim with turtles in Maui: best beaches and tours
Few experiences in life are as memorable as the opportunity to see up close or swim among the beautiful turtles of Maui. Want to know how to take this adventure? Here's everything you need to know!
Turtles in Maui | ©Roopesh Sheth
The island of Maui is a paradisiacal vacation destination. It is the second most visited island in the Hawaiian archipelago, surpassed only by Oahu. There is so much to see, do and enjoy on Maui that it is often difficult to prioritize and choose.
About the turtles on the island it is important to keep in mind that Maui has two main native species: the Hawaiian green turtle, known locally as the Honu turtle, and the famous tropical turtle called the hawksbill turtle.
On your next Maui vacation, embark on an adventure to see the island's marine life and wildlife by choosing one of the experiences below.
1. Basic turtle watching experience in Turtle Town
Travelers visiting the island of Maui for a short time and looking for short-term experiences will find in this type of excursion everything they dreamed of and a little more.
It's a basic experience that takes travelers swimming and snorkeling with the beautiful turtles that inhabit the Turtle Town area.
The adventure is run by local companies with many years of experience that guarantee the quality of the service, which is why it is rated among the best Maui activities and tours by travelers visiting the island.
The tour is conducted in small groups of 10 participants or less. It is also one of the most economical experiences in this range of activity, making it ideal for adventurers traveling on a tight budget.
The price usually includes transportation, specialized guide in charge of the group and all the necessary safety equipment to carry out the experience.
Some companies offer complimentary photographs swimming with the turtles as a souvenir for travelers - truly breathtaking shots!
Variants: Kayaking and snorkeling experience among turtles.
One of the most common formats in which you can find this excursion are the combined experiences that include in its itinerary of activities the possibility of snorkeling with the turtles in Turtle Town with a kayaking experience.
Maui is considered one of the best destinations for kayaking adventures and activities and you will find in the island several places where you can carry out this adventure; each destination with a particular charm.
This is a fun family activity that you can experience even if you go to Maui with children. Your children only have to meet certain general requirements, such as being in good health, being the minimum age required and knowing how to swim.
If you want to experience this adventure as a family, just follow the tips for kayaking with kids.
Some useful information
- Price: The price to pay is approximately 100€ per participant;
- Duration of the excursion: It is a short adventure that usually takes 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete.
- Means of transportation: Minibus or van.
- Recommended if: You are looking for a basic short adventure that allows you to get up close and personal with Maui's turtles. It is ideal for those whose Hawaii adventure leads them to split their itinerary between different islands and set aside 5 days to see Maui or less.
2. Combination tour to see turtles at Tuttle Tow and visit Molokini Crater
Another memorable experience designed to meet Maui' s turtles is the tour that takes travelers directly to one of Maui's most memorable areas.
Molokini Crater Island is a tiny expanse of land just off Maui. It is one of the most peculiar rock formations in the area for being an ancient volcanic character currently extinct partially submerged underwater.
From the heights you can see how the islet is shaped like a crescent moon forming a kind of natural harbor where boats stop so you can swim and snorkel in the calm waters.
Although visiting Molokini Crater in Maui is, in itself, one of the best experiences you can do, this visit is complemented by an excursion to Tuttle Town where you can swim and snorkel, but this time surrounded by the famous green turtles of Maui.
This type of adventure is offered by many local companies and usually has as its meeting point the port of Maalaea. They usually start early in the morning to make the most of the day.
Useful Information
- Price: You will have to pay approximately 150€ per participant.
- Duration of the excursion: Depending on the company you hire, this adventure usually takes an average of 5 to 6 hours to complete.
- Means of transportation: The excursion is done aboard a boat.
- Recommended if: You are looking for a complete and memorable experience. The adventure is ideal for friends and family and especially for couples looking for honeymoon activities in Maui.
3. Turtle watching tour at Turtle Tow and snorkeling to Lahaina.
This combination adventure takes travelers through the highlights of Maui's coastline offering breathtaking scenery and a fun-filled boat tour.
This is a popular adventure that takes as its starting point the beautiful fishing town of Lahaina, a point close to several Maui hotels and lodging areas and famous for being home to one of the oldest towns on the island.
You will find numerous local companies that offer this type of experience including for an affordable price everything you need, such as round trip transportation from Lahaina harbor to Turtle Town, captain and crew at the service of travelers, snorkeling tutorial and the necessary equipment for the practice.
Aspects such as food and drinks may vary from one company to another. The option of whale watching during the tour is possible, depending on the season in which you make your trip to Maui.
I recommend spending time in Lahaina for this and other interesting adventures, as in addition to its history, the town is famous for its scuba diving and also for offering some of the best Maui surfing lessons on the island.
Useful Information
- Price: From 90€ per participant.
- Duration of excursion: You should reserve at least 3 hours of your itinerary for this experience.
- Means of transportation: Boat
- Recommended yes: In case you are staying on the northwest coast of Maui, such as Kaanapali, Lahaina and surroundings, this adventure may be the most suitable for you due to the proximity of the departure port.
4. Turtle watching tour from Ka'anapali beach
Located on the northwest side of the island of Maui, Kaanapali Beach has long been known as the best beach in Hawaii. The reason? half a kilometer of fine white sand and crystal clear waters where it is possible to swim and enjoy a perfect family day.
Kaanapali is, at the same time, one of the best places for snorkeling in Maui. Because of this, numerous local companies offer the traditional turtle adventure on the island in conjunction with a visit to this paradisiacal destination.
Some specific aspects of the experience may change depending on the company you hire. However, due to the duration of the excursion, most of the local companies include facilities such as lunch or breakfast on the boat.
The adventure is a circular trip between Kaanapali Beach and Turtle Town to swim among beautiful tropical fish and the beautiful Honu turtles.
During the tour you will have the opportunity to admire the entire coastline of Maui, making this alternative one of the best boat tours and excursions in Maui.
Useful Information
- Price: The experience is available from approximately 150€ per traveler.
- Duration of the excursion: It is a half day excursion so you should reserve at least 5 hours for the experience.
- Means of transportation: boat.
- Recommended yes: The Kaanapali area is practically at the northern end of the island of Maui, where you will find numerous lodging options. If you are staying nearby, either in Kaanapali or Kapula, this tour alternative is the best for you.
5. Turtle watching experience at the Maui Aquarium
Visiting the famous Maui Ocean Center is one of the best alternatives to see turtles up close in Maui but also to learn about the island's marine wildlife from real experts and caretakers.
Although visiting the aquarium certainly can't compare to the experience of swimming among them or watching them rest on the sands of Turtle Town, it is an alternative you can consider doing during rainy days in Maui, when outdoor activities become impossible.
It is important to know that the Ocean Center offers visitors many interesting experiences, such as the opportunity to swim with sharks in Maui. Do you consider yourself brave enough? Don't hesitate to give it a try!
Useful information
- Price: The adult entrance ticket costs around 45€ and it is possible to enjoy all the facilities.
- Duration of the excursion: Spend at least 2 hours touring the facilities.
- Hours: The Maui Ocean Center is open to the public every day from 9 am to 6 pm.
- Recommended if: It is ideal for days when outdoor activities are not possible, also if you go to Maui with people with reduced mobility who would not be able to participate in traditional tours.
What are the best beaches to see turtles in Maui?
When embarking on your Maui turtle watching adventure, you should keep in mind that these lovely creatures spend most of their time in the sea, where they feed and sleep.
This is why an organized tour will always be the best way to undertake this adventure.
Occasionally turtles come to the shore to nest or sunbathe. At these times it is possible to see them not only in their natural habitat, but also on the white sands.
Here is a compilation of the best beaches in Maui to see turtles.
Turtle Town
As its name suggests, this place is famous for its high population of green sea turtles.
Turtle Town is also considered one of the best places for scuba diving in Maui. For this reason, most turtle tours on the island take travelers to this beautiful spot on the south side of Maui.
Honolua Bay
Honolua Bay is one of the best places for surfing in Maui and also a turtle watching spot that I recommend exploring.
If you decide to go to this area, I recommend snorkeling when the surfers are not around for better visibility.
Black Rock Beach
Black Rock Beach is one of **Maui'**s geological wonders, an enclave formed at the end of the Ice Age where you'll find extremely old tree skeletons and, of course, sea turtles!
Ho'okipa
This picturesque corner of Maui is ideal for windsurfing. If you're a windsurfing fanatic, consider renting the necessary equipment to enjoy a day in the sun and complete your adventure with a snorkel among Maui's turtles.
When is the best time to see turtles in Maui?
Any time is a good time to see sea turtles in Hawaii. These adorable creatures are so abundant that they can be seen continuously swimming near the shore or sunbathing on the beach.
However, as experience has shown, there are times of the day and specific times of the year when you will see a greater number and variety of species. These are detailed below.
Best time to see turtles on Maui
When the weather is sunny and the waters are perfectly calm, some species of turtles like to come ashore and enjoy the sun. Consequently, if you are looking to see giant turtles walking peacefully along the island's beaches, the best time of the year is undoubtedly summer.
However, if you are traveling to Maui during the winter, your best option is to hire some of the organized tours presented above.
These excursions take advantage of the best days to take the traveler directly to the natural habitat of the turtles and enjoy them in a relaxed and pleasant environment.
The best time of day to see turtles in Maui
If your intention is to embark on a solo adventure, you should know that the best time to see sea turtles in summer is between 11 am and 1 pm, when they tend to come out to sunbathe and enjoy the sand.