Swim with turtles in Maui: best beaches and tours
Few experiences in life are as memorable as the chance to see up close or swim among the beautiful turtles of Maui. Want to know how to go about this adventure? Here's everything you need to know!
Turtles on Maui | ©Roopesh Sheth
The island of Maui is a paradise holiday destination. It is the second most visited island in the Hawaiian archipelago, second only to Oahu. There is so much to see, do and enjoy on Maui that it is often difficult to prioritise and choose.
About the turtles on the island it is important to note 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 holiday, 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 at Turtle Town
Travellers visiting the island of Maui for a short time and looking for short-term experiences will find this type of excursion everything they've dreamed of and then some.
It's a basic experience that takes travellers swimming and snorkelling with the beautiful turtles that inhabit the Turtle Town area.
The adventure is run by local companies with many years of experience that vouch for the quality of the service, which is why it is rated among the best Maui activities and tours by travellers 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 travelling on a tight budget.
The price usually includes transport, a specialised guide in charge of the group and all the safety equipment necessary to carry out the experience.
Some companies offer complimentary photographs swimming with the turtles as a souvenir for travellers - truly breathtaking shots!
Variants: Kayak and snorkel among turtles experience.
One of the most common formats in which you can find this tour are the combination experiences that include in their itinerary of activities the possibility of snorkelling 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'll find many places on the island where you can do this adventure; each destination has its own unique charm.
This is a fun family activity that you can experience even if you're going to Maui with children. Your children only need 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 these tips for kayaking with kids.
Useful information
- Price: The price to pay is approximately 100€ per participant;
- Duration of the excursion: This is a short adventure that usually takes 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete.
- Means of transport: 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 has them splitting their itinerary between different islands and setting 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 introduce you to Maui' s turtles is the tour that takes travelers directly to one of Maui's most memorable spaces.
Molokini Crater Island is a tiny stretch of land just off Maui. It is one of the most unique rock formations in the area as it is an ancient volcanic feature that is now extinct and partially submerged underwater.
From above you can see how the crescent-shaped islet forms a sort of natural harbour where boats stop for swimming and snorkelling in the calm waters.
While visiting Molokini Crater in Maui is, in itself, one of the best experiences you can have, this visit is complemented by an excursion to Tuttle Town where you can swim and snorkel, but this time surrounded by **Maui'**s famous green sea turtles.
This type of adventure is offered by many local companies and usually starts at Maalaea Harbour. 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 on average 5 to 6 hours to complete.
- Means of transport: The excursion takes place on board 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 snorkelling to Lahaina.
This combination adventure takes travellers through the highlights of Maui's coastline offering breathtaking scenery and a fun-filled boat tour.
It's a popular adventure that starts in the pretty fishing town of Lahaina, a spot close to several of Maui's hotels and lodging areas and famous for being home to one of the oldest towns on the island.
You'll find numerous local companies offering this type of experience including for an affordable price everything you need, such as transportation to and from Lahaina harbour to Turtle Town, captain and crew at your service, snorkelling tutorial and the necessary equipment.
. Aspects such as food and drink may vary from one company to another. The option of whale watching during the tour is possible, depending on the season of 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 Info
- Price: From €90 per participant.
- Duration of tour: You should reserve at least 3 hours of your itinerary for this experience.
- Means of transport: Boat
- Recommended yes: If you are staying on the northwest coast of Maui, such as Kaanapali, Lahaina and the surrounding area, 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 kilometre of fine white sand and crystal clear waters where you can swim and enjoy a perfect family day out.
Kaanapali is, at the same time, one of the best snorkelling spots on Maui. Because of this, numerous local companies offer the traditional turtle adventure on the island in conjunction with a visit to this paradise destination.
Some specific aspects of the experience may change depending on the company you hire. However, due to the length of the excursion, most 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 cute Honu turtles.
During the tour you will have the opportunity to admire the entire Maui coastline, making this one of the best boat tours and excursions on Maui.
Useful information about Maui
- Price: The experience is available from approximately €150 per traveller.
- Duration of tour: This is a half day tour so you will need to set aside at least 5 hours for the experience.
- Means of transport: Boat.
- Recommended yes: The Kaanapali area is practically on the northern tip of the island of Maui, where there are numerous accommodation options. If you're staying nearby in either Kaanapali or Kapula, this tour alternative is best for you.
5. Turtle watching experience at the Maui Aquarium
Visiting the famous Maui Ocean Center is one of the best ways to see turtles up close on Maui but also to learn about the island's marine life from real experts and caretakers.
While visiting the aquarium certainly can't compare to the experience of swimming among them or watching them lounging on the sands of Turtle Town, it is an alternative to consider doing during rainy days in Maui, when outdoor activities become impossible.
It is important to know that the Ocean Center offers visitors a number of interesting experiences, such as the opportunity to swim with sharks in Maui. If 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 tour: Spend at least 2 hours touring the facilities.
- Opening hours: The Maui Ocean Center is open to the public every day from 9am to 6pm.
- Recommended yes: Ideal for days when outdoor activities are not possible, also if you are going to Maui with people with reduced mobility who would not be able to participate in traditional tours.
Where are the best beaches to see turtles on Maui?
When embarking on your Maui turtle watching adventure, keep in mind that these lovely creatures spend most of their time in the sea, where they feed and sleep.
That's why an organised tour is always the best way to embark on this adventure.
Occasionally turtles come ashore 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 on Maui to see turtles.
Turtle Town
As the name suggests, this place is famous for its high population of green sea turtles.
Turtle Town is also considered one of the best diving spots on Maui. As such, most turtle tours on the island take travellers to this beautiful spot on the south side of Maui.
Honolua Bay
Honolua Bay is one of the best surfing spots on Maui and also a turtle watching spot that I recommend exploring.
If you decide to go here, I recommend snorkelling when the surfers aren't 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 for 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 continually swimming near the shore or sunbathing on the beach.
However, as experience has shown, there are specific times of the day and times of the year when you will see a greater number and variety of species. These are detailed below.
The 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're looking to see gigantic turtles walking peacefully along the island's beaches, the best time of year is undoubtedly summer.
However, if you're travelling to Maui during the winter, your best bet is to book one of the organised tours listed above.
These tours take advantage of the best days to take you directly to the turtles' natural habitat and enjoy them in a relaxed and pleasant environment.
Best time of day to see turtles in Maui
If you're heading out on a solo adventure, the best time of day to see sea turtles in summer is between 11am and 1pm, when they're usually out basking in the sun and enjoying the sand.