East Maui Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

Haleki’i – Kaupo

• scuba — 2 dive spots
• colorful reef & plenty of fish
• intermediate to advanced divers
• 30 to 80 feet max depth at Dive 1 — 30 to 35 feet depth at Dive 2
• diving in winter only — mornings are better
• hazards: rough, large surf in summer
• no facilities

DIRECTIONS: Dive 1) Going east toward Hana, turn right at the 35.5 mile marker. Follow dirt road to church and water. Dive 2: Same as Dive 1 but go another .45 miles to turn off.

From Hana – go seven tenths of a mile past 36 mile mark, turn left on road to church.

Hamoa Beach – Hana

• snorkeling
• nice reef & plenty of fish
• intermediate to advanced snorkelers
• 25 feet max depth
• snorkeling in spring, summer & fall — mornings are better
• hazards: rough surf — only snorkel when water is calm
• facilities: bathrooms & shower
• note: this beach is shared by guests of the Hotel Hana Maui

DIRECTIONS: Take Hana Hwy.36 to Hana. Continue driving out of Hana town as if you are going to the seven pools. Koki Beach is about a five minute drive from Hana. Turn left at the sign for Hamoa Beach. You cant miss it. This is a road that does a loop by the ocean. You will always end up on Hana Hwy. Hamoa Beach is on one end of the loop and Koki Beach is on the other.

Kaihalulu “Red Sands” Beach – Hana

• snorkeling
• tons of reef fish
• beginner to advanced snorkelers
• 5 to 15 feet max depth inside break
• snorkeling in spring, summer & fall — mornings are better
• hazards: intense trail to the beach
• no facilities
• note: this is a nude beach

DIRECTIONS: Take Hana Hwy.36 to Hana. Next to the Community Center on Ua Kea Rd., right before the entrance to the Hotel’s cottages, we walked through the open area toward the trees and found a trail that leads uphill past old Japanese grave markers, and then along the top of a very narrow ridge.

Waianapanapa – Hana

• snorkeling & scuba diving — snorkelers stay inside Puuiki Island, divers head out & around
• tons of fish & colorful reef
• intermediate to advanced snorkelers & divers
• 50 feet max depth
• diving & snorkeling in spring, summer & fall — mornings are better
• hazards: high surf in winter — only dive when calm
• facilities: bathrooms, showers, picnic tables, BBQ pits, hiking, cabins, campground

DIRECTIONS: Take Hana Hwy.36 to Hana. Waianapanapa is about 2-3 miles before you reach Hana town and just after the turn to go to Hana airport. Just look for the sign. Enter at the black sand beach for snorkeling.

Seven Sacred Pools – Kipahulu

• scuba — 2 dive spots
• plenty of fish & nice formations
• advanced divers
• 60 to 80 feet max depth
• diving in spring, summer or fall — mornings are better
• hazards: rough winter surf
• facilities: bathrooms, camping, hiking, swimming in the pools
• surfing in winter
• advice: notify park rangers of diving activity & only dive when calm

DIRECTIONS: Take Hana Hwy.36 to Hana. Continue driving out of Hana town about 30 to 40 minutes and you won’t miss it — look for signs.

Koki Beach – Hana

• snorkeling
• nice reef & plenty of fish
• intermediate to advanced snorkelers
• 25 feet max depth
• snorkeling in spring, summer & fall — mornings are better
• hazards: rough surf — only snorkel when water is calm
• no facilities

DIRECTIONS: Take Hana Hwy.36 to Hana. Continue driving out of Hana town as if you are going to the seven pools. Koki Beach is about a five minute drive from Hana. Turn left at the sign for Hamoa Beach. You cant miss it. This is a road that does a loop by the ocean. You will always end up on Hana Hwy. Hamoa Beach is on one end of the loop and Koki Beach is on the other.

Hana Bay – Hana

• snorkeling & scuba diving — snorkelers stay inside Puuiki Island, divers head out & around
• tons of reef fish & colorful reef
• beginner snorkelers & intermediate to advanced divers
• 15 feet max depth inside for snorkelers; 60 feet max for divers
• diving in spring, summer & fall — mornings are better
• hazards: high surf
• facilities: bathrooms, showers, snacks & food

DIRECTIONS: Take Hana Hwy.36 to Hana. Follow signs to Hana Bay.

Kaelua – Nahiku

• scuba diving
• tons of fish & colorful reef
• intermediate to advanced divers
• 40 to 60 feet max depth
• diving & snorkeling in spring, summer & fall — mornings are better
• hazards: high surf in winter makes entry difficult
• facilities: bathrooms

DIRECTIONS: On your way to Hana, turn left at the 25.1 mile marker. Drive down this road for two and a half miles till you get to the ocean. Park and enter directly in front of you.

Kawe’e Point/Keanae Peninsula – Keanae

• scuba diving
• tons of fish & colorful reef
• intermediate to advanced divers
• 30 to 60 feet max depth
• diving & snorkeling in spring, summer & fall — mornings are better
• hazards: high surf in winter makes entry difficult
• facilities: bathrooms

DIRECTIONS: On your way to Hana, turn down at the 16.7 mile marker where you see the sign for Keanae. Drive till you reach the public bathrooms, park on the gravel to the left.