Our recent charter guests got enjoy Lanai snorkeling and sightseeing at its best on November 12th, 2016! Great weather, spinner dolphins, whales, beautiful coral and so much more! Even though the girls caught all the fish – the guys still had fun too!
Check out this link to see playful Spinner Dolphins that day:
Turtle Town Maui is the long stretch of coastline in between Nahuna Point and Black Sand Beach in the southern district of Makena.
Although a large area, generally, most people who say ‘Turtle Town’ are specifically referring to Maluaka Beach. Why? Because Maluaka is the best snorkeling beach in the Turtle Town Maui area! It also happens to be my favorite place to snorkel on the south shore of Maui. Calm blue water filled with fish and marine life all along a white sand beach. As its name suggests, Turtle Town Maui is known for its high population of Hawaiian green sea turtles.
One of the beauties of Maluaka is the variety of activities for which the beach is suited. Maluaka is protected from Hawaii’s predominant trade winds because it’s hidden behind the mountain of Haleakala. Without the strong trade winds, the sea remains relatively calm and undisturbed. The calm water makes for great swimming, boating, and fishing. The snorkeling is easy and relaxed. The soft sand is perfect for tanning, relaxing, volleyball, and the kids.
To find the turtles, walk south down the beach until you get to the rocks at the end of the sand. The coral reef begins here. This is where you’ll find the fish and, of course, the turtles. The reef has a gentle slope so you’ll be able to find any swimming depth that’s comfortable for you.
Turtles are very comfortable in shallow water. Don’t make the mistake of only looking in the deep. They have no problem feeding on seaweed in only a few inches of water so keep your eyes open. Despite their name, Hawaiian green sea turtles are brown and their shells are easily mistaken for rocks when lying still. So, keep your eyes open and you might just be able to snap a great picture like this one!
Some of Hawaiʻi’s beaches are known for their exceptional snorkeling and diving, while others are famous for the barreling waves that thunder ashore in winter. Some are known for their tropical beauty or rich historical significance, while others have hiking, swimming holes, or viewpoints within walking distance of shore.
In the case of Honolua Bay on Maui, it literally offers them all.
Located on Maui’s northwestern coast just five minutes past Kapalua, Honolua Bay is one of the island’s most loved and legendary spots. Summer is a time when snorkelers flock to the tranquil, turquoise cove, where colorful coral heads burst from the reef and schools of reef fish nibble algae off the shells of Hawaiian Green sea turtles. Honolua Bay is also one of the best places to go scuba diving on Maui, as eagle rays, lobster, and Hawaiian spinner dolphins are commonly seen on the deeper sections facing out toward the open sea.
Come on board of Sea Monkey and we will take you to Honolua Bay excursion you won’t forget!
For more info check out: Honolua Bay Guide Book
When you visit Hawaii, you may come across this gigantic word that starts with H and has a bazillion letters. That’s the word humuhumunukunukuapua’a and it’s Hawaii’s state fish. The humuhumunukunukuapua’a is a tropical reef trigger fish that you’ll likely see when you snorkel in Hawaii.
I used to think that I’d never be able to pronounce humuhumunukunukuapua’a, but it’s actually quite easy after you sound it out a time or two. Here’s how to pronounce it: “who-moo-who-moo-noo-koo-noo-koo-ah-pooah-ah” Easy, peasy, right?
If you encounter a humuhumunukunukuapua’a while snorkeling in Hawaii, please give them their space. They can be quite territorial as we learned while snorkeling off Hawaii, the Big Island.
Oh, and one more exceptionally interesting fact about the humuhumunukunukuapuaa – apparently they can talk. Don’t believe me? Well, here’s my proof with this great educational video on Hawaii reef etiquette that is “narrated” by a humuhumunukunukuapuaa J.
Sources: GoVisitHawaii
