The Hawaiian Islands, isolated over 2,000 miles from the nearest major land mass, combine some of the most beautiful and varied landscapes to be found anywhere in the world (above and below water!). Hawaii’s marine world is replete with luminous coral reefs as well as numerous endemic species of reef fish and invertebrates. In these pages, we have documented over 70 shore-accessible reef sites; truly premier locations for dive enthusiasts of all levels!

Hawaii

The second largest island, known as the ‘Magic Island’ because of its inspiring beauty, Maui is also host to vast beaches and seemingly endless underwater reefs and exotic sea-life. A diver’s paradise!

Here is a good curated list with <a href="https://www.lovebigisland.com/maui/snorkeling/">beginner-friendly snorkeling spots for Maui.</a>

Check out this list for recommendations on the <a href="https://goingawesomeplaces.com/best-area-to-stay-in-maui/" target="_blank">best areas to stay in Maui</a>

Maui

Divers will travel far and wide to find the best diving. But those who live in the United States have plenty of great diving on their doorstep as well, with plentiful access to the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. From warm-water reefs to temperate seas, here are some of the top places to scuba dive in the United States.

United States

Monolith is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in USA, Hawaii, Maui, Lanai Island which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Lanai City

Monolith

Off the island of Lanai is a remarkable dive spot known as Lanai Cathedrals. Inside pockmarked lava tubes, beams of light stream in with an ethereal glow creating an underwater cathedral. This beautiful dive is one you won't soon forget. After you take in the gorgeous views, exiting the cathedral can be quite a rush. There is a fun spot where there is a lava shoot where the surge can shoot you out as you exit the cathedral called 'shot gun'. Reef sharks, turtles, and many species found only in Hawai'i live around Cathedrals I and II (First Cathedral and Second Cathedral). With a max depth of 19 metres/65 feet and reliable visibility, Lanai's Cathedrals are accessible for divers of all experience levels. The most common way to dive Lanai Cathedrals is by booking a boat trip from Maui.

Lanai Cathedrals

Cathedrals is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in USA, Hawaii, Maui, Lanai Island which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Cathedrals

Mala Wharf (sometimes called Mala Pier) was once a fully-functioning pier which served as a shipping facility for the island’s pineapple and agriculture. In 1992, however, 30 ft. surf came marching into Lahaina as a result of Hurricane Iniki, and the end of the dock was completely destroyed. Today, the pilings from the old dock lie scattered along the ocean floor, and what was once a shipping facility above water is now a healthy artificial reef which is home to a vast array of marine life.

The dive at Mala is one of the best shore dives on Maui. The dive much like a wreck or cave dive in that you can dive through and under parts of the pier. Be careful as some of the "coves" are dark and there can be debris from the pier, such as concrete rebar.

The light shining through the pier is magnificent, along with the marine life. Dozens of turtles, rock fish, frog fish, white tip reef sharks, and the occasional ray can all be seen here. I have never been diving here and not seen at least one white tip reef shark.

Take Front Street to Ala Moana Street (just south of Lahaina Cannery Mall). You will see signs for Mala Small Boat Ramp. Turn on this street and stay to the right. Drive as close to the boat ramp as you can and park in one of the stalls. Note that the dive site and entry is to the left of the old collapsed pier. To the right is an active boat launching ramp and harbor.

It is best to dive at high tide, as the entry requires walking about 50 ft on rocks/dead reef. Once you can put on your fins, do so and swim until it drops off to about 10-15 ft. The dive is all along the collapsed pier.

Mala Wharf is also known as Mala Harbor.

Mala Wharf

Honu means Turtle in Hawaiian and there are tons of turtles there who set up cleaning stations on the reef. 

Honu Reef is right in front of the Marriott Ocean Club and Kaanapali Ali. Beach access can be gained by anywhere on Kaanapali Beach.

Honu Reef is also known as Turtle Reef.

Honu Reef



Northwest side, between Kanaapali and Puunoa

Hanakaoo Beach is also known as Sand Box Beach.

Hanakaoo Beach

Nice, easy access snorkeling site from the beach. First 30 meters (100ft) or so of the approx. 80m  outcropping is excellent for showing kids underwater reef life. Off of the end current becomes an issue and it seemed like most of the flora and fauna was along the wall from the beach to the end. Have been there in March and July. In March snorkeling while the humpback whales were singing offshore was one of the coolest "nature" experiences I've had.

Black Rock is on the site of the Sheraton Hotel. If you are staying at any of the hotels along the beach in Kaanapali take the beach walkway north until it ends at the rock outcropping (Black Rock). If driving you can pay to park in the covered lot by the Sheraton. If you didn't bring any snorkel or dive equipment you can rent it just off the beach on the Sheraton Property. Bring disposable underwater camera and watch for urchins if you get in close to the rock.

Black Rock (Sheraton)

Black Rock was formed from one of the last-gasp lava flows on this side of the island. It is a rocky outcrop at the far North end of Ka’anapali Beach and blocks off access (from the beach) to the lesser-known Ka’anapali Resort beach called Kahekili Beach Park. The Hawai’ian name for Black Rock is Pu’u Keka’a, and ancient Hawaiians believed that this was the place where their spirits went to jump off to join ancestors forever. Unlucky souls who could not be shown the way by their family ‘aumakua (guardian animal spirit), would wander and attach themselves to rocks in the area. This is likely where the “it is bad luck to take a Hawai’ian lava rock” superstition comes from.

This is also a popular spot for cliff jumping. If you are cliff jumping, swim to the far side of the rock and climb up from there. It's much more challenging and dangerous to reach the rock by click up it from shore.

Black Rock

Used by the local instructors for OW training.  There's a good-sized shallow reef straight off the beach, and an outdoor shower for rinse.  The parking lot fills up early as it's a popular picnic site with a covered pavilion, picnic tables, barbecues and restrooms.  The park is open from 6am to 1/2 hour after sunset. I was there in 2002, unknown what state the reef is in today.

To get to Kahekili Beach Park, drive north on the Honoapi'ilani Highway (State Route 30) through Lahaina and past Ka'anapali Parkway on the left. Turn left at the next traffic signal, Kai Ala Drive (the road on the right at this intersection is named Puukolii Road). Kahekili Beach Park's parking lot is straight ahead. It looks like you're going into the Westin hotel parking lot, but in fact their lot is off to the right.

Kahekili Beach Park is also known as North Beach, Airport Beach.

Kahekili Beach Park



Park at Kai Ala Drive

Kahekili is also known as Kahekili Beach, Old Airport, North Kaanapali Beach.

Kahekili

Kahekili Beach Park is the park that includes Airport Beach Maui. It’s sometimes called North Beach because it is the north half of Kaanapali Beach.
Airport Beach Maui in Kahekili Beach Park is one of Maui’s best beaches for several reasons.  It is adjacent to Kaanapali Beach, the most famous beach in Maui, but it is not nearly as crowded as the main section of Kaanapali Beach, because it does not have any of the major resort hotels found in that nearby area (the Hyatt, Marriott, Westin, and Sheraton). It has a long wide stretch of smooth light sand. The ocean near shore is shallow. The waves are usually not too big for swimming.  It’s a great snorkeling spot with plenty of fish to see, including the Hawaii state fish, the humuhumunukunukuapuaa.
Kahekili Beach Park has a large free parking lot. There is a pavilion with benches and picnic tables.  Additional picnic tables are on the grassy areas. There are real bathrooms. The boardwalk through the park provides a paved path for walking several miles along the beach. Airport Beach Maui is within a ten minute walk of several large condos, including Maui Kaanapali Villas, Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas, Nanea Ocean Villas, Honua Kai, and Mahana.
Why is this called Airport Beach? From 1961 to 1986 there was a small airport here called Kaanapali Airport (HKP). Royal Hawaiian Air Service was the airline that flew small twin-engine Cessna propeller planes here from Oahu. The 2615-foot runway was surrounded by sugar cane. The small A-frame terminal had an upstairs bar called the Windsock Lounge.
Who was Kahekili that this park is named after?  He lived from 1737 to 1794 and was the last king of Maui from 1766 to 1793, before King Kamehameha came from the Big Island of Hawaii to conquer Maui and unite the Hawaiian islands into the Kingdom of Hawaii.

Monolith

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Monolith

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