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

Old 50 foot fishing trawler addition to the artificial reef (tires in-bedded in concrete), thus other name "Uniroyal Reef". Dive site is do-able from shore, with scooters or fairly long surface swim, many use kayaks to get there. Bottom is about 70 feet, top of boat around 55 feet. Hull is penetrable (try not to kick up the silt), pilot house cool place to check out as well. TURTLES hang out here a lot, resting in the hull and on the pilot house roof. Tires are also a great place to see eels, red soldier fish, trumpet fish, schools of goat fish, occasional frog fish, lobster, or octopus.

Dive site is do-able from shore, with scooters or fairly long surface swim, many use kayaks to get there. Keep going South on So. Kihei Road, do not vear left to go to Wailea, road dead ends, turn right at end, Park at Keawakapu Beach Parking. There is a beach shower near stairs, no fixed restroom facilities, "porta-pottys" only. Reef dive is very good here. Location to tire reef & boat is approximately a 240 degree heading from bottom of stairs, about a .4 mile swim, 70 feet depth. Couple dive boats use site as 2nd dive, call the Kihei operations to verify.

St. Anthony Wreck is also known as Uniroyal Reef.

Wailea-Makena

St. Anthony Wreck

Location to tire reef and boat is approximately a 240 degree heading from bottom of stairs, about a .4 mile swim, 70 feet depth. Dive site is do-able from shore, with scooters or fairly long surface swim, many use kayaks to get there. Keep going South on S Kihei Road, do not veer left to go to Wailea, road dead ends, turn right at end, Park at Keawakapu Beach Parking. There is a beach shower near stairs, no fixed restroom facilities, porta-pottys only. Reef dive is very good here. St. Anthony is a 65-foot shrimp boat was intentionally sunk in October 1997, creating Maui’s most popular wreck dive and home to many Green Sea Turtles. The turtles can be seen on the decks, inside the V-berth and cabins. On occasion you even may encounter a turtle clinging on one of the horizontal or vertical bars while it rests. What a great dive!

Along the sandy bottom next to the wreck, old tires and cement blocks are scattered, creating an artificial reef that is fun to explore. In addition to turtles, you may see Moray Eels, Trumpetfish, Batfish, reef sharks, and an abundant supply of curious Milletseed Butterflyfish.

St. Anthony Shipwreck

Ulua Beach is one of the beaches in the Wailea resort complex development on Maui's south shore. The sandy beach is located between two rocky points. Ulua Beach is a bit more popular than neighboring Mokapu Beach, with which it shares a parking lot. When the surf is up, it is usually a little higher here than at other beaches in this area, attracting many bodyboarders who enjoy the waves. During calm days, the snorkeling and diving here is excellent. There are many colorful corals and fish. Ulua means `adult crevalle fish in the Hawaiian language.

Ulua Beach

Wailea Beach is a great site for scuba.  Full facilities, and a great beach for all ages.

At the South End of Highway 31, bear right onto Wailea Iki.  Continue to the T, turn left on Wailea Alanui.  In .5 miles, turn right into the public access.

Wailea Beach

Kam III is the most popular of the three beaches. It is also the best for boogie-boarding, with a regular break here that can get fairly large during south swells. It is shortest and least wide of the Kama’oles, but it does have the most facilities and a gigantic grassy park area. It also has a new playground and bathroom, and plenty of parking (But weekends & holidays are very popular here – so you will probably need to park in the overflow parking lot.) Be aware that some Large rocks are found protruding from the ocean (and less so, the sand) along some pockets of Kam III. There is also a second rock-bracketed area that forms a more protected cove at the south end Kam III, the cove is called Ana’iao by old-timers. (You’ll likely be the only person there that knows that name!)

Kamaole 3

Another fairly wide sandy beach, the Maui Banyan sits on the end of this beach. While they like to tout it as “one of the finest beaches on Maui”, that claim is a bit exaggerated. What they don’t share in the glossy literature is that after large Kona storms, the sand can temporarily be removed by the ocean leaving rounded lava rock (resembling river rocks, except black.) In fact, the old-time Hawai’ian name for this beach (you know, from the folks that weren’t trying to sell you a condo) is “Ili’iliholo”, which literally means “running pebbles.” (Salesman bashing aside, most days of the year this is still a pretty nice beach!)

Kamaole 2

Lesser known Palauea Beach, or White Rock in the Scuba community, is an excellent dive site. Perfect for beginners and intermediates. Closest facilities are a short drive North to Polo Beach.

At the South End of Highway 31, bear right onto Wailea Iki. Continue to the T, turn left on Wailea Alanui. After 1 mile, turn right onto Kuakahi. Drive down to the T and turn left onto Makena Road. Continue for a little less than half a mile. Park on shore side of the road onto an unpaved small parking area. Basically, this is the South side of Haloa Point.

Palauea Beach (White Rock)

A wide, sandy beach, with good swimming. The north end of this stretch of beach is called “Charley Young Beach.” Charley Young was a military reporter who came at the wrong time to build his house here – during WWII all these beaches were taken over and made to simulate enemy beach landings. Anyway, Charley got his land back after the war, and built his house. The Charley Young end of Kam I is more popular with locals, and since the lifeguard and more visible parking and beach access for Kam I is at the other end of the beach, Charley Young is not usually as crowded with visitors. The Charley Young parking lot is on Kaiau St., as is a public access path and stairs to that end of the beach. Parking for the rest of Kam I is at the main parking area right in front of the beach, on street, and at an overflow lot across the road. (see Google map below for all Kam parking lots.)

Kamaole 1

Five Caves is know by several names including Five Graves and Nahuna Point.  This is a must-do dive for Maui, as the entry is easy and formations and sea creatures are impressive.  If it is your first time to the area, a guide is recommended to ensure you find the caves on your first dive.  The nearest facilities are at Makena Landing, just a short drive up the road.

Vast reef with plenty to see. There are five caves found throughout the site. Aquatic life includes: pacific snake eel, schools of needlefish, and the infamous green sea turtles.

This site is located right next to an old cemetery, thus the correct name "Five Graves". I think dive boat operators want to call it 5 caves so you don't realize it is such a great shore dive!

There is no beach and no facilities. You need to climb down a little wall into the water, but it is well worth it.

Five Caves is also known as Five Graves.

At the South End of Highway 31, bear right onto Wailea Iki.  Continue to the T, turn left on Wailea Alanui.  After 2.2 miles, turn right onto Makena Road.  In a couple of hundred yards, you'll see the parking area.

Five Caves

Across the road from the parking area is a trail leading into the dive site.  About mid-way the trail branches; to the left lies 5 caves, to the right lies turtle town.  Follow the right trail into the narrow bay, and crawl down the rocks on the north (right) side of the bay into the water.  This is actually easier at low tide as a series of stone "steps" becomes exposed, thus easing entry.  From the bay you want to swim straight out to sea, following the rock point to your left.  The dive itself consists of a series of interlinking reefs.  The life among these reefs is the same as you would see at 5 caves, although not as densely packed.  The dive site is well named, as you are bound to see several turtles every dive (we saw a dozen in a 40 minute dive).  This is also a popular site for dive boats to drop off snorkelers, so there can be a lot of traffic on the surface.  The dive itself is 20' to 35' deep.  Visibility is good once you clear the entry point - the water upon entry is very turbid due to a fresh-water stream which flows into the bay.  For an easier exit you can swim around the rock point to the 5-caves entry, although if there are waves the turtle point entry is safer and more protected.

This site is located immediately next to 5 caves, and shares the same parking area/access trails.  At the South End of Highway 31 bear right onto Wailea Iki. Continue to the T, turn left on Wailea Alanui. After 2.2 miles, turn right onto Makena Road. (There are two Makena Roads, its the second one ie NOT the one right before Po'olenalean Beach). In a couple of hundred yards, you'll see the parking area.

Turtle Town

Remnants of World War II, the Tank and Landing Craft wrecks are in 60 feet of crystal clear water off the coast of the Makena Golf and Beach Resort. Still recognizable after 60+ years underwater, eels have taken up residency in the pipes and barrels. A strange mix of weaponry and old ammunition are interspersed with a plethora of sea life. Schools of Weke or goat fish swim around the wreck in synchronistic harmony. Octopus are regularly found here.

The short swim from one wreck to the other over a sandy bottom, offers an opportunity to find shells. Fragile, but beautiful, Sea Biscuit’s litter the sandy bottom and challenge scuba divers to pick them up without breaking them.

St. Anthony Wreck

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at St. Anthony Wreck

Recommended dive shops