See Sea Turtles While Snorkeling at Coral Gardens

By Alexandra Mitchell

Coral Gardens, located near the center of the West Maui shoreline, is an amazing snorkeling location if you want the chance to see an underwater world of vibrantly colored tropical fish, incredible coral reef formations and frequent sights of Hawaiian green sea turtles.

Snorkelers can expect to see angelfish, butterfly fish, parrot fish, triggerfish, octopus, crabs, moray eels and more.

During Maui’s winter months, you will definitely get a chance to see some North Pacific humpback whale action during their annual migration to Hawaiʻi’s oceans.

The Coral Gardens underwater reef formation stretches from the south end of Papalaua Beach toward the cliffs. This is a perfect Maui snorkel spot to check out if you’re trying to see magical underwater scenes world year-round.

Coral Gardens features crystal-clear water, coral sea caves and passageways, black lava fingers stretching from the shoreline to the visible ocean floor, and a vast array of beautiful Maui marine life thriving high and low.

The Coral Gardens snorkel site is most easily reached by an ocean vessel; check out more information from a multitude of Maui snorkel tour companies to learn more.

Coral Gardens snorkel tours embark from both Māʻalaea and Lahaina Harbor on a daily basis. This is an awesome location for beginning and advanced snorkelers, because there is an ocean depth that slants from shallow to medium levels, consistently calm ocean conditions and uncomplicated visibility.

For more information about snorkeling at Coral Gardens, check out our Maui Now Activities app.