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Ahihi Cove
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This is a must-do site! This picturesque area is perfect for beginners and advanced divers alike. The entry is easy, and the fish are friendly (they know they're protected here)! There are no facilities here, and the parking is limited-- but don't let that deter you!
Directions: At the South End of Highway 31, bear right onto Wailea Iki. Continue to the T, turn left on Wailea Alanui, which becomes Makena Alanui. After 5.0 miles, you'll see the cove.
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Diver
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11/25/2006 TropicalDiveLover (Avg: 3.56 Review) - Dove Ahihi Cove on 11/4. Got to dive with a pod of 20+ spinner dolphins including 2 juniors. It was a lifetime experience, and I'm still awed by it. We spent 10-15 minutes at the bottom with them, and when we had to surface because I was running low on air, they were leaving. We joked about the snorkel back, but it was worth it! As we were joking, the pod returned and "played" around for almost a 1/2 hour. Took pics and videos of them until my case lens fogged up. Can't wait to go back and find them again! The pod was a bit out for snorkelers, but there were some who swam out, and one guy was talking about how tired he was on the swim back. I worry about some people!
07/27/2006 Anonymous (Avg: 2.54 Review) - We've free dived this area a dozen times over the last 8 years and stop here every visit to Maui. This is the best coral and visibility on Maui in the summer other than Honolua Bay much further to the north. Counted 11 turtles in 45 minutes, and several schools of triggers and goat fish. We had to swim out 200 yards to the south before visibility opened up to +50' in a 20' - 30' deep reef. Visibility within 100 yards of shore was 5'. Most other south shore dive/snorkel sites have been murked up with the small swell from the SW this week ;-(
06/18/2006 Kristine (Avg: 3.98 Review) - Ahihi Cove is a marine life preserve, so fish, shells and coral are protected. You can find plenty of fish, sea turtles, eels and occasionally dolphins and Tritons Trumpet. Definitely go early in the morning (7ish) so you can get a good parking spot and do not go if there is a south swell or waves over a foot, otherwise vis will be low. The coral heads are amazing at this location and the turtle cleaning station is an awesome experience. On the south end, just around the cove, there is a large school of blue stripped snapper that you can swim through. Take your UW camera!
05/04/2006 Andre (Avg: 4.45 Review) - I have done a lot of snorkeling around the islands of Oahu and Maui and this is a small cove, but has twice the amount of fish than Hanauma bay has. They swarm around you and even poke at you thinking that they are going to get fed. Great for all levels of snorkeling. Best to go when there is little surf activity.
11/23/2005 Andrew at San Diego (Avg: 4.18 Review) - Ahihi is terrific. Bring some cash for the food vendors along the road on the way to the site. You actually can step from the road into the water. Couldn’t be easier! Tons of turtles. The entry is a little rocky in the shallows.
12/28/2003 Binyamin and Shulamit Koretz (Avg: 4.16 Review) - If parking had been easier we would have dived it again. We had a great dive because the folks coming out told us where the turtle cleaning station was. (Straight out of the cove and a little to the left, at 10m) Very healthy reef and very clean turtles. Lots of 'em. The best Maui shore dive we did (others were Makena, 5 caves, Ulua Beach).
10/26/2003 Kelley & Dan Holtman (Avg: 4.06 Review) - 10/21/03-1100-Easy sandy, pebble entry. Headed north out of cove and dropped required dive flag in 17' FSW. Followed coastline north but not much happening and vis only about 40'. Turned west until we hit the sand but still didn't find a whole lot. Definitely preferred first dive to the south better. Back near buoy, we did get to see an octopus. No facilities so bring drinking water and fresh water to rinse with. A nice safe place for a 2 tank dive.
05/21/2003 Mike 1 (Avg: 3.50 Review) - I preferred this spot above Kapalua because it seemed to have as much sea life and was more wide open. Getting to Ahihi is tough for anyone without a Jeep and good hiking boots. There is no good place to comfortably sit or lie so it is hard to get your gear on. Entry is simple and there is wildlife right off the bat. Schools of fish hugging the shores. Angelfish and triggerfish are also abundant. We saw eels and turtles, but that was the extent of rare wildlife.
10/06/2001 Bill Stohler (Avg: 3.03 Review) - Ahihi Bay and Cove is my overall favorite Maui dive site. I've dove here more than 100 times, and rarely lose interest. Just to the south of the cove, is a popular (for snorkelers, turtles and kayakers) turtle cleaning station. This is a reserve and you are likely to see large trumpet shells foraging through the sand. Occasional eagle rays and spinner dolphins cruise overhead. Eels are commonplace. The corals and fish are in great shape here, and once outside the cove, you will see few other divers. Go south for diversity and deeper water (up to 55 feet).
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Site Photos
Maps
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Photo
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Comments |
| Parking
Map
Sat
GPS: MA2201
N20°37.0585'
W156°26.2143'
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The cove is to the North of here-- just 100 yards to hike.
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| Overview
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There is just a small lava beach area on this side, with the entry on the other side.
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| Trail Head
Map
Sat
GPS: MA2203
N20°37.1034'
W156°26.2527'
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You can drop your gear off here, then park up above. Be quiet and considerate of the residents nearby.
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| Entry
Map
Sat
GPS: MA2204
N20°37.1034'
W156°26.2527'
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It's a simple walk into the water. For an aerial view, take a look at the next site, Ahihi Bay. The cove is just North (to the left) of the Bay site.
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Last Verification: July, 2001
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4.00
4.11
4.67
2.78
1.44
3.33