Maliko Bay

Maliko gulch is located on Maui's north shore. Just passed Hookipa Beach Park on the road to Hana you'll top the next point then head down hill to the bridge that crosses Maliko stream. Immediately on the other side of the bridge turn right and follow the road beside the stream and under the bridge. We're not supposed to use the ramp as an entry but most divers do. You can enter to either side with just a little more difficulty. Carry a dive flag here just as you should anywhere you dive in the state. There are photo directions and a site map on our web site, godivemaui.com This site review will be for the right (east) side of the bay. The east warrants it's own review. You can often dive the east year round in the absence of rain, though it is best in summer. Additionally. There is a separate entry for the west, albeit for mountain goat/diver hybrids. The steam ship anchors and most interesting Crevasses are on the east side of the bay. There is a small wall at the end of the east finger. At its base and 5 meters north are the 2 steam ship anchors. The hard corals at Maliko bay are healthy and the topography is interesting. If you continue around and to the east you'll find 3 deep ravines in the cliff side and any of them lead south west back into the bay. Going this far requires good air consumption, a hot fill and a long surface swim. Turtles are common here but shy. They see few divers here on the wilder side of Maui. This is a good place to spot Devil Scorpion Fish, Spiny Lobsters, Ridge Back Slipper Lobsters. Lots of little caves hide surprises such as large Conger eels and Spanish dancers. Some of the caves are large enough to enter but use caution. They are sometime less easy to get out of. Inside the Bay there are lots of octopus, puffer fish and parrotfish. Many first time Maliko divers are content to stay in the bay and venture only as far as the wash rocks where I've seen groups of baby squid more than once on calm summer days. Take a dive flag. It's the law and there is boat traffic here from the launch (local fishermen). The Stream can make the Bay muddy after a good Mauka rain. When this happens the big guys have reportedly been seen in the bay, perhaps to eat toads washed out of the stream. I've probably been diving at Maliko a dozen times per summer since 2002 and I haven't personally seen anything more threatening than wana. In any case if you can't see what's in the water you might want to go dive south shore.