Name: Pu'u Olai Beach
Rating: 4.2

Maui

Hawaii

Pu'u Olai Beach has an incredible rocky point to explore!  With two beaches to choose from, you may begin diving from either.  The hike to remote beach is a bit tiring but may be worth it for you naturists!  Due to the open-water nature of this area, do not dive unless you are capable of high surf entry and exit.

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 1.7 miles, you'll see the turn-off.

Pu'u Olai Beach

Hyatt Reef is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Maui, Hawaiian Islands which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Hyatt Reef

Kahana is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Maui, Hawaiian Islands which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Kahana

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

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

McGregor Point Site 1 is the Southern side of the point at the mile 7.7 mark.  Entry is considerably easier than Site 2.  There are no facilities.

Look for the light house at about the 7.7 mile mark of Highway 30.  Turn onto the dirt road.

McGregor Point Site 1

Level Of Skill: Advanced Divers, No Exceptions. It is NOT recommended to dive here. You could get yourself killed.


Depth Of Location: 150 feet max, but you only need to dive to 80 to conserve air


Transportation Needed: A car


How To Get There: Drive North on Honoapiilani Hwy. 30. past Lahaina and Kapalua. It is at the 38 mile


marker. Turn left at the Nakalele Point Light Station sign. Park as close to the lighthouse as your car will allow you. Walk your way in.


When To Snorkel Or Dive: Summer and Autumn. To rough in winter. Also, all site are better in the morning before the wind kicks up.


Where To Snorkel Or Dive: Check the map. Go along the wall till your halfway out of air and start back at a different depth for another view.


What You May Find: A extremely large amount of reef fish and a beautiful, colorful reef. One of the best dives on the island. Best wall dive outside Molokini.


Site Hazards: High surf in the winter, tricky entry/exit, tough walk down


Site Facilities: None


Notes Of Interest: Wear a wetsuit for protection from rocks. Only advanced divers.

Nakalele Point

Beginner and Intermediate Diving. Average depth is 35 to 45 feet, maximum depth is about 125 feet. This area is located at the East end of Papalua beach (near the highway tunnel). Entrance is on the beach right where the shoreline changes to rocks. There is wonderful coral  here, some of the best in the area. There are also lots of turtles. There isn't a big variety of reef fish, and the fish are timid and  won't let you approach them.  There are some restrooms (actually port-a-johns) and a phone. There are also a few picnic tables and some of the area is shaded by trees. The nearest food and drink is either Ma'alaea Harbor or Olowalu General Store. There are no life guards at this location. Snorkeling is great, scuba diving is excellent, and when  the surf is up, this is a great place to surf .The calm water area on the east is called "Coral Gardens" and is great for snorkeling and diving. The area on the west is called "Thousand Peaks", a good place  for surfing. Thousand Peaks has hundreds of large coral heads ranging from 5 feet to 30 feet from the surface. Whale watching at this beach during the humpback whale season, December thru April is great.

Papalua beach is located  between Olowalu and the tunnel on the main highway. Travel from Lahaina along the Honoapiilani past Olowalu, mile marker 14, and right before the tunnel pull off the highway and park anywhere you can along here.

Papalua Beach

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)

Marriott's parking is just before the hotel. Walk to the beach and enter in front of the activity booth. The reef is to the left, very large turtles here. This is a intermediate/advanced site because of currents and surf.



Marriott Beach

Kapalua Bay is a sheltered white sand beach on the north west side of Maui.  The bay is protected by two reefs that extend out on both ends forming a C-shaped cove making it ideal for snorkeling. The bay’s calm water makes it one of those perfect places for beginner snorkeling and is an ideal spot to take the kids.  Getting into the water couldn’t be easier.  The ocean will literally be a few feet from your beach towel.  The Kapalua Bay Hotel overlooks the beach’s soft sand and tranquil blue water.

As you stay to the right on the dive, you will actually exit the Bay and start to make your way into Namalu Bay (the next bay over. Very interesting coral, lava formations, and marine life can be seen. This is an excellent night dive as well.

Kapalua Bay never gets old for diving. It is also a very safe dive (other than the occasional current).

Kapalua Bay is accessed by taking Lower Honoapiilani Road into Kapalua Resort. Located between Napili Kai Beach Resort and Merriman's Restaurant is public beach parking for the Bay. This includes showers and restrooms.

Park in the lot or along the road (by all of the other cars). The beach is about 100 ft walk from the restrooms. While the entire Bay is worth diving, the best is on the far side (located furthest away from the parking, near the Ritz Carlton Kapalua Bay Residences).

Surface swim out across the Bay until you are near the rocks on the far side and are out just past the restaurant (in terms of distance from the shore).

Drop down and stay to the right. This is a great dive, especially at night.

Kapalua Bay

Nice second dive location after doing Molokini Crater. Lots to see and explore here!

Pu'u Olai Beach

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Pu'u Olai Beach