9
Oct
Few experiences say “Maui” like floating above a reef while a green sea turtle glides past. Turtle Town, a stretch of reef on the island’s south shore, is one of the most reliable places in Hawaii to see them. Here’s everything you need to know.
Where is Turtle Town?
Turtle Town isn’t a single beach. It’s the name for a series of lava-rock reefs along South Maui’s Mākena coastline, roughly between Nahuna Point and Black Sand Beach. The underwater lava formations provide resting spots and cleaning stations where turtles gather, which is why sightings are so common.
Snorkel from a boat or from shore?
By boat (recommended)
Most visitors snorkel Turtle Town on a boat tour, often combined with Molokini Crater in the same morning. Boats reach the best reef sections, provide gear, flotation and lifeguards, and take you past shallow entries.
From shore
Experienced snorkelers can swim out from Maluaka Beach in Mākena. Conditions change quickly, so only go in calm water, never alone, and check with lifeguards first.
Best Turtle Town tours
- Turtle Town Snorkel with Quicksilver: a 65-foot catamaran with a waterslide and a glass-bottom viewing area
- Calypso Maui: Molokini plus Turtle Town on a comfortable catamaran
- Malolo Charters: a 55-foot power catamaran to Molokini and Turtle Town
- Pacific Whale Foundation: Molokini and Turtle Arches with naturalist guides
- Four Winds: voted one of the most family-friendly Molokini trips
- Alii Nui: a luxury sailing catamaran experience
- Trilogy Discover Molokini and Paragon Sailing: smaller sailing options
When to go
- Morning is best: calmer water, better visibility and fewer winds.
- Year-round: turtles live here all year, while summer usually has the calmest seas.
- Winter bonus: humpback whales are often spotted on the boat ride.
Turtle etiquette
Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) are a protected species. Give them plenty of space and never touch, chase, feed or block a turtle, especially when it surfaces to breathe. Watch quietly and let the turtle decide how close it comes. The same applies to coral: look, don’t touch, and use reef-safe sunscreen.
What to bring
- Reef-safe sunscreen or a rash guard
- A towel and a dry layer for the boat ride
- An underwater camera or waterproof phone case
- Motion-sickness medication if you are sensitive
Browse all Turtle Town snorkel tours and Molokini snorkel tours at discounted prices, or call (808) 856-3500.
