Maui’s best snorkel beaches: Sugar Beach (Waikapu Beach)
The Turtel Reef at Sugar Beach is 1 of Maui’s best kept secrets!
There are lots of Turtles, Manta Rays, and tropical Fish. Stand Up Paddle board over a large coral Reef with Hawaiian Sea Turtles. The Maui Snorkel Store rents Stand Up Paddle Boards at our store here at the Sugar Beach Resort. We also rent top quality Snorkel Gear, rent the package or just a mask and snorkel.
Snorkeling is anywhere from 3-20ft deep until you hit “reefs end” where the deep blue water starts. You can be snorkeling in 3 ft. of water, and then you swim over a deep ravine between the coral will be about 10-20 ft., then 5 ft. over this coral head etc.
The snorkeling conditions at Sugar Beach are usually best in the morning, from the moment the sun rises over Haleakala Volcano, to around 9:30 AM. There is something about Maalaea Bay, that the ocean water starts getting “murky” early on. You do not want to snorkle in brown water or with waves.
There is free public parking at the end of So. Kihei Rd. There is a turn just before the traffic light, turning onto N. Kihei Rd. (#310) Take the turn by Maalaea Surf Condos and you will see parking stalls and a Beach Access sign for Sugar Beach.
If you would like to rent your snorkel equipment from the Maui Snorkel Store we have free beach parking in our parking lot. There is a large sign out front (see sidebar photo), park and we are located adjacent to the Lobby inside of the Sugar Beach Resort. We are open daily from 8am to 5pm
You can rent snorkel gear and beach chairs from us, we are located inside of the Sugar Beach Resort. Snorkel right out front, then if you like, you can have lunch and a Maitai at Dina’s Sandwitch, also lacated here at the Sugar Beach Resort. Did i Mention the cute gift shop? If you walk down the beach there is a new Sugar Beach Bakery and even better….Uilani’s Shave Ice. Voted #1 on Maui. Perfect after a morning of snorkeling and fun in the sun. 🙂
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