While North and East Maui have some great snorkeling spots theyre less accessible to the majority of visitors to Hawaii and the water can get rough in the winter.
Snorkeling maui winter. The summer from May to October is the warmest driest and sunniest season with an average of 80F265C and maximum temperatures of 85F295C. Out of the approximately 7000-8000 humpback whales surviving in the world today about 3000 winter in Mauis waters. While each of these five places are great there are some differences.
There are times when the ocean conditions swells will interfere with snorkeling for a few days. Snow can appear on the summit of Haleakala usually between November and February as well as on the Big Islands volcano summit of Mauna Kea which rises to over 13000 elevation. You will be there during whale season plan some boat tourswhale watch or snorkel trips.
1 Molokini Crater Snorkeling Molokini Crater is a popularthing to do due to the high-visibility of the protected inner waters and also for the abundance of ocean life due to it being deemed a Marine Life Conservation District. Please use caution if youre planning on snorkeling in the winter months on the upper west side of Maui as Honokeana Bay is fairly well exposed to the large north west swells that make Hawaii a mecca for wintertime surfing. Better snorkeling free is to be found.
Snorkeling can be done at almost bay along the Maui coast but because of trade winds the most popular destinations to snorkel are located on the south and west shores of Maui where the water is clear and peaceful. There are a few. The climate is fantastic but the island of Maui is.
Generally the calmest ocean conditions and best Maui snorkeling beaches are on South and West facing shores. This is also the hurricane season but they are rare in the North Pacific. Hawaiis predominant year round winds known as the trade winds blow from the Northeast.
Last year in January we got lucky for over two weeks and had mostly great sunny weather. When to go snorkeling Maui There are two main seasons in Hawaii. The west coast of Maui including Kīhei Lāhainā and Kaanapali typically enjoys better snorkeling conditions and calmer seas due to its leeward position in relation to the trade winds as well as the protection it receives from offshore islands like Lānai and Kahoolawe.