Things To Do Off The Shores Of Maui

If you live or plan to visit Maui anytime in the near future and are looking for ideas to do while you are there, consider getting out into the ocean and take in all that Maui has to offer. Whether it’s for the sights of the marine life, such as whales or sea turtles, or for physical activity, like surfing and snorkeling, Maui has something for everyone. Scuba Diving and Snorkeling.

Maui is synonymous with ocean activities and scuba diving and snorkeling may just be at the top of the list. With the way the islands around Maui have developed, it has allowed divers with some great locations to view the underworld. For those not scuba certified, Maui offers many businesses that will teach and certify you before your first dive. Whether or not you are an experienced diver, consider taking along a professional Maui photographer with underwater camera equipment so your moment can be captured forever. If you are in Maui to do some snorkeling, you’ve come to the right place, as snorkeling has been voted as Maui’s favorite activity to do. In addition, you will get to snorkel in the clearest of all the Hawaiian waters… Molokini. Snorkeling can be done by anyone and you do not need to be certified to do it. Also, with snorkeling you do not need all the equipment that a scuba diver is required to have, but some equipment is necessary.

Molokini Turtles
If you are in Maui to snorkel, it’s highly recommended you take a boat out to Molokini and visit Turtle Town. Molokini is known for its crystal clear water that allows for you to see in excess of about 150 feet. The sea turtles have become somewhat immune to human interaction that swimming together is probably more natural for them than it is for you. Snorkeling at Molokini offers rare views of coral formations and other marine life that you won’t find in other Maui, or Hawaii, snorkel locations. In addition, Molokini is one of only three volcanic calderas worldwide. For those who want to make the trip, but not go into the water, can take advantage of the view as most boats that venture out there are glass-bottomed. Make your visit to Molokini a more memorable one by bringing along a Maui photographer that is more than experienced shooting underwater. Whale Watching From December to May, there is no better place than to see whales than off the coast of Maui. Here you are almost guaranteed to see whale breaching (lifting itself part way out of the water in a vertical angle then come crashing down on its side or belly), blowing water from their blow holes or some tail slapping. It is the whale’s way of having a little fun.

Due to the warmer temperatures of Maui’s waters, the whales migrate from Alaska, where they have spent the summer mating and then to Maui to give birth. It also allows for them to feed as food becomes scarce in the colder waters up north. Whale watching tours can be found throughout most of the island and Maui’s whale festival starts in November and ends in May. Swimming with Wild Dolphins

Although there are never any guarantees of actually swimming with wild dolphins, you will still get the chance to see them by taking specialized tour guided boats out into the Pacific Ocean. By taking a tour boat you will learn quite a bit about the lives of the dolphins most common to Maui, the bottled-nose and the spinner. Be sure to get your reservations in early as these very popular tours sell out fast. You actually have a better chance of swimming with them off the island of Lanai, but if you find the right cove at the right time, swimming with Maui’s wild dolphins is increased.

Ocean Activities

In addition to scuba diving and snorkeling, other ocean sports are all the rage. These activities include surfing, kite surfing and stand-up paddle boarding. Maui offers many local businesses that sell and/or rent supplies, and many of them, or the self-employed, do instructional training to allow you to become an expert in any of these sports.

As for stand-up paddle surfing, it is one of the fastest growing water sport worldwide. It is one of those kind of sports that, although is no-impact, will give you a positive effect physically, mentally and emotionally. Maui is very well known worldwide as being a location for some of the best surfing action available and often holds many championship meets.