Plan your trip
Snorkeling Honolua Bay and Black Rock
The short answer Honolua Bay is a state marine life conservation district with roadside parking and no facilities, best skipped in winter surf. Black Rock at Kāʻanapali is flagged on the state's drowning map.
On this page
Honolua Bay and Black Rock are both on West Maui. They are different places: one is a state marine life conservation district with no facilities, the other is a rock at Kāʻanapali Beach.
Where they are
Honolua Bay is on Maui's northwest coast, about 10 miles north of Lahaina, according to the state. Black Rock is on Kāʻanapali Beach, on the same side of the island. We could not source a drive time from South Maui, so check a live map the morning you go.
Honolua Bay
It is a marine life conservation district run by the state. Here is what the state's page says:
- Parking is only alongside the highway.
- There are no facilities.
- Waters should be avoided in winter, when high surf is common.
- Inshore water near the boat ramp is usually very murky.
- Taking marine life, sand or coral is prohibited.
The page does not mention lifeguards. Bring your own water and shade, since it lists no facilities.
When Honolua is a bad idea
The state's advice is to avoid the water in winter, when high surf is common. Check a surf report before you drive, and skip it if the water looks rough.
Black Rock
Black Rock is at Kāʻanapali Beach. We could not find a current state or county page on its access, parking, currents or lifeguards, so we do not describe them. Check the county's beach notices before you go.
The numbers, plainly
The state's map of Maui County drownings for 2009 to 2018 flags Black Rock: 24 drownings, all non-residents, 18 of them snorkelers. The map is a count, not a rate: it does not say how many people snorkel there.
It does not tell you why. It is a reason to watch the water first, stay with a buddy and not follow others out beyond your comfort.
Is it safe for beginners?
We cannot promise that for any beach. If you are new, the better test is conditions on the day: calm, clear, no surf and a spot where you can stand. If any of that is missing, wait.
Are these better than Molokini?
They are different. Molokini is a protected reef reached only by boat, and a published study found fish biomass inside it more than six times that of adjacent areas. We have no matching figure for Honolua or Black Rock.
For a side-by-side, see how to choose.
Do I need a tour?
No. Both are shore spots you can visit on your own. A boat tour is worth a look if you are nervous, want gear provided or want a crew nearby.
If you would rather go by boat
We found no Molokini trip leaving from West Maui. Molokini departures are from the Kīhei Boat Ramp and Māʻalaea Harbor, plus Maluaka Beach in Mākena when Kai Kanani is sailing (paused on Nov 4: no November dates, December on sale). Most leave early in the morning, and the comparison shows each one's harbor and time.
What to bring
- Mask, snorkel and fins that fit, tested before you go
- Mineral-only sunscreen, which Maui County requires
- Water and shade, since the state lists no facilities at Honolua
- A buddy
More on technique is in our snorkel tips. Other shore areas are in snorkeling in Maui. To see what a boat visit looks like, read the Molokini guide.
Sources and corrections
The 7 sources for this page
- Maui – Honolua-Mokulēʻia Bay MLCD (Hawaiʻi DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources), read . Backs: Honolua Bay is on Maui's northwest coast, about 10 miles north of Lahaina; parking only alongside the highway; facilities none; waters should be avoided in winter when high surf is common; inshore water near the boat ramp usually very murky; taking marine life, sand or coral prohibited; no mention of lifeguards.
- Kāʻanapali Beach (Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (GoHawaii)), read . Backs: Black Rock is at Kāʻanapali Beach.
- Galanis D., 'Fatal ocean drownings, 2009-2018' (slides; page: https://health.hawaii.gov/injuryprevention/wsocon19b/) (Hawaiʻi State Department of Health, Injury Prevention and Control Section), read . Backs: Black Rock 24 drownings 2009 to 2018, all non-residents, 18 snorkelers.
- Weng et al. (2023), PLOS ONE 18(4): e0283683, 'Decreased tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic positively affects reef fish in a high use marine protected area' (co-authors from UH Mānoa and DLNR DAR). Read in full as Exhibit 3 of BLNR Item F-4: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/F-4.pdf (UH Mānoa / Hawaiʻi DLNR DAR / VIMS), read . Backs: A published study found fish biomass more than six times greater inside the Molokini reserve than in adjacent areas.
- Maui – Molokini Shoal (HAR 13-31) (Hawaiʻi DLNR, Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR)), read . Backs: Molokini is reached by boat only.
- Maui Island Facilities (Hawaiʻi DLNR, DOBOR), read . Backs: Departure points: Kīhei Boat Ramp and Māʻalaea Harbor, plus Maluaka Beach in Mākena when Kai Kanani is sailing (paused on Nov 4: no November dates, December on sale).
- News release 19 Nov 2021: Maui County Council passes bill prohibiting non-mineral sunscreens (Bill 135) (Hawaiʻi DLNR), read . Backs: Maui County allows only mineral sunscreens.