The best places to see turtles in Maui

Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands, and it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Maui is renowned for its scenic beauty, with its lush green mountains, pristine beaches, and crystal-clear waters.

The island is also home to a number of historic sites, including the Haleakala Crater and the Iao Needle. Maui is an excellent destination for both adventure seekers and those who just want to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the island. Whether you are looking to hike through rainforests, surf world-class waves, or simply lounge on a black sand beach with a Mai Tai in hand, Maui has something to offer everyone.

Maui is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and one of the main attractions is the chance to see turtles up close. The Hawaiian Islands are home to several species of turtle, including the green sea turtle, hawksbill turtle, and loggerhead turtle.

These turtles (you’ll likely see green sea turtles or hawksbill turtles) can often be seen basking in the sun on the beaches of Maui, or swimming through the clear waters offshore.

Maui is home to some of the best sea turtle sightings in the world. You can see turtles gracefully swimming in the waves or sunbathing on the shore. Here are some of the best places to see turtles in Maui.

See Turtles in Maui, but do it responsibly

I’m going to be real honest here, I have hesitated to write this post for a long while now. I want everyone to have a chance to see these majestic and incredible animals, BUT I want the turtles to be safe and happy even more.

So, I want to be very clear about the behavior that is expected of you if you get to see the turtles in Maui (or anywhere). This is such an important issue to me, and I hope that you will make it important to you as well.

We have to protect the wildlife and natural places they inhabit. We have to be able to enjoy places without exploiting and destroying them. We have to be aware that the cumulative effect of humans can be detrimental to the environment, and we have to do better.

Alrighty then, here’s what you need to know before you see turtles in Maui:

• Stay away from the turtles. For real. Stay away from them. They are big and you can see them just fine without getting so close. You should never get closer than 10 feet to a turtle. Harassing or disrupting a sea turtle or its nest can incur significant penalties, including fines of up to $100,000 and imprisonment of up to one year. 
• Don’t touch, or ride the turtles
• Don’t chase, follow, corral, or harass them in any way. Don’t get in their path.
• Light pollution can disorient sea turtles and hatchlings, leading them to wander inland, into vegetation or roads, and away from the ocean. Avoid shining bright lights near sea turtles or on nesting beaches after dusk (such as flash photography, cell phone screen lights, vehicle lights, exterior building lights, beach fires, etc.).   
• Don’t discard fishing lines or other trash on the beach. Sea turtles and their hatchlings can become entangled in them. Pick up your garbage, and leave the beach better than you found it.
• Don’t feed the turtles. Don’t leave food scraps or wrappers around where turtles can get to them.
• Only use reef-safe sunscreen. Apply it before you get to the beach or water. You can also wear a rash guard to minimize the amount of sunscreen you need to apply.

You can tell a turtle is upset or disturbed by watching their signals to you. When you see the turtles “yawn” they aren’t bored, they are stressed. Give them more space. Turtles will also cover their head with their flipper if you are too close and they are agitated. Give them more space.

By the way, all photos that I’ve taken have been taken with a zoom lens, and then cropped in.

Ok, lecture over, here are the best places to see turtles on Maui.

The Best Places To See Turtles in Maui.

There are a few ways to see sea turtles in Maui. The easiest and cheapest option is to see turtles from a beach in Maui. You may also encounter turtles while snorkeling in the water around Maui. You can also take a trip to the Maui Ocean Center. Finally, if you want some help seeing turtles in Maui, you can take a tour.

Here are a few tours to help you see turtles in Maui:

Best Beach to see Turtles in Maui

One of the most common questions tourists ask is “where can I see turtles on land in Maui?” Luckily, there are some great beaches where you are likely to see turtles without having to get in the water.

Ho’okipa Beach

179 Hana Hwy, Paia, HI 96779

This is my personal favorite place to see green sea turtles in Maui. This is also a fun beach to watch locals kite surf, and an excellent place to watch the sunset. Due to rough surf, this isn’t the best swimming beach.

Located in Paia, if you time it right, you can stop here at the end of your Road to Hana drive. Try and get here in the late afternoon, the turtles will come ashore to bask in the afternoon sun. You can stay for sunset, and then grab dinner at the famous Paia Fish Market or Mamas Fish House.

When you get onto the beach, look to the far right. There is a short concrete wall dividing the beach into two sections. The turtles will swim up and rest on the other side of the barrier. DONT GO OVER THE BARRIER. You can see the turtles great from the other side, and let them rest and have their space.

When we first got to the beach, I looked all over and couldn’t see any turtles. All I saw were ” a bunch of really huge rocks”, and I was so disappointed. I kept walking, and as I got closer, I realized that all of the “rocks” were actually turtle shells! There were so many turtles, I cried. I do that a lot when I see wildlife, it is a real issue, lol.

Makena Landing

5083 Makena Rd, Kihei, HI 96753

This is a small beach, with a small parking lot, that will fill up quickly. It is a popular location to kayak and paddle board. Tour operators bring people here frequently, so try and get here early if you want a bit of peace and quiet.

Makena Landing is one of the most romantic places in the world, so save time to sneak a kiss while you are there.

Turtles often are seen on the shore here, and you can see them in the water as well.

DT Fleming Park

Lower Honoapiilani Rd, Lahaina, HI 96761

This is a nice size, sandy beach to spend the afternoon at. When we’ve seen turtles here, they’ve always been at the far end near the rocks.

There is a big parking lot, picnic tables, and decent restrooms here too.

Best Beaches to Snorkel and see turtles in Maui

Turtle Town -Maluaka Beach

5400 Makena Alanui, Kihei, HI 96753

As the name implies, turtle town is one of the best places to see turtles in Maui. Due to a large number of lava arches and caves in the area, you’re almost guaranteed to see turtles here!

Turtle town is one of the most common places for Tours to take guests to see turtles and is often combined with a trip to Molokini Crater, one of the best places to snorkel in Maui.

⭐️⭐️⭐️Book a tour to see Turtles in Maui

Honokeana Bay

5295 Lower Honoapiilani Rd, Lahaina, HI 96761

You’ll see plenty of turtles here, but it may not be your favorite beach due to how rocky it is. The water can be a bit murky here as well.

There is no parking lot to get to the beach. You’ll need to park along the street. You’ll walk past the Honokeana Cove condos and find the beach access path to the end of the cove and enter the water there. 

Ka’anapali Beach

Located on the popular Ka’anapali Beach in the resort area of Lahaina, also called Black Rock, this busy area is popular with visitors and turtles alike. It’s one of the best places to see turtles in Maui.

Your best chance to see the turtles is out along the rocks, and you can jump off the black rocks into the water to snorkel around. Be on the lookout for the local legend, Volkswagen. Volkswagen is a resident sea turtle that is said to weigh around 300 pounds!

Be sure and eat at one of my favorite Hawaii restaurants while you’re here. Dukes is a must-stop spot for us anytime we are in Hawaii. Get fish tacos and hula pie.

Honolua Bay

6501 HI-30, Lahaina, HI 96761 (this is the address to the lookout, the beach is below)

Not only is this a great spot to see turtles, but a great spot to snorkel in general. Honolua Bay is a Marine Conservation District, so this is a protected area, and there is a large population of many different varieties of fish here.

You’ll have a bit of a walk down to the beach here, so come prepared for about a 5-minute walk. Be sure and lock your car and don’t leave anything in your vehicle here.

Kapalua Bay

This is one of the most popular beaches on Maui and a great place to see turtles in the water.

You’ll have to swim out to the coral reef just offshore, where the turtles love to feed.

Ulua Beach

On a calm day, this is one of the most family-friendly beaches on Maui. It’s wide, sandy, and beautiful.

To see turtles at Ulua Beach, your best bet is to swim toward the rocky outcropping that divides Ulua Beach and its neighbor Mokapu Beach.

What time is the best to see turtles in Maui?

Turtles don’t migrate away from Maui, so you can see them any time of year.

What Turtles can I see in Maui?

You are most likely going to see green sea turtles on shore and swimming near shore in Maui. You may also see Hawksbill, but they are rare. Leatherback, Olive Ridley, and Loggerheads may be seen but will be in deeper waters offshore.

• Green: These ancient giants are said to have existed even before dinosaurs. Green sea turtles can weigh up to 500 pounds and can live for around 70 years. They can swim up to 35 miles per hour! Green sea turtles are protected by the endangered species act.
• Hawksbill: These gorgeous animals are critically endangered due to being killed for their shells. The Hawksbill turtles have a unique and beautifully patterned shell that makes it desirable for those selling “tortoise shell artifacts”. Hawksbill turtles get their name from their narrow pointed beaks.
• Leatherback: These are the biggest reptiles in the sea. They have no shell and are covered by black rubber-like skin and oily flesh. Leatherbacks can weigh up to 2,000 pounds!
• Olive Ridleys: Are born with grey skin, and a grey shell that turns olive green as they mature. Their shell is heart-shaped. These are the smallest of the sea turtles and are typically about 2 feet long and under 100 pounds.
• Loggerhead: These turtles are named for their very large heads. They grow to about 2.5 -3.5 feet and can be up to 300 pounds.

What is a Honu?

In Hawaii, you’ll likely see or hear the work Honu frequently. Honu is referring to the green sea turtles. The Honu is a symbol of longevity and safety in Hawaiian culture and is said to bring good luck and peace.

Where to see turtles in Maui

Maui is an excellent spot to view turtles. These gentle creatures are a joy to watch, and there are plenty of opportunities to see them on the island. Remember to be respectful of these creatures, and give them their space. Leave no trace behind, and enjoy your time on Maui.