Snorkeling in Maui

[Pansy-Paws]

Thought I'd share some photos of our snorkeling adventures in Maui over Christmas and New Year's.

These were taken at a secluded cove north of La Perouse Bay. It's in a Natural Reserve Area called Ahihi-Kinau, so the fish were very relaxed, and didn't perceive snorkelers as predators. Getting there required a 45 minute walk across a rough lava field, but it was worth it.

http://pansy-paws.com/aquarium/images/achilles.JPG

http://pansy-paws.com/aquarium/images/bowl.JPG

http://pansy-paws.com/aquarium/images/butterfly.JPG

http://pansy-paws.com/aquarium/images/convicts.JPG

More to come ...

[Pansy-Paws]

http://pansy-paws.com/aquarium/images/couple.JPG

http://pansy-paws.com/aquarium/images/cove.JPG

http://pansy-paws.com/aquarium/images/encrusting.JPG

http://pansy-paws.com/aquarium/images/idols.JPG

[Pansy-Paws]

http://pansy-paws.com/aquarium/images/lined.JPG

http://pansy-paws.com/aquarium/images/parrots.JPG

http://pansy-paws.com/aquarium/images/thorns.JPG

http://pansy-paws.com/aquarium/images/trigger.JPG

[Pansy-Paws]

And here's my favourite ... only 4 raccoons are shown in the picture ... but they were part of a school of eight, each of them 10 inches in size ... gorgeous :mrgreen:

In general, most of the fish in the photos were in the 6-12 inch range.

Enjoy ...

http://pansy-paws.com/aquarium/images/raccoons.JPG

[doublette]

Nice pictures, thanks for sharing! I can't wait till I get a chance to see this stuff for myself....one day!

[Johnny Reefer]

Great pics.
Glad you included the terrestrial shot 'cause it confirmed in my mind that I was at that exact same spot in '97.
At that time it was locally know as "The Aquarium", that's how good of a spot it is. (But it's hush hush and on the QT). (In other words, they don't broadcast it as a touristy spot like Molokini. I was dissappointed in Molokini. This quiet spot is 100x times better).
Intend to go back someday. I hope my notes to find the trail haven't become outdated.

Cheers,:smile:

[Delphinus]

Sweet stuff. Thanks for the pics!

[Pansy-Paws]

Just looking at the pictures again brings back great memories ...

We found out about the place in a book called "Snorkel Maui and Lana'i", so it's not so hush-hush anymore. :cry:

However, the book has lots of warnings about the rough trail there ... wear runners, bring water, have a hat, have sunglasses, no facilities at the other end, blah, blah, blah ... so we only saw dedicated snorkelers.

There are so many other snorkeling spots in Maui that are right off the beach (or those much hyped boat trips), that I'm sure this spot will be safe. Just too much effort for most folks. :smile:

My wife and I enjoyed it so much that we went back for a second day. The most impressive fish we saw was a 30 inch parrot fish (quite a beak on that one). When it rasped the rock to get at the algae we could hear the noise very clearly underwater. :surprise: Wouldn't want to get in its way !!

[Cap'n]

We went snorkeling for our honeymoon in Oahu a couple years ago. These pictures bring back great memories and help confirm that our next trip to Hawaii will be to Maui.

[OCDP]

ahh, memories.. I was in Maui last year at Christmas and New years myself... brings back excellent memories. I can't wait to go back.. thanks for sharing the pictures :smile:

[Matt]

Now *THAT'S* FOWLR!

[Samw]

Those are great. Did you have to pay an entrance fee?

[Pansy-Paws]

ahhh ... the entrance fee :razz:

Let's just say that the blood, sweat, and tears of the lava rock walk is all the entrance fee that we could handle. When we were leaving one day, we met a guy carrying a child on his shoulders ... he had sweat pouring down his forehead and all he could manage to say as we passed was "is it worth it ...". I assured him it was, and he trudged onwards.

The smiles on the photo disguise the fact that we are about ready to pass out (this was on the way back on the 2nd day) ...

http://pansy-paws.com/aquarium/images/lavawalk.JPG

[sumpfinfishe]

Thanks for sharing those great pics Lyle, the raccoon shot is very beautiful!
I have never been to Maui, but I have snorkeled and dived in many "off the beat'n tracks" in Playa Del Carmen and Cuba and that seems to be the case-it's not just the underwater scenery that gets better, but also the trek makes a great adventure too!

P.S. next time you post pics like that maybe you could include a plane ticket or two:razz: :mrgreen:

[bulletsworld]

Wowzers! Nice shots!

Thanks for sharing your pics. I just love seeing pics from all over the world and awesome hot spots.

Where in Maui was this spot?

[Samw]

Well, when I went to Maui, this was the first place that I tried to find. Unfortunately, I walked through the lava field South from the parking lot instead of Northwest and ended up at the Hanamanioa Light Point at the end of the Hoapili Trail in Perouse Bay. So for those who want to go to the "Aquarium" or the "Fish Bowl", don't do what I did. :) However, I'm sure the snorkeling in Perouse Bay must be pretty good as well. But there were no people around when I was there.

I found out that the "Fish Bowl" and "Aquarium" are both closed to the public now due to too many tourists trampling on the reef so I didn't miss much.

http://www.mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/506589.html?nav=10

"Closed will be the unofficial trails to Kalua o Lapa (cinder cone area); Kalaeloa, known as the "Aquarium"; and Mokuha, also known as the "Fishbowl."

"The closure was approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources in May, and it will remain in effect until July 31, 2010."

But here's a map to the "Aquarium" in case others want to go there and don't want to make the same mistake as I did.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=111519889680125758624.00043f3a49ecd0b2f8b7a&ll=20.603463,-156.427202&spn=0.064835,0.037079&z=14&om=1


The following are pics that I took after taking the wrong route.


La Perouse Bay

http://www.hyperdream.com/2008/maui/public1/p1060297_std.jpg

Miles and miles of lava

http://www.hyperdream.com/2008/maui/public1/p1060301_std.jpg

Hanamanioa Light Point at the end of the Hoapili Trail (About 45 minutes South from the parking lot)

http://www.hyperdream.com/2008/maui/public1/p1060300_std.jpg

http://www.hyperdream.com/2008/maui/public1/p1060305_std.jpg

[Delphinus]

Mmm. Too bad about the Aquarium and Fish Bowl but you know what, it wasn't my favourite place anyhow. At least when I was there the visibility was rather poor. La Perouse bay was better. Haven't been to Honolua Bay but I hear it's probably the best for visibility second only to the offshore spots like Molokini. Or so I've been told anyhow. Man I want to go somewhere nice soon. The rate things are going it will be well after 2010 for me anyhow so maybe I'll get to go to the Fishbowl again. :lol:

That lava field is something else. May as well be walking on the moon.

[Pansy-Paws]

That's a shame ... but understandable to allow regeneration.

I guess the listing in "Snorkel Maui", breaking the hush-hush status of the sites, signaled the start of the over-use and foot traffic.

It remains our most memorable snorkeling site from Maui or the Big Island :smile: