If you are a beach lover and looking for a beautiful place to visit on the island of Maui, then you will love Honolua Bay. This location is just north of Kapalua and is in the county of Maui. It is a great location for a day of swimming, snorkeling, and surfing. You will also find a lot of different wildlife here including sea turtles.
Snorkeling
Honolua Bay is one of the most popular snorkeling destinations in Maui. This is because it has some of the best marine life on the island. It is home to turtles, coral, and plenty of colorful fish.
The waters at Honolua Bay are very protected, making it a great place for snorkeling. Some of the coral reefs in the bay are even thriving.
The water is often muddy, but the bay is also home to a lot of colorful fish. If you are lucky enough to go in the winter months, you can catch a glimpse of the humpback whale.
One of the most notable aspects of Honolua is its scenic views. The bay is surrounded by dramatic cliffs. There are also tide pools to explore.
When it comes to snorkeling in Honolua Bay, the best time to go is in the early afternoon. This is because you can see the ocean better and get more time in the water. You should also take some precautions when snorkeling. For example, make sure you drink lots of water and wear sunscreen.
Aside from the water, there are two other factors that make Honolua the ideal place to go snorkeling. First, it’s located at the north end of the island. This means that you won’t be subject to the big surf that afflicts most of the island’s south shore. Second, it’s part of a Marine Preserve, which makes it protected.
Although snorkeling in Honolua Bay may not be as spectacular as other destinations, the scenery is unbeatable. On a clear day, you can look out at the entire bay, which is beautiful.
Unlike other snorkeling sites, the ocean entry is not very smooth, so you should have a little extra patience when entering the water.
Surfing
Honolua Bay, Hawaii, is a world-famous surfing spot. It’s an apt name, as this bay produces perfect right-hand point breaks.
This place has a reputation for racy sections, thick barrels, and oblique walls. In fact, it’s the perfect wave for the average surfer. Surfers can enjoy a range of waves from a couple of feet to several feet, but the best times to surf are when the trade winds are offshore.
There are three main take-off areas, including The Cove, Coconut Grove, and The Cave. However, the Cave is the most popular.
The Cave is a wave break that features a perfect round barrel and wraps around a sharp reef into the main Bay. It can be a long ride, but you can find a number of other bowl sections, too.
The most important thing to know about the Cave is that it’s a fast-moving wave. Some surfers say it’s the best wave in Maui. You should try it, even if you don’t make it all the way to the top.
The WSL Women’s Professional Surfing Competition, formerly known as the Maui Pro, was set to take place in the area where the shark attack occurred. Unfortunately, the event was postponed. And, the organizers considered moving it to another Hawaiian site.
Nevertheless, Honolua Bay is still a fantastic surfing spot, especially during the winter months. When the winter swells hit the right angle, they roll into Honolua and give surfers a spirited workout.
Even though the area has a lot of cliffs and a shallow reef, it can’t hurt to wear a rash-vest when catching a wave. Otherwise, the ocean will leave you with some nasty marks.
Hokulea
Hokulea, the Polynesian voyaging canoe, made its historic first sail from Hawaii to Tahiti in 1976. The voyage is believed to have sparked a revival in the Polynesian community. In addition, the voyage proved that Native Hawaiians were capable of sailing across the ocean using old-fashioned navigation.
Hokulea is an authentic replica of an ancient Polynesian canoe. It is 61 feet long and weighs 16,000 pounds. Her crew includes cultural leaders, scientists, educators and navigators.
She is guided by twin masts and a long paddle. She will sail from Maui to Olowalu reef in Thursday’s morning. From there, she will go on to visit 37 ports on the Hawaiian islands. Nainoa Thompson, the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s president and master navigator, is leading the voyage.
PVS will also engage with local canoe clubs and schools. They will teach lessons on voyaging and canoe tours. There are plans for a worldwide voyaging canoe, known as the Moananuiakea Voyage. This 41,000-mile circumnavigation of the Pacific will take place in spring 2022.
PVS’s mission is to educate the public about Polynesian culture and traditions. As they travel through the world, they will engage with organizations and projects that work to preserve indigenous traditions.
They will also share lessons learned from the Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage. Organizers expect the cost of the trip to be $30 million.
The Polynesian Voyaging Society hopes to bring Hokulea home. To do this, they plan to engage with the community, schools, canoe tours, and service projects. PVS has partnered with the Save Honolua Coalition and the Pu’u Kukui Watershed.
When Hokulea returns to Hawai’i, she will make her first stop in Honolua Bay on Maui. A Polynesian ancest, Nakua Konohia-Lind, is the youngest captain of Hokulea.
Parking
There are a number of ways to snag a spot at Honolua Bay. One of the easiest is to drive by and park in one of the free public lots on the island. Another option is to hop on over to the Ala Moana beach park located on the west side of Waikiki. The park is not only a popular hangout for locals but it is also a favored spot for visitors. In addition, the aforementioned beach park features a slew of amenities like picnic tables, restrooms and even an amusement park for the kids.
Parking is a challenge as the hula is a popular draw, so you should plan ahead. However, there are numerous free street parking options in the vicinity of the bay including the more crowded and less secluded ones such as the adjacent Ala Moana Shopping Center, which boasts a convenient, albeit snaky, public transport link to the heart of the Waikiki action. Having said that, the parking at the mall can get a bit pricey on weekends. Fortunately, there are several parking solutions in the vicinity, from valet services to self-service bays. You may also consider paying for parking at the Royal Hawaiian hotel and spa, as they have a reasonably priced rate structure. For a more upmarket experience, you can always book a room at the Hyatt Place Waikiki, which is a short walk to the beach. Alternatively, for a more upscale meal, you could try the nearby restaurant at the Hyatt Regency. Similarly, if you’re looking to treat yourself to a night on the town, the Hilton Hawaiian Village is a short cab ride away.
Sea turtle sightings
Honolua Bay is one of the most popular destinations in Maui for sea turtle sightings. The sea turtles here are protected and are classified as endangered species.
Turtles can be seen throughout the year in Hawaii. You can view them from the beach or from the water. Keeping a respectful distance will ensure that the turtles are not disturbed.
Sea turtles can be found at several beaches on the island of Maui. Some of the best places to view them are in Turtle Town and Ali’i Beach Park.
When visiting Hawaii, keep in mind that it is illegal to harass or disturb the turtles. This is a violation of federal and state law. There are penalties ranging from fines to jail time for anyone violating the laws.
To avoid disturbing the turtles, stay at least 10 feet away. It is also advisable to refrain from any bright lights. If you do not want to get close, use binoculars or a telephoto lens to observe the wildlife.
Many people find it easier to see the turtles in the mornings or afternoons. In order to increase your chances of spotting them, you should avoid crowded areas.
Another place to view sea turtles is in the Secret Lagoon at Lanikuhonua. This hidden lagoon is located on the west side of Oahu. The water is turquoise and the lagoon is ideal for kids.
During the summer months, you can expect to see large green sea turtles at this location. However, the turtles will be less likely to be visible during the winter months.
Turtles are one of the most fascinating and hypnotic creatures to watch. These creatures have been around since dinosaurs were roaming the earth. Their life span is estimated to be 150 million years.