The 12 Best Places to See Sea Turtles in Maui

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Looking for some sea turtles in Maui? Check out this post for the 12 best places to find them!

If you’re a fan of Crush from Finding Nemo, chances are, you probably have a special place in your heart for sea turtles. And if that’s true, you’ll be happy to know that sea turtles actually play a massive role in Hawaiian culture today. In fact, the more I learned about the sea turtles and their history in Hawaii, the more I realized a trip to see them is exactly what every Crush lover needs.

So, if you’re planning to see some sea turtles in Maui for the first time, I highly recommend it. This post alone will highlight the 12 best places where you can see them!

Table of Contents

Maui Bucket List Series

P.S. This is a post in my Maui Bucket List series. Here is the complete 19-part series:

Hidden Gems: 10 Magical Hidden Gems in Maui, Hawaii

Black Sand Beaches: The 7 Most Amazing Black Sand Beaches in Maui

Poke: 12 Top Places to Get Poke in Maui

Breakfast: 8 Amazing Places to Get Breakfast in Lahaina, Maui

Coffee Shops: 7 Cozy Coffee Shops in Lahaina, Maui

Restaurants: The 12 Best Restaurants in Maui with a View

Accommodation: 10 Unique Places to Stay in Maui on a Budget

Sea Turtles: The 12 Best Places to See Sea Turtles in Maui

Surfing: The 10 Best Surf Spots in Maui

Road to Hana: The 7 Best Stops on the Road to Hana in Maui

Sunsets: 8 Incredible Places to Watch the Sunset in Maui

Waterfall Hikes: The 7 Best Waterfall Hikes in Maui

Vegan Food: 8 Incredible Vegan Restaurants in Maui

Instagram: 10 Incredible Maui Instagram Spots

Cheap Food: 10 Amazing Cheap Eats in Maui

Grocery Stores: The 8 Top Lahaina Grocery Stores You Need To Visit

Ka’anapali Restaurants: 9 Amazing Ka’anapali Restaurants You Don’t Want to Miss

Lahaina Restaurants: The 12 Coolest Restaurants in Lahaina on Front Street

Instagram Captions: 100 Media-Inspired Hawaii Captions for Your Instagram

Essential Items for Seeing Sea Turtles in Maui

Here are some essential items you might need if you plan on snorkeling to see the sea turtles in Maui!

I would highly suggest getting all of these before you go 🙂

Sea Turtles in Maui Map

Please feel free to add this map to your Google Maps account for future reference. You can do this by clicking on the star icon next to the map name so that you can view it on your phone or on a computer.

Maluaka Beach (sea turtles in maui)

Known as the prime location for sea turtles, Maluaka Beach is an amazing place to see the sea turtles in Maui! It stretches from Black Sand Beach all the way to Nahuna Point. In fact, it’s even one of the best places to snorkel.

So, if you’re planning to see the sea turtles for the first time in Maui, I highly recommend Maluaka Beach. It has a high population of Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles and the sea is filled with all kinds of marine life.

Black Rock Beach (sea turtles in maui)

Black Rock Beach is another great place to see the sea turtles in Maui! The beach is located near the north end of Ka’anapali Beach and it’s small and sandy. In fact, the area is even popular for snorkeling and cliff diving too.

So, if you’re planning to see the sea turtles for the first time in Maui, I highly recommend Black Rock Beach. Not only can you see the sea turtles, but you’ll also appreciate the other excursions you can do too.

Maui Ocean Center (sea turtles in maui)

Maui Ocean Center is another great place to see the sea turtles in Maui. They have a special exhibit there called the Turtle Lagoon where you can watch the sea turtles swim in the aquarium up close.

So, if you’re planning to see the sea turtles for the first time in Maui, I highly recommend Maui Ocean Center. The aquarium has tours, presentations, and talks that are available all year round and you can avoid getting in the water.

Ho’okipa Beach (sea turtles in maui)

Ho’okipa Beach is another great place to see the sea turtles in Maui! If you watch closely, you’ll definitely be able to see their heads bob out above the water just before the shorebreak. In fact, you can even see them resting on the beach, though you might mistake them as rocks at first.

So, if you’re planning to see the sea turtles for the first time in Maui, I highly recommend Ho’okipa Beach. Not only is it great for turtle spotting, but you can also enjoy the view of the surfers and windsurfers there.

Kapalua Bay (sea turtles in maui)

Kapalua Bay is another great spot to see the sea turtles in Maui! You can see them by snorkeling into the water to catch a glimpse. In fact, as you’re snorkeling, you won’t even need to go that far since the turtles tend to hang out at a coral right by the shore.

So, if you’re planning to see the sea turtles for the first time in Maui, I highly recommend Kapalua Bay. Even though you won’t see the sea turtles resting on the shore, it’ll give you the opportunity to go into the water.

Ku’au Bay (sea turtles in maui)

Ku’au Bay is another great place to see the sea turtles in Maui! You can find them laying on the sand at the beach for a period of rest and leisure. In fact, they usually stay towards the ends of the beach (either the left or the right side) for this reason.

So, if you’re looking to see some sea turtles for the first time in Maui, I highly recommend Ku’au Bay. The turtles may look like rocks from a distance but you need to get closer to investigate.

Honolua Bay (sea turtles in maui)

Honolua Bay is another great place to see the sea turtles in Maui! The area is a Marine Conservation District that’s home to plenty of them. In fact, it’s one of the reasons why fishing is prohibited at the bay. By prohibiting it, sea life is able to flourish without the hindrance of human beings.

So, if you’re planning to see the sea turtles for the first time in Maui, I highly recommend Honolua Bay. Turtle spotting is also usually done in the water so you’ll have to snorkel.

Honokeana Bay (sea turtles in maui)

Honokeana Bay is another great place to see the sea turtles in Maui! There’s even an overwhelming amount of turtles in the water so you shouldn’t have any trouble spotting them. In fact, it’s one of the very few places where turtles come to feast and relax.

So, if you’re planning to see the sea turtles for the first time in Maui, I highly recommend Honokeana Bay. In fact, if you snorkel you will see no less than 15 turtles.

Slaughterhouse Beach (sea turtles in maui)

Slaughterhouse Beach is another great spot to see the sea turtles in Maui! You’ll be able to see them within minutes of snorkeling and they’re usually pretty large. In fact, you might even notice the turtles swimming in opposite directions along the rock formation. I for one thought this was hard to visualize at first but after thinking back to Finding Nemo, I got the idea.

So, if you’re planning to see the sea turtles for the first time in Maui, I highly recommend Slaughterhouse Beach. The water though tends to be chillier there than other areas so you won’t be snorkeling down there for long.

Coral Gardens (sea turtles in maui)

The Coral Gardens is another great spot to see the sea turtles in Maui! Located just south of Olowalu, the lush environment allows the marine life there to thrive. In fact, many Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles are often spotted feeding there. This is because The Coral Gardens gives them the protective shelter they need to survive, making it their prime habitat.

So, if you’re planning to see the sea turtles for the first time in Maui, I highly recommend The Coral Gardens. Many people have had a spectacular snorkeling experience there due to its unique, beautiful natural reef formation.

Makena Landing (sea turtles in maui)

Makena Landing is another great spot to see the sea turtles in Maui! You can find the turtles napping on the rocks around this area as they take their rest. In fact, it’s for this reason that you can’t get too close. These turtles are protected by the law in Maui so touching them would be illegal.

So, if you’re planning to see the sea turtles for the first time in Maui, I highly recommend Makena Landing. You’re even welcome to snorkel in the water too to catch more of the action.

Ulua Beach (sea turtles in maui)

Ulua Beach is another great place to see the sea turtles in Maui! You can find the sea turtles along the shore in this area and the water is also very calm. In fact, you can even improve your chances of seeing them by staying near the rocky outcroppings.

So, if you’re planning to see the sea turtles for the first time in Maui, I highly recommend Ulua Beach. The beach is very popular for snorkeling with sea turtles in Maui and there’s a free public parking lot there.

Sea Turtles in Maui FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions you might have about sea turtles in Maui!

What time of year do turtles lay eggs in Maui?

Turtles lay eggs in Maui during the early summer months.

What month do sea turtles hatch in Maui?

Nesting for sea turtles can go on from June to October. The eggs will then hatch anywhere between 48-70 days after they are laid.

Can you touch sea turtles in Maui?

No. The sea turtles in Maui are protected by the law and should not be touched unless you have a permit.

What is the fine for touching a sea turtle in Maui?

The fine for harassing or touching a sea turtle in Maui runs from $1,000 to $10,500.

What time of day are sea turtles most active?

Sea turtles are most active during the midday from noon to 5 pm.

Will sea turtles bite you?

No, not at all! Sea turtles are not aggressive animals so a bite is extremely rare.

Overall, I really hope you enjoyed this post on the 12 best places to see sea turtles in Maui! Please let me know in the comments down below which place you would like to visit the most! I would love to hear from you. 🙂