Maui Snorkel Conditions
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Wednesday, July 15, 2026
North West Maui Conditions π’
| Location | Rating | Visibility | Wind Speed | Waves | Currents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honolua Bay | 8.5 π’ | Good | E 10-15 mph | 0-1/2 ft Flat | Low |
| Slaughterhouse Beach | 8.0 π’ | Good | E 10-15 mph | 0-1/2 ft Flat | Low |
| Kapalua Bay | 8.5 π’ | Good | E 10-15 mph | 0-1/2 ft Flat | Low |
| Napili Bay | 8.0 π’ | Good | E 10-15 mph | 0-1/2 ft Flat | Low |
Description: Northwest bays maintain prime summer conditions this morning. Moderate easterly trade winds at 10β15 mph blow directly offshore under the protection of the West Maui mountains, pinning the nearshore waters perfectly flat. A complete lack of northern swell activity keeps standard reef sands settled for excellent visibility.
Kaanapali Conditions π’
| Location | Rating | Visibility | Wind Speed | Waves | Currents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Beach | 7.5 π’ | Fair | E 10-15 mph | 1-2 ft Ripple | Light |
| Black Rock | 7.0 π’ | Fair | E 10-15 mph | 1-2 ft Swell Wrap | Moderate Inside |
Description: Airport Beach is clean with a minor ripple, while Black Rock exhibits a light swell wrap that keeps visibility good to fair. While upper west reefs are well protected from wind chop, a weak, overlapping mix of wrapping south swell energy and minor west-northwest swells track past the outer points.
Lahaina Conditions π’
| Location | Rating | Visibility | Wind Speed | Waves | Currents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Beach Lahaina | 7.5 π’ | Good/Fair | Variable < 5 mph AM | 0-1 ft Inside | Low |
| Olowalu | 6.5 π‘ | Fair | Variable < 5 mph AM | 1-2 ft Swell Wrap | Light-Moderate |
Description: Glassy surface planes line the shallow reef flats under exceptionally calm morning breezes before winds shift. Baby Beach remains protected and stable behind its reef barrier wall. Olowalu is catching a minor 1β2 foot south wrap across the shallow bars, lifting a light sand haze but remaining functional.
South Maui Conditions π’
| Location | Rating | Visibility | Wind Speed | Waves | Currents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlie Young | 7.5 π’ | Fair/Good | E 10-15 mph | 1-3 ft Easing Surge | Moderate Surge |
| Kamaole 1, 2 & 3 | 7.0 π’ | Fair | E 10-15 mph | 1-3 ft Easing Surge | Moderate |
| Ulua Beach | 7.0 π’ | Fair/Good | E 10-15 mph | 1-3 ft Easing Surge | Moderate |
| Makena Landing | 6.5 π’ | Hazy/Fair | E 10-15 mph | 2-4 ft Easing Surge | Moderate Surge |
| Maluaka Beach | 6.5 π’ | Hazy/Fair | E 10-15 mph | 2-4 ft Easing Surge | Moderate |
| Ahihi Bay | 6.0 π‘ | Hazy/Recovering | E 10-15 mph | 2-4 ft Ledge Surge | Moderate-Strong |
Description: The south swell continues to slowly downcycle today, bringing surf down to a milder range along open shores. While the ledge wash is subsiding at Ahihi and Makena, light residual pulse energy keeps fine sand columns slightly suspended, leaving visibility fair but steadily recovering.
KEY LEGEND
- π’ (7.0-10.0) Good: Safe, clear water, low surge.
- π‘ Marginal: (4.0-6.5) Fair visibility, light surge. Use caution.
- π΄ (0.0-3.5) Dangerous: High surf, strong currents, or turbid conditions. Avoid.
BEST TIME TO GO: Morning window (8:00 AM to 11:00 AM) to capture perfectly flat surface waters inside the protected pockets of Northwest Maui (Kapalua, Napili or Honolua) before winds increase and shift out of the west-northwest this afternoon. South beach entries are noticeably cleaner as the groundswell cycles down, though expect minor sand haze.
MARINE ADVISORIES: The southwest swell will continue its gradual decline through the middle of the week, keeping south shore breaking wave smaller today. Trade winds remain at moderate 10 to 15 mph levels. Extended monthly high tides (King Tides) may cause minor tidal wash along low-lying areas during afternoon peak hours. Midday UV index values are extreme.
Ocean conditions can change rapidly.Β Watch the surf, waves, currents and surge on the shoreline, rocks and reefs. Always spend 5-10 minutes in snorkel meditation watching the conditions.Β Savor the moment.Β If the water doesnβt look clear, calm and inviting, donβt go in!
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