Maui Snorkel Conditions
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Tuesday, October 13, 2026
North West Maui Conditions🟢
| Location | Rating | Visibility | Wind Speed | Waves | Currents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honolua Bay | 5.5 🟡 | Fair AM / Outer Reef Surge & Sand Haze | E 10-15 mph Trades | 3-4+ ft Building NW Swell | Moderate Outer Reef Drift |
| Slaughterhouse Beach | 5.5 🟡 | Fair AM / Shorebreak Surge | E 10-15 mph Trades | 3-4+ ft Building NW Swell | Moderate Shorebreak Surge |
| Kapalua Bay | 7.5 🟢 | Good Inside Protected Cove | E 10-15 mph Trades | 1-2 ft Light Wrap Inside Coves | Low Inside Coves |
| Napili Bay | 7.0 🟢 | Good AM / Some Inner Reef Surge | E 10-15 mph Trades | 1-2 ft Light Wrap Inside Coves | Low Surge Inside |
Description: A beautiful day is shaping up for the northwest bays this morning. The small northwest swell is building, with small waves at Honolua Bay and Slaughterhouse Beach causing minor surge and some murkiness. Sheltered Kapalua bay blocks the bulk of the swell, offering good viz inside. Napili has some surge.
Kaanapali Conditions 🟢
| Location | Rating | Visibility | Wind Speed | Waves | Currents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Beach | 7.0 🟢 | Good AM / Clear Sand Entry | E 10-15 mph Offshore Trades | 1-2 ft Small Fading South Swell | Light Longshore Drift |
| Black Rock | 7.0 🟢 | Good AM / Light Point Surge | E 10-15 mph Offshore Trades | 1-2 ft Small Fading South Swell | Light Point Current |
Description: Kaanapali has great morning conditions as the south swell fades to minor levels. Trade winds preserve smooth water surfaces, offering clear visibility along Airport Beach and around Black Rock point.
Lahaina Conditions 🟢
| Location | Rating | Visibility | Wind Speed | Waves | Currents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Beach Lahaina | 8.5 🟢 | Good Inside Protected Lagoon | E 10-15 mph Trades | 0-1 ft Flat Protected Inside | Low Lagoon Drift |
| Olowalu | 7.0 🟢 | Good AM / Settled Shallow Reef | E 10-15 mph Trades | 1-2 ft Small Background Ripple | Low Ledge Surge |
Description: Baby Beach remains flat, calm, and glassy behind its barrier reef. At Olowalu, dropping southerly wave action allows shallow coral reef flats to settle out nicely, with better visibility and gentle ocean movement along the inner reef drop-off.
South Maui Conditions 🟢
| Location | Rating | Visibility | Wind Speed | Waves | Currents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlie Young | 7.0 🟢 | Good AM / Low Shorebreak Surge | E 10-15 mph Trades | 1-2 ft Small Fading South Swell | Low Longshore Drift |
| Kamaole 1, 2 & 3 | 7.0 🟢 | Good AM / Clear Entry Water | E 10-15 mph Trades | 1-2 ft Small Fading South Swell | Low Shorebreak Surge |
| Ulua Beach | 7.5 🟢 | Good AM / Low Point Surge & Clear Water | E 10-15 mph Trades | 1-2 ft Small Fading South Swell | Light Point Drift |
| Makena Landing | 7.0 🟢 | Good AM / Clear Ledge Water | E 10-15 mph Trades | 1-2 ft Small Fading South Swell | Light Ledge Surge |
| Maluaka Beach | 7.0 🟢 | Good AM / Clear Nearshore Sand Entries | E 10-15 mph Trades | 1-2 ft Small Fading South Swell | Low Shorebreak Backwash |
| Ahihi Bay Marine Preserve | 7.0 🟢 | Good AM / Clear Lava Ledge Water | E 10-15 mph Trades | 1-2 ft Small Fading South Swell | Light Ledge Surge |
Description: South Maui snorkeling conditions are looking good this morning as the south swell drops back to background levels. Moderate trade winds keep water smooth across Kihei, Wailea, Makena, and Ahihi Bay.
KEY LEGEND
- 🟢 (7.0-10.0) Good: Safe, clear water, low surge.
- 🟡 Marginal: Fair visibility, light surge. Use caution.
- 🔴 (0.0-3.5) Dangerous: High surf, strong currents, or turbid conditions. Avoid.
BEST TIME TO GO: Head out early during the morning window (7:30 AM to 10:30 AM) to South Maui beaches (Ulua, Ahihi Bay, Kamaole) or sheltered Northwest Bays for good visibility and smooth water before afternoon trade breezes build.
MARINE ADVISORIES: A fresh long-period northwest swell (3-4+ ft at 14s) builds today across northern exposures. South swell energy has diminished to small seasonal levels (1-2 ft), creating favorable conditions along south-facing shores. Moderate easterly trade winds (10-15 mph) prevail statewide.
Ocean conditions can change rapidly. Watch the surf, waves, currents and surge on the shoreline, rocks and reefs. Always spend 5-10 minutes in snorkel meditation watching the conditions. Are there other snorkelers in the water? Savor the moment. If the water doesn’t look clear, calm and inviting, don’t go in!
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