Off Maui's south coast, the Maluaka Beach reef known as Turtle Town concentrates green sea turtles in lava fingers and coral heads between Makena and the Molokini crater boat corridor. Calm morning snorkel and shore dives bring multiple honu on a single profile, often alongside whitetip reef sharks and spinner dolphins on the run to Molokini. Most operators combine Turtle Town with a Molokini crater snorkel or dive as a half-day boat package from Kihei or Maalaea.
Off Maui's south coast, the Maluaka Beach reef known as Turtle Town concentrates green sea turtles in lava fingers and coral heads between Makena and the Molokini crater boat corridor. Calm morning snorkel and shore dives bring multiple honu on a single profile, often alongside whitetip reef sharks and spinner dolphins on the run to Molokini. Most operators combine Turtle Town with a Molokini crater snorkel or dive as a half-day boat package from Kihei or Maalaea.
Up to 92% sighting chance in Turtle Town: Maluaka Beach (Maui, Hawaii). Best months: June, July, August.
May through September offers the calmest south shore water and up to 92% sighting probability on snorkel and dive trips, though turtles graze the reef year-round.
Yes. Maluaka Beach at Makena allows shore entry on calm mornings. Most visitors also join boat trips that combine Turtle Town with Molokini crater for fuller half-day packages.
Molokini plus Turtle Town half-day snorkel boats typically run 120 to 195 USD per person (2026 prices). Two-tank dive trips covering Turtle Town cost roughly 165 to 240 USD.
Maluaka Beach lies about 20 minutes south of Kihei via Makena Road. Boat operators depart Kihei and Maalaea harbours for combined Molokini and Turtle Town itineraries.
Turtle Town is a shallow reef famous for honu grazing. Molokini is a volcanic crater with clearer blue water and different fish life. Most tours visit both on one morning.
