Go Snorkeling in Maui
Ok, here is the first quiz of the day. What is Maui surrounded by? No need to rush on this one because about everywhere on the island you can see it. If you guessed water you are only half right. The correct answer is warm, clear, deep blue, full of life water. You only see one percent of the water world if you don't look under the surface so it time to get into the water.
Going snorkeling is one the best ways to see Maui underwater world. My wife and I on our first trips to Hawaii quickly learned that almost anywhere you can get to water presents a new opportunity. First step is to decide to snorkel from a boat or at the beach. If you are new at this and just want to try it here is some advice. Vist one of the local dive shops that rents snorkel equipment and rent a set or two for the week. Why a dive shop? Because they will help fit it so it is comfortable, and they will give you their expertise on the best places to go. The cost of a weeks package for a person runs under $20.00 in most locations and advice on where to use it is free. I am a big fan of Maui Dive shop which has more than one location on the island. I have used them for scuba equipment and snorkel equipment and have been pleased. They can not only fit you with good equipment but can give you ideas on how to enjoy your time in the water. A simple underwater camera is a great idea. It must have a flash on it. The deeper you are in the water the color changes to a blue hue. Without a flash you will not see the other rainbow of colors in your pictures. Charter trips on boats open up another world. A great snorkeling trip is a half day trip to Molokini Crater located several miles off the southwest coast of Maui. Full service charter boats make trips to the crater and provide all the needed equipment and many offer meals, snacks, and camera rentals.
How to Enjoy Your Snorkeling TripYou just flew thousands of miles and spend alot of money on this trip. The next step will make or ruin your trip to the beach. You need to stop into a dive shop and rent snokel gear and have it fit to you. Don't go to a local store and buy a cheap set of gear wrapped in plastic on a hook by the door and expect to have a good time at the beach.The mask is the most important item to have fit, because guess what, if it leaks or floods you can't see anything. You can spend a little more on a mask rental and upgrade not only your fit, but your enjoyment. Your snorkel is next. Over the years there have been many improvements in the snorkel. Todays you can still get a simple tube one or one of many types that are easy to clear. Let the dive shop help you on this. I have been using the same old tube snokel since 1985 and love it. Fins are next. Fins must fit for you to have a good time in the water. Poor fitting fins rub your feet raw and if you are thinking about your feet and not what you are seeing you are not having a good time. A dive shop will put all this is a bag for the beach for you with a bottle of defog and you are almost ready to go. Defog? Defog is a mixture of water and baby shampoo that when placed on the inside of a wet mask and lighty rinsed away will keep you mask from fogging. You are almost ready. See if the dive shop will let you use a fish guide card so you know what you are looking at. Most drop one of those in your bag. Most important ask the guys and gals behind the counter where to go. Last if you get to the beach and you have a problem with your gear go back and get it corrected.
Charters BoatsThe following picture was taken by me on a Four Winds trip to Molokini. This was my wifes first trip and she was hooked.
The Wife and MeI believe you need to know who is writing this so I am adding this picture of my wife Terri and myself. This was on the same trip to Molokini.
More Maui Charter BoatsMaui is blessed with many great Charter opportunities. I will try to list as many boats as I can and will more later, so please keep checking back. |
