Hawaii's Spectacular Snorkeling Destination In Maui Boasts Majestic Underwater Caves

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Donning a snorkel to see what lies beneath the surface of the warm waters surrounding Maui is a bit like getting an opportunity to gaze through a portal into a fantastical world. Brightly colored fish of all shapes and sizes swim lazily past stunning natural coral reefs, and there's a good chance you'll encounter a sea turtle or two. If you're lucky, you may even catch sight of a seahorse and don't panic if you spy a reef shark napping in a nook. Unlike more aggressive varieties of sharks, reef sharks aren't overly interested in humans. In fact, they can be a bit timid. It's okay to be curious from a respectful distance, but don't invade their space. 

While there are plenty of great snorkeling spots around Maui, Five Caves near Makena Landing in Kihei, on the island's southwest coast, is one of the best. Park at Makena Landing. It's free and, in addition to beach access, you'll find public bathrooms and showers. There's a catch, though. Getting from Makena Landing to Five Caves requires a bit of a swim — about 200 yards or twice the length of a regulation football field. It's a good idea to consider wearing a snorkel flotation vest or belt. Alternatively, there's an easier access point about a quarter-mile north of Makena Landing. Look for a narrow foot path adjacent to 5034 Makena Road, but parking is scarce. There's no parking lot, just a narrow dirt strip across the street. If do you find a space, it's a much shorter swim from the rocky beach to Five Caves. Regardless of how you get there, the payoff comes in the form of a kaleidoscopic parade of sea life. Common sightings include brightly colored butterfly fish, a mesmerizing array of wrasse fish, eel-like trumpetfish, and pinktail triggerfish.

Surface snorkeling is one thing, but exploring the underwater caves can be tricky. The labyrinth of bridges and arches formed by millennia of wear and tear on age-old volcanic rock formations hides nooks and crannies that are irresistible to curious fish and marine life, but can be a challenge for inexperienced snorkelers. Getting close enough to explore the caves requires being able to hold your breath for an extended period. To be clear, snorkeling from the surface is spectacular, often with visibility of up to 60 feet in water ranging in depth from 10 to 40 feet. If you do choose to venture inside for a closer look, you'll find the caves are reasonably easy to navigate and you're never far from a visible exit. Before you go, check out ways to protect coral and other wildlife when snorkeling.

Five Caves is a bit of a misnomer. The underwater labyrinth comprises more than five caves, but most explorers focus on three. Shark Cave, aka Sand Cave, is named for the white tip reef sharks who gather there. Bubble Cave opens to an interior air bubble where explorers can come up for a breath. It's a favorite sport for scuba divers, but even experienced snorkelers be advised: Access is via a 50–foot-long underwater lava tube. If it sounds too challenging, skip it and head for Mini Cathedral Cave. On the outskirts of nearby Lanai's Cathedrals, a stunning, light-filled series of underwater lava formations, Mini Cathedral is an open-mouth cave where sunlight streams through a naturally formed skylight to illuminate the underwater landscape.

If you're doing a bit of pre-trip research — one of the things Anthony Bourdain recommends as a way to have a perfect travel experience — and come across alternate uses of Five Caves and Five Graves to identify the same site, here's the backstory. Starting in the late-19th century, the area now known as Makena Landing — one of the best places on Maui to watch the sunrise — was a major cargo port. In the mid-20th century, a family of Chinese immigrants, the Changs, settled in the area to work as laborers, but eventually became prominent farmers and landowners. Their family gravesite is located near Chang's Beach, a small cove at the southern end of Po'olenalana Beach (about a mile north of Makena Landing) known for great, easy-access snorkeling and sea turtle sightings.

While Maui is a prime snorkeling destination year-round, winter is the best time to explore Five Caves. The summer brings sizable swells that can create rough conditions. Plus, the seasonal swells can stir up enough debris to significantly reduce visibility. It's always a good idea to check the marine forecast before donning your gear. Be aware of the sneaky dangers of snorkeling or leave the planning to a professional tour guide and book a snorkeling excursion.