Is Snorkeling Good In Dec In Maui?

Maui offers the best December snorkeling in Hawaii, with Mauis reefs on the south and west-facing shores being the best spots for this activity. The Xpress snorkel tour is an excellent way to experience Maui’s marvelous waters, offering opportunities to see and be up close to the islands’ treasured sea life. From calm, shallow waters in protected bays teeming with tropical fish to offshore destinations perfect for spotting sea turtles, manta rays, and dolphins, Maui offers an unforgettable experience.

The island’s main town of Kahului has an average coastal ocean temperature of 78°F and an average air temperature of 76.3°F across the last 20 years. The great weather and beautiful blue water produce world-class experiences when snorkeling on Maui. The island is near the equator, making it far from the freezing temperatures of the north. December is also one of the months when the water is calmest and clearest, making it an ideal time to witness the sea life while snorkeling.

La Perouse Bay, located furthest from West Maui, is recommended for its beautiful reef. As winter waves pick up on other islands, Mauis reefs on the south and west-facing shores are the best December snorkeling spots in Hawaii. Good snorkeling in early December can be found along the leeward side from Kapalua in the northwest to Kaanapali.

Black Rock, a well-known snorkeling spot with tell-tale yellow breathing tubes sticking out of the water, is another must-have adventure for tourists and locals. The beaches in WaileaKihei are all great for snorkeling, with Keawakapu beach being a personal favorite.

What’s the best time to snorkel in Maui?

6. Pick The Right Time. You can snorkel on Maui pretty much anytime there is sunlight however there are times that are more prime than others. Snorkeling during the times from 8am – 3pm is ideal!

7. Snorkel With Good Visibility. Only snorkel in clear water. Maui’s ocean water is generally pretty clear all year round. It usually only gets murky after a heavy rain, nothing worse than a murky day when you’re trying to go snorkeling. Make sure to check the conditions before you head to the beach.

8. Stay Close!. Sometimes you might be following a group of spotted eagle rays or a beautiful sea creature and loose track of where you swam to. You never want to be more than 50 yards from the closest beach.

Which side of Maui has the best snorkeling?

One of the most prized West Maui beaches is the world famous Napili Bay. If you’re looking for a great snorkeling experience then definitely head here.

If you drive to Napili Bay, there is a carpark off the highway, but you’ll want to get there early for a spot. Or, take the bus from Whalers Village, the “Napili Islander, Route 30”, which will drop you off at Napili Village. Walk straight down from the road, to the public access path in between the condos, past a freshwater shower, and straight onto the beach.

The best snorkeling spot is the far right of the beach, as it tends to be more sheltered here. You’ll be tickled to find a nice gathering of the shimmery silver needle fish, and a small array of the common place Maui reef fish.

For the adventuresome and proficient swimmers, the left side of the bay has some good little rocky alcoves and reefs with reef fish, but because it tends to be quite choppy, visibility is cloudy and not worth risking a lashing on the rocks.

Are there sea turtles in Hawaii in December?

About Our Local Sea Turtles. The two types of sea turtles most spotted at The Ritz Carlton O’ahu, Turtle Bay are green sea turtles (honu) and Hawksbill sea turtles (honuʻea). Turtle nesting season in Hawaii is typically mid-April through early October, but can sometimes extend into December. And you’re probably wondering when the sea turtles hatch? After about two months in their nests, hatchlings will emerge.

Sea Turtle Etiquette. Before we share where to see sea turtles in Hawaiʻi,make sure to review these guidelines on how to act around our friendly endangered species.

• Keep your distance.Stay at least 15 feet away from honu andhonuʻea,and don’t block their accessto or from the ocean.
• No touching!It is illegal to touch sea turtles.
• Don’t harassthe sea turtles.Don’t chase them, swim directly at them,make loud noises in their presence, or feed them.
• Do not use flash photography. When snapping photos, make sure flash is off. We recommend using aGoPro – which you can rent here at Turtle Bay’s Surf House for free.

Can you see turtles in Maui in December?

About Our Local Sea Turtles. The two types of sea turtles most spotted at The Ritz Carlton O’ahu, Turtle Bay are green sea turtles (honu) and Hawksbill sea turtles (honuʻea). Turtle nesting season in Hawaii is typically mid-April through early October, but can sometimes extend into December. And you’re probably wondering when the sea turtles hatch? After about two months in their nests, hatchlings will emerge.

Sea Turtle Etiquette. Before we share where to see sea turtles in Hawaiʻi,make sure to review these guidelines on how to act around our friendly endangered species.

• Keep your distance.Stay at least 15 feet away from honu andhonuʻea,and don’t block their accessto or from the ocean.
• No touching!It is illegal to touch sea turtles.
• Don’t harassthe sea turtles.Don’t chase them, swim directly at them,make loud noises in their presence, or feed them.
• Do not use flash photography. When snapping photos, make sure flash is off. We recommend using aGoPro – which you can rent here at Turtle Bay’s Surf House for free.

Is it warm enough to swim in Maui in December?

• Diving conditions on Maui in December. Diving conditions
• The water is still warm enough to swim thanks to the relatively stable temps that the waters around Maui maintain throughout the year. Water temps can be comfortable, around 75 degrees Fahrenheit through the end of the month. Diving conditions can be affected around the island by large swells that can impact visibility. However, good diving conditions can still often be found—making this a good time of year to try a diving course.

Whale watching season on Maui in December. Whale watching season nears its peak: The first whales around Maui are normally sighted by November, and December’s whale watching continues to ramp up as it precedes a peak that can last till February. December is a great time to go on a whale watching tour, as the chances of seeing a majestic humpback in Maui’s waters are quite high.;

Winter vacation on Maui. Maui welcomes many for winter vacations: While Maui definitely sees an influx of visitors during the holidays and school break season, don’t let that put you off a December visit. The first two weeks of the month can still be an economical time to visit and the weather and memories that Maui can provide are well worth a little extra cost and visitors. And when it comes to planning your dream Maui vacation, a little forethought can save a lot of money and heartbreak—especially this time of year.;

What is the best side of Maui in December?

The only downside of December weather is a higher chance of rain compared to other months. December is the wettest month on Maui. South Maui with Wailea and Kihei is the dryest area in December so consider staying in that area to have the best chance of avoiding the rain.

Compared to the other Hawaiian islands in December, Maui stacks up well. Only the Kailua-Kona area on the island of Hawai’i has warmer weather and less rainfall than Maui in December.

How Busy is Maui in December?. December is not the busiest time to visit Maui. It is the 4th busiest month with 8% more visitors than the average of 254,000 visitors a month.

If you want to avoid the crowds in December, go soon after Thanksgiving. The month starts off quiet and then picks up speed as Christmas approaches.

Is it too cold to snorkel in Hawaii in December?

Air TemperatureThe air temperatures at sea level range from 79°F – 83°F in the winter and 85°F – 90°F in the summer. These temperatures are fine for snorkeling all year. The summer can feel hot and humid and if this is an issue for you plan your trip for another time.

Hurricane SeasonFrom June to November there is a chance of tropical depressions, storms, and hurricanes affecting the Hawaiian Islands. There has been an increase in this activity since 2013. Most of the storms recently have happened in July, August and September. They cause more rainfall, swell, and winds, so definitely will affect when to snorkel Hawaii.

In choosing when to snorkel Hawaii, you will also want to consider the cost of your trip and the sizes of the crowds you will encounter. High seasons for crowds and prices are mid-December through mid-April and mid-June through August. Expect everything to cost more; flights, car rentals, and hotels. But if you only have certain dates you can go, take your chances.

Is early December a good time to go to Maui?

Maui in December is every vacationer’s dream. While North America is dipping into freezing temperatures and snow storms, Maui remains sunny and inviting. High temperatures reach the low- to mid-80’s, while coastal areas rarely fall below the mid-60’s at night. December tends to Maui’s rainiest month, but most rain showers are confined to the island’s North Shore (Haiku and Paia). Large swells also sweep across the island chain this time of year. Check out Ho’okipa Lookout just past the town of Paia to watch surfers tackle monster waves. Waves are smaller along Maui’s West and South shores, making Maui in December a perfect time for surf lessons, kayak adventures, snorkeling, and Stand Up Paddle Boarding.

On Saturday, December 2(9am-7pm) and Sunday, December 3(9am-5pm), Banyan Tree Park in the heart of Lahaina will come alive with holiday festivities. Families can enjoy cook decorating, face painting, and holiday crafting. Photos with Santa start at 2pm on Saturday. Lighting of the Banyan tree takes place on Saturday at 6:30pm.

Climb aboard for the Holiday Express on the Maui Sugar Cane Train. Enjoy festive decorations and fresh baked cookies. Santa himself will be passing out free toys. Train rides depart from Pu`ukolii every Friday through Sunday through Christmas at both 6:30pm and 8:00pm. Tickets are $30 per person. Keiki under 2 ride free. More.

What do sea turtles do in December?

Why do sea turtles become cold-stunned?. As reptiles, sea turtles are not able to strictly regulate their body temperature like mammals and birds do.With several physiological adaptations, the leatherback sea turtle comes the closest to being able to do this.For other sea turtle species, their body temperature is closely related to the environment, which in some areas requires them to seek out warmer water during winter months.They do this by swimming away from shore to deep water or by migrating south.If water temperatures fall below 50˚F (10˚C) and turtles are present in the area, they are at great risk of becoming cold-stunned.

Cold-stunning happens most commonly in specific coastal areas of the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.In general, cold-stunning follows winter weather that causes sudden and prolonged decreases in water temperature.The characteristics of water bodies also plays a role.Cold-stunning is most likely to occur in shallow bays and lagoons where water temperatures can fall relatively quickly, as well as in areas where access to warmer water is limited or obstructed by the surrounding land.

What factors influence cold-stunning events?. Cold-stunning events occur in some years, but not others, and can drastically vary in numbers of turtles affected. Significant contributing factors include the severity of winter weather events and abundance of turtles within areas of cold water temperatures.However, we do not fully understand why some turtles stay within areas prone to cold-stunning and why others migrate into warmer waters.

Is snorkeling good in Maui in December?

Maui Island is near the equator, so the temperatures don’t vary much throughout the year. This means that you will be far from the freezing temperature of the north. December is also one of the months of the year when the water is calmest and clearest, a great indication to witness the sea life while snorkeling. Still unsure how to get the best out of snorkeling in Maui in December? Well, you are in the right place for Sea Maui offers one of the best snorkeling tours on the island. We listed the snorkeling tours you can take while vacationing in Hawaii.

Xpress Snorkel Tour on Maui. Sea Maui offers a short and sweet adventure to those who want to experience other island adventures in a day. The Xpress snorkel is one of the best Snorkel tours to experience Maui’s marvelous waters. You will get a chance to see and be up close to the island’s treasured sea life and ocean creatures! Additionally, Sea Maui has a boat with an open-air layout. It provides a 360-degree view so our guests can see seasonal whale sightings, dolphins, and other grand sightings while at sea. Not to mention, Xpress Snorkel Tour adventure is unique to Sea Maui, and we offer the fastest option to get our guests from the beach and straight to snorkeling in no time.

Afternoon West Maui Snorkel Tour. If your taste calls for a more relaxing snorkeling adventure, Sea Maui also offers an afternoon snorkel tour. You can catch the splendid afternoon sun at sea while admiring the majestic dolphins chasing ocean waves in the wake of Sea Maui’s boat’s path. This tour can also give you a closer scenic view of humpback whales catching their breath on the sea surface after gathering their meal. You can also chill with the turtles while admiring the charm of the corals, fishes, and afternoon sea breeze.

Is there whale watching in Maui in December?

Whale watching in Maui in December officially starts its season. All Maui guests and locals can witness the spectacular sighting of the gentle giants near the coast of Maui. Everyone will surely be in awe while witnessing the humpback whale as they come to the surface.

While you can witness whales all around Maui, Hawaii, there’s a spot between Maui, Kaho’olawe, and Lanai called the Maui Nui Basin that will be a perfect spot to be on a cruise and snorkel too. About half of the humpback whale population travels through the Maui waters annually to breed.

The Whales. The whales’ yearly migration in Hawaii happens between November and March, passing through the North Pacific Ocean. Maui’s whale season usually begins in the months of October and November. By the month of December, Maui will officially declare it as the whale season. The peak season for whale watching is in February.

What time do sea turtles come to shore in Maui?

You can view sea turtles at Hookipa Beach Park in Paia. Sea turtles here usually come to rest on the one (sand) right before sunset.

Maui is a paradise, a home to many people and creatures on the land and in our the beautifulkai(sea). The Maui waters are full of majestic sea creatures, from dolphins to sea turtles!

Snorkelers and divers on Maui’s north and south shores often spotkai honus(sea turtles) with their beautiful brown shells standing out amongst the cerulean blue water. You’ll want to pack your waterproof camera to capture the moment you lay eyes on one of these beautiful creatures!

You can see sea turtles on Maui from on the shore or below the waves. The largest populations of green sea turtles in the United States live in the Hawaiian Islands. They generally stay near coastlines, living in shallow bays. The turtles swim around habitats with plenty of seagrass, breathtaking coral reefs and salt marshes.