Honolua Bay

Kapalua, Maui

A multi-use natural playground, Honolua Bay provides the best natural wilderness of the West Side with forest walks, surf watching and snorkeling all on your adventure menu. Part of the Honolua-Mokuleia Bay marine life conservation district, the bay's inner-portion to about mid-point is mostly sheltered from the wind and surf. It is one of the best snorkeling spots on the island, great for seeing a myriad of fish and coral. The outer bay break is a legendary powerful right break that rolls in steady and heavy during winter or westerly swells. Best surf watching is along the newly preserved Lipoa Point gravel road access, up on the cliffs to the right of the bay. AT A GLANCE HIGHLIGHTS: One of Maui's best snorkeling places, and a champion outer bay break that provides some of the best surf watching on island. ACTIVITIES: Snorkeling, swimming, forest walk, experienced-level surf break. LIFEGUARD: NO WARNINGS: submerged rocks and reef in some of the near shore areas, enter water carefully especially during low tides. Avoid snorkeling after the heavy rains, as bay waters can be murky during those times. AMENITIES: portable restroom at the northern trailhead dirt parking lot; not ADA-accessible. State Marine Preserve area web link: http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/mlcd_honolua.html This is the closest you can get to a jungle in all of West Maui. Just 15-minute drive north from the Ka'anapali region and 5-minute from Kapalua, Honolua's forest and shoreline are largely undisturbed and wild. To get to the shoreline, park roadside once you have reached the large predominant scenic view point on the left or oceanside 1.8 miles past Kapalua (there is a 20 mph right arrow curve sign just before it). To access the south trail walk past the pull out and look for small road on left that goes to the locked gate with a yellow environmental sign on it. For the central trail drive across the one-lane bridge and park in the dirt parking lot on the left. Look out for the Hawaiian carvings master who often works in the area; the carvings are traditional and unique, and very interesting. The northern trailhead is behind the carver, by the portable restroom in this dirt parking lot. It is a 10-minute walk down the dirt path to get to the water. This site is remote, with no lifeguards or amenities, and requires good judgment of your abilities to determine what level of exploration you choose to undertake. Here is a breakdown of the most common uses of the Honolua bay area. Forest walk: This forest is undeveloped and old, with huge monkeypod trees draped in pathos vines, a place of superb natural beauty and photographic possibilities. The spectacular banyan tree close to the water is a particular favorite. If you are spending the day at this preserve, the forested area is great for a shaded picnic or a nap, as every shade of green surrounds you and the high canopy of treetops blocks off the sun. Two main trails lead f…