Maui

May through October brings more glassy mornings and warm water near 27°C. Winter can be great for diving too, but north swells affect West and North Maui access and boat routes to Lanai. Always plan early departures to beat trades, and check daily forecasts for swell and wind before shore entries. Whale season Dec-Apr adds magic but also more boat traffic and rules to follow.

Reserve a morning charter from Maalaea or the Kihei boat ramp. Molokini is an MLCD with no take, no feeding, and moorings only. Anchoring is prohibited. Listen to your captain about which mooring and which side is best for the day. The back wall is for advanced divers. Bring mineral sunscreen and a rashguard.

From roughly November through April, keep 100 m from humpback whales on or in the water and 300 m by aircraft. Do not pursue, intercept, or encircle whales. Captains often post a spotter during peak months. Enjoy songs underwater without altering your course to get closer.

Choose leeward beaches with lifeguards and easy entries: Black Rock, Kahekili, and Ulua are popular. Go early for calmer seas, avoid river mouth runoff after rain, and skip exposed points during swell. For boat-only clarity, Molokini is excellent on calm mornings. Always use mineral sunscreen and avoid touching coral or turtles.

When conditions allow, Maui dive operators run day boats across the Auau Channel to First and Second Cathedral caverns. Alternatively, ride the passenger ferry from Maalaea to Manele and dive with a Lanai operator. Weather and swell govern availability.

There is no personal dive tag. Operators handle permits. Expect a state Ocean Stewardship User Fee of USD $1 per passenger on commercial ocean activities. MLCDs like Molokini and Honolua have strict no-take rules that all visitors must follow.

Most divers are comfortable with a 3 mm full suit or a 2-3 mm shorty in summer, plus a hooded vest if you run cold. Snorkelers should bring a rashguard for sun and jelly protection. Early mornings and long repetitive dives can feel cool even in warm water, especially with wind.

Box jellyfish appear in pulses about 8-10 days after the full moon on leeward shores. Portuguese man-of-war can wash in with trades. Wear a rashguard, check local reports, and avoid swimming if signs are posted. Vinegar can help deactivate stingers; seek medical help for severe reactions.

Yes. Haleakala sunrise requires a USD $1 per-vehicle reservation on Recreation.gov, separate from the park entrance fee. Iao Valley requires non-resident reservations plus entry and parking fees. Book early for peak dates.