Many people come to the island of Maui to dive. But when we took them diving, a lot of the divers expected different kinds of things. So to clarify what to expect. Here’s a bit of information on scuba diving in Maui.
Water temperature:
I remember the first time I came to Maui and jumped into the water. It felt warm, compared to the California water I was used to. Maui water temperatures range from 74 in winter to 81 degrees Fahrenheit in summer, much warmer than the 52 to 54 degree water I was used to.
Divers used to the warmer waters of the Bahamas, or the Caribbean, come to Maui and think it is much cooler than they bargained for. So if you want warmer water, plan your trip in mid to late summer, between August and October. Most divers are comfortable in a 3mm short wetsuit, but if you tend to get cold, wear a 4-5mm wetsuit.
Marine life:
Maui has a unique dive topography due to the lava formations. The endangered Hawaiian green sea turtles find these formations great for lounging as they nestle into the nooks that were formed as the lava formed. Hawaiian green sea turtles can be seen on almost every dive. They are very used to seeing people. Most of the time, they will approach snorkelers and snorkelers very closely. The law states that turtles must not be touched or impeded from moving to the surface.
In the Hawaiian Islands location, many fish here are endemic to Hawaii. About 30 percent of Hawaii’s fish are endemic (found only here).
Monk seals:
They are in danger of extinction with an estimated population of around 1,300 individuals. They saw them return to the same places on Maui over and over again. We see them in many of the caves we dive in. They find in these caves a good place to rest for hours and sometimes days. They allow people to get close, but this is not advisable and it is also illegal.
Spotted Eagle Ray:
It can be seen occasionally and mainly between September and February. They are suspected of approaching the shores during their mating season.
Manta Ray’s:
It can also be seen. There is a particular location (cleaning station) where divers have seen them have the cleaner fish picking up dead skin, algae, and growths. The Mantas will parade back and forth as if they were going through a car wash.
Whale sharks:
Go here every now and then, but you are mostly seen in the deep waters of the Molokini crater. Rising from depths of 300 feet, Molokini is an extinct caldera located approximately 2.5 miles off the southern part of Maui.
Tiger sharks:
Although it has been in the news lately for the shark attacks. Divers see them VERY rarely. I have over 10,000 dives under my belt on Maui and have never come across one.
Whitetip reef sharks:
They are very common in the waters of Maui. These sharks are very docile and will allow divers to get close but not too close before swimming. They will circle and swim back to where they rested in the sand. Whitetips are one of the few sharks that can remain motionless and still be able to pass water through their gills.
Here’s a video of Mala Wharf. This dive site is where the White Tips are found very frequently. Bad Wharf http://www.in2scubadivingmaui.com/mala-wharf-video