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Maui offers an abundance of marine sealife! Hawaiian sea turtles are definately a star (take the afternoon snorkel tour to Coral Gardens for the best opportunity to encounter sea turtles).

Maui’s pristine water is the perfect habitat for common reef fishes, like Hawaii’s state fish Humuhumunukunukuapua’a, brilliant tangs, the smoothly shy trumpet fish, and crazy-looking unicornfish. Large reef fish like the parrotfish and surgeonfish are common.  Don’t forget Maui’s little fish, pencil urchins, octopus, and eels swimming in and out of the coral reefs!

Maui’s snorkelers can be treated to bigger, life impactful encounters with the stars of the ocean, such as manta and spotted eagle rays, the endangered Hawaiian monk seal, and the harmless white-tip reef shark. Dolphins and whales (seasonal whale watching tours available from Dec. to March).

Like all carers of the world, we ask that our snorkeling guests respect our precious sealife. Take some time here to get to know Maui’s sea creatures so when you snorkel Maui, you’ll know what to look for!

Two Jumping Dolphins

See Dolphins on the Maui Magic!

Maui’s Amazing Dolphins Aboard the Four Winds and the Maui Magic Adventure Snorkel, we often get the treat of seeing Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins in the wild.  The Hawaiian word for dolphin is Nai’a (nay-ee-ah). These acrobatic creatures jump, flip, and…

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Fish

Hawaiian Monk Seals

The Hawaiian monk seal is an endangered species that is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands andis one of two remaining monk seal species; the other being the Mediterranean monk seal. The Hawaiian name is ʻIlio-holo-i-ka-uaua, or "dog that runs in…

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Eagle Ray

Spotted Eagle Ray

Hihimanu “Magnificent’ or “Elegant" Bird The Spotted Eagle Ray can be found in shallow coastal waters and bays, in depths down to 260 ft. They can be found globally in tropical regions, including the Gulf of Mexico, Hawaii, Atlantic Africa,…

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Fish Under The Sea

Manta Ray

The giant manta, aka Pacific manta, is one of the largest of the rays and are closely related to sharks. These harmless, majestic creatures have short tails and no stinging spines. They are very acrobatic and are able to leap high…

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The White Tip Reef Shark

The Friendly Shark of the Sea The white tip reef shark is a small shark, usually not exceeding 5.2 ft in length.  This creature is easily recognizable by its slender body and short but broad head, oval eyes with vertical pupils, and white-tipped dorsal and…

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The Hawaiian Lobster

The Spiny Lobster The Spiny Lobster is endemic to Hawaii.  You can can determine this particular lobster by it's purple and white striped tail and black legs with a single white stripe.  It is the most common species beyond the…

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