Olowalu Beach
Olowalu Beach
4
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2 within 5 kms
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20 within 10 kms
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
33 reviews
Excellent
13
Very good
10
Average
8
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Wyland
4 contributions
Jul. 2023 • Family
Garbage everywhere.....
Good to develop tourism and family gatherings
Smell horrible
These oics were taken July 21, 2023
Good to develop tourism and family gatherings
Smell horrible
These oics were taken July 21, 2023
Written July 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin S
Bozeman, MT197 contributions
May 2023
We went here due to the descriptions of the coral and easy snorkeling and Olowalu didn't disappoint. Simple parking by pulling off the highway onto the side of the road. The beach was lined with trees, so you had shade on top of it. It was a little challenging to make your way through the coral to the deeper water, but if you just look for the clear water you can find your path ahead of time. Went out a ways to look at some really big coral structures. While not very colorful, the structures themselves were impressive in my opinion. Had a bonus that we came across a large sea turtle on one of the reefs in deeper water and got to watch the turtle for a while. Plenty of fish to see, some turtles, and the water was easy to snorkel in. No currents that I could tell. Would go back again.
Written May 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chowso
Gloucester, UK1,195 contributions
Jun. 2022 • Couples
This is not a great location - it’s very close to the main road which is noisy, and the parking is small and not recommended unless you have a 4WD as there’s a huge dip off the road. The beach itself is quite small, and the sand is grey/black. The trees and driftwood are quite nice and there are lots of crabs but it’s not a relaxing beach there are way better in the area.
Written June 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
abyss64
Seal Beach, CA660 contributions
Mar. 2022
Located right off of Mile Marker 14, this is a great place to snorkel (note that there doesn't appear to be any mile marker signs if you're driving south on the highway, or maybe I just didn't see them... but there are signs if you're driving north; I was driving south and had to turn around because I passed it). You park in the sand right off the highway, but don't get too deep in the sand or your car may get stuck.
On the day I went, I saw many fish and a gigantic turtle. You do have to swim a bit of a way out to see the good stuff, but that was pretty easy because the ocean was very calm. There are also lots of cool looking dead trees on the beach that photographers like to take pictures of.
The only negative thing about this beach is that since it's literally right off the highway, you get a lot of car traffic noise. Other than that, I loved it here.
On the day I went, I saw many fish and a gigantic turtle. You do have to swim a bit of a way out to see the good stuff, but that was pretty easy because the ocean was very calm. There are also lots of cool looking dead trees on the beach that photographers like to take pictures of.
The only negative thing about this beach is that since it's literally right off the highway, you get a lot of car traffic noise. Other than that, I loved it here.
Written March 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bluesea182
Washington DC, DC236 contributions
Jan. 2022 • Couples
This beach is really underrated! The sand is dark and so silky soft. It’s not nearly as crowded as other beaches. There’s not as much beach here, but parking is easier, it’s still gorgeous, and it’s calmer. Definitely a hidden gem!
Written January 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike M
34 contributions
Jan. 2021
Wonderful beach for snorkeling with the turtles and plenty of parking. Narrow beach in spots with plenty of trees for shades. Park right off the road and walk 20 feet to the beach. You have to get out at least 200 to 300 yards from shore to see the best coral and fish, many people are too close to shore. We saw 5 Hawaii Green Sea Turtles eating the algae off the coral and many colorful fish. Great Day!
Written January 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dbauman
Loudon, TN261 contributions
Mar. 2020 • Couples
Beautiful sandy beach with plenty of shade. Beach is close to the road and it could be difficult finding parking if it’s hot and a busy weekend. Enjoyed the warm water and surf.
Written April 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Waikiki
33 contributions
Dec. 2019 • Couples
Here is the very spot for snorkeling, the sea is calm, beach is very long, you can find easily places for young children.
We go far to the reefs for snorkeling and meet turtles, the young ones are colorful. My daughter had met a 5 feet shark at 20 feet deep...
We go far to the reefs for snorkeling and meet turtles, the young ones are colorful. My daughter had met a 5 feet shark at 20 feet deep...
Written December 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Myleigh814
Denver, CO7 contributions
Oct. 2019
The snorkeling was amazing. I recommend going out far (visibility is much better), and swimming in a channel as far as you can. Little sand channels will spread in the middle of the reef, and they're good for when you're trying to get out and not hit your fins on the reef. We saw lots of fish, a grand total of 7 turtles, and mountains of coral. Pretty magical. The beach isn't an amazing beach- thorns and sticks everywhere, side of the street parking, and the sand was grey in color. I did like the amount of trees because they provided shade and a place to hang your stuff. Recommend for anyone looking to snorkel!
Written October 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rochelle F
Randolph, NJ973 contributions
Jun. 2019 • Couples
Our ship captain recommend this beach for some local snorkeling. You pull off the road to snorkel so need your own equipment; there are no facilities here. Be careful when you park not to get stuck in the sand - we had a jeep and did anyway but the jeep handles off road. Water is very clear and there are several areas to snorkel. It is clear, not too deep and we saw lots of fish. Look for milemarker 14 as you head up the west side of Maui hwy.
Written July 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JayBee
3 contributions
This question is for those that have also been to the Big Island.
How does Olowalu compare to Two Step, amount and variety of wildlife I mean?
Obviously Olowalu has a much larger and more shallow reef system than Two Step.
Thanks
Waikiki
33 contributions
You are right. We(all adult) have spend 4 afternoons in Olowalu reef and 1 afternoon in 2 Step.... But kids can't stay too much time in Olowalu reef and can in 2 Step.
You can meet sea turtles on both beach. There are more variety of wild fishes in Olowalu reef.
Don F
Littleton, CO
Is Olowalu (turtle reef) the same as turtle town?
Karen5056
Edmonton, Canada317 contributions
Hi yes it is sometimes called turtle town but there is also a turtle town in Wailea! so I think there are a few places called turtle town. If you are willing to swim out fairly far you will see turtles at Olowalu. You will see turtles close to shore there too but the water is murky. A good and easy place for turtles is in front of the Japanese graveyard just after Lahaina toward Ka'anapali, I can't remember the name of the park - there is a lifeguard station there. Lots of turtles all along S. Kihei and Wailea.
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Claim your listingOLOWALU BEACH - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Olowalu Beach
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Olowalu Beach:
- Kayak and Snorkel: Maui West Shore (From C$145.94)
- West Maui Coastline Audio Driving Tour (From C$27.40)
- Afternoon Adventure Snorkel from Ka'anapali (From C$231.15)
- Kayak and Snorkel Turtle Reef at Olowalu (From C$135.71)
- Romantic Sunset Champagne -Private- Maui Air Tour: Intimate & Spectacular! (From C$464.26)
- Hotels near Olowalu Beach:
- (0.95 km) Camp Olowalu
- (5.52 km) Ho'oilo House
- (10.48 km) Hotel Lahaina
- (12.56 km) Maui Guest House
- (13.27 km) Maui Inn
- Restaurants near Olowalu Beach:
- (1.59 km) Leoda's Kitchen and Pie Shop
- (11.43 km) Island Cream Co.
- (10.10 km) BanyanTreats
- (11.12 km) Choice Health Bar
- (15.25 km) Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice