Makena Landing is a small county park on Maui's south shore between Wailea and Mākena, anchored by a working boat ramp that serves as both a launch point for kayaks and small boats and the staging area where many south-shore snorkel tours pick up passengers. The reef offshore — a series of lava-tube and arch formations a few hundred yards out — is what locals and tour operators call "Turtle Town" for its consistent honu (green sea turtle) sightings.
For shore-snorkelers, Makena Landing offers walk-in access to the same Turtle Town reef without booking a tour. The trade-off: the entry is over rocky lava ledges adjacent to the boat ramp, not a sandy beach. Bring water shoes and time your visit for low-traffic hours so you're not navigating around boats.
Shore Snorkel vs. Boat Tour
Most travelers experience Turtle Town from a boat — south Maui catamaran tours from Mā'alaea Harbor make Turtle Town their second stop after Molokini, and several smaller operators run dedicated Turtle Town trips. The boat option is easier (no rocky entry, no parking hunt) and gets you over the deepest, most spectacular sections of the reef.
The shore option from Makena Landing is free, lets you go on your own schedule, and works well for confident swimmers. The reef is reachable directly from the boat ramp, but the swim is into open south-shore water without any reef arc to break swell, so check conditions before heading out.
What You'll See
- Honu (green sea turtles) — The most consistent turtle sightings on Maui's south shore. Federal law requires staying at least 10 feet away.
- Reef fish — Yellow tang, parrotfish, surgeonfish, butterflyfish, and the occasional eel.
- Lava arches and tubes — The defining feature of Turtle Town. The bigger formations are deeper than typical snorkel depth, but you can see the openings clearly from the surface.
Visibility is generally good on calm mornings, dropping after rain or rising swell.
Getting There + Parking
From Wailea, head south on Wailea Alanui Drive, which becomes Makena Road. Makena Landing Park is on the makai (ocean) side, just past the Wailea resort cluster. Look for the boat ramp.
Parking is free in a small dirt-and-gravel lot. It fills early on weekends and during peak tour-operator pickup hours (roughly 7–9 AM). The park has restrooms.
Conditions and Best Times
Year-round snorkel spot, with the calmest conditions in the morning before south-shore trade winds pick up. Summer south swells can occasionally push surf into the entry zone — check the swell forecast if your visit falls between May and September.
Avoid early-morning windows (7–9 AM) when boat operators are loading passengers; the ramp is genuinely working infrastructure and snorkelers need to give boats right-of-way.
Lifeguards and Safety
There is no lifeguard at Makena Landing. The closest staffed county tower is at Big Beach (Oneloa) a few minutes south, or Charley Young / Kamaole Beach Parks in Kihei. In a real emergency, dial 911.
The rocky entry is the most common source of injury — water shoes prevent cut feet on the lava ledges. Currents along this stretch of coast can pick up unexpectedly; if the water turns choppy mid-snorkel, head back along the rocks rather than swimming straight across the open bay.
What to Bring
- Mask, snorkel, fins (rental shops are clustered in Kihei, 10 minutes north)
- Water shoes for the rocky lava entry
- Reef-safe sunscreen with zinc oxide
- Surface-marker buoy or dive flag if you plan to swim to the deeper arches
Quick Facts
Cost: Free.
Hours: 7 AM to 8 PM (the access is privately maintained by Mākena Golf and Beach Club; hours per their public-access policy).
Reservation: None required for the park.
Lifeguard: None on duty.
Best months: Year-round.
Best time of day: Mid-morning after the boat-loading rush ends.
Parking: Free, limited.
Facilities: Restrooms, boat ramp, picnic area.
Related on Hawaii-Guide.com
Related reading: Maluaka Beach · Big Beach (Oneloa) · Best Snorkeling on Maui · Hawaii Snorkel Finder Quiz
