Ahihi Bay and Waiala Cove Snorkeling Precautions
Waiala Cove on Maui
Waiala Cove (or sometimes called Kanahena) is a small semi-protected cove located next to the Makena- Keoneoio Road. (Approximately 5 miles south of Grand Wailea). This area is extremely popular with snorkelers due to the close proximity of the coral reef to the road. Parking is rather limited with 3 spaces located adjacent to the north end of the Waiala Cove. Additional parking is located to the south of the cove requiring visitors to walk back to the north end. The popularity of the area has resulted in overuse threatening the coral reef ecosystem.
The cove is very shallow with large boulders and coral heads located near the shore. The cove is typically protected from large waves although the conditions can create dangerous conditions particularly at low tide. Beginner snorkelers and families with small children should NOT select this cove for their outing. When the waves are rough and/or the water shallow the risk of disturbing the sealife by accidentally touching or standing on the lava rocks or coral heads. If you are an inexperienced snorkeler then this risk is only increased. Please help protect this fragile area from abuse whether intentional or accidental.
The Waiala Cove is part of an overall much larger Ahihi-Kina'u Natural Area Reserve. The Ahihi-Kina'u Natural Area Reserve is currently closed until July 31, 2010 in an effort to allow the coral reef ecosystem to rest from the large number of swimmers, snorkelers, kayakers, SCUBA divers, and tourists that typically visit the area. Commercial kayak tours are restricted from this area.
The reserve is teeming with sealife in the shallow water that extends out 100 feet from shore with average depths of 15 feet. Once you enter from the north end of the Waiala Bay, snorkelers should proceed out the narrow channel to follow the reef to the south avoiding the shallow tide pools. There are wonderful coral formations, caves and trenches near the shore. I have been fortunate to see a green sea turtle as it came up for a breath and then returned to a deeper trench. Another snorkeler reported seeing a ray but I was not blessed with a glimpse of this creature.
Although Waiala Cove is still open to snorkeling and swimming there are some limitations. Visitors to the cove are requested to follow a few regulations to protect the sensitive coral reef and tide pools, particularly at low tide.
1. Please enter the cove from North end of Waiala Cove. The beach is rather rocky, but there is a large concrete slab near the entry point that is an excellent location for donning your mask, snorkel, and fins. Please adjust your mask, snorkel, and fins before beginning your snorkeling adventure.
2. Do NOT stand up when you are snorkeling. Experienced snorkelers will swim to the area they wish to explore then they will float quietly. Once you are quiet and not moving, the fish will soon be swimming all around you. Avoid making rapid movements. I often float with my arms either at my side or on my back. Just standing on the coral heads or the submerged rocks will damage the ecosystem of the area. If you must adjust your mask, move out to deeper water away from the reef. A skilled snorkeler can clear their mask by lifting their head only slightly . . . again minimizing any disturbance of the water.
3. Do NOT disturb the tide pools located on the south side of Waiala Cove. This is particularly important during low tide. The tide pools are filled with small sea creatures, many too small to detect with the naked eye. Whereas it may be fun to explore these tide pools, please protect the plants and animals that live in tide pools.
4. Do NOT touch coral with your fingers, fins, or other parts of your body. If you cannot clear a coral head or reef without touching, then you should not be there. Remember each coral is composed of tiny polyp animals that are extremely delicate and will die if you touch them.
5. Do NOT feed or attempt to touch the sealife, particularly the sea urchins, sea turtles, spinner dolphins, or the Hawaiian Monk Seals. Feeding fish only destroys the natural balance.
6. Do NOT pursue or chase sealife, particularly the sea turtles, spinner dolphins, rays, or seals. This disrupts their feeding patterns. If you are fortunate to see one of these wonders please enjoy the brief encounter on the terms of the creature. It is illegal to pursue or touch a turtle or seal. If you see someone engaged in this behavior, report the behavior and document their license number of their car. If you are observed violating this law you may be subject to a citation, court appearance, fine, and even jail time.
Finally, remember that it is in the interest of everyone to protect the Ahihi-Kina'u Reserve so that we may enjoy the area in the future. If you observe abuse of the regulations report violations to the Division of Conservation & Resources Enforcement (Docare), 984-8110. Nights & weekends dial the operator & ask for Enterprise 5469.
Signs have been posted requesting that snorkelers and swimmers enter from the North side of the cove, but as evidenced from the short video below many tourists ignore the signs. I took this short video with a FujiFilm Finepix Z33 WP (Waterproof) Pocket Camera. Unfortunately, I did not have my prescription glasses or goggles on at the time so it is not the best. (I did not see the water droplets on the lens . . . I had left my glasses in the car. Sorry for the minor distortion.) Note that the two signs in the video read as follows: "Sensitive Rocky Inter Tital Zone. Enter other side of Waiala Cove to prevent damage to fragile marine life." As I was walking back to my car after snorkeling, I observed people sitting, walking, and even playing in the tide pools that were remaining since the water levels were low , , , it was low tide. Typically the water covers this area and waves break right at the road. Please note that before beginning the video I had asked the people in this video to please move to the north end, but the people in the lawn chairs refused to move. I stressed that the signs were posted to protect this area from damage. I even mentioned that they could be cited for failing to obey the regulations that could result in a court date and fines and/or jail time. Unfortunately, there are always some people who feel that rules are for other people. Unfortunately, they fail to recognize that they are damaging the micro-organisms and eggs that are struggling to live in these tide pools.
The cove is very shallow with large boulders and coral heads located near the shore. The cove is typically protected from large waves although the conditions can create dangerous conditions particularly at low tide. Beginner snorkelers and families with small children should NOT select this cove for their outing. When the waves are rough and/or the water shallow the risk of disturbing the sealife by accidentally touching or standing on the lava rocks or coral heads. If you are an inexperienced snorkeler then this risk is only increased. Please help protect this fragile area from abuse whether intentional or accidental.
The Waiala Cove is part of an overall much larger Ahihi-Kina'u Natural Area Reserve. The Ahihi-Kina'u Natural Area Reserve is currently closed until July 31, 2010 in an effort to allow the coral reef ecosystem to rest from the large number of swimmers, snorkelers, kayakers, SCUBA divers, and tourists that typically visit the area. Commercial kayak tours are restricted from this area.
The reserve is teeming with sealife in the shallow water that extends out 100 feet from shore with average depths of 15 feet. Once you enter from the north end of the Waiala Bay, snorkelers should proceed out the narrow channel to follow the reef to the south avoiding the shallow tide pools. There are wonderful coral formations, caves and trenches near the shore. I have been fortunate to see a green sea turtle as it came up for a breath and then returned to a deeper trench. Another snorkeler reported seeing a ray but I was not blessed with a glimpse of this creature.
Although Waiala Cove is still open to snorkeling and swimming there are some limitations. Visitors to the cove are requested to follow a few regulations to protect the sensitive coral reef and tide pools, particularly at low tide.
1. Please enter the cove from North end of Waiala Cove. The beach is rather rocky, but there is a large concrete slab near the entry point that is an excellent location for donning your mask, snorkel, and fins. Please adjust your mask, snorkel, and fins before beginning your snorkeling adventure.
2. Do NOT stand up when you are snorkeling. Experienced snorkelers will swim to the area they wish to explore then they will float quietly. Once you are quiet and not moving, the fish will soon be swimming all around you. Avoid making rapid movements. I often float with my arms either at my side or on my back. Just standing on the coral heads or the submerged rocks will damage the ecosystem of the area. If you must adjust your mask, move out to deeper water away from the reef. A skilled snorkeler can clear their mask by lifting their head only slightly . . . again minimizing any disturbance of the water.
3. Do NOT disturb the tide pools located on the south side of Waiala Cove. This is particularly important during low tide. The tide pools are filled with small sea creatures, many too small to detect with the naked eye. Whereas it may be fun to explore these tide pools, please protect the plants and animals that live in tide pools.
4. Do NOT touch coral with your fingers, fins, or other parts of your body. If you cannot clear a coral head or reef without touching, then you should not be there. Remember each coral is composed of tiny polyp animals that are extremely delicate and will die if you touch them.
5. Do NOT feed or attempt to touch the sealife, particularly the sea urchins, sea turtles, spinner dolphins, or the Hawaiian Monk Seals. Feeding fish only destroys the natural balance.
6. Do NOT pursue or chase sealife, particularly the sea turtles, spinner dolphins, rays, or seals. This disrupts their feeding patterns. If you are fortunate to see one of these wonders please enjoy the brief encounter on the terms of the creature. It is illegal to pursue or touch a turtle or seal. If you see someone engaged in this behavior, report the behavior and document their license number of their car. If you are observed violating this law you may be subject to a citation, court appearance, fine, and even jail time.
Finally, remember that it is in the interest of everyone to protect the Ahihi-Kina'u Reserve so that we may enjoy the area in the future. If you observe abuse of the regulations report violations to the Division of Conservation & Resources Enforcement (Docare), 984-8110. Nights & weekends dial the operator & ask for Enterprise 5469.
Signs have been posted requesting that snorkelers and swimmers enter from the North side of the cove, but as evidenced from the short video below many tourists ignore the signs. I took this short video with a FujiFilm Finepix Z33 WP (Waterproof) Pocket Camera. Unfortunately, I did not have my prescription glasses or goggles on at the time so it is not the best. (I did not see the water droplets on the lens . . . I had left my glasses in the car. Sorry for the minor distortion.) Note that the two signs in the video read as follows: "Sensitive Rocky Inter Tital Zone. Enter other side of Waiala Cove to prevent damage to fragile marine life." As I was walking back to my car after snorkeling, I observed people sitting, walking, and even playing in the tide pools that were remaining since the water levels were low , , , it was low tide. Typically the water covers this area and waves break right at the road. Please note that before beginning the video I had asked the people in this video to please move to the north end, but the people in the lawn chairs refused to move. I stressed that the signs were posted to protect this area from damage. I even mentioned that they could be cited for failing to obey the regulations that could result in a court date and fines and/or jail time. Unfortunately, there are always some people who feel that rules are for other people. Unfortunately, they fail to recognize that they are damaging the micro-organisms and eggs that are struggling to live in these tide pools.
Recommended Web Sites for further information:
- State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources web site for Ahihi Bay and Waiala Cove:
- Maui Guidebook for Ahihi Bay and Waiala Cove:
- Nature - Life at the Edge of the Sea: