Maui Snorkeling for someone who doesn't know how to swim at all

You can wear a life vest. In most snorkeling excursions I have done they give you life vest. I personally don’t wear it but in your case you can do it. I suggest doing some rounds on the pool with a life vest to practice but maybe taking swimming classes is a good idea. You’ll want to get familiarized with the ocean not only for your honeymoon but in general.

I don't have suggestions but I just wanted to say I'm glad to see other grown people who can't swim well/are afraid of swimming like me. I learned how to swim underwater in a pool where there's walls you can push off of and touch. Trying to swim out in nature where there's no starting or end point is so scary and I freak out so much.

Aloha! I live on Maui. The waters here can be rough in some spots and dangerous for those who aren't comfortable in the water (and sometimes even for those that are comfortable). I can't say that I would recommend snorkeling here for those that can't swim at all, even if you are only in knee deep water. There are drowning deaths every year. If you are going to give it a try, I would strongly recommend a life vest or an inflatable tube that you can wear around your waist. Take a snorkel boat trip so that you have trained professionals nearby if something happens. Whatever you do, do not use the full mask snorkel masks...there have been so many drownings related to those.

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Hi! Thanks for your input. I kept hearing that out of all the islands Maui's waters were a bit choppier. I decided against snorkeling. But I did book a kayak for 2 hours on one of the days (they provide life vests). I likely wont go too far from shore and we booked it for 10am (I heard waters arent as bad during the earlier morning). The kayak I am renting from is called Clear Kayaks and it launches out of Makena Landing. Do you know how the waters usually are around this area?

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It depends on the time of year. During the winter months (October-April), we tend to have smaller waves on the South Shore (Makena Landing) and then larger waves during the summer months. The wind is generally calmer during the morning, but not necessarily the water. I'm sure that they won't take you out if it's too rough though! Enjoy

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Oh okay. Good to know there will be smaller waves. I'll be renting the kayak on the 21st of this month

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Oh also I may be paranoid since my coworker was just telling me about a shark attacking a kayak in Catalina Island, CA (not too far from where I live). Are there many sharks near Makena Landing? lol. The kayak I rented doesnt come with a tour so my hubby and I are just going to be going out on our own. I'm thinking since I don't know how to swim and we dont know the area well not to wander too far from the shore (also that way we know how to get back lol).

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Aloha....being an avid surfer, I answer this with candor. Yes, there are sharks in the ocean here near Maui (and everywhere there is salt water). I don't let it prevent me from enjoying the ocean, but I am prudent and I have a great deal of respect for sharks. The ocean is their home. There are a lot of misconceptions about sharks-- shark attacks are very rare and death by shark even rarer. I personally wouldn't be concerned. But the bigger concern for me is that you are doing a kayak tour without a guide and not knowing how to swim....I can't say that I'd recommend it. Definitely stay close to shore. I hope that you have an amazing Maui visit

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Hi! Yeah I know attacks can be rare I just wanted to get an idea of if its common or not. I dont plan to go too far from shore and they kayak tour provides us with a life vest. I've even watched a video on how to get back on a kayak if for some reason I were to fall out of it lol! I went kayaking twice and once a kid in my kayak purposely tipped it over. Luckily I had a life vest on. I was able to get back in (though at that time I didnt know how to get back in so it was a struggle) but I think after that incident I feel like I am not as scared. My husband will be in the same kayak as me and he is a decent swimmer. I think with his life vest on too it should be okay . But thank you for your concern!

We just went to Maui after our wedding in August! The snorkel cruise we went on had flotation devices you wear around your middle that we’re good at holding you up enough you could kick around and not really need to “swim”. Our hotel also had them for rent on days we went out venturing on our own. I would use those or get a life jacket you won’t be the only one wearing it out there.

Hi! I hope this comment is not too late but check out Ahihi Cove and Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve. Water is only knee to waist deep (I’m 5’3”) and there are plenty of fish to see. My kids who are somewhat scared of water, they put on goggles and took a peek without really getting in the water. This is by Makena in Maui.