Makena Landing
Also known as: Five Caves, Five Graves, Turtle Town
Best time to dive
January to December; May to September
What you might see
- Grey reef sharkPossible
- Moray eelLikely
- NudibranchLikely
- Sea turtleLikely
Sightings are seasonal probabilities, not promises - even in peak season nature does its own thing.
Certification & difficulty
Technical - advanced conditions (currents/depth); dive within your training.
Snorkelling
Snorkel-friendly - Yes - Turtle Town section is one of Maui's most popular snorkel spots; Five Caves lava swim-throughs are better suited to scuba
Safety notes
Sharp lava rock at entry/exit and inside caves, surge/surge-related silt-outs in overhead lava tube sections, occasional current; Hawaiian green sea turtles and monk seals are federally/state protected - approaching, touching or disturbing them is illegal (NOAA guidance: stay 3m/10ft from turtles, 46m/150ft from monk seals)
Permits & fees
No entrance fee; free public parking at Makena Landing County Park (small lot, fills early)
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Location
Nearest hub: Kihei/Wailea
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand dive report. Coordinates are approximate.