Seeing a sea turtle underwater is one of Maui’s most memorable wildlife encounters. Hawaiian green sea turtles, known as honu, are commonly observed around reefs and shallow coastal habitats, while the much rarer hawksbill turtle may occasionally be encountered as well.
Scuba divers around West Maui may see turtles swimming over the reef, resting near underwater structures, feeding, or surfacing to breathe. As with all wild marine life, turtle sightings are never guaranteed, and the animals should always be given plenty of space.
This guide explains the sea turtles found in Hawaiʻi, how to tell green and hawksbill turtles apart, and how scuba divers can enjoy turtle encounters responsibly.
What Sea Turtles Live in Hawaiʻi?
Five sea turtle species occur in Hawaiian waters: green, hawksbill, leatherback, loggerhead, and olive ridley turtles. For scuba divers exploring Maui’s nearshore reefs, however, green sea turtles and the occasional hawksbill are the species most likely to be encountered.
Leatherback, loggerhead, and olive ridley turtles occur in Hawaiian waters but are rarely seen in nearshore coastal areas.
Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles: Honu
The Hawaiian green sea turtle, or honu, is the turtle scuba divers are most likely to encounter around Maui. Adults can grow to several feet in length and are frequently associated with nearshore reefs, rocky areas, and other shallow-water feeding habitat.
Despite the name, green sea turtles aren’t green on the outside. Their name comes from the greenish color of their body fat, which is associated with the adults’ primarily plant-based diet. Adult honu feed largely on algae and limu, although their diets can include other food as well.
Green sea turtles also exhibit an interesting behavior in Hawaiʻi: they may come completely out of the ocean to rest or “bask” on beaches. If you see a turtle resting on shore, leave it where it is and give it plenty of room.
Hawksbill Sea Turtles in Maui
Hawksbill sea turtles, known in Hawaiʻi as honuʻea or ʻea, are much less common than green sea turtles. They get their English name from their narrow, pointed, beak-like mouth.
Hawksbills can also be distinguished by features including overlapping shell plates and a more serrated edge to the shell. Their diet can include marine sponges, invertebrates, and algae.
Hawaiʻi’s hawksbill population is small, so seeing one while scuba diving is a special encounter rather than something a diver should expect. West Maui is among the areas where hawksbill foraging habitat has been documented.
Green Turtle or Hawksbill: How Can You Tell?
At first glance, green and hawksbill turtles can look similar underwater, but there are several useful differences.
Green sea turtles generally have a rounder head and smoother-edged shell. Hawksbills have a narrower head with a pointed beak, overlapping shell plates, and a more serrated shell edge.
Don’t approach a turtle more closely to identify it. A camera’s zoom—or simply watching the animal from where you are—is a better way to notice those details.
Where Can Scuba Divers See Turtles in Maui?
Sea turtles use reef and coastal habitats throughout Maui, so there isn’t one single “turtle dive site.” Where you encounter them depends on habitat, ocean conditions, the dive route, and chance.
West Maui reefs around Ka’anapali and Lahaina can provide opportunities to see green sea turtles while scuba diving. Mala Wharf is particularly well known for marine life because its underwater structure provides habitat and resting areas for turtles, reef sharks, fish, eels, and other animals.
Wildlife is never guaranteed, even at a site known for frequent turtle encounters.
Scuba Diving with Turtles at Mala Wharf
For certified divers, Mala Wharf offers one of West Maui’s most distinctive shore-diving environments. The remaining underwater structure attracts a variety of marine life, and Hawaiian green sea turtles may be encountered resting, swimming, feeding, or visiting areas of the reef.
Banyan Tree Divers offers a guided Mala Wharf Turtle & Shark Scuba Dive for certified divers.
Your dive guide plans the experience based on ocean and site conditions and the divers’ experience that day.
How Close Can You Get to a Sea Turtle in Hawaiʻi?
Sea turtles in Hawaiʻi are protected under federal and state law. NOAA Fisheries recommends remaining at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from sea turtles both on land and in the water.
Never touch, chase, feed, ride, surround, or deliberately interfere with a turtle. If a turtle swims toward you, remain calm and give it room to choose its own direction rather than trying to create a closer encounter.
A good turtle encounter is one in which the animal can continue to behave naturally.
Why Do Sea Turtles Need Space?
A resting or feeding turtle may appear comfortable around people, but that doesn’t mean it should be approached. Getting too close can interrupt feeding, resting, surfacing, or other natural behavior.
Scuba divers can help by maintaining good buoyancy, keeping an appropriate distance, and avoiding situations where a turtle feels surrounded or has its path blocked.
The goal isn’t to make the turtle interact with you—it’s to have the privilege of watching a wild animal behave naturally.
Can Beginner Scuba Divers See Sea Turtles?
Sea turtle encounters aren’t limited to certified divers, but no beginner scuba experience can promise that a turtle will appear on a particular dive.
If you’ve never scuba dived before, Banyan Tree Divers’ Beginner Scuba Diving experience in Ka’anapali is designed specifically for non-certified divers. Your instructor teaches the essential skills before guiding you underwater, where you may encounter tropical reef fish, turtles, and other marine life depending on conditions and chance.
Our beginner groups have a maximum of four non-certified divers per instructor.
Are Maui’s Sea Turtles Protected?
Yes. All sea turtles occurring in Hawaiʻi are protected by federal and state law. Hawaiʻi’s green sea turtle population is currently listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, while hawksbill sea turtles are listed as endangered.
Those protections are another reason to treat every turtle encounter as wildlife observation rather than an opportunity to touch or interact with the animal.
What Should You Do If You See an Injured Turtle?
If you see a sea turtle that appears injured, entangled, stranded, or otherwise in distress, don’t attempt to rescue or handle the animal yourself. Keep your distance and report it to the appropriate wildlife professionals.
NOAA’s Marine Wildlife Hotline in Hawaiʻi is (888) 256-9840.
Learn More About Maui’s Marine Life
Sea turtles are only part of Maui’s underwater ecosystem. The same reefs support butterflyfish, wrasses, surgeonfish, moray eels, octopuses, reef sharks, and many other marine animals.
Browse our Maui Fish Guide to learn what else to look for on your next dive, or read our Maui Shark Diving Guide to learn more about whitetip reef sharks.
Want to See Maui’s Sea Turtles Underwater?
Seeing a Hawaiian green sea turtle underwater can be one of the highlights of scuba diving in Maui. Every wildlife encounter is different, and no turtle sighting can be guaranteed, but exploring healthy reef habitat allows divers to experience Maui’s marine life in its natural environment.
Certified divers interested in turtles, reef sharks, and marine life can explore our Mala Wharf Turtle & Shark Scuba Dive. If you’ve never scuba dived before, start with our Beginner Scuba Diving experience in Ka’anapali.
MALA WHARF FOR CERTIFIED DIVERS