Heritage Vacation Homes Blog
At Heritage Vacation Homes, we believe Maui is best experienced slowly, with time to explore its beaches, culture, and natural beauty. Our luxury condo at Makena Surf in Wailea offers a peaceful home base for discovering the island. Through this blog, we share local insight, favorite beaches, and memorable experiences across Maui. You’ll find ideas for snorkeling, spotting sea turtles, tasting local foods, and exploring scenic coastal spots. Think of it as your trusted guide to experiencing Maui in a more meaningful way.
Where to See Sea Turtles on Maui: A Honu Guide
If spotting sea turtles is on your Maui must-do list, you’re in luck — the island is one of the best places in Hawaiʻi to see them both in the water and resting along the shoreline. From Makena to Kīhei to the northern stretches of the island, Maui offers plenty of viewing opportunities year-round.
And the best part?
Some of the top turtle spots are just minutes from our condo, Makena Surf C1-07.
And now we’re sharing the two spots that you are almost guaranteed to see a turtle EVERY SINGLE TIME.
Green Sea Turtle Etiquette
But first, a few quick reminders to keep both guests and honu safe:
Stay at least 10 feet back — they’re protected wildlife.
Never touch or chase turtles.
Don’t block their path to or from the ocean.
Give them space in the water so they can surface and breathe comfortably.
Use reef-safe sunscreen to protect their habitat.
A little respect goes a long way — and Maui’s turtles will thank you for it.
Our Beach (a.k.a. “Turtle Town”)
Distance from the condo: Just a few hundred feet!
Our first spot is truly the beach right in front of the condo! It’s famous for a reason. Po‘olenalena Beach is one of the most reliable places to swim with sea turtles on the island. When the water is calm, the visibility is great, and the reef systems here are the perfect place for turtles to come in closer to rest and get their shells cleaned by the resident feeder fish.
Best for: Snorkeling with turtles, calm-water days
Tip: Stay with us to have this treasured spot be literally in your back yard! It is a 3-minute walk from the condo door to this snorkel spot. A Maui experience doesn’t get much better than that!
Ho’okipa Beach Park
Distance from the condo: 24 miles
If you want to see turtles on land, this is your spot. Ho‘okipa is famous for its turtle “resting beach,” where dozens of honu haul out in the late afternoon to warm up in the sun while surfers and windsurfers catch waves behind them. If you get there and think you’re just looking at a beach full of rocks- look again! Those rocks are actually all turtles. It’s an unforgettable sight.
Best for: Turtle watching from shore
Tip: Visit at sunset — the numbers are incredible, and volunteers are often present to answer questions.
You can see honu anywhere!
While these are OUR favorite locations for experiencing Maui’s green sea turtles, you truly have the possibility of seeing them anywhere, whether you are snorkeling or peering down into the water from the shore. Keep your eyes open as you explore Maui, and these gentle sea creatures are bound to show up to be a part of your experience!
Heritage Vacation Homes is a boutique collection of luxury vacation rentals along the Oregon Coast and on Maui, thoughtfully designed for families and multi-generational gatherings.
With local insight, elevated amenities, and carefully curated homes, we create beautiful spaces where meaningful memories are made.