BEST SHORE DIVE ON MAUI! || Scuba Diving at Mala Wharf

The BEST shore dive on Maui!
Come with Kaimana Conservation to discover and explore this incredible underwater world! This is an incredible dive site for local scuba divers looking to enjoy Maui's waters, with easy access from the shoreline. Highly recommended!!!
Mala Wharf is a dilapidated boat wharf north of downtown Lahaina on the west side of Maui, Hawaii. Up until 1992, Mala Wharf was a fully-functioning boat pier and shipping facility for commercial vessels. When hurricane Iniki brought 30ft waves, it leveled the boathouse and a majority of the platform. Now, Mala Wharf is inhabited by Maui's many ocean inhabitants, including a massive turtle "cleaning station," extensive structures and shelter for reef sharks, and giant schools of goatfish (to name a few).
Let's dive in!
🌊 Welcome to Kaimana Conservation! 🌊
Whether you’re a seasoned diver or just starting, having the right gear is essential for capturing the beauty of the ocean. Below is a list of my go-to scuba diving equipment and camera gear that I personally use and recommend. By purchasing through these links, you’re supporting our channel at no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping us continue our mission to protect and conserve our oceans!
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[@mikebreeden6071]

Great video. It looks like a beautiful spot. I wanted to take my wife snorkeling. She has done some diving in CA and Hawaii. Is this a good spot for her? No, we aren't in great shape.

[@dreamerrt216]

I was fortunate to do a discover dive at Mala a couple of weeks ago. The tide was uncharacteristically low that day, which made for an extremely uncomfortable walk on top of those boulders (and long!), but man was it ever so worth it. Now that I've researched the site and understand its history, I can't wait to go back. Great video, you captured it well!

[@mellamodiego8458]

You picked an excellent viz day

[@ceilazel6061]

What an amazing school of goatfish, so pretty! And the turtles are wonderful. Thank you for posting this video. This is a spot I've snorkeled once, but I'm not a great swimmer and the water was rough that day, so it wasn't a long snorkel. I saw some very cute teensy little Picasso triggerfish. It was really exciting because I hadn't seen that species before (it's the only time I've been to Maui).

[@KaimanaConservation]

How awesome! Im glad you got a chance to "see" this amazing dive site on a nicer day to go along with your snorkel! And I love Picasso triggers, they are such beautiful fish. Hopefully you'll be back soon to see Mala on a clear day :)

[@dennisalters702]

Thanks so much any tips where to park and enter the water?

[@Ozbullwinkle]

Hi Jess, it is so good that you have now created this channel. I think back to all the great talks we used to have about this when working together on the "Shopper Hopper" in Sydney Australia. I can really see your channel becoming very popular around the world. Great job, & miss ya too.

[@KaimanaConservation]

Thanks for inspiring me to share my love of the ocean with the world! To think that a year ago this channel was just a dream forming on the other side of the planet!

[@quiksilverw0352]

Sea turtles are such magnificent and elegant creatures I had the opportunity to see a few snorkeling in Maui at black rock and Fleming beach today I’m going to Molokini.

[@KaimanaConservation]

I love sea turtles. Our green sea turtles are the most beautiful and inquisitive creatures. Have a wonderful time at Molokini! No turtles there, but the structure and sealife there (especially the fish) are incredible. :)

[@dylanclark62]

Awesome video!! I am going to be visiting Maui next month and have booked dives at Molokini Crater - however, I am looking at doing some other dives like this one and wondering about just sticking with shore dives rather than boat charters. Would love to message you and get some insight on any dives!

[@KaimanaConservation]

Hi Dylan! So exciting that you are coming to Maui to dive, what a great way to have a virtual introduction to the dive spots before arriving! Firstly, it's super important to note that the boat trips to Molokini and Lanai are SO different compared to a shore dive. Molokini Crater and Lanai's cathedrals are unlike any other dive site on Maui. At Molo the visibility is incredible, higher opportunity of seeing pelagic species and the only "wall" dive on Maui. Lanai's cathedrals is also known to be some of the best "lava tube cave diving" offered in Maui county. Both of these sites are ONLY accessible by boat, and I would highly encourage doing those dives. Sadly I haven't had the opportunity to do a video on Molokini Diving or Lanai diving yet, but they are definitely coming! Too good to miss. :) If you are keen to do additional diving from shore, and have the time and resources, I would definitely encourage it (ALL THE DIVES haha!). Sites like this one (Mala Wharf) are easily accessible from the shoreline and have an incredible abundance of fish. Each dive site is different and there is so much to see at them all. Scuba gear rental is relatively cheap and popular sites like this one are easy to navigate solo, or you can hire a guide. Lots of options. I hope you have a wonderful trip to our beautiful island. Happy diving!

[@thealbatross13]

My family is going to Hawaii in june, and will be spending time on Maui. How’s the visibility here? are you guaranteed pretty much to see one shark?? I’m assuming I could snorkel as well? Beautiful day and dive!

[@KaimanaConservation]

Aloha, I hope you are excited to come visit! Visibility is always changing depending on the weather and the swell. However the summer is typically quite good. Also we joke around here that if there is bad visibility on one side of the island, there is good visibility on the other side of the island. Definitely recommend checking the Maui Snorkel Report while you are here to find the best spots: thesnorkelstore.com/maui-snorkeling-conditions-reports/ As for sharks, depends on the location and time of day. Although you cannot predict wild animals - Mala Wharf is one of the most consistent places to find them, along with Makena Landing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnrZoI2FeMyZnNU

[@daynuhmite]

I am pretty scared of the ocean, since it can literally eat you in one gulp, but these videos make me really want to be in the ocean. Also, did you have to invest in all your own gear? Or did one of your employers provide it to you? One last question that you may answer in a future video: what is a turtle “cleaning” station? Turtles don’t usually hang out together? I love your videos!

[@KaimanaConservation]

The ocean is my favorite place to be! Although it deserves a healthy respect, I definitely think you should give it another chance ... maybe next time you are in Maui we can give you a proper introduction. ;) All the gear is mine (quite an investment but worth it!), and all of the videos are done on my own time (not through an employer). Great question!! I actually realized I didn't explain it in this one so I made sure to in the next video! Watch kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGO7aI1oeLqql8k , explanation of turtle cleaning station at 1:25! :)

[@greghelton4668]

I believe Mala was destroyed by a hurricane three decades ago.

[@KaimanaConservation]

Yep, that's right. Up until 1992, Mala Wharf was a fully-functioning boat pier and shipping facility for commercial vessels. When hurricane Iniki brought 30ft waves, it leveled the boathouse and a majority of the platform. Now, Mala Wharf is inhabited by Maui's many ocean inhabitants, including a massive turtle "cleaning station," extensive structures and shelter for reef sharks, and giant schools of goatfish (to name a few).

[@greghelton4668]

@@KaimanaConservation it’s one of my favorite dives here on Maui. I’ve dived Mala a dozen or so times, the first time 18 years ago. Thanks for taking out the fishing gear by the way. It entangles all kinds of sea life.