Pacific Whale Foundation – Lanai Dolphin Snorkel

Manele Bay is the snorkel site on this Maui snorkel adventure on the Pacific Whale Foundation Lanai Dolphin Snorkel tour. Yes, there is only one snorkel spot, but if truth be told, it’s the finest snorkeling on Lanai or Maui for that fact. As you approach Lanai, spinner dolphins race down the coast playing in the wake of the boat. It’s an awesome sight, so make sure your camera is ready. Manele Bay looks like a scene from an adventure movie. Its narrow entrance is protected by tall cliffs on the right and a smaller ridge to the left. The bay doesn’t really widen much once the boat begins its entry to Manele Harbor. The water is crystal clear with calm waters. The charter moors in a sandbar about 100 yards from the harbor entrance. You have to swim about 100 feet to the reef. The reef is like an underwater rainbow exploding in colors all around you, once you enter the area.

The swim to the reef area is one of the most interesting parts of this Pacific Whale Foundation Lanai Dolphin Snorkel adventure. As you push off from the boat the water is about 25 feet deep. The bottom is pure white sand. As you approach the side of the bay the depth decreases and what looks like small petrified trees begin to sprout up from the ocean floor. The closer you get the sand begins to give away to a forest of coral swaying in the currents. The water becomes more shallow. As you begin to turn your attention forward, the reef leaps out at you like a bursting rainbow with hundreds of species of marine life.  They rise from the floor like pinnacles covered in blue, yellow and orange.  

You can actually dive down and touch the sand pockets between the pinnacles. Usually, you will find some nice size bottom fish hanging out eating the algae off the sand. As you get close, they will scatter. The fish are everywhere, big, small and every color you can imagine. The reef extends to the harbor break wall. You can cruise on top of the water to the break wall, but it gets very shallow with some surge. The larger fish begin to disappear, but there are hundreds of smaller fish swimming and feasting off the algae.

Tip of the Day:
Bring a towel & sunscreen
Large shaded cabin
Freshwater shower
2 decks
Two restrooms
Easy access from the back of the boat
All snorkel gear provided
Snorkel 101 in the main cabin on the way to Lanai
The boat does not land on the island, it moors in front of Manele Harbor in a sandbar.

Menu:
Breakfast:
Assorted Island Fruit
Tropical Breads & Stuffed Bagel
Coffee, Juice, Water

Lunch:
Grilled Chicken Sandwiches
Taro Burgers
Maui Hot Dogs
Condiments
Traditional Pasta Salad
Pretzels

Beverage & Bar:
Soft drinks, juice, water
Beer, wine and Mai Tais

A valid photo ID is required to consume alcohol.

Restrictions:
No handicap access on the Pacific Whale Foundation Lanai Dolphin Snorkel

Other Activity Options by Pacific Whale Foundation: Pacific Whale Foundation – Molokini And Turtle Arches Snorkel, Pacific Whale Foundation – Maui Whale Watches, Pacific Whale Foundation – Sunset Dinner Cruise