Written by the Maui Snorkeling team, operating Molokini and Turtle Town tours out of Maʻalaea Harbor since 1985. We spend more days in these waters than on land!
Last updated: December 2025
Want a Christmas-week snorkel activity that works for boat OR shore, kids OR adults, and turns “What am I looking at?” into a fun win?
Welcome to 12 Days of Snorkel-mas: A Maui Snorkel Scavenger Hunt — a simple activity that helps you spot Maui reef creatures without turning your snorkel into a biology lecture.
✅ Grab the printable checklist:
Printable Snorkel-mas Checklist (PDF)
How to Play the Maui Snorkel Scavenger Hunt
- Screenshot the list (or print the checklist).
- Each time you spot a creature, check it off.
- Try for 6/12 = solid day, 9/12 = epic, 12/12 = Snorkel-mas legend.
Kid mode: Give 1 point per creature + 2 points for any “Bonus” find at the end.
Reef Rules (Quick + Important)
- Look, don’t touch. (No chasing, grabbing, feeding, or riding.)
- Keep fins up and avoid standing on coral/rocks.
- If the ocean looks rough, don’t force it.
→ Maui Snorkel Conditions: Read Wind, Swell, & Visibility
→ Maui Snorkeling for Beginners - Give animals space: NOAA Marine Wildlife Viewing Guidelines
The 12 Days (Micro-Habitat Edition)
Day 1: Honu (Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle)
- Spot it: Smooth oval shell, calm cruising, surfaces for air.
- Look for: Reef edges where coral meets sand + algae grazing zones.
- Pro move: Stop kicking and float — turtles often cruise right by.
- Learn more: Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles (Honu): Facts + Best Maui Spots
Day 2: Humuhumunukunukuapua’a (Reef Triggerfish)
- Spot it: Bold “Picasso” pattern + confident attitude.
- Look for: Coral heads and nooks on the reef (they like structure).
- Pro move: If it seems territorial, just back off calmly.
- Learn more: Meet the Hawaii State Fish: Humuhumunukunukuapua’a
Day 3: Lau’ipala (Yellow Tang)
- Spot it: Pure bright yellow “living highlighter.”
- Look for: Sunny, shallow reef where fish graze and dart between rocks.
- Pro move: Slow down — they come closer when you’re calm.
- Learn more: Sunshine of the Reef: The Yellow Tang
Day 4: Kihikihi (Moorish Idol)
- Spot it: Black/white/yellow bands + long streamer fin.
- Look for: Reef edges + drop-off lines where the bottom changes.
- Pro move: No sprinting for photos — “seaweed pace” wins.
- Learn more: Maui Tropical Fish Guide: 14 Species + Where to See Them
Day 5: Butterflyfish (Pair Swimmers)
- Spot it: Disk-shaped fish, often traveling in pairs.
- Look for: Coral pockets where they “peck” and weave.
- Pro move: Hover off to the side and watch the pair pattern.
- Learn more: Discover the Ornate Butterflyfish
Day 6: Uhu (Parrotfish)
- Spot it: Chunkier body + beak mouth (sometimes you’ll hear crunching).
- Look for: Grazing zones on rock/reef where algae grows.
- Pro move: Give them room — they’re doing important reef work.
- Learn more: Parrotfish in Maui (Uhu): Where to See Them & Snorkel Tips
Day 7: Cleaner Wrasse (The Reef “Spa”)
- Spot it: Tiny fish “picking” on bigger fish (or turtles!).
- Look for: Cleaning stations — spots where fish seem to line up.
- Pro move: Don’t swim through the spa — hover nearby and watch the show.
- Learn more: Turtle Town Snorkeling Maui (Cleaning Station Tip)
Day 8: Puhi (Moray Eel)
- Spot it: Patterned head in a crack; open mouth = breathing.
- Look for: Crevices/holes under ledges and along the reef line.
- Pro move: Never put hands in holes (ever).
- Learn more: Moray Eels in Maui: Safety, Species, & Where to Spot Them
Day 9: He’e (Hawaiian Day Octopus)
- Spot it: Shape-shifter — rock… then suddenly not rock.
- Look for: Rocky rubble + ledges (especially near “shell piles”).
- Pro move: Freeze. Stillness = sightings.
- Learn more: Hawaiian Day Octopus (He’e): Facts + Where to Spot in Maui
Day 10: Hihimanu (Spotted Eagle Ray)
- Spot it: “Flying” diamond shape with spots + long tail.
- Look for: Sand channels next to reef structure (transition zones).
- Pro move: Don’t chase — let it glide past you.
- Learn more: Spotted Eagle Rays: How to Spot Them + Etiquette
Day 11: Mano (White-tip Reef Shark)
- Spot it: Sleek shark resting under ledges/caves.
- Look for: Shaded overhangs and cave-like openings.
- Pro move: Give it space + an exit route (never crowd).
- Learn more: Are There Sharks in Maui? Is Snorkeling Safe?
Day 12: “Manini” (Convict Tang)
- Spot it: Silver oval fish with bold black “prison stripe” bars (often in busy groups).
- Look for: Shallow reef flats and rocky areas where algae grows-schools “mow” across the reef.
- Pro move: Hover to the side and let the school come to you; avoid splitting a feeding group.
- Learn more:Convict Tangs in Maui: Striped Fish You’ll Love To Spot!
Bonus Finds (Christmas Week = Extra Magic)
- ☐ Humpback whale sighting from the boat (winter bonus)
- ☐ Dolphins in the distance (observe respectfully, never chase)
- ☐ Hawaiian monk seal (rare — give lots of space)
- ☐ Heard whale song underwater (calm-day jackpot)
More “what you might see” in one place:
- → Top Animals at Molokini & Turtle Town
- → Meet 3 Maui Dolphin Species
- → Hawaiian Monk Seal in Maui: Where to See & Safety
Want the easiest way to spot more of the list?
If you want a day where the captain and crew help pick the best visibility and reef (especially during busy holiday week):
- Morning tour (Molokini + Turtle Town):
→ Molokini Crater Snorkeling – 5-Hr Morning Tour - Afternoon tour (Coral Gardens / alternate reefs):
→ 3-Hr Maui Afternoon Snorkeling Tour
Don’t forget essentials:
- → Maui Snorkeling Packing List: 25 Must-Have Essentials
- → Reef-Safe Sunscreen on Maui
- → Full-Face Snorkel Mask: 4 Critical Risks
Snorkeling with Kids on Maui (Quick Tips)
- Use flotation (belt/vest)
- Stay in shallow protected areas
- Short sessions + warm layer
- If it’s windy/rough, skip shore entries
Mele Kalikimaka and Happy Spotting! 🤿🎅
