Booby Birds In Maui: 4 Species And Where To Spot Them

Aloha! When you think of Maui, you probably picture clear waters, colorful fish, and lush green mountains. Our island paradise is known for great snorkeling and the chance to swim with sea turtles and colorful coral reefs. But you might also see another amazing group of residents flying above or nesting along the shore. We’re talking about booby birds, a fun name for some of Hawaii’s most amazing seabirds!

These aren't your everyday pigeons, folks. Boobies are sleek, agile seabirds with a knack for dramatic dives and distinctive appearances. Spotting one during your Maui vacation is a real treat, adding another layer of wonder to your island experience. While the name might sound a little silly, these birds are anything but! They are skilled hunters and captivating to watch.

While you may not see all the booby bird species found worldwide in Maui, we do have some special visitors. These birds either call our islands home or stop by during their time at sea. Let's take a closer look at the booby birds you might encounter during your Maui adventures.

Where to see Booby Birds in Maui

The best places to see booby birds in Maui are usually offshore, along rocky coastlines, or near protected seabird habitat. You don’t need to land anywhere to enjoy them. In fact, seabird sanctuaries should be admired from a respectful distance.

Molokini and Offshore Boat Crossings

Molokini is one of the best-known offshore areas where guests may spot seabirds from the boat. Landing on Molokini is prohibited, so bird watching happens from the vessel or from the surrounding water during a guided snorkel trip.

Rocky Shorelines and Coastal Points

From land, scan rocky points, cliffs, and open water with binoculars. Areas like La Perouse Bay, Kapalua, and Ke‘anae can offer better views than busy sandy beaches.

Offshore Islets and Seabird Sanctuaries

Some of Maui’s offshore islets protect important seabird habitat. Enjoy these places from shore, from the water, or with binoculars, but don’t try to land or get closer to nesting birds.

What Are Booby Birds?

Booby birds, known as ʻā in Hawaiian, are large seabirds with long wings, sharp beaks, and webbed feet. (For the brown booby, Hawaiʻi Birding Trails also lists akeake as an alternate name.) They belong to the family Sulidae, which includes several species that thrive across the Hawaiian Islands.

Boobies are expert ocean hunters. They fly over the water, watch for prey, then plunge-dive to catch fish and squid. Seeing one dive from a boat is quick, powerful, and easy to miss if you’re not already watching the sky.

In Maui, you can find four main types of booby birds:

1. Red-footed Booby
2. Brown Booby
3. Masked Booby
4. Cocos Booby

Let’s explore each one!

Red-Footed Booby

Red-footed boobies are named for their bright red/orange feet. Juveniles don't have fully red feet yet. These are the most common of all booby species. They live in tropical and subtropical areas around the world, including parts of Hawaii.

What to Look for

Red-footed Booby Birds come in a few color forms, called morphs. Some are mostly brown (brown morph), while others are white with black-tailed wings or a white morph form. The easiest way to identify them is by their vibrant red legs! They also have a pink or pale blue pouch at the base of their beak. These boobies are smaller than many of their cousins and often nest in small trees or shrubs.

Where you may see Them in Maui

You may not see them often near the main tourist spots. But keep watch on boat trips to smaller, uninhabited islands or along remote coastlines. Think Molokini Crater or offshore cliffs where they nest in colonies. They are skilled fliers and can often be seen in large colonies soaring gracefully overhead or resting in shrubs by the sea. Our Maui Snorkeling Tours often go to this area, so bring your binoculars just in case!

Quick Facts

• Red-footed boobies are great at flying long distances.
• They often form breeding pairs that return to the same nesting site year after year.
• They live in large groups called colonies, often on small islands or steep cliffs.

Brown Booby

The Brown Booby is another booby species that you have a good chance of spotting around Maui. As their name suggests, these birds are primarily a rich, chocolatey brown color with a contrasting white belly.

What to Look for

They are medium-sized birds with a pale yellow beak and white tail feathers. Their black wing tips and strong flight feathers help them dive with precision. You’ll often see them flying low over the water to catch fish or resting on rocks and cliffs along the coast. They are known for their spectacular plunge-dives, precisely hitting the water to snatch their prey.

Where you may see them in Maui

Brown Boobies are often seen on Maui’s cliffs and rocky shores. Look for them near spots like La Perouse Bay or Kapalua. They also hang out near Molokini Crater, so there’s a good chance you’ll spot one during a tour with us!

Quick Facts

• Brown Boobies like to nest on rocky ground or ledges.
• They fly close to the water, skimming the waves in search of fish.
• They are strong and fast divers—watch out for splashdowns!

Masked Booby

The Masked Booby is a striking bird with a predominantly white body and dark wings and tail. Its name comes from the black "mask" around its eyes, which contrasts sharply with its white face.

What to Look for

Masked Boobies are one of the larger booby species. They have a long, pointed yellow or orange beak. They are powerful fliers and often forage further offshore than Brown Boobies. You might see them individually or in small groups.

Where you may see them in Maui

Like the Red-footed Booby, Masked Boobies are often seen on offshore islands or during boat trips. They tend to nest on flat or gently sloping ground. Keep your eyes peeled during our snorkeling excursions to Molokini Crater!

Quick Facts

• These birds prefer remote islands and don’t nest on Maui very often.
• They are excellent flyers and can travel long distances for food.
• They dive from higher up than other boobies—sometimes from 100 feet in the air!

Cocos Booby

The Cocos booby (Sula brewsteri) is a rarer visitor in Hawaiʻi and is closely related to the brown booby. It’s often discussed as part of the “Brown–Cocos booby complex,” and confirming an ID can be tricky without a good look or a photo.

What to Look for

Compared with a typical brown booby, Cocos boobies can show a more noticeably pale/whitish head and neck (especially males), a darker-looking iris, and, in flight, may show more brown in the underwing coverts (the pale underside “panel” can look more broken or striped). Field ID can be subtle; photos help a lot.

Where you may see them in Maui

Sightings are uncommon, but your best chance is usually offshore, on boat crossings, and around remote seabird habitat. If you see a brown-booby-like bird that looks “different” (especially a noticeably pale-headed bird), snap a quick zoom photo so you can compare field marks later.

Quick Facts

• Cocos boobies have been appearing in new areas of the Pacific in recent years.
• They are regularly seen in California, and in 2017 began breeding on Sutil Rock in the Channel Islands 
• Like other boobies, they can make grunting or quacking sounds at colonies.

Want the deep dive on ID details? See: Western Field Ornithologists: Identification & distribution of Brown vs Cocos boobies

Why Are They Important?

Boobies aren’t just fun to watch; they also help the environment. These seabirds are part of the ocean’s food chain, and they help scientists understand how healthy the ocean is.

Here’s how:

• If booby birds are doing well, it means there’s plenty of fish in the sea.
• If their numbers drop, it might be a sign that something’s wrong in the ocean.

They’re also a big part of Hawaiian culture. The Hawaiian name ʻā shows that these birds have been known and respected for many generations.

Tips for Spotting Them on Maui

Want to see one of these awesome birds while you’re in Maui? Here are a few tips:

• Bring binoculars - They’re great for spotting birds in the air or perched far away. 
• Go early when you can - Mornings are often calmer with better visibility. 
• Check conditions - Wind and swell can change what you see (and where). 
• Watch the skies - Look up while on the boat or walking the beach. Boobies often fly overhead.
• Visit cliffs and rocky coasts - Places like La Perouse Bay or the Ke‘anae Peninsula are great for bird watching.
• Bonus seabird to look for: The Great Frigatebird (huge wingspan and unforgettable silhouette).

And of course, don’t forget your camera!

Responsible Booby Bird Watching in Maui

Boobies are incredible to watch, but they’re also wild seabirds that need space, especially around nesting areas. Here’s how to spot them respectfully (and keep Maui’s seabird habitat protected):

• Don’t land on offshore islets or seabird sanctuaries. Molokini is a seabird sanctuary—enjoy it from the boat/water only.
• Use binoculars (or a zoom lens) instead of getting closer. You’ll see more detail without stressing the birds.
• Keep your distance and keep the noise down near cliffs and nesting areas, avoid shouting, loud music, or sudden commotion.
• Never feed wildlife or toss food scraps overboard (it changes animal behavior and can harm them).

Final Thoughts

From red feet to black masks, booby birds bring color and excitement to the skies of Maui. These graceful birds are a big part of the island’s wildlife, and they make every boat ride more special.

So next time you’re out on the water, take a moment to look around. You might spot a Red-footed Booby flying by or a Brown Booby diving for fish. Keep your eyes open, your camera ready, and your sense of wonder strong.

And remember, your Maui adventure isn’t just about what’s under the sea. It’s about the amazing creatures above it, too! 🐦