Sharks in Maui: How Common Are Shark Encounters & Why Snorkeling Is Safe

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: November 2025

If there’s one question almost every nervous first‑timer has before booking a snorkel tour, it’s this:

“But… what about sharks?”

Totally fair.

Yes, sharks live in Maui’s waters year‑round. They were here long before airplanes and snorkel boats showed up, and they’re a crucial part of a healthy reef. But the picture most people carry in their heads—of dorsal fins circling every swimmer—is wildly out of step with what actually happens here. Movies, clickbait headlines, and social media make sharks look like they’re everywhere and always dangerous.

Across all of Hawaiʻi, only a handful of shark bites are recorded each year among millions of people swimming, surfing, paddling, diving, and snorkeling. The Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) estimates that the chance of being bitten by a shark here is less than one in a million for an ocean user.

In this guide, we’ll break down:

• • What the numbers really say about sharks in Maui
  • Which shark species actually live here
  • When and where risk tends to be higher
  • Simple shark‑safety tips for snorkelers
  • Why guided Molokini and Turtle Town tours are one of the lowest‑stress ways to enjoy the reef

Along the way, we’ll point you to related guides on our blog—like Maui Snorkeling for Beginners, Maui Snorkel Conditions 101, and Eco‑Friendly Snorkeling in Maui—so you can plan with clear eyes and a calm mind. We spend our lives in these waters, so here’s how we think about sharks and ocean safety when we take guests snorkeling.

Quick Answer: Is It Safe to Snorkel in Maui?

Short answer: yes, for the vast majority of visitors, snorkeling in Maui is very safe when you choose good conditions and follow local guidance.

Longer answer:

• • Across all Hawaiian Islands, long‑term data show only a few shark incidents per year (roughly 5–6 on average in recent decades) out of millions of ocean entries.
  • DLNR’s shark‑safety page emphasizes that the chance of being bitten is less than one in a million, and serious injury is even rarer.
  • Most incidents involve surfers or swimmers in murky water near drop‑offs or river mouths—not guests on guided morning snorkel tours at clear‑water reefs.

On a typical day, our guests see tropical fish, coral, maybe a turtle or ray—not sharks. And on the off chance a shark does cruise through a snorkel site, it usually just passes by and carries on with shark business.

That said, the ocean is never a zero‑risk environment. Sharks are wild animals. Conditions change. The goal isn’t to pretend nothing can happen; it’s to show you how rare incidents are, and how to stack the odds in your favor.

🔗 If you’re brand‑new to snorkeling, read our Maui Snorkeling for Beginners guide next—it walks you through breathing, gear, and staying relaxed on the surface.

🔗 For choosing the right day and spot, our Maui Snorkel Conditions 101 guide covers wind, swell, and visibility in simple, visitor‑friendly language.

Let’s zoom out and look at what kinds of sharks live here, how often they’re actually involved in incidents, and what that means for your snorkel day.

Shark Reality Check: What the Numbers Actually Say

How Often Do Shark Incidents Happen in Hawaiʻi?

Let’s zoom out before we zoom in on Maui.

• • A review of Hawaiʻi shark data from 2000–2023 shows an average of about 5–6 incidents per year statewide.
  • Tourism numbers over the same period sit around 9–10 million visitors per year, plus 1.4+ million residents—many of whom are in the water regularly.
  • DLNR drives the point home: the chance of being bitten is less than one in a million, and a fatal attack is rarer still (around one in several million in some estimates).

Put differently: every day, thousands of people get in and out of the ocean across Hawaiʻi without encountering a shark. If you’re reading scary headlines about “Maui shark attacks,” this is the actual data those stories are usually based on—numbers that look a lot different once you put them in context.

And “incident” includes everything from:

• • a shark bumping a surfboard
  • damage to a kayak
  • non-fatal bites
  • to the rare serious or fatal attack

Put into perspective: this covers nearly 30 years of records versus millions of ocean entries every single year.

Why Does Maui Have More Shark Incidents Than Other Islands?

Maui appears more often in the statistics than some of the other islands.

One DLNR‑linked summary and subsequent coverage found that from 1995 to 2022, Maui recorded 62 shark “incidents,” or about 2.2 per year, compared to 32 for Oʻahu over the same period.

Why?

• • Maui Nui (Maui + surrounding islands) sits on a broad underwater shelf that creates great habitat for tiger sharks and their prey.
  • Satellite‑tagging studies have tracked tiger sharks routinely cruising Maui’s nearshore waters, including areas popular with humans.

That sounds scary… until you realize what that really means:

Sharks are around a lot more often than bites would suggest—so most of the time, they are not interested in people.

Who Gets Bitten Most Often—and Doing What?

Looking at incident summaries across Hawaiʻi:

• • Many bites involve surfers, stand‑up paddlers, or swimmers in turbid or brown water, often near drop‑offs, channel edges, or river mouths.
  • Snorkelers are involved in a smaller share of incidents, and similar risk patterns show up: murky water, low light, or isolated spots.

This is actually good news: it means there are clear patterns we can avoid. That’s what the rest of this guide is about!

What Kinds of Sharks Live Around Maui?

Reef Sharks (Whitetip, Blacktip & Friends)

The shark species snorkelers are more likely to glimpse, if any, are smaller reef sharks:

• • Whitetip reef sharks—often found resting under ledges or cruising drop‑offs at spots like Molokini.
  • Blacktip reef sharks—slender sharks with a black streak on the dorsal fin, also part of healthy reef ecosystems.

These sharks are generally shy and tend to keep their distance. If you see one from the surface, it’s usually a slow, calm pass along the reef—cool to witness, and over in seconds.

A quick glimpse of a small reef shark cruising along a drop-off is totally normal and usually gone in seconds. Most snorkelers never see one at all—and if they do, it’s more of a “wow” moment than anything else.

Tiger Sharks

Tiger sharks are the big, headline‑grabbers: thick body, blunt nose, faint vertical stripes, apex predator status.

• • They grow large (often 8–12 feet) and are involved in many of the more serious incidents in Hawaiʻi.
  • Tracking work around Maui shows tiger sharks regularly using coastal waters and the broader Maui Nui shelf.

But here’s the key: even with tiger sharks around, bites are still rare—which tells you a lot about how uninterested they typically are in humans.

Sharks in Maui as Part of a Healthy Reef

It’s hard to feel grateful for sharks when the word “attack” is stuck in your head. But from an ecosystem perspective, sharks are good news.

• • As apex predators, species like tiger sharks and reef sharks help keep other populations—turtles, seals, and fish—in balance. When top predators disappear, entire food webs can wobble.
  • Many Hawaiian shark species are culturally significant and increasingly protected; killing or harassing them is both illegal in many cases and harmful to reef health.
  • Seeing any shark while snorkeling is a reminder that you’re visiting a truly wild place—not a chlorinated pool.

Our philosophy is simple:

Respect the ocean. Respect your limits. Respect wildlife.

Do that, and sharks stay what they are for almost everyone who visits Maui: a background presence in a thriving reef system, not the main character of your vacation.

🔗 Want to go deeper on low‑impact snorkeling? Our Eco‑Friendly Snorkeling in Maui guide covers reef‑safe sunscreen, “no‑touch” practices, and simple ways to leave the reef better than you found

When & Where Shark Risk Tends to Be Higher

You can’t control what sharks do—but you can control where and when you get in the water.

Conditions That Increase Risk

DLNR and Maui County shark‑safety guidance highlight a few consistent red flags:

• Murky or brown water
  • After heavy rain, rivers and runoff can turn coastal water brown. Visibility drops, prey behavior changes, and predators may move closer in.
  • As we say in our Maui Snorkel Conditions 101 guide: if the water looks like coffee, it’s a nope for snorkeling.
• Dawn, dusk, and night
  • Some shark species are more active near shore at low‑light times, which is one reason you’ll rarely see snorkel tours running at sunrise or after sunset.
• River mouths, harbor entrances, and drop‑offs
  • These transition zones concentrate bait and currents—and show up often in incident reports.
• Areas with active fishing or spearfishing
  • Sharks have learned that “fish struggling at the surface” often means “free meal.” If you see people spearing, tossing bait, or cleaning fish, give that area a wide berth.

If a spot gives you that “hmm, not sure about this” feeling—brown water, no one else in, or posted warnings—it’s absolutely okay to skip it.

Seasons & “Sharktober”

You may have heard of “Sharktober”—a nickname for the fall months when shark activity and incidents have historically ticked up in parts of Hawaiʻi.

DLNR graphs show more unprovoked shark incidents in the October–December window than in some other months, likely linked to shark movements, water temperature, and prey patterns.

Do you need to avoid Maui in the fall? No.

• • It just means that if you’re visiting during that time, it’s extra important to:
  • Be picky about conditions (clear water only)
  • Avoid solo, dawn, or dusk swims
  • Respect any “Shark Sighted” or “No Swimming” signs—including waiting out 24‑hour beach closures after an incident

🔗 Our Best Time to Snorkel Maui (Month‑by‑Month) guide explains how seasons affect wind, swell, and visibility—and why morning Molokini runs are such a sweet spot.

How Guided Snorkel Tours Help Keep You Safe

Plenty of locals (including us) shore‑snorkel on their own. But if you’re a visitor, joining a reputable boat tour is one of the simplest ways to layer on extra safety—for sharks and everything else.

Here’s what we (and other good operators) do behind the scenes:

• • Daily conditions checks
    • Captains look at NOAA marine forecasts, live buoy data, wind models, and brown‑water advisories before choosing a route.
    • If conditions at one site don’t look right, they pivot to another—Molokini, then Turtle Town, or a backup like Coral Gardens.
  • Clear‑water morning windows
    • Our Molokini and Turtle Town combos are timed to take advantage of Maui’s typically calmer, clearer mornings—well away from dawn and dusk feeding times.
  • Group structure & supervision
    • Snorkelers enter from a stable platform, with floatation (belts, noodles, vests) readily available.
    • There are crew members in the water and on deck watching the group, ready to redirect if wildlife behavior changes or conditions shift.
  • Conservative calls
    • If anything feels off—whether that’s visibility, currents, or unusual wildlife behavior—the captain can keep you on the boat or move the group. Safety comes before squeezing in one more snorkel stop.

🔗 Curious how a morning with us flows? Our Molokini + Turtle Town Morning Combo: What to Expect article walks you through check‑in, boat layout, and both snorkel stops, step‑by‑step. Packing the right gear also makes your day safer and more comfortable—here’s our snorkeling packing list for Maui.

Shark Safety Tips for Maui Snorkelers (Easy Checklist)

Think of these as your shark‑and‑general‑ocean safety checklist—adapted from DLNR, Maui County, and years of watching conditions.

DO:

• • Do snorkel with a buddy
    • Pairs or groups are easier to spot and assist, and sharks are less interested in larger, organized groups.
  • Do choose clear, calm water
    • If you can’t see the bottom in a shallow bay that’s normally clear, don’t force it.
  • Do go earlier in the day
    • That’s when Maui’s trade winds tend to be lightest, and visibility is at its best. (This is exactly why our morning Molokini tours are so popular.)
  • Do obey lifeguards and signs
    • “Shark Sighted,” “No Swimming,” or brown‑water advisories are not suggestions. They’re your cue to pick another beach—or stay on the boat deck with a mai tai.
  • Do leave the water calmly if you see a shark
    • Stay composed, keep your eyes on it, and swim back toward your group or boat without splashing.

DON’T:

• • Don’t snorkel in brown or murky water
    • Runoff reduces visibility and can change prey behavior; it also raises bacteria levels, which is another reason we avoid it.
  • Don’t swim near people fishing or spearfishing
    • Hooks, bait, and bleeding fish are exactly what sharks are looking for.
  • Don’t wear lots of shiny jewelry
    • Flashy reflections can look like small baitfish in the water.
  • Don’t chase, corner, or try to touch wildlife
    • That goes for turtles, rays, and especially any shark. Stressing prey animals can attract predators.
  • Don’t ignore that “gut feeling.”
    • If the water, weather, or crowd feels off to you, it’s okay to call it and try another day.

🔗 For more “what not to do” guidance, check out our Top 10 Things You Should Never Do When Snorkeling in Maui—it covers everything from standing on coral to getting too close to honu (sea turtles).

Important: These tips reduce risk; they don’t erase it. Always follow lifeguard instructions, official advisories, and your tour crew’s safety briefings.

FAQs About Sharks in Maui

Are There Sharks in Maui?

Yes, there are always sharks in Maui’s ocean – this is their home. That doesn’t mean snorkeling is unsafe, though. Maui shark incidents are rare compared to the millions of people who swim and snorkel here every year, especially when you stick to clear water, daylight hours, and lifeguarded or guided locations.

Are There Sharks at Molokini Crater?

Yes. Molokini is part of a protected marine life conservation district, so it’s home to all kinds of creatures—including reef sharks.

• • Scuba divers occasionally see whitetip or gray reef sharks along the outer walls or deeper ledges.
  • Snorkelers inside the crater are much more likely to see colorful reef fish and maybe a turtle than a shark.

Most of our guests snorkel Molokini, have a fantastic time, and never realize a shark might have cruised by 50–100 feet below them at some point.

How Common Are Shark Attacks on Snorkelers in Maui?

Compared with overall Maui shark attack statistics, snorkelers make up only a small slice of the incidents, with most cases involving surfers, swimmers, or people in deeper, murkier water.

Considering:

• • The number of snorkel tours running daily around Maui
  • The sheer volume of visitors snorkeling every year

…serious shark incidents involving snorkelers remain very rare.

The bigger documented risks for snorkelers are actually:

• • Drowning or medical events in the water
  • Panicking in waves or currents
  • Using poor‑quality or ill‑fitting gear

That’s why we put so much emphasis on beginner‑friendly instruction, floatation options, and calm‑water site selection in our tours—and why we wrote Maui Snorkeling for Beginners in the first place.

What Should I Do If I See a Shark While Snorkeling?

First, remember: a shark in the water doesn’t automatically mean you’re in danger. But it is your cue to be alert and decisive.

General best practices based on DLNR and ocean‑safety guidance:

1. Stay calm and keep eyes on the shark.

2. Slowly swim back toward your group, boat, or shore without splashing or thrashing.

3. Give the shark plenty of space—don’t try to chase or photograph it up close.

4. Exit the water in a controlled way and notify crew or lifeguards so they can decide on next steps (like moving sites or posting warnings).

On our tours, the crew will usually call everyone back to the boat first, then choose whether to relocate or wrap up.

Is It Safer to Snorkel From a Boat or From the Beach?

It depends less on the location and more on the conditions and choices you make.

Boat tours tend to offer:

• • Professionally vetted sites and conditions
  • Group structure and supervision
  • Easy exits (ladders, platforms, helpful crew)

Shore snorkeling gives you flexibility and low cost—but also asks you to be your own captain:

• • You have to read wind, swell, and visibility yourself
  • You’re responsible for choosing a safe entry/exit and avoiding brown‑water areas and river mouths

If you’re not comfortable reading forecasts and hazard flags, a guided trip is almost always the more relaxed option.

🔗 Thinking about mixing both? Our Best Places to Snorkel in Maui guide covers top beaches and bays, along with which are better tackled by confident DIY snorkelers vs. guided guests.

Final Thoughts: Enjoy the Reef, Respect the Ocean

So… should you be worried about sharks in Maui?

Here’s the honest answer:

Yes, sharks are here, and a small number of incidents happen every year.

No, they are not lurking behind every wave waiting for tourists. The data say your odds of a shark bite in Hawaiʻi are extremely low, especially if you avoid the highest‑risk conditions.

If you:

• • Stick to clear water
  • Respect warnings, closures, and lifeguards
  • Snorkel with a buddy or a trusted tour operator
  • Give all wildlife generous space

…you’re doing what locals do to make shark risk a background concern, not a reason to skip the ocean.

When you’re ready to experience Maui’s reefs—with captains and crew who watch conditions all day so you don’t have to—we’d love to welcome you aboard for a Molokini Crater Snorkeling Tour!

Mahalo for caring enough to learn about sharks in Maui before you jump in. That mindset alone makes you a safer, more respectful ocean guest! 🌊🦈

Plan Your Snorkel

• Molokini Snorkeling guide
• Best Time to Snorkel Maui
• Morning vs Afternoon Snorkeling Maui
• Book Morning Molokini Tour
• Book Afternoon Coral Gardens Tour