Turtle Town Maui - Hawaii

Marlon’s Crack, named for its discoverer, offers a fun, shallow dive, maxing out at 22 metres. We love the network of crevices and caves here, perfect for some easy swim-throughs. Sunlight filters in, illuminating healthy hard corals along the walls, and the visibility generally holds around 24 metres. Keep an eye out for schools of giant trevally or barracuda cruising by in the deeper sections, and we’ve often spotted reef sharks on the patrol. It’s a site that really suits anyone looking for a relaxed dive with interesting topography, good for a second dive of the day.

Location
Hawaii, United States, North America
Coordinates
20.650400, -156.446100
Type
cave

Marine Protected Area: 'Ahihi Kina'u

Best Time to Dive in Hawaii

The warmest water temperatures in Hawaii occur in September, averaging 29.0°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 25.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 26.2°C
  • February: 25.7°C
  • March: 25.6°C
  • April: 26.0°C
  • May: 26.8°C
  • June: 27.6°C
  • July: 27.9°C
  • August: 28.5°C
  • September: 29.0°C
  • October: 28.6°C
  • November: 27.9°C
  • December: 27.2°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Hawaii

Nearest Dive Centres to Turtle Town Maui

Marine Life in Hawaii

Home to 23 recorded species including 17 reef fish, 3 other, 2 sharks & rays, 1 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Turtle Town Maui

Based on average water temperature of 27.2°C, currents 9 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical diving depth at Turtle Town Maui?
Turtle Town Maui offers a shallow diving experience, making it ideal for new divers and snorkelers. The maximum depth you can expect to reach at this site is 14 meters.
What kind of marine life and underwater features can divers expect to see at Turtle Town Maui?
Divers at Turtle Town Maui can expect an abundance of marine life, primarily focusing on sea turtles. It's a renowned turtle cleaning station, offering frequent sightings of green sea turtles, many of whom are resident, and occasional hawksbill turtle sightings. You'll also encounter a variety of Hawaiian reef fish.
How challenging is diving at Turtle Town Maui for different skill levels?
Turtle Town Maui is considered a shallow dive, making it perfect for beginners and snorkelers to enjoy. While the overall experience is accessible, the site is officially rated as intermediate difficulty. This suggests that while generally easy, there might be specific conditions or features that present a moderate challenge.
When is the best time of day and year to go diving at Turtle Town Maui for optimal conditions?
Unfortunately, the provided information does not specify the best time of day or year for optimal diving conditions at Turtle Town Maui. We recommend checking local dive operator reports for current conditions.
Do I need a specific scuba diving certification to dive at Turtle Town Maui?
While the site is described as a shallow dive perfect for beginners, a basic open water scuba diving certification is generally required to participate in guided dives. For specific certification requirements, it's always best to consult with your chosen dive operator in Hawaii.
What are the usual current and water conditions like for diving at Turtle Town Maui?
Divers at Turtle Town Maui can typically expect excellent water clarity, with an average visibility of 19 meters. The provided data does not specify information regarding typical current conditions or water temperatures at this site.