Top 10 Animals to See in Maui

While touching, feeding, chasing and harassing sea turtles is against the law in Hawaii, swimming with them is a popular activity available for all visitors. We encourage guests to experience the beauty of our beloved honu during our special Turtle Snorkeling adventure.

On your next trip to paradise, make sure to book a seat on one of our special Whale Watching Tours, where you’ll get the chance to witness behavior such as breaching, pectoral slapping, spy hopping, fluke up diving, tail slapping and more.

Spinner dolphins can usually be spotted resting in shallow areas like South Maui’s La Perouse Bay during the morning before moving farther offshore to feed in the afternoon. Another popular hangout is off the coast of Lanai, where huge schools of spinner dolphins are seen regularly. The lucky few may even see some dolphins tagging along with the whales!

Unfortunately, rats and mongoose are on two very different time schedules, with rats being nocturnal and mongoose being active during the daytime. Not only did the mongoose not have much effect on the rat population, but they also turned their attention to the much tastier birds and bird eggs, further endangering many native bird populations, including the Hawaiian state bird, the Nene Goose. So while mongoose are certainly not celebrated in Hawaii, your chances of seeing one are still pretty great.

Nenes make loud honking noises and evolved from having fully webbed feet to clawed feet, better for gripping hard surfaces like lava rock. While the largest population can be seen in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, keep an eye out for the Nene goose on your next trip to the summit of Maui’s Haleakala Volcano.

As of June of 2010, it is considered a felony to harm a Hawaiian Monk Seal, and many organizations throughout the islands are doing their best to keep this highly endangered species alive and well. Hawaiian Monk Seal sightings are rare, but they can sometimes be spotted basking on sandy beaches during the daytime. Learn more by reading Guide to Responsible Viewing.

In Maui’s Upcountry areas of Makawao and Kula, chameleons can be spotted in forested areas, orchards and even on hedges in yards. Veiled chameleons have also become a problem, preying on native Hawaiian birds and insects, and were illegally introduced to Hawaii as pets. While it’s illegal to transport chameleons between islands, there is no law against shipping them to the mainland, which is why the majority of chameleons in the U.S. are said to be of Hawaiian descent. On your next trip to Maui, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for one of Hawaii’s most popular (and hard to spot) invasive species.

In ancient Hawaiian history and culture, the Pueo is considered an ‘aumakua (ancestor). It is believed that they inhabited the Hawaiian Islands before the arrival of the ancient Polynesian voyagers. Other Hawaiian ‘aumakua are sharks, turtles, and centipedes. The ‘aumakua are believed to channel the spirits of the ancestors, each symbolizing a unique strength. The Pueo is especially skilled in battle and is regarded as the ultimate protector.

Pueo nest on the ground, and can be found in wet grasslands and dry forests. Unlike most owls, the Hawaiian Pueo are also active during the day. They can be seen soaring through the skies, hovering in flight over roadways at night, and perched on treetops.

These majestic Hawaiian animals are considered very sacred in Hawaii. They are guardians that belong to both heaven and earth and are perhaps the oldest physical manifestation of ‘spirit’ in ancient Hawaiian history.

These friendly giants are the largest species of ray in the world and frequently found at cleaning stations, where smaller species of fish help remove dead tissue and unwanted parasites. On Maui, your greatest chances of seeing manta rays are at Olowalu, the largest and healthiest reef around Maui and location of the 4th largest manta ray resident population in the world. Home to over 350 manta rays, this is the perfect area for snorkeling or scuba diving on your next trip.

There are currently around 40 species of sharks found in the Hawaiian waters, 8 of which are commonly seen near shore, including whitetip reef sharks, blacktip reef sharks, sandbar sharks, scalloped hammerheads and tiger sharks.

Visitors to Maui can get up close and personal with these animals at Maui Ocean Center’s Shark Dive Maui, where certified scuba divers have the opportunity to dive with over 20 sharks in a giant 750,000 gallon tank. For those of you who would rather steer clear of them, remember to always swim with a buddy, don’t go out in murky conditions and stay away from areas where there is water runoff or fishing boats. Although Hawaii has received its fair share of negative publicity when it comes to sharks, remember that most attacks are simply a case of mistaken identity. Take proper precautions when in the ocean and enjoy the beauty of life under the surface.