Snorkeling In The Waters That Surround Maui.
One of the activities that we highly recommend as a part of any Maui vacation is to explore the beautiful aquatic world in the waters surrounding the islands. Snorkeling in these clear waters will amaze you as you explore a variety of exotic fish and sea life underwater. You will be both fascinated and surprised by the abundance of fish swimming around and the variety of colors, shapes, and sizes of these creatures that live in the waters surrounding the island. This guide should help prepare you when you set out on a snorkel adventure. It lists ten reef fish in waters surrounding Maui and others in tropical waters both around Hawaii and around the world.
Rectangular Triggerfish – The Hawaiian State Fish (Humuhumu-Nukunuku-Apuaʻa)
There are over forty varied species of triggerfish. This Rectangular Triggerfish spends time searching for invertebrates buried in the sand and is found swimming around singly or in schools. This fish uses vocalization for its protection. If they feel threatened by a predator’s approach, where they feel stressed or cornered, a rectangular triggerfish is known to warn the intruder with a grunting or snorting sound. They will also erect their dorsal spines into the shape of a “trigger” when they feel threatened. The average size of this fish is eight to twenty inches in length, and their body shape is flat and compressed. Their colors include yellow, black, and blue.
Yellow Tang
They are members of the Acanthuridae species. In their natural habitat, they have a long lifespan of 30 years. This fish is one you are probably most familiar with visually, with its disc-shaped body that will measure up to 7.9 inches in length, and a vibrant yellow colored exterior, except for a white razor-like scalpel at the base of its tail that is a natural protection tool. A mucus layer covers the skin of this fish that protects them from parasites and bacteria, which probably contribute to their long life. If you see them in the waters, you will most likely see them swimming in schools. Their job is to clean algae off the shells of green Hawaiian sea turtles.
Ornate Butterfly (Kikakapu)
This reef fish is uniquely different and one of the most attractive fish in the Hawaiian waters, and is part of the Chaetodontidae family of fish. One of the most distinguishing marks is the six diagonal orange stripes on either side of its body. Additionally, it has black and yellow striped bars on its face and a shiny grey patch on its forehead. They can grow up to eight inches, but most will grow to be about five or six inches. You will most probably see these fish around coral reefs as their diet consists primarily of coral polyps.
Long-nose Butterflyfish (Lau-Wiliwili Nukunuku-ʻOiʻoi)
The official name is “Forcipiger Flavissimus,” but it is also known as a long-nose butterflyfish that has a long Hawaiian name; lauwiliwili is in reference to the shape of this fish’s body, which is similar to the wiliwili tree’s leaf shape, oval, and will turn yellow as the leaf ages. Nukunuku, or the snout, and ʻoiʻo,i meaning sharp, are in relation to its elongated mouth. It loosely translates to a fish that resembles the wiliwili leaf with a sharp snout. The shape of this fish’s body, oval-shaped, allows it to make quick maneuvers around coral reefs to get away from predators, and the sharp snout is perfect to probe the crevices of coral reefs in search of small invertebrates’ crustaceans.
Bluestripe Butterfish (Lau Hau)
As their name best describes their appearance, they have eight to ten diagonal blue stripes on both sides of their body. They also have a bright yellow tail and fins. They are endemic to the waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands. The older fish live in deeper waters up to 600 feet below, while the juveniles frequent the protected shallow reef flats. They feed mostly on benthic invertebrates, stony coral polyps, and various algae.
Potter’s Angelfish
Also known as Potter’s Pygmy Angelfish, it is native to the Hawaiian Islands. This fish really stands out with its orange rust-coloration with intricate pale blue highlights that give off a marble-like pattern. Distinct darker features help to distinguish between the males and females. They swim in pairs or in groups where there is one male with a following of females. Their diet consists primarily of algae and detritus. They inhabit reef slopes, rocky ledges, and live in depths ranging from 10 to 150 feet deep. You can also find them in coral crevices for shelter and food.
Bullethead Parrotfish (Uhu)
This species of fish swims in shallow, tropical waters in Hawaii and around the world. Their distinctive face gives them away with their parrot-like mouth that resembles a parrot’s beak with fused teeth and a bluntly round head and bright colors. Their
coloration does change as the fish ages, though. These Uhu will grow to measurements ranging from 12 inches to three feet. They are primarily herbivores that will graze on seaweed that grows on rocks or on the surface of coral reefs. They sometimes even scape off the underlying rocks and coral skeleton when they feed. These fish are usually active during the day and seek shelter at night.
Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse – (Hīnālea lauwili)
Another name for this species is Saddle Wrasse, and there is an abundance of them in the waters surrounding Hawaii. One of its unique features is a red saddle that is visible behind its pectoral fin, which is probably where it got its name. The other feature is that during the life of this species, it could change its sex and color patterns. There are 13 varied species of Wrasse that are native to Hawaii out of 43. The juvenile saddle wrasse is nicknamed “cleaners” as they pick parasites from larger fish or animals, and as they mature, they begin they become scavengers of worms, shells, mollusks, shrimps, and other crustaceans.
Whitesaddle Goatfish (Kūmū)
They are also known as Parupeneus porphyreus and are endemic to Hawaiian waters. These fish played a significant role in the Hawaiian culture as an offering to the gods when priests demanded red fish. Hawaiian culture also used it for other offerings, as well. Juveniles swim primarily in schools and in shallow waters, while the adults swim in habitats that surround the reefs in search of food. The coloration of these fish is primarily reddish, but it may also appear to be greenish or greyish purple; in all cases, they have a white spot or a white saddle near their tail. They have been known to grow up to 15 inches in length. Unfortunately, due to over-fishing, their population has been suffering a steady decline. Thus, the NOAA has taken restorative aquaculture steps to raise this species of fish in captivity.
Hawaiian Lionfish – (Nohupinao)
Their scientific name is Dendrochirus barberi, and unlike the other reef fish listed, snorkelers should avoid making any contact with this fish. They can grow to be about 6.5 inches long with a long single dorsal spine and 13 extended venomous spines on their pectoral fins that deliver a painful sting. They are nocturnal, so it is rare to see them swimming around during the day. In shallow waters, you may see it as a greenish-brown color, and in deeper waters, a reddish-brown color with dramatic patterns of white vertical stripes along its body. They are members of the scorpionfish family. Within the twenty-five species in the scorpionfish family, this Hawaiian Turkeyfish is the only one that is endemic to Hawaiian waters. They usually swim at depths of nine to 400 feet. If you do see them while snorkeling, it is in your best interest to keep your distance.
If you are interested in booking a snorkeling tour, here are some helpful links:
Morning Molokini Adventure Snorkel
Discovery West Kayak and Snorkel Tour
Snorkel & SNUBA Diving Adventure
This is a sample in comparison to the variety of reef fish you may see while on a snorkel adventure. During your adventure, you may find yourself mesmerized by the colors, shapes, and sizes of these reef fish, and while many of these fish are harmless,
please try to respect their space and just observe them. We hope you enjoy your next adventure, swimming, and snorkeling while on vacation on Maui.