Any Opinions on Captain Doug's South Maui Snorkeling Map

Question

We were visiting friends at a Napili Resort and looked at the brochures.

We picked up the yellow Free Snorkeling Map and a Guide to South Maui Beaches from the brochure rack in the lobby.

The fold out map shows 16 recommended snorkel spots in South Maui from Makena's La Perouse Bay to North Kihei's Kalepolepo Park. The descriptions include one sentence including : snd, dolphins, coral reefs, hiking, swimming, sea turtles and whether there is a lifeguard.

Has anyone used this map and what do you think of the descriptions and accuracy of the snorkel information.

Practice aloha

the Getaways

Answer

Thanks for the great question — I haven’t found a ton of detailed, independent reviews specifically *about Captain Doug’s South Maui Snorkeling Map*, but by piecing together user-feedback plus snorkeling guides for South Maui, I can offer a pretty solid assessment of how useful (and accurate) it likely is, plus its limitations.

What People Are Saying About the Map

On a TripAdvisor thread, one user (Swim55) points out: > “Any of the maps are good for location … anything after that depends on when you go, weather, waves, and your own personal abilities.” That’s a helpful reminder — maps are a starting point, but real-life snorkeling success hugely depends on conditions.
Another respondent (Julie H) says: > “Most of the best spots … aren't on maps … I am really glad they aren't.” In other words, guided or printed snorkeling maps tend to highlight popular, “safe-ish” locations — but some of the truly great / secret spots are known only to locals or serious snorkelers.

How the Map’s Information Lines Up With Expert or Local Snorkeling Guides

The Maui Information Guide’s South Maui Snorkel Map (a reputable guide) identifies many of the same snorkeling areas from Kihei through Makena, including Ulua, Mokapu, Makena Landing, Ahihi-Kīnaʻu Reserve, and La Perouse Bay. This suggests that Captain Doug’s map is not wildly off in terms of *location* — these are well-known spots.
For example, La Perouse Bay is indeed a tricky snorkel spot: Boss Frog’s map notes it can be windy, has sharp lava rock, and visibility may be poor depending on conditions. That aligns with the kind of nuance that a one-liner on a brochure map might gloss over.
In Makena / ’Āhihi-Kīnaʻu, Moon Travel Guides agree this is one of the better places to snorkel in South Maui — but they note that entry can be difficult (lava rock, rugged cove), and that calm conditions are ideal.

Things to Be Careful About / Limitations

The map’s “16 recommended spots” are useful to orient you, but they are likely *generalist picks* — not all spots will be good at all times, and *not all “good” spots are on the map*. As the TripAdvisor user said, “the best snorkeling is not on the map.”
Because the descriptions are very short (“one sentence”), they likely oversimplify — e.g., listing “sea turtles” doesn’t guarantee you’ll see them on your visit, especially if conditions or tide are not favorable.
Safety / lifeguard information may be out of date or not entirely reliable, depending on when the map was printed, local changes, or seasonal staffing.
Maps don’t account well for current ocean conditions: wind, waves, surge, or clarity on any given day can make or break a snorkel spot. As one experienced user noted, success depends a lot on weather + waves + personal ability.
Also, some of the best or more interesting snorkeling places (esp. “secret” coves or reef points) may not be prominently featured, because brochures often emphasize more accessible / safer locations. As Julie H put it: “most of the best spots … aren’t on maps … I am really glad they aren’t.”

Bottom Line — Is Captain Doug’s Map Worth Using?
Yes — I think it’s quite useful as a *starting tool*. It gives a good geographic overview of South Maui snorkeling spots, which is great for planning and giving you potential places to check out. But: don’t treat it as a “snorkel credenza” (i.e., proof that every spot is perfect or safe at all times). Use it in combination with:

local snorkel condition reports (surf reports, wind info)
a daily snorkel report (some local snorkeling shops / surf shops publish these)
on-the-ground observation when you arrive (look at wave action, clarity, how other snorkelers are doing)

My Advice
Bring Captain Doug’s map with you, but don’t rely on it exclusively. Use it to pick a handful of candidate spots. On the mornings you plan to snorkel, pick 1–2 from the map *plus* one “off-map” spot that other guides / locals recommend. That way, you get both the convenience of known spots and the surprise of lesser-known gems.

Practice aloha — and happy snorkeling!