The best part about this dive (apart from the sharks) is the fact that there is so much to see on this dive site, you could dive it twice a day for a week and see something different each time! The Pier is home to the likes of upwards of 25 green sea turtles, schools of different types of fish, eels, octopus, squid, and even the “Where’s Waldo” of fish, the always difficult to spot, frog fish! If you only have time for one dive while you are in Maui, this would be our recommendation!
Mala Pier was built in 1922 to be used in the shipping of the island’s pineapples and agriculture. The area was not suitable for mooring ships and transporting trade goods and after just 30 years into its life, the pier was shut down and the central shipping hub was transferred into Kahului harbor where it lives to this day. In 1992 hurricane Iniki finished the job and brought down large sections of the pier structure crashing into the waves to become the future home of the best dive site on island.
You will have the opportunity to glide through the coral covered pylons and peek below the unique concrete shelves to see the resident white tipped reef sharks sleeping under the shady overhangs. You’ll never know what may be around the next corner, because anything and everything can be found hanging out around the wrecked ruins of Mala Pier. One of the highlights is the fact that dozens of turtles make their home at this unique manmade structure. They are very friendly and don’t even bother to swim away! So bring your cameras along and shoot away for the best photos of a turtle you could ever ask for.
Mala Pier is a very special place for Maui and we do our best to make sure it is taken care of. We offer Project Aware Dive Against Debris at this dive site helping keep it clean and free of trash and ocean plastics on a daily basis. We also take care to make sure divers are safe and good with their buoyancy to not harm the underwater environment while we are there to observe its beauty. Our motto at Maui Diving is Mālama Moana, a phrase in Hawaiian that means “take care of and protect the ocean”. We believe wholeheartedly in that and also offer you Project Aware Shark Conservation and Turtle Conservation courses before any dive at this site. You can hear the plights facing these beautiful ocean animals and what you can do to make their struggle less before entering their home and experiencing where they live and breed.
The second dive of this day is usually at sites like the famous “Black Rock” at the Sheraton, or the ancient coral gardens at Mile Marker 14, or sometimes the reefs off the Old Airport Beach. It all depends on how the ocean is feeling that day and the instructor who will be with you will take you to the best spot for you to have a good time on your Mala Plus Dive day.
