Maui's amazing underwater world has fascinated divers for decades. RELATED LINKS Back to Maui City Guide City Guide Key West

If you've ever considered giving scuba diving a try, a vacation on Maui is a perfect opportunity to take the plunge. Numerous dive outfitters on the island offer guided introductory dives (no experience necessary), as well as entry-level certification programs that can be completed in less than a week. Or you can get the classroom and swimming pool portions of a certification program out of the way at a dive school close to home, and ask for a referral to a Maui-based instructor who will take you out for the open-water dives that are required to complete the course.

The waters off Maui have plenty of sheltered dive sites that are appropriate for novices, and the presence of green sea turtles in relatively large numbers can make your time in the water particularly exciting. It's not uncommon to see several of these endearing creatures while diving, even in more developed areas like Kaanapali Beach. Just remember that sea turtles are protected by federal law, so keep your distance and never touch or harass them in any way.

Perhaps the most famous dive site off Maui is Molokini Crater, an offshore volcanic cone that has eroded over time, leaving a crescent-shaped island a few miles west of Makena. The area has been designated as a marine sanctuary, and divers may encounter all kinds of sea life here ranging from colorful reef fish to manta rays and massive (yet entirely harmless) whale sharks. The site is an extremely popular day trip, however, and at times can feel more like Grand Central Station than an underwater wilderness, so it's best to find an outfitter who will take you there early in the morning when most excursion boats are still at the dock.