The beach at Mokule`ia, known locally as Slaughterhouse (because there once was a slaughterhouse on the cliffs above) . This beach is about 90 meter off the highway, reached by stairs. There are no facilities and no shade here, and as such it is not very family-oriented. It does, however, have some good, rocky waters for activities like snorkeling and scuba diving. There are many fish to see underwater here, living among the coral and lava rock. The bottom at Mokule`ia Bay is mostly sand. At the right point are large submerged boulders, and fingers of lava occur along the left point. Both points offer good coral growth. The central portion of the bay is mostly 'barren' sand flats; the reefs hug the outer portions of the bay on the left and right. There are 2 ways to dive Mokule`ia. One is from the East side of the bay which gives the diver easier access to the West point of Honolua bay. This dive is something like a mini wall dive. The hard corals at Mokule`ia and Honolua bays are some of the healthiest on Maui due in part to the protection from rough seas by the horizontal depth of the bay and, no doubt, to their status as marine-life sanctuaries since 1978. To dive the East side of the Bay, there is a semi-treacherous trail covered in slippery pine needles starting at the East end of the chain link fence along the road side parking area. At the bottom of the trail there is an outcropping running North into the bay. Make your stride entry near the end. Make this dive with the sand to your right on the way out and left on the way back. Lots of crevasses offer hiding places to tons of turtles. Waters should be avoided during winter months, when high surf is common. Directions: Travel North on Highway 31 until about mile mark 32.6. You can't miss the bay off to your left.