Hawaii Vacations Blog - Hawaii Travel by a Hawaii Expert!

Where to snorkel is a common question that I get from Hawaii visitors…  I want to start with some snorkel tips because there are some things to keep in mind when out in the open ocean.

Snorkeling Tips:

• Always snorkel in areas where there are other swimmers and snorkelers. No matter how wonderful the ocean conditions may seem, always snorkel Hawaii with a buddy.  Remember that the ocean is always unpredictable.
• Inquire about the days beach conditions.  Ocean conditions can change so quickly, it’s always a great idea to ask someone about the water visibility, current, waves, etc.  Ask the lifegurad, call a dive shop, check with your hotel concierge…
• Snorkel in the morning.  Fish are significantly more active in the morning so you’ll get to see a lot more of the marine life. 
• Most marine life congregate around structure.  Whether it be coral, lava rock, or man-made objects, aquatic life find food and safety near structure.  Most fish won’t venture far from the safety of the reef.  Only the fastest or sneakiest of sea life make their homes out in the open.  Neither of which is fun to look for when snorkeling.  If you want to see the most sea life possible, snorkel around some kind of structure.
• Don’t snorkel near surfers.
• Avoid the water if it is murky, choppy or rough.
• Look up out of the water periodically to keep your bearing.
• Do not feed the fish 
• It is against the law to harass or touch a green sea turtle or Hawaiian monk seal; both are protected by the Endangered Species Act.
• Be respectful of the ocean.  Avoid standing on coral.  Even though coral may feel like rock, it is not.  Coral is the foundation of Hawaii’s reef environment and is a marine animal just like a fish or a turtle.  All sea creatures rely on the reef for homes, protection, and food.  Broken coral takes many years to grow back. 

Snorkeling is one of the most popular outdoor adventures in the Aloha State. And the good news is, there are great snorkeling spots on every island.  Glide effortlessly along the gentle currents and see brilliantly colored fish, green sea turtles, exotic coral reef beds and more of Hawaii’s undersea life.

Best Places to Snorkel on Oahu

• Hanauma Bay is the most famous of all Hawaii’s snorkeling beaches because of it’s high fish population, calm shallow water, and white sand.  This beach definitely has the tamest fish in Hawaii. Located on the east side of Oahu, this old volcanic crater is protected from all but the biggest of ocean swells making it a wonderful place to snorkel for beach goers of all ages.  The fish will be everywhere seeming almost oblivious to your presence.  
• Kuilima Cove is the most sheltered and serene snorkeling spot on Oahu! Definitely the best place for beginner snorkeling in the islands.  This gorgeous white sand beach is tucked beside the eastern edge of the Turtle Bay Hilton on Oahu’s famous North Shore.  The surrounding area belongs to the hotel so it is very well kept. Kuilima is one of the lesser known beaches so there’s plenty of room for your beach blanket.  It’s so calm and clear you’re going to swear you’re swimming in an aquarium.
• Sharks Cove was rated by Scuba Diving Magazine, July 1996, one of the "Top Twelve Shore Dives in the World".  Located on Oahu’s world famous North Shore, this small rocky bay forms part of Pupukea Beach Park and boasts blue water and an impressive amount of sea life.  The bottom is made up of large smooth boulders and coral heads forming small caves and ledges for marine life to hide.  The walls of the surrounding cliffs provide calmer water attracting schooling surface fish.  On the south side of Sharks Cove is the Pupukea tide pools; a great place to wade and explore.  Because Sharks Cove is located between the famed big wave surf spots of Waimea Bay and the Banzai Pipeline, you’ll have to make sure there are no large swells that day. October through April is considered Hawaii’s surf season, with waves peaking between December and February, so the summer months are the best time to snorkel Sharks Cove.  

Best Places to Snorkel on Maui

• Molokini is a tiny island about 3 miles off the southwest coast of Maui and is considered one of the best dive and snorkeling locations in Hawaii.  This ancient volcano rises out of the sea in the Alalakeiki Channel between the islands of Maui and Kahoolawe.  The northern rim has eroded away, allowing the sea to flood the crater, forming its unique crescent shape.  Molokini is only accessible by tour boat.  The island is a state bird sanctuary and the inside of the crater is a Marine Life Conservation District, meaning no fishing is allowed.  The fishing restriction maintains the abundant marine life.  Water visibility on a typical day exceeds 100 feet and it’s not unheard of to have visibility exceed 200 feet!  The old volcano walls protect the inner crater from ocean swells making it a safe spot to snorkel with the whole family.  Most of the great snorkeling is up next to the shoreline where it’s shallow. 
• Kaanapali Beach Black Rock Its been rated one of the best beaches in the world by numerous travel publications such as Condé Nast magazine.  Black Rock is the prominent rocky peninsula and snorkeling spot at the north end of the beach.  The combination of great ocean conditions and the seemingly endless white sand make snorkeling Black Rock at Kaanapali the complete beach experience.  The water around Black Rock starts at about 8 feet deep and gradually gets to about 25 feet or more as you head around the point.  You will be mostly snorkeling over sand but following a underwater lava rock ledge.  The visibility is good even in the deeper parts around the point.  Keep an eye out for the turtles that frequent the overhangs along the ledge.

• Turtle Town Maui is the long stretch of coastline in between Nahuna Point and Black Sand Beach in the southern district of Makena.  Although a large area, most people who say ‘Turtle Town’ are specifically referring to Maluaka Beach.  Why?  Because Maluaka is the best snorkeling beach in the Turtle Town Maui area!  It’s also happens to be my favorite place to snorkel on the south shore of Maui.  Calm blue water filled with fish and marine life all along a white sand beach.  As it’s name suggests, Turtle Town Maui is known for it’s high population of Hawaiian green sea turtles.  Maluaka Beach is just south of Wailea at the end of Makena Road.

Best Places to Snorkel on the Big Island

• Mauna Kea Beach is on The Travel Channel’s “The World’s All Time Best Beaches” list.  This out-of-the-way cove is considered by many to be the most picturesque and relaxing beach on the Big Island.  The beach’s real name is Kaunaoa Bay. Mauna Kea Beach is a nickname since this perfect white sandy cove is overlooked by the world-class Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Most of the bay is sand-bottomed and less than 10 feet deep making for easy and safe snorkeling.
• Kahaluu Beach Park is a tiny sheltered cove located on the west side of the Big Island right in the town of Kailua Kona. It’s one of only a handful of beaches in Hawaii with such a large tame fish population. Kahaluu Beach is not a marine preserve, yet for having no fishing limitations, it rivals and sometimes surpasses the quantity of fish you’ll see at a dedicated marine sanctuary. The fish here are unusually comfortable around snorkelers. Typically, schools of large surgeon fish will swim up and greet you as you wade in. The water at Kahaluu Beach is so shallow and calm, it’s perfect for the first time snorkeler.
• City of Refuge as locals call it, or more correctly Honaunau Bay, is my favorite snorkeling beach on the Big Island! Actually, not just my favorite. The Travel Channel named Honaunau Bay one of “America’s Best Beaches 2004”.  Honaunau Bay is overlooked by Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park. This 182 acre Federal park preserves the historic site where ancient defeated warriors, non-combatants, and sacred law breakers found sanctuary. Hence the park’s and bay’s common name, The City of Refuge. The grounds around the bay were home to powerful ali’i, or chiefs, of old.  Near shore the average depth is only about 10 feet. Great for you because the abundance of sunlight reaching the bottom grows healthy gardens of coral. In case you didn’t know… fish LOVE coral. Parrot fish, tang, surgeon fish, moray eels, jacks, turtles… you name it, they’re here. Almost every Hawaiian fish you’ve seen in an aquarium and many more you won’t.