Hawaii, a tropical paradise with lush jungles, impressive landscapes, active volcanoes, an iconic culture, and vibrant coral reefs. The Hawaiian islands are a dream destination for many millions of people. Ten million tourists arrived in 2019 and 2022 will likely exceed that number. On average there are about 250,000 tourists in Hawaii at any given time. They come for many reasons, to experience any of the natural delights of the islands, experience the culture and food, and enjoy the water with the beaches, scuba diving, and other water sports.
"Spinner Dolphins" by D.H. Parks is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
Hawaii is one of the best places in the world to snorkel. However, few people will say that is the main reason they want to visit the islands. For those tourists who have never been snorkeling before, it may be a “that looks fun, let's try it” activity. Many are shocked when they find that they rapidly become addicted to snorkeling with so many fish around them they might think they are in an aquarium. Yes, they will go home with stories and photos of the hula dancers, volcanoes, and dramatic landscapes. They will also awe their friends with stories of tropical fish on coral reefs and tales of encounters with dolphins, green sea turtles, and large rays.
While the other activities get the PR to attract tourists, snorkeling is one of the activities that visitors do repeatedly while on the islands. When measured in time spent, snorkeling is one of the top activities.
"Hanauma Bay" by Prayitno / Thank you for (12 millions +) view is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Where to Snorkel in Hawaii
You can find outstanding places to snorkel on each of the five main islands. Most of them are from shore, while there are some locations that are at isolated reefs and other off-island locations. If it is your first time snorkeling or your first time snorkeling in Hawaii, I would recommend taking a snorkeling tour. Generally, I am not a fan of snorkeling tours, however, you can learn a great deal by taking advantage of the expertise of a tour operator. They will help you learn the basics of snorkeling and equally importantly give you tips about the local marine life.
There are over 680 species of reef fish that are common in the waters around Hawaii. Of those, about 25% are endemic meaning they are only found in those waters. Most of the reef fish, about 450 species, can be found on the shallow reefs close to shore. There are also dozens of species of marine mammals found around the islands, some of which are also endemic. Hawaii is home to 5 of the 7 species of endangered marine turtles. While endangered, the green sea turtle, locally called “Honu”, is often seen by snorkelers. Also rare is that Hawaii is one of just three known locations where these turtles come ashore to rest called basking. Turtles are hatched on land and make their way to the ocean. Females will stay in the ocean until it is time for them to lay eggs which they do every other year after they turn 20 or so. Males generally do not return to land in their lifetime. Basking on Hawaiian beaches is an exception. Even sea turtles appreciate the fine beaches of Hawaii.
There are just too many options to list “The Best” snorkeling sites. Just to “wet” your snorkeling appetite, here are a few of the better-rated snorkeling sites.
Turtle Town Maluaka Beach Maui: Maui tops the list for the island with the best beaches for snorkeling in Hawaii. Over fifty beaches are often mentioned with great snorkeling. If you are staying at one of the beach resorts, you may be able to snorkel right outside your door. If snorkeling with turtles is on your bucket list, there are a number of beaches along the Wailea-Makena coastline that frequently have numerous turtles. Many tour operators will have boat tours to an area called Turtle Town, where snorkelers will be surrounded by green sea turtles and sometimes hawksbill turtles. If you are a strong swimmer and experienced snorkeler, there is a secret the tour operators do not want you to know. They are bringing their guest to a place that is only about 200 yards (ca. 183 meters) from Maluaka Beach. If you are not skilled for the long swim, it is still a great place as the turtles are often found close to shore as well. This beach is not as well visited as other nearby beaches as it is a bit off the main road just passed the Mākena Golf & Beach Club. The club is a private community on the site of the old Makena Beach & Golf Resort which was built on the site of the Maui Prince hotel.
Molokini Crater Maui: Molokini is a small islet located about an hour's boat ride ( 3 miles) from Maui. If you are not familiar with an islet, it can basically be too small for an island, made primarily of rock, and has only limited vegetation. Molokini is a crescent-shaped rising to about 160 feet (ca. 49 meters) above the water, the remains of a volcanic crater. Inside the crescent shape, the water ranges from a few feet to about 100 feet (ca. 30 meters) deep. Most of the snorkeling is done in sites with water from 20 feet (ca. 6 meters) to 50 feet (ca. 15 meters). As the islet is rock and is located miles offshore, the water is very clear with visibility often over 150 feet (ca. 46 meters). This means you can see the bottom from anywhere within the crater. Outside the crater the submerged volcano sloops down to 300 feet (ca. 91 meters). This combination brings nutrients into the shallow areas as well as keeps the water clear. This results in a site with the most diversity of marine life in Hawaii. Visitors are not allowed on the islet itself as it is a marine bird sanctuary.
Hanauma Bay Oahu: A trip to Honolulu deserves a side trip to the Hawaii Kai neighborhood of East Honolulu and Hanauma Bay. While Oahu is cited as the best island for snorkeling behind Maui, this site is considered the best on Oahu. Its popularity had caused serious problems in the past, however, conservation efforts have allowed it to return to its great splendor. The Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve (HBAY) is open to the public Wednesdays through Sundays, with entry allowed from 6:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Entrance is limited to 750 visitors a day and a reservation system is in place. All visitors are required to watch a safety and conservation video. Another environmentally sound practice is that commercial activities are not allowed. So no tour groups or snorkeling boats.
Kealakekua Bay Hawaii: The Island of Hawaii also called the Big Island has a number of great scuba diving and snorkeling sites. Kealakekua Bay, which is about 12 miles (ca. 19 kilometers) south of Kailua-Kona, is one of the most famous sites for snorkeling in the world. The bay is a bit remote stretching around 1.5 miles between Cook Point and Palemano Point, curving in as much as a mile. The shape of the bay creates calm water that is not only perfect for scuba diving and snorkeling but also for kayaks and Stand Up Paddleboards (SUP). The entire bay is a coral reef that is very healthy and as shallow as a few feet close to shore. Green turtles are in abundance and snorkelers in the morning will likely see spinner dolphins near the surface. Many people consider this a boat-access-only area. It is possible to hike down to the shore of the bay, however, it is a 2-hour hike from the trailhead and the elevation drops 1,500 feet (ca. 457 meters). Just remember, you have to hike back and it is all uphill.
Get More Out Of Your Hawaiian Snorkeling Vacation
There are many excellent tips on this blog that will help you enjoy snorkeling more. I am going to add a few short tips that may really help your Hawaiian Snorkeling vacation.
Be cautious using a full face mask: In scuba diving, some of the best and most expensive face masks are designed to cover not only the eyes and nose but also the mouth area. Called Full Face Mask, they have an integrated regulator allowing the diver to breathe using the mouth and nose as one would naturally do. Full Face Snorkeling Masks (FFSM) have also been developed by leading equipment manufacturers. These have been carefully engineered and tested to ensure they are safe. A major concern is the build-up of carbon dioxide due to dead space and incomplete air exchange. You will find these FFSM available at the higher price range of snorkeling masks. Unfortunately, a number of knockoffs using cheaper materials and not incorporating certain design features have reached the market. These inexpensive masks have been listed as contributing factors in snorkeling accidents. Many tour operators have removed these masks from their inventories of rental equipment and banned them on their tours.
Buy your own Snorkeling equipment: I am an advocate for owning your own scuba and snorkeling equipment. Safety and comfort are both key reasons for my belief. Having a snorkel mask that fits well and a snorkel that is comfortable in your mouth will help you enjoy the sport better. This can lead to a safer experience. Another key thing here is that snorkeling in Hawaii can be addictive. Many visitors, even those who are experiencing snorkeling for the first time, find that they will go snorkeling many times. Having your own equipment eliminates the need and expense of multiple rentals and the time wasted finding a place to rent when you want to go.
Wear Sunscreen or rash guards: Sun protection is necessary while snorkeling. The harsh rays of the sun can leave you with severe sunburn. Sunscreen is highly recommended, however, be sure to select one that is designed for use in water and is reef safe. A rash guard is also a great way to reduce the risk of sunburn as well as helping to provide protection against scrapes and marine stings. A thin wetsuit is another option. This will not only provide the same protection as a rash guard but will also add some thermal protection and added buoyancy. Even the warm tropical waters may make you cold during a long snorkeling outing. The added buoyancy also makes it easier to float.
Get a fish ID card: Great for the kids and the kids in us. The waters of Hawaii are teeming with marine life. Add to the satisfaction and education of the day by identifying the fish and other marine life you may see. Plastic slates that you can take with you in the water are readily available and inexpensive. Here is a peek at some Hawaiian marine life.
When you start planning that dream vacation to Hawaii, make sure you leave ample time for snorkeling.
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