EXPERT TRAVEL GUIDE TO THE BEST SNORKELING IN HAWAII

Hulapoe Beach on Lanai is truly a place to bring the whole family. It has everything for a perfect outing and amongst the best snorkeling in Hawaii spots — a beautiful white sand beach entry, gentle swimming conditions, public bathrooms, and picnic tables. The left side of the bay has more of the coral, with larger coral heads the deeper you swim. This snorkeling bay area is mostly known for the number of dolphins that tend to show up, with some snorkelers reporting 40-50 dolphins in a single day. The bay also has a lot of tide pools to explore as well. Make a day of it by bringing along a Hawaii fish guide and trying to spot the cutest puffer fish Hawaii has to offer, the longest trumpet fish Hawaii has ever seen or the shiniest barracuda Hawaii has waiting in the shallows.

The Ahihi Kinau Natural Area Reserve is one of the best places to go with younger children who may not be strong snorkelers, as the area is very protected. Wear water shoes to make it across lava rock shoreline to enter the water. This area is known for being very gentle and calm. As such, pregnant sharks like to come here to give birth. During that time, the reserve will be closed and there will be signs up alerting you to not swim there, both for you and the sharks (such as in April 2019). Maui shark tracking is an important part of monitoring the sea life of the area and is nothing to be overly concerned with. For example, tiger shark tracking Maui has been ongoing since 2016 by the Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System. As a nature reserve, there are park rangers who monitor the area and can give you recommendations on entry points.

One of the most famous snorkeling locations on Kauai is Makua, also known as Tunnels Beach. This location is famous for its “tunnels,” holes through coral which snorkelers can carefully swim through if they’d like. Tunnels Beach snorkeling is known for being a turtle beach Kauai keeps stocked with plenty of turtles and monk seals sleeping on the sand. There are two different swimming locations, one for beginner and one for intermediate snorkelers and scuba divers. The reef running parallel along the shoreline on the left is excellent for beginners, with protection from currents and waves allowing schools of fish to swim gently among the corals. Beyond that reef is a horseshoe-shaped reef which created a protected lagoon inside of it, which requires an intermediate level of swimming skill to get to. When snorkeling North Shore, Kauai, swimming outside of that protected area is not recommended, or only so for advanced swimmers, as currents may be strong. Swim here in summer, as winter swells can make these Kauai snorkel spots dangerous.

Any Big Island snorkeling map is sure to have this site listed near the top. Honaunau Bay is nicknamed “Two-Steps” for a section of worn lava rock which looks like two giant steps leading from the lava flow shore down into the water. This is the entry point. While a line may form to enter here, it is worth it. Entering at Two-Steps is not only the safest for your legs, but also for the coral in the bay. Please note that the water is about 8ft deep upon entry — something to keep in mind if snorkeling with young or unsure swimmers. Big Island marine life in the bay ranges from coral to turtles to even spinner dolphins. If you’re looking for sea turtles Big Island style, then look no further.

Molokini Crater is a submerged crescent-shaped volcanic crater 2.5 miles off of Maui’s south shore. The crater is listed as a Marine Life Conservation District Seabird Sanctuary, which has allowed marine life to flourish. The site is only accessible by boat and the edges of the crescent are sheer cliffs which cannot be climbed. As such, there is no shore to stand on, which makes this an intermediate level snorkeling destination. However, the shape and location of Molokini means that the inside of the crescent is protected from waves, currents, and wind, which allows for amazing crystal-blue visibility, gentle swimming conditions, and phenomenal sea life. There are an estimated 250 species of tropical fish at this single crater. On the outside of the crater, is a “wall” which drops down, down, down into the deep. It’s an amazing view from the surface.

This snorkeling option is for the true snorkeling adventurists. If you’re an avid night diver, night snorkeler or love manta rays, then this is going to be the best snorkeling on the Big Island possible. During a manta ray night snorkel, you ride out in a boat to a location known for manta ray sightings, such as Manta Village (96% success rate) or Manta Heaven (90% success rate). At these locations, giant lights are submerged in the water, attracting and illuminating plankton, which attracts manta rays. When snorkelers get into the water, they hold onto floating boards which have lights on the bottoms, to attract more plankton. Snorkelers “hang” from these boards instead of free snorkeling because snorkeling fins can hurt the manta rays. Instead, snorkelers stay at the surface, watching manta rays swirl and glide as they feed on the tiny plankton all around them. This is not to be missed if you love night snorkeling or manta rays. It’s also something to consider if comparing Oahu or Big Island, Big Island or Kauai, as manta ray night snorkels are most popular on the Big Island.

BEST SNORKELING MONTHS

The absolute best snorkeling conditions occur in summer, between May, June, and July. During these summer months, there is warm water and warm air meaning you can snorkel for longer, smaller swells compared to winter, less rain to muddy water visibility and less severe currents. In August or September, tropical hurricanes may randomly cause heavy rains, flash floods, and unsafe swimming conditions.

RAINFALL

The three months with the most rainfall (averaged between the four major islands) include December (3.56 inches), January (2.84 inches) and March (2.82 inches). On the other hand, the average driest months are June (0.68 inches) and July (0.97 inches).

TIME ZONE: Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (GMT-10)

CURRENCY: US Dollar (USD)

CALLING CODE: +1

ELECTRIC VOLT: 120V

PLUG TYPE: A and B

MAIN AIRPORT: Hilo International Airport ITO

NOTABLE DIVING LANDMARKS: Arizona Memorial

1. Oahu vs. Maui

Both Oahu and Maui have stunning snorkeling locations. Oahu is more often visited, which can lead to crowds, but also easily-navigated public transportation and amenities for tourists. Meanwhile, Maui offers the less-beaten path but may have less help in getting you to those locations. Also, consider plans out of the water. Maui is known for its relaxing atmosphere and slow pace of daily life while Oahu is known for its nightlife and attractions.

2. Kauai vs. Big Island

The Big Island has better snorkeling compared to Kauai, which is known for its rainfall, which can damage visibility. However, Kauai is a lusher island, with the emerald beauty of plant life unmatched by the Big Island. Kauai is a small island, so can be explored within a few days. Meanwhile, the Big Island may take longer to properly explore, with volcanoes for the adventurous.

3. Big Island vs. Oahu

As of 2018, roughly 50% of all Hawaiian tourists go to Oahu, with around 15% going to the Big Island. Oahu is the visitor capital of Hawaii, with hotels, restaurants, shows, and nightlife to make sure people have a great time. However, this doesn’t always translate during snorkeling, where being with many others may be annoying. Those looking for a quieter Hawaiian experience would probably fare better on the Big Island, compared to Oahu.

4. What are the best places to snorkel on Kauai?

For the best taste of the “true Hawaii,” this recommendation needs to go to Nualolo Kai on the Na Pali Coast. It’s the best place to snorkel in Kauai because it is super remote, with crystal-clear visibility, near pristine sea life and towering mountains overhead. What’s not to love?

5. What are the best places to snorkel on Oahu?

Hanauma Bay, Oahu, is often listed as one of the best places to snorkel in the US. However, the reason Hanauma Bay didn’t make this top 10 list is that due to its popularity, it is often overcrowded with an average of 2,600 daily visitors. All of these visitors have led not only to reef damage by careless snorkelers but also from discarded trash and sunscreen runoff into the water (Hawaii banned certain sunscreens as a result).

6. Is Hawaii worth it?

Yes, Hawaii is worth it. Each island has its own unique characteristics, with something for everyone. Those looking for a more secluded and quieter time surrounded by lush nature may opt for Maui or Kauai, while the Big Island offers more space to explore and locations for adventure and Oahu has the biggest amount of nightlife and tourist attractions. All islands are beautiful in their own right, with gorgeous snorkeling and scuba diving locations of their own.