Hawaii’s beautiful beaches and warm climate are what make outdoor activities such a big part of any Hawaiian vacation. Thanks to our unique underwater ecosystem, snorkelling has established itself as a tourist favourite! With so many beautiful locations to choose from, it can be hard to decide where to snorkel in Hawaii so with that in mind, we’ve assembled a list of some of the most popular locations.
Hanauma Bay, Oahu – Part of the Marine Life Conservation District, Hanauma Bay is sheilded by Maunaloa making the water incredibly clear. With colourful coral and more than 400 different species (including octopus), the Bay is Oahu’s most popular snorkelling destination.
Molokini Crater, Maui – Also a conservation district and only accessible by boat, the Molokini Crater is considered one of the best diving / snorkelling locations in the world. The crater provides protection from rough waters leaving the water crystal clear with visibility of 100 feet on any given day. The crater is home to more than 250 species including manta rays, sharks and monk seals. You can learn more about the Molokini Crater from one of our recent blog posts here: /2013/12/the-molokini-crater-offers-the-best-snorkelling-in-hawaii/
Kahaluu Beach Park, Big Island – Thanks to the sea wall erected by King Kamehameha, this area is immune to having its bottom sediment disturbed. Because the waters are so clear, it’s been nicknamed “Snorkel Beach”. What makes this particular location so unique is the beautiful lava rock formations beneath the surface. Home to coral and hundreds of tropical fish, the cove is the perfect location for beginners and advanced snorkelers alike.
Anini Beach Park, Kauai – This beach is protected by Hawaii’s largest coral reef which results in extremely calm waters with nothing to disturb your view. Because the coral reef is a living breathing habitat, you’ll see hundreds of colourful fish who make their home here.
Kealakekua Bay, Big Island – This is another sheltered area which offers views of up to 100 feet down because the water is so clear. In addition to spectacular views of the hundreds of tropical fish who live here, the area is also home to spinner dolphins.
They key to finding a good snorkelling location in Hawaii is to look for a sheltered area as this keeps disturbances in the water to a minimum improving visibility. Thanks to our unique landscape, we are surrounded by cliffs, mountains and valleys making it easy to find just such a spot. Again, there are many options to choose from when it comes to snorkelling in Hawaii and those listed above are a handful of the best!
