If Hawaii’s known for anything, it’s for the clear beaches and different water activities you can do in them. Unsurprisingly, snorkeling is one of the top activities to do there.
So, if you’re looking for the best Hawaii snorkeling spots, you’ve come to the right place.
Maui
One of Hawaii’s famous islands, Maui, is home to a vibrant sea life that creates an unforgettable snorkeling experience. Here are some of the best ones to check out in Maui:
Ever wondered why Electric Beach is a hotspot for snorkeling despite being on the smaller scale of things? Here’s a section that’ll answer your question!
Molokini Crater
Molokini is famous for its crescent-shaped crater in the middle of the ocean. It’s only a few miles south of Maui and has a depth of up to 40 feet.
Because of that, you’ll need a pre-planned snorkeling tour that offers a boat ride for you to arrive there. When snorkeling in the Molokini Crater, expect to see different species of fish and corals.
Maluaka Beach
Another southern beach spot in Maui is Maluaka Beach. Most people know this place as Turtle Town. The beach is typically calm, which is perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
Snorkelers flock to this beach because of Hawaiian green sea turtles that often show up, hence the name. If you want to see turtles on your snorkeling adventures, Turtle Town is a great place to start. Plus, you can discover interesting families of fish and corals here.
Black Rock
Located on Ka’anapali Beach and west of Maui, Black Rock has gained a fantastic reputation among tourists and locals. This snorkeling place even bagged awards as one of the must-visit places in Hawaii.
Black Rock has narrow waters and is easily reachable from the shore. Its name comes from the large black rock that’s easily noticeable from miles away. The rock also extends underwater where currents can be strong.
Beginners love to snorkel around this area since you won’t have to go too far into the water. However, try not to go too close to the point to ensure your safety.
Five Caves
You can access Five Caves along Makena Drive. You can recognize the spot because of its rocky shoreline.
Snorkelers appreciate Five Caves for its spot teeming with large fish, rocks, breathtaking coral reefs, and sea turtles. This snorkeling spot is only recommended for snorkelers with experience because of sharp rocks and rough conditions.
You can make the most of this by joining organized tours that extend your experience offshore.
Big Island
Big Island offers a different thrill when snorkeling. Aside from the typical marine life, you may spot more interesting and rarer ones. Learn about these snorkeling sites below:
Manta Village
From the name, you can expect to spot reef manta rays, one of the largest species of rays with a wingspan of up to 18 feet. The great thing about snorkeling here is that the group that lives near the coast lives there permanently. You can only access this experience through a guided tour, though.
This snorkeling experience isn’t like the others because it happens at night. You’ll see them when a light flashes in the water, highlighting plankton. When this happens, manta rays sweep them for a meal.
Kealakekua Bay
One of the best snorkeling sites that the Big Island offers is Kealakekua Bay. It’s the only place that holds an underwater state park.
The best way to experience this bay is by booking a tour that takes you on a boat ride to the snorkeling spot. Because its clear waters have outstanding visibility, you’ll spot a diverse set of marine life, such as spinner dolphins, eels, and sea turtles.
Honaunau Bay
Going to Honaunau Bay may not be as straightforward as you might think. You’ll have to hike to the center of the lava rock and reach the steps, leading to the water.
Beginners will enjoy this spot and snorkel on the shallow areas of water that are only 6 to 10 feet deep. For intermediate snorkelers, you can explore the left side of the sea, which goes as deep as 30 feet. In some areas, the sea floor also suddenly drops to 100 feet.
Both spots carry a beautiful array of sea life creatures and coral reefs. If you’re lucky, you can even spot an octopus.
Kauai
Kauai Island is surrounded by many snorkeling spots so you won’t run out of places to explore any day. Check out some of the terrific snorkeling spots in Kauai.
Ke’e Beach
If you’re looking for the ideal snorkeling spot in Kauai in the summer, try your luck at Ke’e Beach. This point also lets you near the beautiful Nā Pali Coast.
This beach has calm waters and easy access to the shore as long as you avoid the left side that experience strong waves. Other than that, you should be able to enjoy varieties of fish, such as unicornfish, needlefish, cornetfish, butterflyfish, and different wrasses.
You can get the most out of this snorkeling experience near the lava boulders.
Haena Beach Tunnels
An interesting part of Haena Beach is its tunnels. Since it’s on the north shore, you can expect the water to always be calm, making it ideal for swimming and snorkeling.
Simply follow the sandy trail to reach the tunnels where the snorkeling area is.
In this area, discover a wide range of fish species, such as parrotfish, sergeant major, coronet fish, and Moorish idol. There’s also a particular fish, omilu, that emits a neon outline when light hits its body.
Anini Beach
Just off the north shore of Kauai is Anini Beach. This beach is home to attractive fish, sea turtles, eels, manta rays, and sea horses.
The best viewing of these sea creatures is 60 yards from the reef. At this point, the water can be as deep as 30 feet, which is the perfect depth for harboring fish and corals.
Lydgate Beach Park
If you’re looking for a kid-safe beach that offers a terrific site for snorkeling, Lydgate Beach Park may be your best bet. This beach also has new and fascinating fish.
Enjoy the view of jacks, chubs, milletseed, Hawaiian flagtails, and sharpnose mullet on your snorkeling trip. Some lucky snorkelers also spot pufferfish and a school of yellowfin surgeonfish.
Oahu
Oahu’s geographical location gives it a tropical climate and lots of marine life. As a result, many divers visit the island to witness the aquatic beauty of dolphins, sea turtles, and coral reefs.
Here are some of the best places to snorkel in Oahu:
Kaena Point State Park
You can find Kaena Point State Park on the western point of the island. If you’re looking for a quiet site with white sands that stretch for miles, Kaena Point State Park is for you.
When snorkeling, you can expect to see flat coral reefs that harbor parrotfish, butterflyfish, snappers, damselfish, and even some turtles. The most ideal spot to see this marine life is around 8 to 15 feet deep.
Shark’s Cove
Shark’s Cove is a snorkeling site for more advanced divers because of the larger bay area. Contrary to its name, you won’t actually find sharks here. However, you can encounter larger aquatic animals like eels, needlefish, and mullets.
Unfortunately, Shark’s Cove is only open for summer snorkeling. That’s because the water can get very rough in the winter. Instead of snorkeling, you can enjoy surfing in Shark’s Cove during winter.
Kuilima Cove
Calm water, white sand, and free snorkeling make the perfect combination for a Hawaiian vacation. You can find all of these in Kuilima Cove.
Located on the north shore, Kuilima Cove is one of the most accessible beaches that attract many tourists. Moreover, the rocks surrounding the water protect the shore from large and rough waves.
You can expect to see colorful corals and fish in this area, including Hawaii’s official state fish, humuhumunukunukuapuaa.
Kahe Point Beach Park
Kahe Point Beach Park, or the Electric Beach, is near an electrical plant that releases warm water into the ocean.
When snorkeling, try to reach the warmer part of the ocean. It’s where the overflow pipes expel water. Here, you’ll see different kinds of tropical fish, corals, and turtles. Sometimes, you may also spot some dolphins and white-tip reef sharks.
Kahe Point also caters more to intermediate snorkelers. That’s because it usually gets rough currents that make it challenging for beginners.
Kahe Point Beach Park
Kahe Point Beach Park, or the Electric Beach, is near an electrical plant that releases warm water into the ocean.
When snorkeling, try to reach the warmer part of the ocean. It’s where the overflow pipes expel water. Here, you’ll see different kinds of tropical fish, corals, and turtles. Sometimes, you may also spot some dolphins and white-tip reef sharks.
Kahe Point also caters more to intermediate snorkelers. That’s because it usually gets rough currents that make it challenging for beginners.
Electric Beach
Electric Beach is always on top of the list when it comes to snorkeling and other water activities in Oahu. This shouldn’t come as a surprise because Electric Beach has some of the most fascinating aquatic sceneries. That said, many tours include Electric Beach in their packages, especially for tourists.
Diving and Snorkeling
Electric Beach is popular for advanced divers and snorkelers that can withstand rough currents. Specifically, you’ll be diving or snorkeling in Kahe Point, the southern part of Electric Beach. At this point, the water depth is between 6 to 30 feet.
Once you reach the warmest area, the visibility should be clear and you’d be able to see gorgeous marine creatures.
Surfing
Another popular tour around Electric Beach includes surfing. Just off the beach to the north, you can find a Tracks surf break, which consistently gives ideal surfing waves the whole year.
Although it’s not a popular surfing spot for tourists, you can go off-track and visit this for some surfing.
Wrapping Up
Hawaii has been one of the most popular tourist destinations, especially in the summer. Maui, Big Island, Kauai, and Oahu get a high volume of tourists because of their magnificent beaches and snorkeling sites.
If snorkeling is on top of your activity list, head on to these islands and experience Hawaii snorkeling firsthand.
