One of the top things to consider when snorkeling is how rough or calm the ocean is. This can greatly affect your comfort level if you are prone to seasickness.
Located within the Pu’uhonua O Honaunau State Park, this place of refuge boasts spectacular reefs that house a variety of marine life.
1. Kealakekua Bay
Imagine floating in the calm, clear waters of Kealakekua Bay, surrounded by schools of bright tropical fish. When you raise your head above the water, you’ll see a majestic cliff and the white obelisk memorializing Captain James Cook, who landed here in 1778 and made history. Kealakekua Bay is one of the most popular attractions in Hawaii’s Kona coffee coast, renowned for its marine life and rich historical significance.
It’s common to spot Hawaiian spinner dolphins in the bay, as well as manta rays, spotted eagle rays, and sea turtles. Seeing these beautiful creatures gliding gracefully in their natural habitat is a truly awe-inspiring experience. However, it’s important to observe them from a distance and respect their space and behavior.
Whether you’re an experienced snorkeler or not, a kayak and snorkel tour of Kealakekua Bay is sure to be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. A certified guide will accompany you as you paddle across the pristine waters and snorkel this stunning marine life sanctuary. You’ll also learn about the area’s unique cultural and natural history.
2. Kahalu’u Beach Park
This popular beach park south of Kona features a large shallow area shielded by a natural breaker, guaranteeing calm ocean conditions. It’s the perfect spot for snorkeling beginners! You’ll see lots of fishes here – brilliantly colored parrotfish flap their pectoral fins, while yellow tang gather in conspicuous schools, and trumpetfish try to blend in, great for Kona Snorkeling Tours.
There’s also a chance you may encounter a sea turtle here! Just remember to give them 30 feet of space. The bottom of Honokohau is a mix of large boulders, smaller stones, and coral rubble. There is a little bit of sandy soil as well, but you’ll want to get into the water and just float!
You can enter the water from a couple of small sand ‘entries’ just off the pier. It’s easier to put on your gear from here than on the lava rock. You can also join a snorkel tour here if you’d like to have an experienced guide to help you explore the best spots and avoid any potential hazards. Be sure to ask the boat captain about their favorite places to snorkel in this area! Especially when the weather is warm, you’ll find this bay to be a great swimming location.
3. Captain Cook
When the ocean conditions are calm and clear, the snorkeling at Kealakekua bay – also known as K-bay – is incredible. This marine preserve is home to a variety of sea life as well as a famous monument that commemorates Captain Cook’s final resting place. The area is popular with dolphins, spinner dolphins, seasonal humpback whales and Hawaiian green sea turtles. You can even see monk seals in the water here if you’re lucky!
The best time to snorkel at K-bay is in the morning when the sun is rising. The water is warm and the reef is shallow to allow for easy exploration. It is important to be aware of the boat traffic that swarms the area and to follow the snorkeler markers that keep you away from boats.
Another beautiful option for snorkeling in Kona is at King Kamehameha Beach. This is a great spot for beginners as it has a sandy bottom entry into the water and the reef is relatively shallow throughout most of the swimming area. If the swell is low, you can snorkel around the heiau and explore the Skull Cave. It’s also possible to spot spotted eagle rays, sharks and moray eels at this site.
4. Honokohau Beach
Located in the heart of Pu’uhonua O Honaunau State Historical Park, a famous spot that is both sacred and intriguing, Honokohau Beach offers a pristine coral reef. Also called “Two Step” due to the underwater lava steps that snorkelers use to enter and exit, this bay is home to a large variety of colorful fishes.
You’ll likely find sea cucumbers, saddleback wrasse, threadfin butterflyfish, and yellow tangs here! In addition to the plethora of marine life, snorkelers will have the opportunity to see green sea turtles as they swim by the shoreline or bask on the beach. Just be sure to observe these incredible animals from a safe distance as they are federally protected and must be enjoyed from the water.
This beach is great for beginner snorkelers and groups of friends or families looking for a calm snorkeling site. The beach is sheltered from the swell and has sandy entries free of rocks and lava making it easier to enter the water than other locations. Located near the town of Kailua-Kona, this is a popular beach for families and locals alike. Showers, bathrooms and proximity to restaurants and an ABC store make this a convenient location.
5. Kahalu’u Beach Park South
Kahalu’u Beach Park South is a popular snorkeling spot that’s easy to get to from downtown Kona. It’s a shallow bay that’s shielded by a natural breaker, ensuring calm waters. It’s popular with beginners and a great choice for families with kids. It’s also a good place to see green sea turtles (honu).
The water here is typically clear and you can expect to see plenty of tropical fish, including yellow tang, bullethead parrotfish, raccoon butterflyfish, and orangespine unicornfish. It’s also one of the best places to see spinner dolphins.
If you want to avoid the crowds, make sure to visit early in the morning. The ocean will be calmest first thing in the day before the wind changes to onshore.
If you don’t want to head out on your own, join a tour snorkel boat. They’re available for both beginner and experienced snorkelers, and they’ll take you to a variety of different snorkel spots along the Kona coast. Just remember to choose a boat that departs from the closest port to your hotel or condo. That way, you’ll be able to save time on the journey and spend more of your vacation exploring the underwater world.
6. Kahalu’u Beach Park North
The rocky lava rock flats off Kahalu’u Beach Park North provide a shallow and safe place to snorkel in Kona. This is a popular family-friendly snorkeling spot and it can get crowded on weekends and holidays. The best time to visit this location is typically during the morning when the water is calmest.
Snorkelers can enter the water via a few small sand ‘entry’ patches, but further out the reef is largely all lava rocks and reef. You’ll find needlefish, yellow tailed coris, manini, black triggerfish, and Moorish idol at this snorkeling destination. The rock flats also form shallow tide pools that are fun to explore.
Manta ray night snorkeling is one of the most popular tours and activities in Hawaii. These massive disc shaped creatures are highly intelligent and awe-inspiring to see in person. Swim with manta rays is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that should be enjoyed by everyone who loves snorkeling and marine life!
The western flank of the Big Island is sheltered from ocean swell, so the water conditions are generally good year-round. However, the best times to go snorkeling in Hawaii tend to be May – November with the ideal sweet spot being July – October.
7. Honokaope Bay
The northernmost point of the Kona Coast is home to a stunning black sand beach known as Honokaope Bay. Despite its ominous look, the water is calm and offers incredible snorkeling opportunities. You can see manta rays, monk seals, dolphins, spotted Eagle rays, and many colorful reef fish. Taking a tour will help streamline the experience and ensure you are taken to the best spots.
Another great option for those looking to swim with manta rays is the shoreline at Lapakahi State Historical Park. The area is a marine life conservation district and features the partially reconstructed ruins of a Hawaiian fishing village. The waters are fairly rough here during the winter months and you’ll want to stay inside the coves.
Snorkeling here is easy, but it’s not recommended for tots and inexperienced swimmers as waves crashing back out to sea can stir up the waters. It’s also worth noting that the sand at this location is a little more rocky than other beaches on the island, so you may need to wear reef shoes. It’s a good idea to book your tour early as this area is popular with locals and visitors alike. Mid-week tours tend to have fewer snorkelers, so you can enjoy the area without feeling crowded.