The Thorough Guide to Snorkelling on Hawaii’s Big Island

A complete guide to snorkelling in Hawaii, including the best snorkel spots on Big Island and best snorkel tours.

Hawaii’s Big Island is one of the best snorkelling destinations in the world. Featuring crystal clear waters which are teeming with tropical marine life and colourful reefs, any trip to Hawai’i would be incomplete without a dip into the diverse underwater world on offer. This Big Island Snorkelling Guide explains how to snorkel in Hawai’i, as well as listing our favourite snorkelling sites. And at the end we’ve put together an interactive Big Island Snorkelling Map to help you plan your upcoming trip. So, let’s dive in (pun intended)!

What wildlife can you see snorkelling in Hawaii?

Hawai’i has a wonderfully diverse ecosystem of marine life. Here are some of the plants and animals you might share the waters with:

• Dolphins (Naia)
• Sea Turtles (Honu)
• Whales (Kohola)
• Tropical fish, such as Pufferfish, Parrotfish, Trumpetfish, Clownfish, Yellow Tang, Moorish Idol and Black triggerfish
• Moray Eels
• Manta Rays (Hahalua) and Sting Rays
• Sea Urchins
• Coral Reefs

Can you snorkel in Hawai’i for free?

Yes! It’s super easy to snorkel for free in Hawai’i. All you need is a snorkel, mask and a great snorkelling spot (and a pair of fins can help too!). We’ve listed our 5 favourite free snorkelling spots in Hawaii below to make it easier for you.

Our top 5 snorkel spots on Big Island

1) Hōnaunau Bay

Hōnaunau Bay, known as Two Step due to the large lava rock steps used to enter the water, is one of the best places for snorkelling in Hawai’i. Situated next to Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park, the bay features crystal clear waters, a pristine reef and is frequented by an array of marine life. Sea turtles can be found in the left-hand side of the bay (the south) where the water is shallower, while spinner dolphins tend to be found resting in the right-hand side (the north). Remember, it’s an offence to approach, swim with or get within 45 metres (50 yards) of Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins, so if you are lucky enough to see them, stay well back. We recommend taking wet shoes or flip flops, as the lava rock is sharp and gets really hot in the sunshine.

Facilities: Picnic Tables but no restrooms, water or showers. Extra parking is available at Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park.

2) Kealakekua Bay

Kealakekua Bay is our favourite place to snorkel in the whole of Hawai’i. The bay features great visibility, an undisturbed reef and impressive drop-off which provides refuge for a whole host of marine life, including turtles, eels, pufferfish and spinner dolphins.

The bay is also home to the Captain Cook Monument, an 8 metre (27 ft) tall obelisk which memorialises the spot where intrepid explorer Captain Cook met his end. The monument isn’t easy to reach, requiring either a two and a half hour hike on the Captain Cook Monument Trail or access from the bay by boat.

Facilities: Car park, picnic pavilion, restrooms and showers.

3) Kahalu’u Beach

Kahalu’u Beach is a popular beach park south of Kona and a great spot for snorkelling. Listed on the National Register of Historical Places, the foundation of this extensive marine habitat is the coral reef. You might see turtles, octopi, sea urchins, eels, and lots of tropical fish, including Yellow Tang, Bullethead Parrotfish, Racoon Butterflyfish, Moorish Idol, Orangespine Unicornfish and Hawaiian Spotted Boxfish. When snorkelling, you shouldn’t pass the second lifeguard tower near the centre of the bay, as you will be entering into the surf zone. There’s a mild current that pushes out to sea, so make sure to periodically orient yourself.

Kahalu’u Beach is a popular surfing spot. You can try your hand at surfing in lessons with Hawai’i Lifeguard Surf Instructors, Kona Town Surf Adventures or Kahalu’u Bay Surf and Sea. You can rent snorkel gear at the Kahalʻu Bay Education Center or Kahaluʻu Surf and Sea. Miller’s Surf in downtown Kailua-Kona also rents surfboards and boogie boards.

Facilities: Toilets, an outdoor shower, picnic tables, a BBQ, rentable lockers and a food truck (try shaved ice!).

4) White Sands (La’Aloa) Beach Park

This small beach, also known as Magic Sands, lies one bay north of Kahalu’u beach. It’s name comes from the fact that the beach’s sand seems to come and go overnight, with big storms washing away all sand and leaving only exposed lava rock. It has some nice corals and tropical fish and is a great snorkelling spot on calmer days.

Facilities: Restrooms, showers, lifeguard, volleyball court.

5) Richardson Ocean Park

Hilo’s beaches are completely different to those found on the west coast. Featuring volcanic black sand and dramatic lava rock, Richardson Ocean Park is one of our favourite safe-swimming beaches in Hilo. It’s also one of the best places on the east coast to spot turtles too! Just remember to stay at least 3 metres (10 feet) away and never touch a turtle if you’re lucky enough to see one. There is a fine of $1,000 to $10,500 for harassing or touching turtles. Keep your eyes peeled because we saw several Indian Mongooses around the car park and path to the beach! Carlsmith Beach Park just along the coast is a great spot for snorkelling too, if you fancy hopping your way down the secluded bays in the area.

Snorkel Tours on Hawaii’s Big Island

If you’re a newbie snorkeller, or just don’t have the means to get yourself to these spots, you can always book onto a snorkel tour. Tours typically last about 3 to 6 hours and include transport to and from a couple of different snorkel spots, as well as providing views of Hawai’i’s coast, the chance to spot whales and dolphins and often lunch too. A range of companies offer different sized boats – the larger ones fit more people and can include facilities such as toilets or a slide, whereas the smaller boats offer a more personable experience and less people in the water.

We’d recommend booking on a smaller boat. We booked with Sea Quest, who won the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award in 2020 and 2021. Their snorkel tours are super affordable, offer a variety of snorkel spots, lunch and full snorkel gear, and the captain provides insightful commentary on a tour of the coast too, where you’ll see lava fields, sea caves and lava tubes. Here are a few of the areas they offer snorkel tour to:

• Pu’uhonua O Honaunau & Kealakekua Bay
• Captain Cook’s Monument & Kealakekua Bay
• South Kona Coastline

Interactive Hawaii Big Island Map

Use the tab in the top left corner to filter things to do, places to eat, accommodation and more!

Renting snorkel gear in Hawai’i

In our opinion, it’s much easier and more cost effective to just buy your own snorkel set than to rent snorkel gear. You can get a mask, snorkel and flippers for as cheap as $20-30 in a supermarket, whereas renting can cost between $5-10 a day for a full kit, and between $25-40 for a week.

Most snorkel tours include gear, so you don’t need your own. If, however, you’re planning to snorkel and don’t have the space in your luggage, you can rent snorkel gear from a variety of shops in Kona, including Snorkel Bob’s. Or rent from the beach – Kahalʻu Bay Education Center and Kahaluʻu Surf and Sea are both based at Kahalʻu Bay.

Don’t worry about forking out for the best set, a cheap set would be perfectly adequate for your holiday. We went with a £10 snorkel and mask which worked perfectly. Lucy even got PADI certified on the Great Barrier Reef the following week with the same set!

Things to know before you go

• Practice the ancient Hawaiian tradition of Malama kai – take care of the ocean.
• Take nothing but memories, leave nothing but footsteps
• Use reef-safe and biodegradable sun cream.
• Wear a t-shirt or rash guard as it’s easy to get sunburned when snorkelling.
• Check the tide times, be aware of currents and keep an eye on where you are.
• Don’t touch the coral. It’s alive and touching or stepping on it can damage or kill it.
• Don’t touch marine life, including sea turtles. There is a fine of $1,000 to $10,500 for harassing or touching turtles.
• Don’t approach, swim with or get within 45 metres (50 yards) of Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins – it’s illegal.
• Don’t touch or stand on sea urchins. Their spines can sting you, which can be extremely painful.

Pro-tip: Wait until you’ve entered the water to put on your mask, snorkel, and fins. Carry them in one hand, leaving the other hand free to prevent a fall as lava rock can be unstable and as sharp as glass if you fall.

Read next:

The Thorough Guide to Hilo, Hawaii

The Thorough Guide to Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Everything you need to know about visiting Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

Everything you need to know about visiting Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, Hawaii

Everything you need to know about visiting Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park, Hawaii

Ethical Wildlife Tourism in Hawaii

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