Snorkeling on the Big Island?

We will be on the Big Island July 3 through July 8. We would like to find a good snorkeling beach/spot. I recently overheard someone talking about a great snorkeling spot on the southwest side of the island, but didn%26#39;t hear the name of the beach. We would like to find a place where we don%26#39;t have to go on a boat. Anyone have some suggestions?

Snorkeling on the Big Island?

Luv2travel,

I wonder if the person you overheard was talking about Honaunau Bay? You don%26#39;t have to go on a boat to snorkel here and it%26#39;s on the southwest part of the island.

Many on this forum have snorkeled here. There are a lot of turtles in the water and out. Not only is the snorkeling good, the Place of Refuge is also a very neat place to walk around. You can kind of imagine what it might have been like in the ancient times. I thought it was a very special place which had a great blend of nature and historical/cultural aspects.

You could do a search on this page, right hand side, just type in ';Honaunau Bay'; or ';snorkeling'; to read about other%26#39;s experiences.

Snorkeling on the Big Island?

ALoha........

Honaunau is called 2 step and the water is deeper that other sites. It has very good coral in 20 feet. Be careful in the south center......there is a large coral mound that is stunning but can get surgy........and it leads into an exposed sholl.

A option is that to the south on Hiway 11 is Hookena Beach...has a boat ramp and on the north side of the cove is a very under utilized and nice area.

Generaly the furthur south you go the better the coral gets as it is a water temp. sensitive critter. Thus corals on the Big Island will be more developed than on other islands and have better varieties. South of Keauhou one will fins the better displays of plate and tower species.

Kona has the beginners Kahaluu bay and state park with the outrigger smack in the center.....it has fed-fish and it is only a few feet deep......and very popular. You can jump on the Alii shuttle for 5 bucks a day that runs up and down from Kona to Keauhou all day.

There are a lot of shore snorkel spots South of Kona.....but wou have to be careful with the tide and surf......low tide and morning being the better times.

In the North.....there is a great reef than can get wind and current, is Puoko beach reef......more of a divers place nut has lots of interest....

There are other beaches......but they are best seen with a boat.

However, when you get way south you can experience more currnets.......watch to see if others are snorkeling the area and follow their lead......

Try to snorkel at slack water, or in the earily stage of an incoming tide as it will be pushing clearer water from off shore in shore . A ebb tide ( lowering) will be sucking stuff from the shore out .......

And please......look but dont touch.....coral dies when stepped on or touched....and leave the shells and turtles where you find em%26#39;

Have fun......HD

We think Kahalu%26#39;u Beach Park on Alii Drive, a few miles south of downtown Kailua-kona, is as good off shore snorkeling as you will find anywhere. The parking lot tends to fill up by mid morning.

I second the Kahalu%26#39;u advice. It is great for seeing underwater wildlife, and very easy to get to.

The water is clearer at, say, Kealakekua, but we usually see more sea creatures at Kahalu%26#39;u. If you do decide to go to Kahalu%26#39;u, walk to the center of the beach before you try to get out in the water. Otherwise, it is very shallow (like a foot maybe) for a long ways. There is a open channel that runs from the center beach that will make your entry much easier.

We saw turtle after turtle and countless schools of large fish when there a couple weeks ago.

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