Snorkeling on Hawaiʻi Island: Shore Spots, Local Advice, and a Favorite Cruise

Some of Hawaiʻi Island’s beauty lies just beneath the water: coral formations, colorful reef fish, and marine life going about its day. You can explore it on a snorkeling cruise or enter from shore at one of the island’s many snorkeling spots. The right choice depends on your swimming ability, comfort in the ocean, and conditions that day.

Two personal recommendations I readily share with visitors are Snorkel Bob’s for equipment and local advice, and a Fair Wind snorkeling cruise to Kealakekua Bay. There are also excellent places to snorkel from shore. Here are several to consider, along with resources to help you plan responsibly.

Start with equipment and local advice

There is a terrific Snorkel Bob’s store across from my office at The Shops at Mauna Lani, and I highly recommend them for renting or buying ocean equipment.

Ask for “Snorkel Mike,” the manager of the Mauna Lani store. His knowledge of the available excursions is extensive, and he has a practiced eye for finding a mask that fits. He also knows the coast well and can help you consider snorkeling locations suited to your experience and interests. I highly recommend talking with him as you plan your time on the water.

Take time to get your mask fitted and understand how to use everything before heading to the beach. Tell the staff about your experience level, where you plan to snorkel, and any concerns you have. Equipment and planning advice are useful; when deciding whether to enter the water, assess conditions at the actual location and consult lifeguards where available.

Snorkel Bob’s publishes a Big Island snorkeling guide with locations and a map. It is a useful starting point for exploring your options, although access arrangements and ocean conditions should always be checked separately. You can also find store locations and rental information on their website.

My cruise recommendation: Fair Wind to Kealakekua Bay

If you would like a boat excursion, my personal recommendation is a Fair Wind snorkeling cruise to Kealakekua Bay.

Fair Wind’s Kealakekua trips depart from Keauhou Bay, south of Kailua-Kona. Its morning cruise aboard the Fair Wind II includes snorkeling equipment, flotation options, breakfast, and lunch. Check directly with the company for current offerings, prices, and participation requirements.

Kealakekua Bay is a Marine Life Conservation District, with coral habitat and snorkeling along the northeastern shoreline when conditions are calm. It is also a place of considerable Hawaiian cultural and historical significance. Treat both the water and the surrounding landscape with care.

A cruise takes care of transportation to the snorkeling destination, but you still need to consider your health and swimming ability. Before booking, discuss any concerns about water entry, mobility, or snorkeling experience with the operator.

Explore the options at Fair Wind Cruises.

Snorkeling from shore

You do not have to take a boat to enjoy snorkeling on Hawaiʻi Island. There are excellent shore locations, although a familiar name or a beautiful photograph tells you little about whether the water is suitable on the day you arrive.

Think of these as places to investigate, rather than beaches where entering the ocean is always advisable.

Makaiwa Bay at Mauna Lani

Makaiwa Bay is a snorkeling option within Mauna Lani Resort, reached by a walking route through the fishpond area to the beach near the Beach Club. It is worth considering if you are staying along the Kohala Coast.

Ask about the current public access route and parking arrangements before going, and respect posted boundaries around private facilities. Snorkel Bob’s includes the bay in its Big Island snorkeling guide.

Waialea Bay, also called Beach 69

South of Hāpuna, Waialea Bay offers a sandy beach and reef habitat within a Marine Life Conservation District. It can be an appealing place to combine beach time with snorkeling when conditions allow.

There are no lifeguards on duty, and winter surf can be high. Check conditions carefully rather than assuming the bay’s somewhat sheltered setting makes it suitable for swimming. See the state’s Waialea Bay information for details.

Kahaluʻu Bay in Kona

Kahaluʻu is a well-known snorkeling destination with an important reef education program. The Kohala Center’s ReefTeach volunteers provide guidance on respectful use of the bay whenever the beach park is open.

Before visiting, check The Kohala Center’s Kahaluʻu information for updates. At the beach, listen to lifeguards and reef educators, use the designated entry route, and take particular care to avoid standing on coral in shallow water.

Hōnaunau Bay, often called Two Step

This popular South Kona snorkeling location is outside Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. The distinction matters: the national park protects a sacred cultural landscape, and its Keoneʻele Cove is not a snorkeling entry point.

The snorkeling access is near Hōnaunau Bay Boat Ramp. Pay attention to boat traffic and conditions at entry and exit, and respect the surrounding residential community. If you are coming to snorkel, follow the National Park Service’s guidance to park outside the park gate. Read its snorkeling and access information before visiting.

Richardson Ocean Park in Hilo

For visitors spending time on the east side, Richardson is a recognized snorkeling location with a black-sand shoreline. Facilities include restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and lifeguard service.

Check with the lifeguard about that day’s conditions and suitable entry areas. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority’s Richardson page provides an introduction to the park.

Let conditions decide

Hawaiʻi’s ocean deserves attention even when the surface looks inviting. State ocean safety guidance recommends that snorkelers be experienced ocean swimmers who understand surf, currents, and waves breaking in shallow water.

Before entering, assess conditions and consult a lifeguard where one is available. Always snorkel with a buddy. High surf, strong currents, heavy shorebreak, and high winds are reasons to change your plans. There is no obligation to get in simply because you have arrived with your gear.

Read Hawaiʻi Ocean Safety’s snorkeling guidance before your outing, especially if snorkeling is unfamiliar or you have been away from ocean swimming for a while.

Give the reef room to live

Coral is living habitat. Keep your body and fins clear of it, and never stand on coral to adjust your mask or take a photograph. Watch marine animals without pursuing, touching, or feeding them, and take your rubbish with you.

At Kahaluʻu, reef educators can help visitors learn how to move through shallow reef areas with less impact. Their advice is useful wherever you snorkel: float above the reef, control your fins, and leave marine life undisturbed.

A little preparation makes room for a better experience. Get equipment that fits, choose an outing suited to your abilities, and stay flexible about the day’s conditions. Whether you take the Fair Wind to Kealakekua Bay or explore from shore, approach the ocean with curiosity, care, and respect.

With aloha,
Carol Porter
REALTOR® · RS-87584 · HI · Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Island Lifestyle