Best Hawaiian island for snorkeling?

[ntropics]

I have finally convinced my wife and kid to go back to Hawaii for ten days in December. ("Hawaii again?" they always say.) We have snorkeled in Kona (the Captain Cook monument area) on Big Island, and Oahu. By far the Kona snorkeling was the best, with hundreds (not exaggerating) of yellow tangs, convict tangs, etc.

So we are deciding which island to go to this December. It will be either Kauaii, Big Island, or Maui. What are people's opinions as to which would be the best island? We are looking for the clearest water, and the most fish. (My wife is not too much into corals, or sea urchins and the like. She wants to see the fish.) And of course I know that certain areas are not great for winter snorkeling due to waves so we don't want to end up at the right beach, but the wrong time of year.

I understand that Molikin is good snorkeling but is that the only good site "on" Maui? I understand that the water is extremely clear. We found snorkelling on Oahu to be very disappointing after our trip to Captain Cook. Have we been spoiled?

Thanks so much for any help you can provide.

Bruce

 

[02fly]

If you choose Kona let me know my wife and I go over a couple of time a year so I can hook you up with a bunch of places on the Island.

 

[hifoo]

Ive snorkeled in Oahu and the Big Island (kona west side) By far the Big Island is much better for snorkeling. Hopefully you guys went a bit more south of Captain Cook and checked out the "place of refuge" also a great location and when we were there we swam with a pod of swimmer dolphins which was an experience.

If you guys go back to the big island and havent already go a bit more south and check out the place of refuge.

 

[billsreef]

I've only been to Maui, so can't compare it to the other islands. Couldn't find a bad snorkeling spot in Maui, so I'd keep it on the short list. Plenty of fish and sea turtles.

 

[Sean41]

Dove Maui and it was incredible.

 

[x2uranium]

maui is awesome. My favorite place in the world. Every rock that you can find even next to the crowded beaches has coral of some sort attached to it.

 

[gregmoeck]

Maui

Maui

We just got back from Maui a couple days ago. Its a good place for snorkeling. You can drive and pull off anyplace and snorkel, its great, and you will see Turtles, yellow tangs, black triggers, eels, etc.

This was our second trip in less than a year. We stayed at the same 2 bedroom condo in south Kihei, dont stay up north or in lahainia. Stay south if you want to snorkel.

Here is the place we rent, i recommend it so you dont have to eat out every meal. you go to grocery and eat in, they also have grills and a super pool.

http://www.vrbo.com/173938

 

[ntropics]

Does anyone have any photos of Molikini? We are starting to lean toward Maui, due to the Haleakela bike trip, and the Hana highway. Our son got car sick on the road to Hana last time, but now he drives so I think he will be okay. We love Big Island as well. Thanks so far for all your assistance. Any more ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Bruce

 

[sunfishh]

The snorkeling at Honolua bay in Maui is simply awesome. I simply have not found a place better than this. Of course I have never been to Kona either

 

[Litter Box]

Does anyone have any photos of Molikini? We are starting to lean toward Maui, due to the Haleakela bike trip, and the Hana highway. Our son got car sick on the road to Hana last time, but now he drives so I think he will be okay. We love Big Island as well. Thanks so far for all your assistance. Any more ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Bruce

I'll get some of my diving pics up from Molokini Crater. We saw white tipped reef sharks on every dive. We also snorkeled Black rock on one day we didn't dive and I was thoroughly impressed. Another cool thing is that we never paid for parking anywhere in Maui, which is new to me. Any beach I've gone to, we've had to shell out a couple bucks every time we've parked.

 

[venom550pm]

I too have snorkeled Kealakekua Bay (captain cook monument), Kahaluu Beach Park, and Pu'uhonau o Honaunau (Place of Refuge). Kahaluu Beach Park was really good for beginners, no waves and tons of fish that are used to people. I actually had a Humu Humu chase me away from his area there. I've also snorkeled on Kuaui, part of the Na Pali coast on a boat trip, and some Princeville beaches. The Big Island snorkeling was by far the best. I've only been to Maui for a layover I hope to soon find out about their snorkeling

Good luck, and as you already know, where ever you choose to go is a winning decision

 

[Litter Box]

A little delay on my end in in posting these. Sorry my pictures are poo-poo. I have a cheapo underwater digital camera. Here are a few from Molokini Crater back in Oct '09:

 

[Litter Box]

Some more. It is hard not to go crazy. I have so many of them:

 

[Litter Box]

Last set as I don't want to bore anyone. :OP
We cannot wait to move to Maui. We got married on Ironwood beach Oct 1st and have not stopped thinking about going back. It is truly paradise there but still in the US where you don't have to worry about extreme poverty of foreigh countries. The worst part of moving there is giving up my reeftank, which I don't know how I'm going to handle. I guess I'll have to go diving 2-3 times a week minimum.

If anyone is "thinking" about visiting Maui, STOP THINKING about it and go. It was amazing. We only visited 1 other island (Big Island), but weren't too fond of it the 1 day we were there.

Jason & Monique

 

[Litter Box]

Oh my. I can't stop. I keep finding more.

 

[Litter Box]

Talk about hijacking this thread. Sorry. I'm a jerk. I know.
Last set, I promise. The last picture of the eel kind of sucks, but he was moving so fast, I couldn't get him in one frame. He was 6-7ft long easy.

 

[Adobo]

Bruce,

Maui is an absolutely beautiful island. The inner part of Molikini crater does offer great snorkeling but much of it can be pretty deep (for snorkling). If I remember correctly, it gets to ~40ft deep. The outer part of Molikini crater is a fantastic dive. It does get super deep there easily exceeding recreational limits so buoyancy skills are critical.

For snorkling, there are all kinds of gems around the island. As an example, airport beach in Lahaina is quite easy to access and has great snorkling. The first time I went there, I saw 2 eels taking shelter in a rock within 3 feet of the beach. There are turtles galore and more tangs, triggers, puffers and butterflyfish than you can shake a stick at.

One thing though, corals aren't as plentiful and varied in the Hawaiin islands as we might want. And topography leaves a lot to be desired. If the wife is after pretty fish, Maui will have plenty to offer.

I have finally convinced my wife and kid to go back to Hawaii for ten days in December. ("Hawaii again?" they always say.) We have snorkeled in Kona (the Captain Cook monument area) on Big Island, and Oahu. By far the Kona snorkeling was the best, with hundreds (not exaggerating) of yellow tangs, convict tangs, etc.

So we are deciding which island to go to this December. It will be either Kauaii, Big Island, or Maui. What are people's opinions as to which would be the best island? We are looking for the clearest water, and the most fish. (My wife is not too much into corals, or sea urchins and the like. She wants to see the fish.) And of course I know that certain areas are not great for winter snorkeling due to waves so we don't want to end up at the right beach, but the wrong time of year.

I understand that Molikin is good snorkeling but is that the only good site "on" Maui? I understand that the water is extremely clear. We found snorkelling on Oahu to be very disappointing after our trip to Captain Cook. Have we been spoiled?

Thanks so much for any help you can provide.

Bruce

 

[mayjong]

Kona!

 

[ntropics]

Hey thanks for all of the photos! We are trying to get a decent price for air fare, and so far ridiculous! American wants 90,000 miles for an award. But once we get the price right, we will book, I think.

Thanks again!

Bruce

 

[Larz_1]

My wife and I just got back from The Big Island on 6-19-10.
We have been to all the islands and I think The Big Island has the best snorkeling.

Check out: Place of Refuge, Kahaluu Beach Park, The Captain Cook Monument and Kapoho Tide Pools

Place of Refuge: This was the 2nd best spot on the island <IMO> second only to Capt. Cook. Clear water, lots of fish. The only drawback was that the "beach" was rocky lava, but 99% of the beaches on The Big Island are lava rock. The access was a bit harder that we were used to-Look for a ledge/shelf close to the boat ramp- and there were LOTS of small urchins tucked into almost every crack - be careful where you step and put your hands.

Kahaluu Beach Park: This was right next to our hotel-The Outrigger Keauhou- I highly recommend this hotel. The deluxe ocean view room we had was spectacular and the hotel is built right out over a tide pool. We had a green sea turtle approach us while we were exploring the tide pool-he came within 3ft. of us and hung out for 5-10min. The Kahaluu Beach Park is right next to the hotel and we walked there and snorkeled one afternoon. It was a bit crowded when we arrived and the water was slightly murky (not bad though) and we did see a lot of beautiful fish. I found it a bit less enjoyable because of all the people-might not be as crowded if you arrive early in the morning.


The Captain Cook Monument: We kayaked across the bay (1 mile) to get to Captain Cook and it was well worth it ... best snorkeling in Hawaii - beautiful!
Kayak rental was $25/person. They pretty much just put you in a kayak and say "go that way" - LOL. No paperwork/waivers to sign, just a cash exchange and off you go. Along the way we encountered a pod of spinner dolphins-must have been 20+. They were very active-jumping, flipping and very curious. Some people were snorkeling with them, but it was out in the very middle of the bay and we decided we were not up to that yet. When you get to the monument, there is a "landing area" to the left of the monument-more lava. Pull your kayak out there. We saw more fish and coral here than anywhere else in Hawaii. If you're up to the kayak trip (pretty easy) then this sight is not to be missed.

Kapoho Tide Pools:Approx. 25 miles Southeast of Hilo. Tide pools protected from surf. Easy entry into calm waters. Bring sandals/water shoes for short walk over lava rocks. Regardless of the ocean conditions, these tidal pools are protected from the surf. Tidal pools closer to the ocean contain more sea life, but watch out for stronger current near the ocean. I wish we had spent more time here, but we were on a rush trip around the Hilo side on our way to the Volcanos Nat. Park. LOTS of opportunity here to see all kinds of ocean life.

-IMO- If you are looking for great snorkeling, then the best is on The Big Island. I think Maui and Kauai are "prettier" islands and the beaches are sandy instead of lava, but The Big Island is beautiful, too. We have had GREAT vacations on ALL of the islands and you can't go wrong with any of them.

Here is a link to the pictures from our vacation: http://s290.photobucket.com/albums/ll264/Larz_1/Hawaii 2010/