Best Hawaiian island for snorkeling?

Oops ... just re-read your original post and I see that you have been there a few times, so you probably know everything I just posted ... LOL.

In my opinion ... now that we have been to and explored all the islands-if we were to go back (and we will) we would pick either Maui (been twice already) or Kauai. Just based on the overall vacation experience, those are the most beautiful to us.
If i were to choose based ONLY on snorkeling-then The Big Island would be my choice .... the best snorkeling is there.

Have fun.
 
Thanks! You have all given me lots of ideas. I am thinking Big Island, because it is also our favorite. We did the tidal pools south of Hilo, and must have been there at the wrong time of day. Also loved Captain Cook. I think that the other sites on the Big Island will be good as well, and we have not been to them, so that is probably where we will head, unless Maui wins for our son, who likes the Haleakela bike trip!

Bruce
 
I have only been to Oahu but I enjoyed snorkeling at Hanauama bay. It was beautiful and my wife and I had a great time. Was our first snorkeling trip so can't really compare it to anything, but was very memorable for us.
 
Im born and raised on Oahu and my old man lives in the big island. Ive dove all the islands and lemme just say KONA.
 
We just got back from Hawaii a couple of weeks ago. We snorkeled on Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island. I would have to say that there were good spots on each of them. With that being said, you may not be able to go to places such as Shark's Cove, which is located on the north side of Oahu, because of the crazy surf. I honestly do not know how it would be then, better to ask someone who lives there. I do not think you would be disappointed with Maui or the Big Island and I can give you more details on places that we went if you are interested and where to stay. I also have a bunch of pictures I can send through e-mail. My photoshop is not working and I hate resizing pictures in paint.

PM me for details.
Pete
 
Not been to the other islands, but Kauai is a very, very laid back place. The snorkeling there can be good, but I understand the visibility is not as good as the other islands because of the regular rain. Tunnels (near princeville) is pretty remarkable, and there are some nice spots in the Poipu area. Not much for corals, but nice fish, turtle cleaning stations etc. Kauai has beautiful views, great hikes, fantastic beaches etc, but is not a glam, nightlife, eating fancy food at dressy places type of island (at least this is my experience)...that being said I love it! For snorkeling only, try some of the other suggestions, but Kauai by itself is a gem.
 
I have family from Kauai. Amazing Island and have snorkled and scuba dived many place on the island. Love it and tons of amazing fish. Ran into a couple crown of thorns and a crazy octopus last time my wife and I went scuba diving. Unfortunately, not a ton of coral, but tons of life to see.
 
Definitely Sharks cove oahu. lots of variety there and a dive club that may let you come along for a night dive.
 
Sharks cove in December is not the same as now. right now the surf is flat to a ripple... in december it will be 10ft. swells.... like the movie the Perfect Storm.... December you wanna go to Kona. And Kauai is way too murky
 
I live on Oahu and snorkel quite often at Shark's Cove and at Hanauma Bay. Both are excellent spots for snorkeling. They are especially great if you have people of varying skill and comfort levels in your group as they both have easy and more difficult areas to reach.

I've been snorkeling and diving at Molokini. It actually gets down to about 90 feet! Anyway, it is an excellent spot but you have to pay to go there. Last time I went was in December and there were already whales around. It was an excellent trip.

I also went diving at a spot on Maui called five caves. One of the caves had four white tip sharks in it! We lay on the bottom and just stared in awe.

I snorkeled with my folks at Cook Monument recently. I've heard that you can go there without having to be on a boat but I'm not sure how to do it. It turned out that we went to the B.I. when the Ironman was going on. There was crazy traffic in Kona but we were three of seven people on a snorkel boat made for over one hundred. Score!

If you do go to the Big Island I recommend that you do the Manta Ray dive. I went for the dive and my dad went and snorkeled. I shot some amazing video with my little Olympus of Mantas brushing back my hair as they fed on the plankton around us. This was truly an amazing night.

Have fun and stay out of Waikiki if you spend some time on Oahu. Oahu is my favorite island. It has so much to offer but you have to get out of Waikiki. I personally haven't spent time in Waikiki for several years.
 
I'm on vacation in Maui now. I've been snorkeling along the coastline near Wailea and Makena in South Maui and have been very pleased. So far I have visited "The Aquarium" at La Perouse Bay as well as the rocky point north of Po'olenalena Beach. Both have had a great variety and a very large number of fish. Note that the trail to "The Aquarium" is closed and the park rangers are serious about enforcing the closure so it takes 20-30 minutes to swim to it from the parking lot. Definitely go early to avoid the wind and waves in the afternoons.
 
My wife and I will be heading to Maui this veterans day. Mokusei how are the waves is it rough since its the fall season or will it depend day to day plan to go out to molokini as well.
Any suggestions on snorkeling sites?
 
Couple of rules of thumb:
1) North side of Maui - rougher, bigger waves. South side of Maui - calmer, smaller waves.
2) early in the day light wind and small waves; in the afternoon heavier wind and bigger waves.
3) Wave size depends on the "swell" which can vary over the course of a week - check the surf report on the radio or the web.
 
First time to Maui my wife and I went with an Outfitter Trilogy and snorkeled over Molokini. That was such an awesome experience however going in during November the water was a tad bit cold.
 
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