snorkeling in hawaii ?

GSMclowns

GSMclowns

A Reef Enthusiast
Hello Everyone,

I and my wife plan on taking a vacation in Hawaii this September for a week or 10 days. Now I never been to Hawaii before, so don't really know what to expect. However I do want to see a lot of fishes and the reef as well. I am not very good at swimming at all, so I guess Diving is not something that I can do. So I guess I can only snorkel in shallow water.

1) Which beaches or places would you suggests that would be a good place to snorkel?
2) Which island would you guys suggest that I should visit?
Any other suggestions are much appreciated.

Thanks
 
snorkeling in hawaii ?

My wife and I honeymooned in Maui (13 years ago) and there were a couple of spots you could drive to and snorkel for free. I can't remember what the names were, but the place we stayed had an excellent Frommer's guide we used to get around. We took an excursion to Molokini as well. Lots of BIG tangs there and clear deep water.
 
My wife and I went to Ohau years ago and had a really great time. I can't spell it but there is a state park, H something Bay that had great snorkeling. We actually ended up going back there one day to spend another day in the water. It was great.
 
I can only comment on the two islands I've been to.

On Oahu, I recommend Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve for snorkling.

On Maui, I recommend Sheraton Black Rock at the north end of Kaanapali Beach. It's basically a big black outcropping of lava rock right in front of the Sheraton resort (I think you can park right at the Sheraton).

Both are great for beginners and have lots of fish to look at.

I don't recommend Molokini for snorkeling. It's still ok for Scuba if you dive the back side, but the crater has been wrecked over the years from snorkel boat anchors. Really too bad...
 
DivingTheWorld said:
I don't recommend Molokini for snorkeling. It's still ok for Scuba if you dive the back side, but the crater has been wrecked over the years from snorkel boat anchors. Really too bad...
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I seem to recall when we were there that the boat couldn't actually anchor, but they sent a diver down to tie off to a permanent structure. Maybe that was just what our boat did.
 
I went to Oahu for my honeymoon and we booked a tour on Bobs Snorkelling tour. It was great! Take you on a boat out to a sandbar, set up a BBQ and volleyball nets, serve beverages, then take you to a reef and provide you with all the gear you need to snorkel. They give you food/throw food at you while you snorkel. Really cool experience I would recommend.
 
GSMclowns said:
I am not very good at swimming at all, so I guess Diving is not something that I can do.
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ynot65 said:
+1 on Hunama Bay, Oahu
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Hunama Bay is nice, but, if you're not a good swimmer, you have to be very careful not to rest/take a break by standing on the reef (same with all shallow reefs)...don't be too proud to use a floatation devise.
 
Every island offers something different. My favorite is Maui, followed closely by Kaua'i. Not a huge fan of Oahu, but I agree with Hanauma Bay if you will be there. Lots of options, but it depends on which island.
 
DivingTheWorld said:
I don't recommend Molokini for snorkeling. It's still ok for Scuba if you dive the back side, but the crater has been wrecked over the years from snorkel boat anchors. Really too bad...
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The north slope (Reef's End) is very good for SCUBA IMO. Frankly, I have been underwhelmed by the Back Wall. Maybe I'm just spoiled from wall dives in Grand Cayman.
 
you didn't say which island but if its Oahu then Hanauma Bay. Its closed on Thursdays I believe and costs a little to go.

Kawela Bay is the easiest snorkel "reef protected bay" and probable best beach on island if you don't like a million tourists around, very calm. Not many tourists know about it. It's a little hidden on the north side of Oahu a few miles west of Turtle Bay resort.

The west cost of Oahu has changed a lot the last few years. Many corals have been planted and lots of fish are there now.

Maui: south of Wailea is best for this island. Two small bays to look for are called the Fish Bowl and the Aquarium " called this for a reason" but any ware around this area is easily best on Maui. Have to drive on a dirt road and walk some to water but once you find the spots you wont regret it. Again most tourists don't go this far south so have no idea this great snorkel area exists.

If you google best snorkel spots in Oahu you will get a good list with maps.
 
albano said:
Hunama Bay is nice, but, if you're not a good swimmer, you have to be very careful not to rest/take a break by standing on the reef (same with all shallow reefs)...don't be too proud to use a floatation devise.
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+1. My wife nearly drowned in Hanauma Bay this past February had I not been able to hold her up out of the water while navigating the reef during low tide.

We normally go to Maui (got married out there), and have only been to Oahu once, and still prefer Maui by a wide margin. Here's another thread that a number of others commented on that may come in handy: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2415258
 
Thanks everyone for the suggestions.
So far I don't know which island to go to yet. I will do more researches this weekend and book the tickets. So far my friends have been telling me to go to the Big Island.

As for the flotation devices, I am more than happy to wear it and snorkel around.
Keep the suggestions coming please. Any public aquarium that I should visit as well?

Thanks
 
GSMclowns said:
Thanks everyone for the suggestions.
So far I don't know which island to go to yet. I will do more researches this weekend and book the tickets. So far my friends have been telling me to go to the Big Island.

As for the flotation devices, I am more than happy to wear it and snorkel around.
Keep the suggestions coming please. Any public aquarium that I should visit as well?

Thanks
Click to expand...

If you land in Maui, check out the Maui Ocean Center. We love it and go every time we visit. I wasn't thrilled with the Waikiki Aquarium in Oahu, personally. If you want to see a Peppermint Angel in person, I guess it may be worth the price of admission?
 
GSMclowns said:
Thanks everyone for the suggestions.
So far I don't know which island to go to yet. I will do more researches this weekend and book the tickets. So far my friends have been telling me to go to the Big Island.

As for the flotation devices, I am more than happy to wear it and snorkel around.
Keep the suggestions coming please. Any public aquarium that I should visit as well?

Thanks
Click to expand...

So, what do you want to get out of your visit besides snorkeling? Big Island is a great island to visit, but it is less "resorty" than the other islands IMO. It has some fantastic outdoor activities like hiking, horseback riding etc, plus you can see active volcanoes. There's a reason they call it the Big Island, though - it is very big. Hard to see everything in one visit. I think it has the best SCUBA due to its latitude and underwater topography.

I like Maui the best because it has a lot of the appeal of the Big Island in a smaller package. There are more restaurant options, and a lot of choices for accommodations. There's also tons of places to hike and get back to nature, too. And, as mentioned above, there are a ton of great beaches for snorkeling. The Maui Ocean Center is a great place to visit as well, as it focuses on local and endemic species.
 
I lived on the Big Island, working for the National Weather Service in Hilo for 2 years. If you want a more outdoorsy vacation, then the Big Island is for you. There are 11 different micro climates on that island varying from rainforest, to desert, to savannah and snow capped mountains. There are great snorkeling spots as well. My favorite was the Kapoho Tide Pools south of Hilo. At low tide each one is it's own little lagoon as the water barely breaks over the lava rock walls. I saw plenty of schooling yellow tangs as well as butterfly fish. Kona side of the island, were you'll most likely stay, has night dives with Manta Rays. You can also snorkel or stay on the boat as well. If you have any questions just PM me!
 
If you're going to Maui, I definitely recommend the sunrise bike ride from the volcano... Really a great experience
 
I've also found that it was cheaper to book activities/excursions/etc. when you're there, then to prepay. There is usually someone on every street corner with 'discount' books for everything.
 
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