With crystal-clear water, sandy beaches and tropical heat — what more do you need to have the time of your life? If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii anytime soon, we have some great news for you. You can have an amazing time snorkeling in Hawaii! While there are so many places that allow you to explore the underwater world, the best part about it is that they’re all accessible from the main island of Oahu. So without further ado, here are some of the best snorkeling spots in Hawaii that will make your day.
1. Hanauma Bay
Hanauma Bay is a volcanic sandbar located within the Marine National Park. This bay is actually a giant open-ocean crater, and it’s one of the most beautiful snorkeling spots in Hawaii. At the top of the bay is a tourist center that has lockers, bathrooms, and a gift shop to help you make the most of your trip. The bay is actually home to two beautiful ecosystems. The shallow waters are home to numerous tropical fish, corals, sea turtles and eels. At the deeper parts of the bay, marine life changes dramatically. You’ll find much tropical fish, but also some marine life that you wouldn’t expect to see near the Hawaiian Islands. Kona coast Along the coast of the island of Hawaii is a place that is worth visiting. Kona coast is a clear blue sea, even when it’s calm and it allows a fantastic view of marine life. You will notice there are several boats anchored, you can snorkel from one of them.
2. coral reef
A coral reef is a hotspot for snorkeling spots in Hawaii, as it’s the home to a plethora of marine life. You’ll find many fish and corals at these spots, and the marine biologists are even studying them to find out more about their behavior. At these reefs, you’ll find urchins, sea cucumbers, anemones, and corals that are full of bright, tropical colours. These are just a few examples of what you’ll find at a reef, as there are so many more. If you want to explore the underwater world, a reef is the best place to start.
3. Maunawili Falls
Mau-what? Maunawili Falls is a spectacular waterfall that you can swim next to! Yes, you read that correctly. This waterfall is fed by freshwater from the mountains above, so you can swim in the freshwater below. You’ll find the falls in Waimanalo, which is about 25 minutes from Waikiki. The falls are normally about 7 feet high, but when it rains, they swell to about 35 feet tall. Swimming in freshwater is a completely different experience to swimming in salty water, but it’s just as fun! You can also explore the nearby forest to see the wildlife that lives in the forest.
4. Halona Blowhole
A few miles away from the Maunawili Falls is another famous spot that’s worth a visit. Halona Blowhole is a large hole in the earth that releases water in the form of a powerful geyser. You can watch the water shoot up into the air and then fall down around you. If you visit Halona Blowhole during the rainy season, you might even get lucky and see some rainbows in the water. If you visit the blowhole in the dry season, you can climb around the rocks surrounding the hole and explore the beautiful rock formations close-up.
5. Honouliuli Falls
Honouliuli Falls, which is located near Hanauma Bay, is one of the most beautiful snorkeling spots in Hawaii. It’s actually one of the top waterfalls in the world to jump from, which makes it an even more interesting place to visit. You have to climb down a few wooden steps to reach the bottom of the falls, where you can swim below the waterfall to see the beautiful freshwater pool.
6. Kaena Point
If you want to see the marine life in Hawaii first-hand, you can’t go wrong with Kaena Point. This is one of the best snorkeling spots in Hawaii, as it’s home to a variety of marine life, such as sea turtles. To get to Kaena Point, you’ll have to take a long walk along a rocky coast, but it’s worth it. You can also see humpback whales at Kaena Point during the winter. Whale watching is an extremely popular activity in Hawaii, but if you visit Kaena Point, you can see both the whales and the marine life below you at the same time.
7. Turtle Island
If you’re looking for a great beach to snorkel on, then you can’t go wrong with Turtle Island. This island is only accessible by boat, so be sure to bring your swimwear with you if you’re going there. When the boat drops you off, you’ll see a wide beach with lounge chairs, hammocks and a few trees. There are also lifeguards on the beach in case you need help. Turtle Island is the perfect place to relax and unwind on an island getaway. You can also visit Turtle Bay, which is a nearby beach that you can also snorkel at.
Conclusion
Snorkeling is one of the most popular ways to explore the underwater world. It’s an activity that anyone can do, regardless of their swimming ability, and it’s a great way to interact with marine life. If you want to experience the underwater world for yourself, we highly recommend visiting Hawaii. The crystal-clear water and tropical heat make it the perfect place to snorkel. There are so many amazing snorkeling spots in Hawaii, so you’ll be spoilt for choice.
