Snorkeling in Hawaii: What Each Island Actually Offers

The first thing worth knowing about snorkeling in Hawaii has nothing to do with which island you pick. It is the swell.

In winter, roughly October through April, the north shores of every island get pounded. Sharks Cove on Oahu goes from a calm tide pool you could bring a five year old to, to a place that genuinely kills people. In summer it flips. The north side turns to glass and the south shores pick up the swell instead.

So the honest answer to “where is the best snorkeling in Hawaii” is that it depends on the month you are standing there. Any operator who tells you otherwise is selling you something.

Here is how the islands actually differ.

Here are our Top 4 snorkeling tours. Scroll down for our favorites on each island.

Lahaina, MauiXpress Snorkel · from $131.90Turtles, Reef & Open Bar
Lahaina, Maui
Xpress Snorkel · from $131.90
Turtles, Reef & Open Bar
Kailua-Kona, Big IslandCaptain Cook Snorkel Adventure · from $99.99100+ Tropical Fish & Captain Cook
Kailua-Kona, Big Island
Captain Cook Snorkel Adventure · from $99.99
100+ Tropical Fish & Captain Cook
OahuHanauma Bay Snorkeling · from $55.99450+ Species of Tropical Fish
Oahu
Hanauma Bay Snorkeling · from $55.99
450+ Species of Tropical Fish
Eleele, KauaiMorning NaPali Coast Snorkel Tour · from $197Super Raft, Sea Caves & Snorkeling
Eleele, Kauai
Morning NaPali Coast Snorkel Tour · from $197
Super Raft, Sea Caves & Snorkeling

Oahu: turtles, and the easiest access in the state

Most people snorkeling on Oahu are staying in Waikiki and want something they can do without a car. That is a fair goal and there is plenty of it.

Turtle Canyon is the one that comes up most. It sits a few minutes offshore from Waikiki Beach and it is boat access only, which is exactly why the turtles are still there. Water is usually 20 to 40 feet, visibility is decent most of the year, and green sea turtles show up on the vast majority of trips. It is not the most spectacular reef in Hawaii. It is the most convenient good one, and for a first snorkel with kids it is hard to beat.

Hanauma Bay is the famous one, and it has become complicated. Reservations are required, they release online two days ahead, and they go fast. It is closed some days for conservation. When you get in, the bay is beautiful and shallow and full of fish. When you do not get a reservation, a boat trip out of Kewalo is the fallback, and honestly the boat trips see better water.

Sharks Cove on the North Shore is the local favourite in summer. Flat, protected, tide pools full of fish, no boat needed. Go in July. Do not go in January.

Waikiki, OahuDolphins and You · from $189Dolphins, Turtles & Tropical Fish
Waikiki, Oahu
Dolphins and You · from $189
Dolphins, Turtles & Tropical Fish
Honolulu, OahuTurtle Canyons Snorkel Excursion · from $79Sea Turtles & Reef Fish
Honolulu, Oahu
Turtle Canyons Snorkel Excursion · from $79
Sea Turtles & Reef Fish
North Shore, OahuSharks Cove Self-Guided Snorkel · from $38Explore Sharks Cove
North Shore, Oahu
Sharks Cove Self-Guided Snorkel · from $38
Explore Sharks Cove
Waikiki, OahuWaikiki Turtle Snorkel Sail · from $149.95Turtles, Snorkeling & Lunch
Waikiki, Oahu
Waikiki Turtle Snorkel Sail · from $149.95
Turtles, Snorkeling & Lunch
Honolulu, OahuTurtle Snorkeling Adventure · from $79Guaranteed Turtle Encounters
Honolulu, Oahu
Turtle Snorkeling Adventure · from $79
Guaranteed Turtle Encounters
Honolulu, OahuGuided Mokulua Islands Kayak Tour and E-Bike Adventure · from $235Snorkel, Kayak & Explore Moku Nui
Honolulu, Oahu
Guided Mokulua Islands Kayak Tour and E-Bike Adventure · from $235
Snorkel, Kayak & Explore Moku Nui
Kaneohe, OahuKaneohe Bay Sandbar Kayak Rental · from $15Kayak & Snorkel Gear for Your Adventure
Kaneohe, Oahu
Kaneohe Bay Sandbar Kayak Rental · from $15
Kayak & Snorkel Gear for Your Adventure
Waikiki, OahuTurtle Canyon Snorkel Tour · from $99Guided by Certified Divers
Waikiki, Oahu
Turtle Canyon Snorkel Tour · from $99
Guided by Certified Divers

Big Island: the best water, and the manta rays

If you want the single best snorkeling in the state, it is on the Kona coast.

Kealakekua Bay is a marine preserve with the kind of visibility that makes people who have snorkelled the Caribbean go quiet. Coral in good shape, walls dropping away, spinner dolphins passing through regularly. Access is the catch. The land route down is steep and closed much of the time, so almost everyone gets there by boat or kayak from Keauhou or Napoopoo.

Then there is the manta ray night snorkel, which is a different thing entirely. You go out after dark off Keauhou or Kona, hold onto a lighted board, and manta rays with wingspans over ten feet come up and barrel roll underneath you feeding on plankton. It is genuinely one of the strangest and best hours available anywhere in Hawaii. It runs year round and the sighting rate is high enough that most operators offer a return trip if the mantas do not show.

The Kona coast is also the calmest water in the islands most of the year, sheltered from the trade winds by the mass of Mauna Loa. That is why so many boats operate here.

Kailua-Kona, Big IslandDeluxe Kona Snorkel Adventure (2 snorkel spots) · from $119.99Two Snorkel Spots & Sea Caves
Kailua-Kona, Big Island
Deluxe Kona Snorkel Adventure (2 snorkel spots) · from $119.99
Two Snorkel Spots & Sea Caves
Kailua-Kona, Big IslandCaptain Cook Monument Kealakekua Bay Snorkeling Tour · from $129Clear Waters & Vibrant Coral Reefs
Kailua-Kona, Big Island
Captain Cook Monument Kealakekua Bay Snorkeling Tour · from $129
Clear Waters & Vibrant Coral Reefs
Kailua-Kona, Big IslandCaptain Cook Reef Snorkel · from $110Captain Cook, Coral Reefs & Sea Caves
Kailua-Kona, Big Island
Captain Cook Reef Snorkel · from $110
Captain Cook, Coral Reefs & Sea Caves
Kailua-Kona, Big IslandKona Snorkeling in Pawai Bay · from $99Snorkel Kona’s Secluded Local Reef
Kailua-Kona, Big Island
Kona Snorkeling in Pawai Bay · from $99
Snorkel Kona’s Secluded Local Reef
Kailua-Kona, Big IslandKealakekua/Captain Cook Adventure · from $265Amazing Eco-Friendly Reef Snorkeling
Kailua-Kona, Big Island
Kealakekua/Captain Cook Adventure · from $265
Amazing Eco-Friendly Reef Snorkeling
Kailua-Kona, Big IslandExpedition South Kona · from $1853 Snorkeling Locations in 1 Day
Kailua-Kona, Big Island
Expedition South Kona · from $185
3 Snorkeling Locations in 1 Day
Kailua-Kona, Big IslandOffshore and Reef Exploration · from $195Discover Hawaii's Offshore Wildlife!
Kailua-Kona, Big Island
Offshore and Reef Exploration · from $195
Discover Hawaii's Offshore Wildlife!
Kailua-Kona, Big IslandUltimate Ocean Encounter-OE1 · from $120Ultimate Ocean Encounter Snorkel Tour
Kailua-Kona, Big Island
Ultimate Ocean Encounter-OE1 · from $120
Ultimate Ocean Encounter Snorkel Tour

Maui: Molokini, and an early alarm

Molokini is the crescent shaped crater sitting three miles off the south coast, and it is the reason most people snorkel on Maui. Visibility inside the crater regularly runs over 100 feet. There are fish there that you will not see anywhere else in the state.

The thing nobody tells you is that the time slot matters more than the operator. Boats start leaving around 6am. The first trips get flat water and empty crater. By 10am the wind is up, the chop has started, and there are a dozen boats inside a space that felt private two hours earlier. If you are going to do Molokini, take the early departure and accept the alarm.

Turtle Town near Maluaka is the usual second stop and it earns the name.

Kihei, MauiSouth Maui Turtle Reef Discovery · from $109Guided Kayaking, Snorkeling & Sea Turtles
Kihei, Maui
South Maui Turtle Reef Discovery · from $109
Guided Kayaking, Snorkeling & Sea Turtles
Kihei, MauiTurtle Town Sea Scooter Snorkeling Tour · from $149Glide With Turtles, Plus Free Photos + Video
Kihei, Maui
Turtle Town Sea Scooter Snorkeling Tour · from $149
Glide With Turtles, Plus Free Photos + Video
Lahaina, MauiMorning Lana‘i Snorkel Tour · from $179Lanai Snorkeling, Lunch & Drinks
Lahaina, Maui
Morning Lana‘i Snorkel Tour · from $179
Lanai Snorkeling, Lunch & Drinks
Wailuku, MauiTurtle Reef Morning Snorkel Cruise · from $99.95Turtles, Coral Gardens & Breakfast + Lunch
Wailuku, Maui
Turtle Reef Morning Snorkel Cruise · from $99.95
Turtles, Coral Gardens & Breakfast + Lunch
Kihei, MauiWailea Sea Scooter Snorkeling · from $149Sea Scooters, Turtles & Complimentary Photos
Kihei, Maui
Wailea Sea Scooter Snorkeling · from $149
Sea Scooters, Turtles & Complimentary Photos
Lahaina, MauiSnorkel Sail Adventure · from $162Honolua Bay, Buffet Lunch & Open Bar
Lahaina, Maui
Snorkel Sail Adventure · from $162
Honolua Bay, Buffet Lunch & Open Bar
Wailuku, MauiHonolua Snorkel & Dolphin Sail • Lahaina · from $199.95Two Snorkel Spots, Turtles & BBQ Lunch
Wailuku, Maui
Honolua Snorkel & Dolphin Sail • Lahaina · from $199.95
Two Snorkel Spots, Turtles & BBQ Lunch
Kahului, MauiMaui Snorkel & Picnic Tour · from $250Swim with Turtles!
Kahului, Maui
Maui Snorkel & Picnic Tour · from $250
Swim with Turtles!

Kauai: seasonal, and worth the timing

Kauai has the most dramatic coast in Hawaii and the most restricted snorkeling season.

The Na Pali Coast is boat access only and effectively summer only. From roughly May through September the water on the north side calms enough for the catamarans and rafts out of Port Allen to run the full coast, stopping to snorkel along the way. In winter that same water is unrunnable, and the boats either cancel or turn south.

Poipu on the south shore is the winter option and it is a good one. Tunnels Beach on the north side is superb in summer and a genuine hazard in winter.

The short version for Kauai: come in summer if snorkeling is the priority.

Eleele, KauaiMorning NaPali Coast Snorkel Tour · from $197Super Raft, Sea Caves & Snorkeling
Eleele, Kauai
Morning NaPali Coast Snorkel Tour · from $197
Super Raft, Sea Caves & Snorkeling
Koloa, KauaiSouth Side Zodiac Snorkel · from $135.50Dolphins, Turtles & Reef Fish
Koloa, Kauai
South Side Zodiac Snorkel · from $135.50
Dolphins, Turtles & Reef Fish
Eleele, KauaiNāpali Coast Snorkel Excursion · from $235Sea Cliffs, Caves & Snorkeling
Eleele, Kauai
Nāpali Coast Snorkel Excursion · from $235
Sea Cliffs, Caves & Snorkeling
Koloa, KauaiGuided Shore Snorkeling · from $95.50South Shore Reefs & Tropical Fish
Koloa, Kauai
Guided Shore Snorkeling · from $95.50
South Shore Reefs & Tropical Fish

What to bring, and one rule to follow

Reef safe sunscreen is law in Hawaii, and the enforcement side matters less than the reason for it. Buy mineral based, zinc or titanium, before you get on the boat.

Most operators include mask, snorkel and fins. If you wear glasses, a prescription mask is worth owning, and no boat will have one.

The rule: stay ten feet from turtles and well back from monk seals. Honu are protected under both state and federal law, and the fine is real. They will often swim toward you anyway, which is fine. Just do not chase.

Picking one

If you have one island and want the best water, go Kona. If you want turtles without planning, go Oahu. If you want the single most impressive site, take the early boat to Molokini. If you are on Kauai between May and September, put Na Pali above everything else on your list.