Hawaii at your fins’ reach: the best snorkeling spots
Why choose Hawaii as a snorkeling destination?
That’s like asking why you put on underwear before your pants: the answer is obvious!
The Hawaiian archipelago is a paradise for snorkeling lovers, with perfect weather, crystal-clear waters, and marine life that puts just about anywhere else in the world to shame. You’ll find loads of amazing aquatic species here, such as parrotfish, butterflyfish, surgeonfish, and, in slightly deeper waters, dolphins, manta rays, and much more. Not to mention the sea turtles and coral in a thousand dazzling shades!
Absolutely incredible!
And the variety of marine environments offers something for every experience level, from calm bays for beginners to deeper, more adventurous seabeds for expert divers. And while you enjoy the experience, Hawaiian nature never stops surprising you: there’s always something to explore, whether it’s volcanic caves, coral reefs, or underwater craters.
And for anyone who loves relaxing after snorkeling, the golden beaches that define the archipelago are the perfect place to unwind while waiting for your next dip.
In short, if you love snorkeling, you absolutely can’t miss the experience Hawaii has to offer.
But where exactly should you go?
Here are the spots we recommend, organized by island.
Take a look at this amazing guide we’ve put together for you!
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Molokini Crater (Maui)
The coolest snorkeling spot in all of Hawaii, the very best place to admire every kind of marine creature in the Hawaiian archipelago. So amazing that it’s a regular stop on our ultimate Hawaii tour.
It’s the crater of an ancient underwater volcano that stopped spewing magma long ago and now rises just slightly above the crystal-clear sea, creating a spectacular landscape. Accessible only by boat, just off the coast of Maui, it is home to more than 250 marine species, including moray eels, parrotfish, and surgeonfish.
Honolua Bay (Maui)
Part of the Mokuleia Marine Life Conservation District, this bay gives you the chance to swim alongside brilliantly colored fish and coral formations that are as unique as they are, unfortunately, increasingly rare.
The biodiversity here is on another level—so much so that even the Discovery Channel would be impressed.
The only recommendation? It’s best to avoid the winter season, since the high waves make this paradise better suited to surfing than snorkeling.
Hanauma Bay (O'ahu)
This nature reserve may seem as crowded as a free wedding buffet (3,000 visitors a day!), but trust us, it’s worth it.
Once a volcanic crater, today it’s like an open-air aquarium filled with all kinds of brightly colored fish darting through crystal-clear waters.
Makaha Beach Park (O'ahu)
Makaha Beach Park is something of the mecca of O'ahu for snorkeling enthusiasts who love exploring caves, tunnels, and enjoying the sight of a sea turtle or two while dolphins swim in the distance. This bay offers an extraordinary mix of marine life, from manta rays to eels, turning every swim into a true underwater safari.
Lanikai Beach (O'ahu)
Lanikai Beach is ideal for anyone looking for peace and relaxation, with its soft white sand and easy access to the reef inviting even beginners to make their snorkeling debut.
What’s more, from here you can admire the view of the Na Mokulua Islands, better known as “the Mokes,” two small islands that, if reached by a pleasant kayak paddle, offer even more snorkeling opportunities.
Kailua Beach Park (O'ahu)
Kailua Beach Park is another easy-level spot, perfect for those who want to snorkel without worrying about sharp rocks or coral. Its wide, safe shoreline makes it an excellent choice for beginners learning the ropes.
Secret Beach (O'ahu)
A perhaps lesser-known little gem, Secret Beach is a wonderful little spot for snorkeling. It can’t be reached from public roads, so you need to know exactly which paths to take to get there, but the reward is the chance to explore a carefully preserved ecosystem where human impact has remained limited.
Kahalu'u Beach Park (Big Island)
Long ago, King Kamehameha built a seawall here so his family could swim undisturbed among the waves and enjoy a variety of tropical fish and sea turtles. Now it’s your turn to dive into this historic lagoon.
Pau'oa Bay (Big Island)
On the northern side of the Big Island, Pau'oa Bay, with its calm, crystal-clear waters, feels like a natural swimming pool, perfect for beginner snorkelers. Even today it boasts an almost pristine appearance, thanks to the efforts of the University of Hawaii, which helps keep this bay in excellent ecological health.
Makaiwa Bay (Big Island)
If you’re looking for a peaceful little place to snorkel and enjoy Hawaii’s ecosystem in total tranquility, head to Makaiwa Bay, where octopuses, eels, and tropical fish abound in a coral reef that is easy to reach directly from the beach.
Honokaope Bay (Big Island)
Honokaope Bay (known as “49 Black Sand Beach” for its volcanic sands) lets you swim in a bay surrounded by lava rocks and admire loads of sea turtles gliding unhurriedly through the waves.
Ke'e Beach (Kauai)
The turquoise waters of Ke'e Beach are another paradise for sea turtles and a feast for the eyes. This beach, located at the end of Route 560 in Haena State Park, offers calm waters and brilliantly colored coral, making it a perfect spot for a relaxing snorkeling session.
Tunnels Beach (Kauai)
Also known as Mauka Beach, this beach on Kauai’s north shore offers an underwater spectacle, with coral formations creating amazing caves and tunnels.
In short, it’s a slightly more adventurous place than average, but you can still choose it even if your idea of snorkeling is simply floating on your back. And if all else fails, you can always sunbathe on the soft sand, build sandcastles, or admire the coastline’s impressive rock formations.
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In conclusion
Choosing where to go snorkeling in Hawaii is a bit like looking for a needle in a stack of needles—was that the saying? Every place is so incredibly rich in underwater wonders that there really is no wrong choice. From submerged volcanic craters to coral reefs teeming with parrotfish, from peaceful bays to golden beaches where you can flop down after your swim, there truly is something for everyone.
That said, if we’re being completely, totally honest, in our opinion Molokini Crater beats them all. After all, if it didn’t, we wouldn’t have chosen it as the snorkeling stop on our epic Hawaii tour!
Take a look: it’s an offer you can’t refuse!
