Snorkeling Spots in Oahu, Maui and Big Island

Hanauma Bay, Oahu

One of the best and most popular spots to snorkel in Oahu is at Hanauma Bay, a top attraction in Oahu. This protected area is home to a wide variety of fish, and snorkelers are granted great views within the shallow waters right from the beach. The sheltered bay and beautiful beach are worth hassling with the crowds that flock to see its emerald waters.

Makaha beach, oahu

The second most popular snorkeling spot in Oahu, with Hanauma Bay being the first, is Makaha Beach Park. Snorkelers flock here due to the clear visibility and opportunities to view dolphins, sea turtles, octopus, eels and manta rays. This area, 35 miles from Honolulu, is also home to deep underwater caverns and tunnels.

Molokini Crater, Maui

Located just 2.5 miles off of Maui’s south shore, the Molokini Crater is an incredible and rare underwater volcanic islet. Listed as a Marine Life Conservation District Seabird Sanctuary, this partially submerged crescent-shaped volcanic crater is like no other snorkeling location in the world.

Ecologically speaking, it is the perfect environment for marine life feeding and breeding, and hosts over 250 species of endemic Hawaiian tropical fish. Within the volcanic walls, you will find a host of colorful reef formations and tropical marine life, including manta rays, black triggerfish, yellow tang, raccoon butterflyfish, parrotfish, Moorish idol, and Moray eels. The Pacific waters surrounding the Molokini Crater are home to over 100 species of algae, and approximately 35 hard coral species.

The crystal-clear water (average of 150 feet of visibility) at Molokini Crater is what makes this one of the best snorkeling locations on Maui. Molokini is a popular location for beginners and experienced snorkelers alike, and the most highly preferred spot for morning snorkel tours in Maui. The waters surrounding the Molokini Crater are also one of the most popular locations for scuba diving in all the Hawaiian Islands.

Turtle Town, Maui

Appropriately named, Turtle Town is the best place to go snorkeling on Maui if your goal is to see the Hawaiian green sea turtles in action! Thanks to current government protection and the Endangered Species Act (ESA), this stretch is home to a particularly dense population of the Hawaiian green sea turtle.

Turtle Town is located on the southern coastline of the island, between Nahuna Point and Black Sand Beach. Best visited by boat, Turtle Town is well-known for providing some of the best snorkeling in Maui, especially if these large sea creatures are your sightseeing target. While enjoying a Maui snorkel tour to Turtle Town, guests can expect to see turtles gently approaching swimmers with curiosity and an abundance of colorful marine life.

Turtle Town is a top place to snorkel on Maui for many reasons, not the least of which being the chance to view the Hawaiian green sea turtles in their natural habitat. There are also the calm wind conditions, clear waters, and a gentle slope which allows snorkelers of all skill levels to find a comfortable ocean depth. Also, snorkelers can watch the Wrasse fish cleaning turtles shells and see butterflyfish, perch, chub, triggerfish, snapper, goatfish, bigeye scad, needlefish, Moray eels, crustaceans, trumpetfish, and a common appearance by the Hawaii State Fish, the humuhumunukunukuapua’a.

Coral Garden, Maui

Coral Gardens is located adjacent to Olowalu Reef, and just south of Historic Lahaina Town. This in-the-know Hawaii snorkel spot is only reached by boat on a Maui snorkeling tour. Originally, the Coral Gardens reef was created by a lava flow from the West Maui Mountains, aka Pu’u Kukui. The lava created “fingers,” flowing into the sea, which are now decorated by coral reef shelves teeming with a myriad of marine life.

Without a doubt, snorkeling at Coral Gardens is a rare and gorgeous ocean activity to experience. From the water, snorkelers enjoy breathtaking underwater scenery, huge West Maui coastline views, scenes of the outer Island of Lanai, and a dramatic background decorated by the jagged-edged valleys of the West Maui Mountain Range.

While snorkeling at Coral Gardens, visitors can expect to see colorful coral varieties, a huge array of tropical fish, Hawaiian green sea turtles, and many more marine species.

Honolulu Bay, Maui

Honolua Bay is another Maui snorkeling spot that should be added to your “must snorkel” list. Found on the northwest shore of Maui, snorkelers here will be able to view a wide variety of fish species along with unique coral formations. Part of the Mokuleia Marine Life Conservation District, this area is popular for snorkelers during the summer months. You should trade your snorkeling gear for a surfboard here during the winter months when the surf is high.

The Bay is found just north of Kapalua. Although there are a few entrances, the best access for snorkeling is off a walking trail from the parking area. During the summer months, the parking area is clearly marked by fresh coconut and juice vendors. It’s highly suggested that snorkelers wear water booties at this location because ocean entry is from a rocky coastline. To snorkel at Honolua, it’s not necessary to swim too far our from the coastline; Maui marine life can be easily seen anywhere between 10 and 20 feet from the water’s edge.

A few of the best things about snorkeling at Honolua Bay are the water clarity, calm ocean conditions, and the decorated reef. The best time to snorkel is in the morning hours. Guests can see colorful tropical fish varieties, schools of reef fish, Moray eels, lobsters, and possibly even an Eagle Ray. While facing out towards the sea, snorkelers might even catch a glimpse of Hawaii Spinner Dolphins visiting during the early morning hours.

Due to how close reef shelves lie to the coastline at Honolua Bay, snorkelers are asked to pay particular attention to not step on or touch the reef. The reef is home to many marine species and is very fragile. As the locals say, “Save Honolua Bay.”

Kapalua Bay, Maui

Kapalua Bay is one of the most remarkable beaches on Maui, and a perfect West Maui locale to explore while on vacation in Hawaii. Kapalua is a combination of the words kapa and lua in the ancient Hawaiian language, meaning “two borders.” Kapalua Bay is perfectly positioned between Oneloa Bay and Honokahua Bay; its central location shows how appropriately it was named.

Kapalua Bay is consistently named “Best Beach in the World” by numerous publications, including Conde Nast Traveler Magazine. The Travel Channel has called it the “Best Beach in America.” Without a doubt, it’s one of the best beaches for snorkeling and chillin’ out on Maui. The quiet and peaceful community surrounding Kapalua Bay is divine, and the beach itself is out of this world with a protected, crescent-shaped cove ideal for Hawaii marine life to gather. Kapalua Bay most definitely provides a calm environment for snorkeling in West Maui, vibrant colored reef life, excellent swimming conditions, and the ideal location for kicking back with your family and friends under the warm Maui sunshine.

While snorkeling at Kapalua Bay, guests can expect to see scorpionfish, cornetfish, jacks, butterflyfish, parrotfish, goatfish, Moorish idol, boxfish, perch, triggerfish, chub, various invertebrates, sea turtles, and more.

kahulu'u beach park, Big Island

This list ends with Kahalu’u Beach Park found on the Big Island of Hawaii. View over 100 different varieties of tropical fish along with sea turtles too. This area has been known as a popular snorkeling spot for centuries. King Kamehameha, the king of Hawaii who reigned from 1782 to 1819, built a seawall here so that his family could snorkel these incredible waters.