Top 20 Hawaii Snorkeling Spots

Ecologically speaking, it is the perfect environment for marine life to feed and breed, and it is home to over 250 species of endemic Hawaiian tropical fish. Within its volcanic walls, you will find a host of colorful reef formations and tropical marine life. There are manta rays, black triggerfish, yellow tang, raccoon butterflyfish, parrotfish, Moorish idols, Moray eels, and so much more. The Pacific waters around the Molokini Crater are home to over 100 species of algae, and roughly 35 species of hard coral.

The crystal-clear water (with an 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 place for both beginners and experienced snorkelers, and it is the top choice for morning snorkel tours in all of Maui. The waters around the Molokini Crater are also one of the most popular locations for scuba diving in all the Hawaiian Islands.

Turtle Town can be found on the southern coast of the island, between Nahuna Point and Black Sand Beach. It is best visited by boat, and is well known as one of the best spots to snorkel in Maui, especially if these large sea creatures are your sightseeing goal. While enjoying a Maui snorkel tour to Turtle Town, guests can expect to see turtles gently approaching swimmers with curiosity. They can also plan to see a wide array of other colorful marine life.

Turtle Town is a top place to snorkel on Maui for many reasons. Of course the top of the list would be the chance to view the Hawaiian green sea turtles in their natural habitat. There are also the calm wind conditions, clear waters (a must when you need to stop and defog your mask), and a gentle slope which allows those of all skill levels to find a comfortable ocean depth. Snorkelers here can watch the Wrasse fish as they clean the turtles’ shells, and see a host of ocean wildlife. There are 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.

Without a doubt, having the chance to snorkel at Coral Gardens is a rare and gorgeous ocean experience. From the water, guests can take in the breathtaking underwater scenery, huge West Maui coastline views, and scenes of the outer Island of Lanai. On top of all of that, the views here have the perfect dramatic background decorated by the jagged-edged valleys of the West Maui Mountain Range.

Visitors at Coral Gardens can expect to see colorful varieties of coral, a huge array of tropical fish, Hawaiian green sea turtles, and so much more.

The Bay can be found just north of Kapalua. Although there are a few entrances, the best access for snorkelers is just off a walking trail that leads from the parking area. During the summer months, the parking area will be clearly marked by fresh coconut and juice vendors. It’s highly suggested that snorkelers wear water booties at this location because entry to the ocean is from a rocky coast. To snorkel at Honolua, it’s not necessary to swim too far out from the coastline. Here, the Maui marine life can be easily seen anywhere from 10 to 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 maybe even an Eagle Ray. While facing out toward the sea, guests might even catch a glimpse of Hawaii Spinner Dolphins playing during the early morning hours.

Due to how close the reef shelves lie to the coast at Honolua Bay, snorkelers are asked to pay very close 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 is consistently named the “Best Beach in the World” by many publications, including Conde Nast Traveler Magazine. The Travel Channel has called it the “Best Beach in America.” There’s no doubt that it’s one of the best beaches for Hawaii snorkeling and chillin’ out on Maui. The quiet and peaceful community surrounding Kapalua Bay is just divine, and the beach itself is out of this world. This is in no small part thanks to a protected, crescent-shaped cove that is ideal for Hawaii marine life to thrive. Kapalua Bay most definitely provides a calm environment for snorkeling in West Maui. There is vibrant colored reef life, excellent swimming conditions, and the ideal spot on the beach to kick back with your family and friends under the warm Maui sunshine.

At Kapalua Bay, guests can expect to see a huge array of wildlife. There are scorpionfish, cornetfish, jacks, butterflyfish, parrotfish, goatfish, Moorish idol, boxfish, perch, triggerfish, chub, various invertebrates, sea turtles, and so much more.

At this Lana’i snorkeling spot, guests will be able to see a host of marine life. They can find goatfish, yellow tang, peacock groupers, Morays, saddle wrasse, big parrotfish, and even the odd Hawaiian spinner dolphin visitor.

Hulopoe Bay Beach Park is open to the public and has picnic tables, BBQs, public restrooms, and showers. If you’re visiting the West Side of Maui, take a ferry out to Lana’i for a day or two! The Island of Lana’i is truly stunning. There are so many fun adventures to enjoy and Hawaii sights to see. In the past, camping was allowed at Hulopoe Bay but it is currently not allowed, so make sure to plan out all the details for your accommodations ahead of time.

The sand here is such a beautiful golden color, and the ocean feels terrific! It’s truly a magical Hawaii snorkel spot.

While guests snorkel at Murphy’s, they will be able to see yellow tang, parrotfish, sea cucumbers, Hawaiian spiny lobsters, and much more. The best place from which to view the marine life at Murphy’s is close to the reef. If you venture out past the reef, the ocean conditions get a bit more challenging and are only suitable for an experienced swimmer.

Guests will find that there’s quite a lot of marine life in the water at Shark’s Cove. The main reason why is because it’s part of the Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District, which makes it a protected area. Here you will have the chance to see butterflyfish, drummer fish, needlefish, parrotfish varieties, white-spotted surgeon, tang, blue spine unicornfish, wrasse, sea urchin, and even an octopus or two. When you enter the water at this famed Oahu spot, make sure to take your time as you walk over the rocky entrance, and carefully navigate the sandy bottoms of the trails. The shallow areas at Shark’s Cove are between 2 and 4 feet deep, but then you’ll see it start to drop from 5 to 20 feet in further parts of the cove.

To avoid the crowds and hard parking situations, plan to snorkel at Shark’s Cove as early as possible. By the way, make sure to not leave any valuables in your car here. The best time to snorkel at Shark’s Cove would be around 8 am in the spring, summer and early fall.

A huge part of why Shark’s Cove is such a popular snorkel site is that it’s right in the middle of the North Shore’s main beach drag. It’s a great place to start off your morning. After, head to Haleiwa for a bite to eat, shop around, and then continue to beach hop and explore Oahu’s North Shore areas.

Kuilima Cove is great for beginner snorkeling as it sits on the eastern side of the Turtle Bay Resort. To get here, pull into the Turtle Bay Resort, and look for the Kuilima Cove parking lot which is to the right of the tennis courts. The beach on the left is the hotel’s beach, so be sure to go to the right.

When you visit Kuilima Cove, look forward to feeling soft white sand under your toes, and getting a good dose of sunshine! While snorkeling at Kuilima, guests can see a host of vibrant fish. There are needlefish, triggerfish, perch, boxfish, big eyes, Moorish idol, tang, damselfish, unicornfish, butterflyfish, parrotfish and much more. You may also see some Hawaiian spiny lobsters, and Hawaii’s State Fish, the humuhumunukunukuapua’a.

Hanauma Bay operates as a state park, so if you’re hoping to snorkel here, be sure that you make arrangements ahead of time.

Hanauma Bay was formed within a volcanic cinder cone. This “curved bay” is a pristine ecosystem that the County of Honolulu goes to great lengths to protect. Without a doubt, it’s a fantastic place to snorkel in Hawaii, but it also offers visitors education about reef conservation and all of the marine life that lives there. In fact, first-time guests are required to watch a 9-minute video before entering the park. This is so they can learn about the unique ecosystem, regulations, and safety rules before snorkeling.

At Hanauma, guests will find that there are many unique areas to snorkel within the bay. Beginners should remain in the areas closest to the sand like the Back Door Lagoon, Keyhole Lagoon, Triangle Lagoon, and Sandmans Patch. Advanced snorkelers are invited to explore zones that are outside the channels like the Outer Reef and Witches Brew. Due to safety concerns, the formerly known “Toilet Bowl” is now completely closed to the public. Make sure to ask for the reef map when you arrive at the Hanauma Bay Visitors Center.

If you’re visiting Oahu and staying in the Waikiki or Honolulu area, there are many round-trip shuttles and bulk tours you can use to come to Hanauma Bay. All children under 12 years old, active military, and Hawaii State residents (with a valid State issued ID) can visit the park for free.

Guests can sit back and relax on the calm sail out to sea onboard a catamaran. While en route, it’s entirely possible to watch the playful Spinner Dolphins frolicking, skipping, and playing on the surface of the ocean. Upon their arrival at Turtle Canyons, guests can take in the gorgeous South Oahu sights and forward-facing views of the dramatic and picturesque Diamond Head Crater.
The best time to snorkel at Turtle Canyons is in the morning hours when the water is crystal clear, and ocean conditions are at their calmest. Snorkeling at this site offers many fantastic opportunities to see an abundance of Hawaiian green sea turtles and other marine life in their natural habitats. The reef is pristine and it’s full of tropical fish like Moorish idols, flying fish, wrasse (turtle shell cleaners), triggerfish, humuhumunukunukuapua’a, and much more.

Please note that there are actually two places on Oahu called “Turtle Canyons.” The second one is near Kaneohe Bay on Oahu’s Windward side. It can only be accessed by boat, and it’s not suggested for beginner snorkelers.

Manta Ray Village came to be after the Kona Surf Hotel opened in the early 1970s (it’s now the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa). The builders of the hotel had the incredible idea to provide their guests with an illuminated view of the ocean during the evening. They installed some bright floodlights and directed them toward the sea. At the time, the hotel wasn’t aware that the lights would become a “beacon” for plankton. Plankton happens to be the primary food source for Manta Rays, so soon after the plankton arrived, the Manta Rays followed.

Manta Ray Village is now world-famous for being one of the few places on earth where guests can watch Manta Rays feed in their natural environment.

To snorkel at Manta Ray Village in Kona, guests will typically embark around sunset on a 1.5-2 hour cruise. Professional tour guides will brief snorkelers about the behaviors of Manta Rays and what to expect from them, as well as provide them with safety information. On any given night, snorkelers can see and swim with anywhere from 3 to 25 Manta Rays.

Guests can access Mauna Kea Beach through the Mauna Kea Hotel gates. If you would like to snorkel here, make sure that you arrive early because the hotel limits how many parking passes they give out each day.

Once you get to the beach, try to find a spot near one of the ends of the beach, whichever seems to be more enticing to you. Snorkeling at Mauna Kea Beach is best closer to the rocky points, and water access is typically an easy swim down a sandy slope on the ocean floor. On the right side of the beach, we suggest that you hug the side of the rocky point to get up close with the marine life tucked into the rock wall crevices. If you are a strong swimmer and an experienced snorkeler, explore about 20-30 feet away from the rock wall to view some stunning coral gardens.

While guests snorkel at Mauna Kea Beach, they can expect to see a wide range of vibrant fish. There are damselfish, eels, yellowtail goatfish, freckled hawkfish, Moorish idol, bullethead and stareye parrotfish, surgeonfish, yellow and lavender tang, cleaner wrasse, unicornfish, and much more depending on the time of year. It’s also common to see the Hawaiian green sea turtles at Mauna Kea Beach.

This Hawaii snorkeling spot is referred to by locals as “City of Refuge” because of its historical significance. Looming above Honaunau Bay is the Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. It’s a 180+ acre federal park reserve where ancient Hawaiians took refuge and were deemed safe. It was a sanctuary for warriors who had been defeated, lawbreakers, and those who were in poor standing.

When you plan to snorkel at City of Refuge, the best advice we could give you is to arrive early! The best time to snorkel here is definitely in the morning, from 8 to 11 am. Later in the afternoon, this side of the island tends to get a bit overcast which will likely take away from the underwater clarity of the ocean.

City of Refuge has some of the most beautiful lava rock flats and coral reef formations for Big Island snorkeling. In the morning, the lava rock flats are about the same level as the water, so it’s pretty fun to make use of them like chairs. The incredible amount of coral reef life is like a magnet for tropical fish, so the bay is rich with them. Here, you can watch Hawaiian green sea turtles being cleaned by wrasse fish, and see parrotfish, Moray eels, jacks, tang, and butterflyfish. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for Hawaiian spinner dolphins.

Known to be one of the best snorkel sites in all of the Hawaiian Islands, Kealakekua is home to a host of rare and endemic Hawaii marine life. The water here is calm and clear with visibility up to 100 feet. Coral varieties appear in purples and pinks and at certain times of the year, the coral reef almost seems to be in technicolor.

Before they snorkel at Kealakekua Bay, guests should first understand how significant this area is for Hawaiian culture, history, and marine life ecology. Expect to see schools of small reef fish, as well as butterflyfish, tang, Moorish idol, goatfish, parrotfish, triggerfish, wrasse, and trumpetfish. There are also Hawaiian green sea turtles, hawksbill sea turtles, eagle rays, and much more.

South Kona snorkel sites are all incredible in their own ways. Each of them offers a micro-experience of the Big Island’s underwater world. There are vibrantly colored coral reef formations, underwater sea caves, sea arches, lava rock canyons, ridges, and lava fingers that head out to sea.

At all of these unique South Kona spots, snorkelers can see a host of Hawaii marine life lavishing in the luxury of their natural habitat. This is definitely not to be missed!

Even during the calmest months, Kauai is known to have rogue waves and strong summer swells, so be careful. Remember to NEVER turn your back to the ocean! The best way to snorkel safely on Kauai is by taking a snorkel tour with professional guides and the correct snorkeling equipment.

This spot is right next to the Marriott Beach Club and offers lifeguards, activity rental booths, restrooms, showers, places to grab a snack and drinks, and many more conveniences. Guests here will surely love the white sandy shores and gorgeous ocean conditions.

While snorkeling at Poipu, keep your eyes peeled for the Hawaiian monk seals as this is one of their favorite spots to visit in Kauai. You may also see Hawaiian green sea turtles at Poipu. Remember to watch from afar, and do not touch either of these Hawaii marine animals. More marine life can be found at Poipu, including spinner dolphins and manta rays. There’s also a host of tropical fish including goatfish, eel, wrasse, surgeonfish, parrotfish, and sea cucumbers.

Please note that during the winter months, this area may have high surf and strong currents. Please follow all of the warning signs, and never turn your back on the ocean.

At Ke’e Beach, you will find that the setting is truly breathtaking and the water is divine. During the late spring and summer months, Ke’e is the ideal place for beginner snorkelers. There’s an incredible selection of marine life for you to observe, and you might even get to see some Hawaiian green sea turtles.

While you snorkel, be sure to remain near the visible reef that fronts the beach entry. Reef fish are found near the seabed. You can easily spot triggerfish, butterflyfish, parrotfish, filefish, saddle wrasse, and surgeonfish.

Water entry is by way of the sandy beach, so there’s no need to wear water shoes. Watch out for rocks as you enter the water though, and put on your snorkel flippers upon entry. The best place to snorkel at Lawai Beach is in the small bay that’s between the beach and the protected reef. As you reach the reef, the water clarity improves, and you will see the reef come alive. A favorite spot to snorkel is along the rocks that are below the restaurant. The ocean depths here range from 3 to 16 feet. Although it feels like a protected area, always remember to never turn your back on the ocean.

Snorkelers at Lawai Beach will see lots of vibrant reef fish. There are spotted boxfish, damselfish, goatfish, butterflyfish, groupers, Moorish idol, crocodile needlefish, many types of triggerfish and tang, wrasse and more. If you search near the ocean bed, look for blue rice and cauliflower coral. This is where you can spot sea cucumbers and sea urchins. Be very careful not to step on the reef as it’s sharp and extremely fragile.

The best time of the year to enjoy a Na Pali Coast snorkel tour is during the spring and summer months. Tours here will take guests to in-the-know caves and beaches, and snorkelers are guaranteed to see hosts of marine life in their natural habitat. All in one place, one can see Hawaiian green sea turtles, spinner dolphins, tropical seabirds, flying fish, a wide variety of tropical fish, vibrantly colored corals, and an abundance of reef life.

Many boat tour companies operate tours to the Na Pali Coast. You can find small-group and large-group tours, as well as private charters for Na Pali Coast snorkeling. Visitors can easily find many options for catamarans, sailing charters, and rafts. As they say, “the world is your oyster.”

Na Pali Coast snorkel tours usually embark in the morning hours and are typically 4-6 hours long. The tours offer snorkel instruction, safety information, meals, refreshments, snorkel gear, flotation devices, freshwater showers, restrooms, videography services, and more.