12 Jan Top-Rated Snorkeling Experiences in Kona: Local Insights
Experience a stunning underwater adventure along the striking volcanic Kona coastline. Watch for playful dolphins, sea turtles and coral formations on this top-rated snorkeling tour!
Known as Two Step, this snorkeling spot is close to the Place of Refuge and is home to tropical fish and sea turtles. Keep an eye out for the bright yellow tang and trumpetfish that often flit around this area.
1. Kealakekua Bay
The clear waters of Kealakekua Bay are home to a vibrant coral reef teeming with tropical marine life. On a two-and-a-half-hour adventure, snorkelers can explore this natural aquarium and encounter schools of tang and other species. If you’re lucky, you might also see a pod of dolphins or even the elusive Humuhumunukunukuapuaa (Hawaiian state fish).
As a marine life conservation district, this snorkeling spot has protected waters and less-crowded conditions than some of Hawaii’s other top reef destinations. You can also expect great underwater visibility thanks to the brilliant turquoise water. It’s no wonder this is one of the top-rated snorkeling experiences in Kona.
A soaring cliff embraces the shoreline of this scenic bay where Captain Cook met his tragic end in 1779. This awe-inspiring location is known for its enduring significance in Hawaiian history. During this top-rated excursion, you’ll discover more about this important site as your knowledgeable tour guides detail the important cultural landmarks you’ll pass along the way.
This trip includes snorkeling in the area directly in front of the monument and a visit to a nearby beach, where you can swim through carved-out sea caves. You’ll also take in views of the rugged coastline from the comfort of a spacious boat. Watch for dancing spinner dolphins and seasonal humpback whales while you explore this stunning coastal landscape.
While snorkeling at the Captain Cook Monument, your guide will point out some of the area’s storied landmarks as you swim through a thriving coral reef teeming with marine life. The reef starts in just a few feet of water at the beach and slopes deeper in all directions, so there’s plenty to explore at any depth.
The best part is that this snorkeling spot is a short drive from your accommodation in Kona, making it the perfect addition to your Big Island vacation. You can even make a full day of it by adding an add-on tour to your package. Just remember to bring your gear and reef-safe sunscreen (not the icky chemical-based stuff). A full breakfast is included too.
2. Kahalu’u Beach Park
One of the most popular kona manta ray charters in Hawaii’s Big Island is Kahalu’u Beach Park, located south of Kona and featuring a teeming coral reef that entices snorkelers of all levels. The waters here tend to be calm, which is ideal for first-time swimmers and families with children. The bay’s lava rocks also create protective boundaries that make this beach especially safe for novice swimmers. In addition to the coral, snorkelers can expect to see sea turtles, octopi, triggerfish, and sea urchins in the waters of this beach.
Another advantage to this beach is its ease of access to the water. While the surrounding lava rocks may appear intimidating, snorkelers can walk right into the water through a trench that gradually deepens. Snorkelers should be careful not to touch or step on the coral as this can kill it, and be mindful of sea urchins that can cause injuries if accidentally stepped on.
This beach is also a great place to observe the dancing spinner dolphins, and seasonally, humpback whales. Those who are lucky enough to come here during the night can also enjoy the magic of manta rays as they loop and ballet in their natural habitat, creating once-in-a-lifetime memories.
Although not as large as Kealakekua Bay, Kahalu’u Beach Park has a lot to offer marine enthusiasts. The beach is a great spot for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and relaxing with family and friends. There are restrooms and showers available, and the beach is easily accessible from many of the area’s hotels, including the Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel.
The sand at this beach is mostly rough salt and pepper, with some finer sand near the north end of the beach. Before entering the water, snorkelers should wear their fins to help them traverse the rough lava rock. Snorkelers should also be careful to avoid standing up in the water, as this can damage or kill the coral. Snorkelers should also be aware of the strong rip current that is present in the ocean here, and swim parallel to the reef to keep safe.
3. Honokohau Beach
At the northern end of Kealakekua Bay lies Honokohau Beach. This pretty little bay is a snorkeler’s dream, but only when conditions are calm and the waves are low. Otherwise, the rocky ocean bottom and perilous rip currents make it unsuitable for swimming or snorkeling. But, it’s a lovely place to watch schools of fishes flitting about! Brightly colored parrotfish flap their pectoral fins (a bit like birds flapping their wings) to scoop bits of coral off the reef, while trumpetfish blend in with the surrounding algae. There are also loads of other fishes that flit about the reef at this snorkeling site in Kona, including yellow tang and threadfin butterflyfish.
To access Honokohau Beach, hike north past the Aimakapa fishpond to find a barren lava field with several large mounds of stacked rocks. These rock mounds may have been used as lookout points or for another purpose and are surrounded by limu (seaweed) and an ancient Hawaiian heiau at the beach’s southern end. There is also a fringing reef that shelters part of the beach from strong surf and currents, making it a great spot for snorkeling in Kona.
If you want to visit this amazing snorkeling site but don’t feel up to the hike, consider joining a guided snorkel tour. This top-rated Big Island activity takes you to the marine sanctuary of Kealakekua Bay, and you’ll have an entire hour to spend looking for Hawaii green sea turtles and colorful fishes—including humpback dolphins in winter!
The rugged west shore of the Big Island is home to some of the best snorkeling in the state of Hawaii. This is thanks to the massive mountains that act as a wind block, creating consistently calm waters on the island’s leeward side. Combine that with thriving coral reefs and sheltered volcanic coves, and you have a snorkeling utopia. The best way to experience this snorkeling paradise is on a small group snorkeling tour, such as this one that visits the Captain Cook Monument and Kealakekua Bay. The tour departs from Keauhou Harbor, which is a short boat ride from the downtown Kona area.
4. Place of Refuge
A remarkably preserved sanctuary of Hawaii’s history, Place of Refuge is a definite must-see. But it also happens to be home to some of the best snorkeling in the state, when conditions are right. The craggy coastline makes this an underwater playground for eels, turtles and reef fish, not to mention a favored hangout for spinner dolphins from December to March.
During the day, explore this protected marine life sanctuary with a guide and learn about the culture and history of the area. Then, slip into the cool nighttime seas and swim with graceful manta rays—talk about an awe-inspiring experience! This particular tour is perfect for beginners and kids because your guide will be on hand to teach you all the basics of snorkeling. And don’t worry about bringing your own gear, as all equipment is provided for you on this excursion.
Aboard a spacious and stable catamaran, sail out of Keauhou Harbor and out to a beautiful snorkeling spot at Kealakekua Bay. This is the same bay that Captain Cook himself sailed into, and today it is one of the most spectacular snorkeling spots in all of Hawaii. Here, you’ll visit the renowned Captain Cook Monument, and you’ll have three hours of uninterrupted snorkel time to explore this stunning bay.
After snorkeling at Kealakekua, head south to King Kamehameha Beach, also known as “Manta Heaven.” Enter the water on a spacious and comfortable catamaran and enjoy three hours of unbroken snorkeling and swimming time. While you’re in the water, look out for Hawaii’s state fish, the humuhumunukunukuapuaa, and the lauwiliwilinukunukuoielee, or Moorish idol, among other endemic reef fish. The waters off this beach are fairly calm, thanks to the outer reef that absorbs a lot of the energy from waves coming in from the open ocean. The reef also provides a great habitat for a wide variety of fishes, including yellow tang, saddleback wrasse, manini, spotted tobies and moorish idol. This is also a fantastic snorkeling spot for people with limited mobility, as there is a very gradual entry and exit into the water.