Best snorkeling spots on the Big Island: where to go and what to know
Prices and details checked on October 22, 2026How we compare tours
Start with Hapuna Beach, Kiholo Bay and Kekaha Kai State Park for the best snorkeling spots on the Big Island.
Start with Hapuna Beach, Kiholo Bay and Kekaha Kai State Park for the best snorkeling spots on the Big Island.
Start with the side of the island where you are staying, then pick the spot that fits it.
Which snorkeling spot suits your side of the island?
On the Kona side, Body Glove Hawaii runs Deluxe Snorkel & Dolphin Watch from Kailua-Kona. Coral Reef Snorkel Adventures runs Kealakekua Bay / Captain Cook Monument Snorkel, also based in Kailua-Kona.
Deluxe Snorkel & Dolphin Watch
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Kealakekua Bay / Captain Cook Monument Snorkel
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| Place | What you can do | Good to know | Getting there | Hours or entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hapuna Beach | The State Parks listing names beachgoing, fishing, snorkeling and swimming as activities. | There are dangerous rip currents and pounding shore breaks during high surf; State Parks says big waves are for experts only and everyone else should stay out of the water and away from the shoreline. | State Parks lists the park in the Kohala area of Hawaii Island. | Daily hours are 7:00am to 7:30pm; gates close at 8:00pm. |
| Kekaha Kai State Park | The state lists beachgoing, fishing, hiking, sightseeing, snorkeling and swimming as park activities. | The park is dry and hot, with no drinking water. | The park lies on the North Kona coast between the ocean and Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway (Highway 19), with Kona International Airport lands to the south. | Daily hours are 8:00am to 6:30pm, and the gates close at 7:00pm. |
| Kiholo Bay | The state lists beachgoing, camping, fishing, hiking, sightseeing, snorkeling, swimming and wildlife viewing as park activities. | There are no full-time emergency or lifeguard services at the park. | The entrance gates are locked nightly; while they are locked, vehicles cannot enter or leave the park. | The park is open daily from 7:00am to 7:00pm. |
| Waialea Bay | Its marine life diversity makes it a popular site for snorkeling and scuba. | The bay is somewhat sheltered, but high surf occurs in winter. | Waialea Bay is in the southern part of Kawaihae Bay, on the west coast of Hawaii Island. | The Waialea Section is closed due to fallen trees (State Parks notice, checked 2026-10-14). |
For manta rays at night, Aquatic Life Divers runs The Kona Manta Ray Night Experience: One Tank Dive or Snorkel Charter in Kailua-Kona. Snorkeling in Kona runs Manta Ray Night Snorkel Maheli Heli from Kailua-Kona.
The Kona Manta Ray Night Experience: One Tank Dive or Snorkel Charter
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Manta Ray Night Snorkel Maheli Heli
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On the Kohala Coast, Hawaii Nautical Big Island runs Kona Turtle Snorkel Sail with Lunch, Mauna Kea One-Stop Sealife Snorkel and Waikoloa Snorkel Sail with Lunch, all based in Waikoloa Village. Hilo Ocean Adventures runs Beach Snorkel: Sea Turtle Lagoon and Black Sand Beach on the Hilo side.
Kona Turtle Snorkel Sail with Lunch
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Mauna Kea One-Stop Sealife Snorkel
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Waikoloa Snorkel Sail with Lunch
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If you would rather snorkel from the shore, the State Parks listing for Hapuna Beach names snorkeling as an activity. The state lists snorkeling at Kekaha Kai State Park and at Kiholo Bay. Waialea Bay is popular for snorkeling and scuba because of its marine life diversity.
When are the conditions safest for snorkeling on the Big Island?
Check the day's surf and currents before you go, since they change at each spot. Hapuna Beach has dangerous rip currents and pounding shore breaks during high surf. State Parks says big waves are for experts only and everyone else should stay out of the water.
Waialea Bay is somewhat sheltered, but high surf occurs in winter.
Check the National Weather Service marine forecast on the morning you go, and plan around the forecast rather than around a sighting. Wildlife and surf are never guaranteed on any of these trips.
How do you get to each spot, and where do you park?
Hapuna Beach is in the Kohala area of Hawaii Island. Kekaha Kai State Park lies on the North Kona coast between the ocean and Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway (Highway 19).
Kiholo Bay's entrance gates are locked nightly, and vehicles cannot enter or leave while they are locked. The park is open daily from 7 AM to 7 PM. Plan your arrival and departure around those hours.
Waialea Bay is in the southern part of Kawaihae Bay, on the west coast of Hawaii Island.
For boat tours, Hawaii Nautical Big Island's Kona Luxury Dolphin Snorkel Sail is based in Honokohau Harbor.
Kona Luxury Dolphin Snorkel Sail
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What rules and hazards should you know about at these spots?
Hapuna Beach prohibits motorized vehicles and ATVs, animals and pets, alcoholic beverages, smoking and driving on the beach. Its hours are 7 AM to 7:30 PM, and the gates close at 8 PM.
Kekaha Kai prohibits motorized vehicles, animals, alcohol, camping, smoking and commercial activities. The park is dry and hot, with no drinking water. Bring your own water.
Kiholo Bay is the Kīholo Bay Fisheries Management Area. The park has no full-time emergency or lifeguard services.
Waialea Bay is a Marine Life Conservation District under rule HAR 13-35.
Frequently asked questions
What Google ratings do the snorkel operators we list have?
Kona Honu Divers, Hawaii Nautical Big Island and Aquatic Life Divers each have 5 stars: Kona Honu Divers from 7,751 Google reviews, Hawaii Nautical Big Island from 1,150 and Aquatic Life Divers from 1,000.
Is Two Step snorkeling inside the national park?
Two Step is at the Honaunau Bay Boat Ramp, just outside Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park.
Is the Waialea Bay section open?
The Waialea Section is closed due to fallen trees, according to a State Parks notice.
Ratings last checked September 2026.
