The Ultimate Guide to the Best Snorkeling on the Big Island
Snorkeling is a must-do activity on any trip to Hawaii. The Hawaiian Islands are full of vibrant marine life and coral reefs and can be the ultimate destination for anyone looking to get some incredible snorkeling. If you’re planning a trip to the Big Island and planning to do some snorkeling then you’re in luck! I personally think the Big Island has the best snorkeling in Hawaii!
The Big Island is unique due to its impressive lava rock coastline. This island still has two active volcanoes making its shorelines more rocky than the other Hawaiian islands. Because of this, it makes for some incredible snorkeling experiences around the island by attracting tropical marine life living just off the coast of the island.
In this blog, I’ll go over some of the best beaches and snorkel spots on the Big Island along with some of the best snorkel tours around the island and give a mini guide to one of the most unique snorkel experiences in Hawaii: night snorkeling with manta rays!
When visiting Hawaii, it is important to leave the islands better than you found them. Remember to always respect the marine life by keeping your distance and never touching them, and always wear reef-safe sunscreen when snorkeling and swimming. It is illegal in Hawaii to use any sunscreen other than reef-safe brands! Keep reading to see which brands have my favorite reef-safe sunscreens!
An Overview of the Big Island
Before we dive into all the best snorkeling on the Big Island, I’ll go over some important information you’ll need to know when planning your trip! Below, I’ll give a brief overview of the best time to visit, where to stay, and how to get around the island. Plus, I’ll give you a mini packing list of everything you’ll need to have a successful snorkel trip!
When is the best time to visit the Big Island?
One thing about Hawaii is that it is a great destination to visit year-round! You can expect to have warm temperatures throughout the year, but there are a few times of year that are better to visit than others.
June through November is Hawaii’s hurricane season, however, this is typically not an issue in Hawaii. Although hurricanes are rare in Hawaii, you may still experience more rain and tropical storms when traveling during these months.
With that said, the summer months are actually the best months for snorkeling in Hawaii. So if you don’t mind the weather, this might be the best time to book your trip if you’re looking to get the best snorkeling on the Big Island!
Where to stay on the Big Island?
The Big Island has several different areas you can stay in. I have a full guide of where to stay on the Big Island that goes into more details of each area and the best places to stay in each. If you’re trying to decide where to stay during your trip to the Big Island, I recommend reading that to get a full understanding of the hotels and towns on the island!
The most popular places to stay on the Big Island are Kona and Kohala Coast. Kona is most likely where you will fly into and has many shops and restaurants that you can walk to from the hotels. If you’re looking for a more luxury resort experience on the Big Island, check out the Kohala Coast! If you’re looking for more adventure and outdoor activities, you may want to stay in Hilo which is on the other side of the island opposite of Kona and Kohala Coast.
Where to stay in Kona: Royal Kona Resort, Outrigger Kona, Four Seasons Hualalai,
Where to stay on Kohala Coast: Fairmont Orchid, Mauna Lani, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
Where to stay in Hilo: Grand Naniloa Hotel, SCP Hilo Hotel
Pro-Tip: My favorite way to book luxury hotels for less is by using credit card points! My two favorite credit cards for booking hotels are the Capital One Venture and Chase Sapphire cards!
Do you need to rent a car on the Big Island?
Yes, if you plan on doing a lot of exploring on the Big Island, it is best to rent a car. Some of the best snorkeling on the Big Island can be anywhere from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours from Kona so you’ll definitely want to rent a car if you want to explore on your own instead of taking tours.
I rented a car on my trip to the Big Island, and it was a super easy process to pick it up and drop it off at the airport and there is a quick shuttle that runs between the rental car lot and the airport in Kona.
Check Big Island rental car options here:
What to pack for snorkeling on the Big Island:
Mask and Snorkel: One thing I always have in my suitcase when traveling to a tropical destination is my own mask and snorkel! A lot of the snorkel spots in this guide are free so you’ll need to have your own gear with you if you want to go on your own instead of with a group tour.
Mineral-Based Reef-Safe Sunscreen: The state of Hawaii has banned all sunscreens that are not reef friendly. On the Big Island you can ONLY use a mineral-based reef-safe sunscreen. My two favorite mineral-based reef-safe sunscreen brands are SunBum and Blue Lizard!
Water Shoes: When visiting the Big Island, I highly recommend bringing water shoes! The coast of this island is very rocky and these are helpful for your feet when swimming in a rocky area or walking on lava rock that is hot from the afternoon sun!
Rash Guard Swimsuit: I always travel with my rash guard swimsuit for extra sun protection, in case I accidentally get too much sun one day on my trip! This is the perfect way to keep the sun off your skin, especially during snorkeling when your back is more exposed to the sun!
Now, Lets talk about all the best snorkeling on the Big Island!
Best beaches for snorkeling on the Big Island
As I mentioned above, the Big Island has a very rocky coast due to the volcanic activity on the island. Because of this, some of these “beaches” will actually be more rocky areas instead of soft sand. I will also include my favorite black sand beach on the Big Island which is a great spot for snorkeling and spotting some Hawaiian sea turtles!
Kealakekua Bay
Kealakekua Bay is one of the most popular snorkel spots on the Big Island. This bay is located in the town of Captain Cook, about 30 minutes drive from Kona. Kealakekua Bay is also home to the Captain Cook Monument which is very popular for snorkeling!
You have a few options for snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay. The first option is to park in the parking lot and snorkel right off of the rocky beach OR rent a kayak and kayak across the bay to get over to Captain Cook Monument. If you rent a kayak and go over on your own, you will have to leave the kayak in the water and will not be able to drop it off on shore.
Another option for snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay is to park at the top and hike down the Captain Cook Monument Trail, which is about 1.9 miles one way or 4 miles round trip.
Lastly, you can book a snorkel tour to snorkel at Kealakekua Bay and Captain Cook Monument. There are several snorkel tours you can take here and have the option to book a boat tour or there are even kayak tours that you can book. If you kayak with a tour, you will be able to park the kayak at the monument.
Two-Step Beach at Honaunau Bay
Right down the road from Kealakekua Bay, also located in Captain Cook is Two-Step beach! This was probably my favorite of all the snorkeling spots on the Big Island. It is free to visit but you do have to pay $5 to park in the parking lot. Just make sure to bring your own snorkel gear because there are no rentals here! You’ll definitely want to bring water shoes here because the lava rock gets very hot in the sun. I also saw quite a few sea urchins while snorkeling here.
The dramatic lava rock shoreline at Two-Step beach drops off into crystal clear waters and onto a vibrant coral reef. The reef here was full of colorful tropical fish and had some of the best water visibility that I saw while on the Big Island. The most common fish we saw when snorkeling here was the yellow tang. There were HUNDREDS of them swimming around and they were so vibrant against the lava rock!
Punalu’u Black Sand Beach
One unique thing about the Big Island is that it has several black sand beaches around the island! My favorite black sand beach on the Big Island and best beach for snorkeling is Punalu’u Black Sand beach.
This black sand beach is about 1.5 hours between Kona and Hilo. It is near Volcanoes National Park and the Green Sand Beach, so it is a great stop on your itinerary if you are planning to explore some of the island’s southern coast.
Punalu’u Black Sand Beach is a great spot for snorkeling if you want a chance to see some sea turtles. The sea turtles love to hang out near the rocks here, just like the one pictured above. If you are planning to try and do some snorkeling with sea turtles on your trip to the Big Island, PLEASE remember that these turtles are endangered and it is a law in Hawaii that you must stay at least 50 feet away from them at all time. If you do encounter a turtle while snorkeling, give them their space as it is illegal to touch or chase the turtles.
Punalu’u Black Sand Beach is a quiet beach and has picnic tables and restrooms but there are no restaurants near by so be sure to pack some snacks and drinks if you want to spend some time here! The black sand here also gets hot in the sun so don’t forget your water shoes!
Mauna Kea Beach
Mauna Kea Beach is located at the Mauna Kea Beach hotel is the best beach for some nighttime snorkeling! Mauna Kea Beach is set on Kauna’oa Bay, which offers a unique snorkel experience that you can only get at a few places around the world!
Kauna’oa Bay is home to the manta rays and they come out every evening just after sunset to put on an underwater show! Mauna Kea Beach Hotel has their beach front restaurant, Manta, which has a path that leads down to the water to the manta ray observation deck! There is a light here that shines into the water and manta rays come up to the light every night to feed on the plankton that are attracted by the light.
If you want to snorkel with manta rays when visiting the Big Island without going on a tour, you can bring your own snorkel gear and snorkel for free right off of the beach at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. For the ultimate experience, book an early dinner at Manta and then head down to the beach once it gets dark to head out on a nighttime snorkel with the manta rays!
Mauna Kea Beach is free to access and open to the public. You will need to stop at the gate when entering to get a parking pass from security if you are driving your own car! Once you get the pass you are free to park in the parking lot and walk over to the beach, restaurant, and hotel.
Best Manta Ray Snorkel Tours on the Big Island
Now that we’ve gone over the best places to snorkel right off the beach on the Big Island and the best beach for snorkeling with manta rays for free, let’s talk about some of the best tours for snorkeling with manta rays on the Big Island!
If you’re planning a trip to the Big Island, snorkeling with manta rays is an absolute must for you itinerary! The Big Island is one of the only places in the world where you can experience snorkeling with manta rays in the ocean at night and there are several options when booking a manta ray snorkel tour.
Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel
Cost: $94 per person
This tour departs from Keauhou Bay Harbor, where you’ll take a quick boat ride and enjoy a Kona sunset before diving in to snorkel with the manta rays! The tour includes snorkel equipment and light refreshments and snacks.
If you don’t see any manta rays during your tour, you can come back the next night and try again for free!
Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tour
Cost: $125 per person
This tour starting in Kona has a 4.9 star rating and will take you along the western coast of the island for a night time manta ray snorkel. If you don’t want to get in the water to snorkel, you can view the manta rays by sitting on one of the floating mats. Water and snacks are included on this tour and after your snorkel you can enjoy some hot chocolate to warm up on the boat!
Manta Ray Night Snorkel with complimentary re-tour if no sighting
Cost: $58 per person
This manta ray night snorkel tour has a 4.9 star rating and will leave from Kona. The snorkeling location will be determined by your guide based on the water conditions on the night of your snorkel tour. This tour offers a free second tour if you do not have any manta ray sightings on the first night of your tour. You will also receive a lesson on the biology and behaviors of the manta rays from your guide!
Manta Ray Night Snorkel in Keauhou Harbor
Cost: $89 per person
This manta ray snorkel tour will take you on a 3-minute boat ride to swim with the manta rays in their natural habitat. The manta rays come out to feed on the plankton that are attracted to the blue light. You will also get a lesson from your guide that will teach you all about these gentle giants!
Best Snorkel Tours on the Big Island
Now that we’ve gone over the best beaches on the Big Island for snorkeling and some of the best manta ray snorkel tours, let’s talk about some daytime boat snorkel tours you can take on your trip! Most daytime snorkel tours on the Big Island will leave from Kona with snorkel spots at the Captain Cook Monument. Below, I will give the price of each snorkel tour, the departing destination, and the snorkel destination.
Afternoon Sail & Snorkel to the Captain Cook Monument:
Cost: $136 per person
This snorkel tour departs from Kona and offers a scenic sail along the Kona Coast. The tour will take you snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay with a stop at Captain Cook Monument. On this tour you can expect to see tropical fish, vibrant coral reefs, and maybe even some spinner dolphins if you’re lucky! This tour provides snorkel gear, snacks, drinks, and reef safe sunscreen.
Captain Cook Catamaran Snorkel:
Cost: $85 per person
This Kona snorkel tour will take you cruising along the volcanic Kona coast and snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay and Captain Cook Monument. After snorkeling your boat crew will serve lunch onboard! If you book your tour during the winter months, you may even get to see some humpback whales!
Deluxe Sail & Snorkel at Captain Cook Monument
Cost: $177 per person
This is a half-day snorkel tour departing from Kona. The tour has a 4.9 star rating and takes you snorkeling at all the best snorkel spots in Kealakekua Bay. The tour includes breakfast, lunch, and snacks and has snorkel gear available on the boat.
Dolphins, Sea Cave & Captain Cook Reef Snorkel:
Cost: $85 per person
This snorkel tour takes place on a speed boat and is great for anyone looking for some extra adventure! The boat will take you along the Kona Coast where you’ll be on the lookout for spinner dolphins, whales, sea caves, and cliffs! After hopefully spotting some marine life, you’ll get to snorkel in the clear waters of Captain Cook. This is a shorter and smaller tour and is on average 2.5 hours and offers snacks and drinks.
FAQ
Where is the best snorkeling on Big Island?
There are many spots on the Big Island that are great for snorkeling. My personal favorite snorkel spot is Two-Step Beach in Captain Cook! Nighttime snorkeling with manta rays is also a must on any trip to the Big Island!
Can you snorkel in Captain Cook without a tour?
Yes! You do not need to book a tour to go snorkeling in Captain Cook! You can snorkel at both Two-Step Beach and Captain Cook monument for free. Read above for all the info you need for snorkeling at these two spots in Captain Cook!
What is the Big Island known for?
The Big Island is mostly known for having the most volcanic activity of all the Hawaiian Islands, and Volcanoes National Park! It’s also known for having some unique beaches, such as black and green sand beaches!
Is it possible for a beginner to snorkel in Hawaii?
Yes! It is possible to snorkel as a beginner in Hawaii. Just make sure to snorkel responsibly and stay near the beaches. Remember to check the water conditions and signs at the beach to make sure the waters are safe for snorkeling on the day of your trip!
How is the snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay in Hawaii?
The snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay is some of the best snorkeling on the Big Island! If you book a day time snorkel tour on your trip to the Big Island, it will most likely take you snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay which is also home to the Captain Cook Monument!
Which Hawaiian island is the best for snorkeling?
No matter which Hawaiian Island you are visiting, you’ll be able to find good snorkeling somewhere on the island! I think the Big Island is the most unique for snorkeling due to the lava rock coast and being able to snorkel with manta rays at night! This is not something that you’ll be able to find on the other Hawaiian Islands!
Looking for more planning resources? Check out these Big Island Guides:
