Big Snorkeling Sites

from Snorkel Bob's

Snorkel Sites: North

Hapuna State Park is vast beach with white sand and is 7 miles north of Waikoloa on Hwy. 19. Turn left at the Hapuna sign, go .4 and park. Beautiful beach but really only fair snorkeling. Good body board waves off the sandy beach, but BIG SURF IN WINTER!!

Snorkel Sites: South

Kahalu'u Beach Park is 4.2 miles south on Alii Drive on the wet edge of a big roadside park. A barrier reef keeps the bay flat and PERFECT FOR BEGINNERS, and 4-6 feet depth is ringside on the fishy minions. Outside the reef is prolific, possibly prodigious, but don´t run aground on sea urchins when you slide across.

Kealakekua Bay (Marine Preserve) is 5 miles south on Alii Drive. Go left at Keauhou 1.5 miles to Hwy 11. Go right on 11 for 7.2 miles to Kealakekua Bay turnoff, then 4.5 miles down the mountain to Kealakekua Beach Park. I, Snorkel Bob, jumped right off the old concrete pier.

Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park (City of Refuge) is $2 /head. 3.5 miles over the rough coastline road (lava) south from Kelakekua Bay to the Park Gate. From Kona take Hwy 11 south about 20 miles to Hwy. 160 and go right to the Park Gate. Ingress/egress from the sandy cove fronting the palm stand. Head out toward the point with the old Hawaiian Temple to Coral Paradise. Dozens of other spots are known by your fellow snorkelers, whom you will meet on the great snorkel byway. Always ask about the parking, surf, surge, current, visibility, fish life and safety.