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Hawaii Snorkeling
Guide - Kona
Below is our list of favorite snorkeling locations on the Kona
(western) side of the Island. This is not a comprehensive list
of all snorkeling locations on the Big Island, but merely a personal
guide of our most frequented snorkeling sites.
Check out our Hilo
Snorkeling Guide for the
snorkel destinations on the eastern side of the island.
Spencer
Beach Park
Location -
Entry road off Hwy. 270, uphill from Kawaihae Harbor
(North of Kailua-Kona)
 Water
Entry / Exit - Easy via the protected white sand beach
Snorkel Route - Snorkel in either direction, stay in the clear
waters to see the most fish. If you stay to the right (facing
the ocean), there is a wonderful shallow reef, lots of fish and
many
sea turtles too! Water conditions dictate how clear the
visibility is.
 Extras
- Ample free parking, restrooms, showers, pavilion, picnic tables,
shady trees.
Spencer Beach is popular with local
families because of its reef-protected, gently sloping white-sand
beach, and it's safe for swimming year-round. Calm, protected bay
ideal for families and snorkelers. Snorkel with the sea
turtles here! You can walk from here to
the Pu'ukohola and
Mailekini heiaus. More info on
Spencer Beach. PHONE: 808/961-8311.
Kailua Bay, Kailua-Kona
 Location
- Adjacent to the pier on Ali'i Drive in downtown Kailua-Kona.
Water Entry / Exit - Easy via the small beach between the
pier and the King Kamehameha hotel.
Snorkel Route - Straight out from the beach at the King
 Kamehameha, then curve North around the Hawaiian ruins and follow
the shallow reef. Keep an eye out for outriggers and kayakers.
See fish galore in the clear, calm waters here.
Extras - Abundance of sea life; possible sea turtle and
moray eel sightings; shallow reef offers excellent snorkeling
conditions; free-diving excellent too. In fact turtles can
sometimes be seen right off the Kailua pier.
Packing List - Bring what you need to relax and enjoy this
beach area. Stores and restaurants are nearby on Ali'i Drive.
Directions - Head to Ali'i Drive in downtown Kailua-Kona.
The beach is between the pier and the King Kamehameha hotel.
Pawai Bay
 Location
- Approx 2 miles north of Kailua-Kona, adjacent the Old Kona Airport
Beach Park.
Water Entry / Exit - If you are hiking, take the path from
the north end of the Old Kona Airport and the second cove you reach
(with shady trees and sandy beach) is where you enter. IF you
come by kayak, tie up to the buoy just off-shore.
Snorkel Route - You can go either direction paralleling the
coast. About 10 yards from shore the reef is shallow enough to
snorkel. Beyond that the reef gently drops off to below
60-feet.
The shallowest portions of the reef are just to the north of the
mooring buoy - this is the best portion of the reef for snorkeling.
Keep an eye on the surf conditions as the waves can
make a beach entry difficult under rough conditions.
Check out our
Pawai Bay diving section with more photos and maps.
Kahaluu Beach Park
Location -
Approx.
5˝ miles south of Kailua-Kona on
Ali'i Dr.
 Water
Entry / Exit - Easy via the protected black sand beach
Snorkel Route - Start out to your left (facing the ocean) and
snorkel out towards the breakwater rocks, then circle to your right and
back to the beach. To the left you should encounter huge schools
of very tame fish! Keep an eye out  for turtles in the shallows
and even sometimes on the black sand beach!
Extras - Ample free parking, restrooms, showers, lifeguards,
pavilion, concession stands, picnic tables, shady trees, gear rental
stands, surfing is popular to the North of the bay. View a map
of the snorkel route.
 Kahaluu
is one of the best snorkeling spots on the Big Island. Fed by
a fresh water spring, up to 10 million gallons per day. These
shallow waters are almost
always calm,
with colorful corals, rock formations, and 100+ species of fish.
Swim with schools of colorful fish and green sea turtles in
 these
protected waters; don't forget your underwater camera! The north end
of the beach is where the waves break and is best for body boarding
and surfing. Check the water conditions; with ocean swells,
the water can be murky. PHONE: 808/961-8311.
Check out our
Kahaluu Beach page with more
photos and maps.
Kealakekua Bay
 Location - Approx. 20 miles South of Kailua-Kona.
Water Entry / Exit - Easy via the steps at the end of the
wharf next to the two boat platforms.
Snorkel Route - Follow the shallow reef to the north to see
lots of colorful fish. The surf kicks up silt in this area
which lowers visibility on this side of the bay.
Extras - Ample parking; large wharf; scenic outlooks on
drive down to bay, stop the car to take pictures. You may see
spinner dolphins in the bay.
 Directions - Take Rte 11 South from Kailua-Kona until the
Kealakekua turn-off (Hwy 160) at the 110.5 mile marker. Turn
right and continue 4 miles down the hill. As the road curves
back to the right, you can see a fantastic view of the bay ahead of
you. The road leads all the way down to the bay and ends at
the Kealakekua Bay parking lot.
Captain Cook Monument
 Location - Approx. 20 miles South of Kailua-Kona.
Water Entry / Exit - Load up your kayak before entering the
water. Kayak to Captain Cook and beach your gear in the small
cove to the west of the monument. Walk down the lava rocks
into the calm waters. You can also jump off of the wall next
to the monument, but make sure you jump out so you do not hit the rocks immediately below.
For more details, photos, and tips, visit our
Captain
Cook page.
 Snorkel Route - Turn east towards the monument as you enter
the water. The best snorkeling is the area in front of and
east of the monument. These Hawaiian waters are crystal clear
with 100 ft. visibility. You will see lots of colorful
fish. The vibrant reef stretches out to
beyond 80 feet
 in
depth. Investigate the drop off at 30 ft. depth not far from
the shore.
Extras - Crystal clear water; shaded area for picnic;
historic monument; abundance of sea life; possible sea turtle
sightings; shallow reef offers excellent snorkeling conditions;
free-diving excellent too.
Packing List - Don't forget anything you need, because you
will be traveling by kayak. We suggest the following items:
sunscreen, snorkel gear, water, lunch, camera.
 Directions - Take Rte 11 South from Kailua-Kona until the
Kealakekua turn-off (Hwy 160) at the 110.5 mile marker. Turn
right and continue 4 miles down the hill. As the road curves
back to the right, you can see a fantastic view of the bay ahead of
you. The road leads all the way down to the bay and ends at
the Kealakekua Bay parking lot.
While you can snorkel
right off of the dock in Kealakekua, we suggest you rent a kayak for
the day (approx $40) from one of the stores between Kailua and the
Kealakekua turn-off and kayak across the bay to Captain Cook's
monument. Don't worry, it's an easy kayak - about 1 mile
across the smooth waters of this protected bay. Or if you are
not as ambitious, you can always join on of the charter snorkel
tours offered by several operators such as the
Fair Wind Kealakekua Bay Snorkel
tour.
Bring a picnic lunch
and some drinks (cooler provided with the kayak rental) and spend
the day relaxing and snorkeling on the wonderful reef next to the
monument. You won't be alone - this is one of the most popular
snorkeling spots on the Big Island. The reef is robust and you
can spend all day exploring different sections of the reef as a
snorkeler or SCUBA diver.
 More information and
photos on kayaking at Kealakekua / Captain
Cook.
Honaunau Place of Refuge
 Location
- Approx. 20 miles South of Kailua-Kona.
Water Entry / Exit - The dive entry is one of the nicest
lava-ledge entries you'll find on the island. Have your buddy
help you step down to the water level, then gently slip into the
water. Be sure not to put your fingers in the small holes on
the lava ledge, since there are small sea urchins in them. As
with all entries and exits during rougher seas, be especially
careful. The lava here is not sharp, but it is hard!
 Snorkel Route - Straight out from the rock ledge is the
largest part of the shallow reef. Here is your greatest chance
of seeing sea turtles. Watch out for boat traffic to and from
the boat ramp. The reef also curves to the north around the
bay.
Extras - Place of Refuge National Park ($5 entry)
 immediately
adjacent to beach park; bathrooms in the park; porta-potties on
site; boat ramp access; crystal clear water; picnic benches; lava
shelf for sunbathing; abundance of sea life; possible sea turtle and
moray eel sightings; shallow reef offers excellent snorkeling
conditions; free-diving excellent too.
Packing List - Pack a picnic to eat on the picnic tables
here.
Directions - Take Rte 11 South from Kailua Kona for about 19
miles. Take a right on Hwy 160 (Ke Ala o Keawe Rd) near the
104 mile marker. Be sure to arrive early because parking is
limited. Note - You can also reach Honaunau via
Kealakekua bay by traveling south on Hwy 160 for 3.2 miles.
More photos and underwater
videos of Honaunau, Place of Refuge.
Check
out our Hawaii Snorkeling and Diving
Books section.
Snorkeling Tours of the
Big Island
 We
offer a variety of guided snorkel tours for all ages and abilities.
Designed for beginners and adventurers alike, you’ll paddle along
the scenic Kohala Coast and enjoy excellent snorkeling in warm,
clear Hawaiian waters. Discover the Big Islands most remote
snorkeling spots along the pristine Kohala Coast, Pawai Bay,
Kealakekua Bay, and more. Check out our large sail and snorkel
tours and our exciting zodiac tours for smaller groups.
Body
Glove Dolphin Snorkel Sail
 Go
sailing with Body Glove Cruises - see playful Hawaii dolphins, and
snorkel with brilliantly colored tropical fish and sea turtles on a
snorkeling adventure at Pawai Bay, near Kona on the Big Island of
Hawaii! The whole family will love the 15-foot waterslide, and
the high-dive platform makes a big "splash" with the kids, as well
as those who are kids at heart.
Fair Wind Kealakekua Bay Snorkel
 Slide down the Fair Wind II's water slide into the pristine waters
of Kealakekua Bay, a marine sanctuary, and
enjoy snorkeling or diving with 80-100 feet visibility!
Everything you’ll need for snorkeling is provided –
masks, snorkels, fins, etc.
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