5 Best Big Island Beginner Snorkeling Spots You Shouldn’t Miss
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The Big Island has volcanoes, lava tubes, rainforest hikes, waterfall swims and so much more but, your mind is on snorkeling. Here are our favorite beginner snorkeling spots on the Big Island. Stay safe snorkeling and have fun during your Hawaii vacation.
Here are the five best Big Island beginner snorkeling spots:
- Kahaluu Beach Park
- Kikaua Point Park
- Hapuna Beach Park
- Spencer Beach Park
- Richardson’s Ocean Park
We selected these beginner snorkeling beaches by considering lifeguards on duty, ocean currents, shore breaks, high surf, and water depth. Of course, abundant marine life and a good reef fell into the criteria.
We take snorkeling safety seriously at the Hawaii Vacation Guide. Unintentional drownings when snorkeling is the number one cause of visitor deaths. Explore our snorkel safety tips below and check out the 5 Best Big Island Snorkel Spots for when to snorkel and where to stay on Hawaii for the best snorkeling.
While these snorkeling spots usually have good conditions, it is up to you to understand the ocean conditions before you head into the water. And yes, a night snorkeling with manta ray tour is safe for beginner snorkelers.
Big Island Snorkel Tips for Beginners
Be it planning your first trip to Hawaii or on your eleventh trip, a snorkeling refresher is always a smart idea. We always recommend snorkeling visitors read up on snorkel safety tips for Hawaii.
The County of Hawaii Fire Department – Ocean Safety Division has excellent lifeguards located at 11 beaches on the Big Island. While having a lifeguard on duty is comforting, it is up to you to understand the lifeguard flags and know your limits before you venture into the mighty Pacific Ocean.
Here are a few Big Island snorkel safety tips for beginners:
- Always snorkel with a buddy
- Go snorkeling in the morning for the best visibility and usually better ocean conditions
- Prepare your equipment – wear quality, well-fitting equipment and apply anti-fog to your mask before you enter the water
- Always be aware of ocean activity – never turn your back on the ocean and understand the currents where you’re snorkeling
- Relax and focus on floating – use a flotation device and float to conserve energy. Kick to move around but heavy kicking isn’t necessary.
Wait a few days after you land on the Big Island
There is a common misconception that snorkel drownings and near misses are caused by inexperience on the part of the swimmer. A three-year study by the Hawaii Department of Health found that tourist snorkeling deaths are largely the result of low oxygen levels in body tissues prompted by excess fluid buildup in the lungs.
The condition is known as hypoxia induced by rapid onset pulmonary edema, or ROPE.
Long-distance air travel may be the cause of hypoxia, leading to a disproportionate number of visitor snorkel drownings. The act of breathing through a snorkel may trigger a respiratory impairment. The victim doesn’t inhale water but the respiratory system shuts down.
Wait a few days after you land on the Big Island before you drive to one of these beginner snorkeling spots.
When in doubt, don’t go out!
We link to the current ocean conditions at these beginner snorkel spots (when available online) in the details below.
Hawaii Snorkel Guide Video
Erica and I love to go snorkeling when we travel the Hawaiian Islands. Watch our Hawaii snorkeling guide video for more tips on snorkeling in Hawaii.
The biggest question we get asked is where to rent or buy snorkel equipment. We cover that in the video below!
Shark Safety When Snorkeling
If sharks are scaring you away from snorkeling on the Island of Hawaii, keep this in mind: Hawaii has more than 9 million visitors each year. The odds are in your favor that you’ll be able to swim and snorkel safely in Hawaii.
If you want to do your best to snorkel safely and reduce your chances of meeting a shark while out enjoying the water, see these shark safety guidelines.
- Don’t go off alone. Swim and snorkel with other people.
- Avoid murky water, harbor entrances, stream mouths, channels, or steep dropoffs. Sharks like to hang out in places like this.
- Avoid swimming at dawn or dusk.
- Don’t enter the water if you’re bleeding — even a little bit. They can detect the smallest amount of blood and will come to investigate.
- Don’t wear high-contrast clothing or jewelry. This will get their attention and draw them in.
- Don’t splash excessively. The splashing could attract sharks.
- Don’t go in the water if a shark has been spotted (obviously).
- If fish or turtles begin acting erratically, it’s best to leave the water. They might feel the presence of a shark nearby.
- Be cautious if there are dolphins present — some larger sharks view them as food.
- Don’t swim near people who are fishing. Why swim near shark bait?
- When in doubt, stick to beaches with lifeguards and follow their instructions.
Big Island Snorkeling for Non-Swimmers
The second most common question we get asked is where can non-swimmers go snorkeling in Hawaii. We discourage non-swimmers from snorkeling in the ocean during their visit to Hawaii.
While the Pacific Ocean around the Big Island looks calm with turquoise waters, it is a rock in the middle of a vast ocean with strong currents along the shoreline. The shelf drops to over 3,000 feet deep less than a mile offshore Kailua-Kona, for example.
We recommend learning to swim confidently before attempting an ocean snorkel in Hawaii.
Snorkel tour companies can provide flotation devices and have lifeguards on the boat but that alone won’t keep you safe.
In East Hawaii, try swimming with a flotation device in the large pool at Onekahakaha Beach Park. The park is located just east of Hilo. The large shallow, sand-bottomed ocean pool is protected by a break wall. The pool offers one of the safest shoreline swimming areas along this coastline during normal weather conditions. With a lifeguard on duty, you will find a lot of families with young children here. Check ocean conditions at Onekahakaha Beach Park before you head out.
In West Hawaii, try swimming with a flotation device inside the break wall at Kahalu’u Beach Park. The park is a popular beach located just south of Kailua-Kona. During normal weather conditions, the sheltered cove and shallow bay (the deepest spot is 10 feet) can provide good conditions.
For those confident swimmers who are new to snorkeling, let’s dive into the five best beginner snorkeling spots on the Big Island.
#1 Kahalu’u Beach Park
This beginner snorkeling spot makes it to our number one spot due to the convenient location near Kailua-Kona, has a lifeguard on duty, and the shallow, protected cove that keeps the currents manageable and waves small.
- Lifeguard on duty
- Restroom facilities
- Showers
- Picnic tables
- Directions to Kahalu’u Beach Park
- Check ocean conditions at Kahalu’u Beach Park
Located 6 miles south of Kailua-Kona, Kahalu’u Beach Park is the most popular snorkel spot on the island.
The beach is a great spot for beginner snorkelers. The sheltered cove further benefits from a seawall for calm conditions and good visibility. Plus a lifeguard on duty and shallow water make it a good spot for beginners. The deepest spot is about 10 feet!
We recommend entering the water on the patches of sand instead of on the lava rock. You will also find large schools of fish at these sandy locations. The fish have learned there is food to be found when snorkelers kick up the sand. Enjoy saying hi to the fish but venture out into the cove for clearer water and more to see.
You will find a lot of family groups visit during the weekends and holidays. If you’re looking to avoid crowds, then visit during the week.
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#2 Kikaua Point Park
Kikaua Point Park is our favorite family beach on the Big Island. The shallow cove makes swimming challenging but perfect for floating on the water to explore marine life.
Warning, this is the only Big Island beginner snorkel beach on our list that doesn’t have a lifeguard on duty or posted ocean conditions.
- No lifeguard on duty
- Restroom facilities
- Showers
- Directions to Kikaua Beach Park
Here is the pro tip for heading to this snorkeling beach. The beach access is located in Kukio Golf and Beach Club but don’t worry, all beaches are public in Hawaii. There are about 28 parking spaces so they fill up early. Get here by 9 am or earlier on the weekends and holidays to get a parking spot. You have to go to the security shed at the main gate to get a parking pass.
Beginner snorkelers can practice in the shallow, sandy cove to spot small fish. Head toward the rocky exit of the cove to find Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles and larger fish munching on the seaweed.
Don’t go past the tall lava rock formation near the exit of the cove as strong currents can take you out to sea. Always swim with a buddy here and stay well inside the protected cove walls.
Kikaua Point Park makes our list of the best sandy beaches in Kona.
#3 Hapuna Beach Park
Hapuna Beach Park is the most popular beach on the Big Island for visitors. The half-mile-long, white sand beach invites a full beach day to play on the sand, swim, snorkel, and sunbathe.
- Lifeguard on duty
- Restroom facilities
- Showers
- Picnic tables
- Directions to Hapuna Beach Park
- Check ocean conditions at Hapuna Beach Park
The best beginner snorkeling can be found on the northern end of the beach, near the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort. Check out a review of this all of our favorite Big Island luxury resorts.
Look for a small cove that is shallow and with a sandy bottom along the north cliff wall of the beach. Professional diving instructors like to use this cove for beginner snorkeling classes and scuba diving training.
This beach is best to snorkel during the summer months when the waters are usually calm. Hence, Hapuna Beach made our list of 21 things to do on the Big Island.
From October through April, Hapuna Beach can experience unsafe swimming and snorkeling conditions. High surf can pound the beach and create shifting rip currents. Even with lifeguards on duty year-round, this beach is not recommended for beginner snorkelers during the winter months.
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#4 Spencer Beach Park
Spencer Beach Park is located on the Kohala Coast, above Hapuna Beach. The crescent-shaped sandy beach has a long, shallow reef close to shore making for excellent snorkeling. We have seen Hawaii Green Sea Turtles swimming here frequently.
- Lifeguard on duty
- Restroom facilities
- Showers
- Picnic tables and camping
- Directions to Spencer Beach Park
- Check ocean conditions at Spencer Beach Park
Located on ‘Ohai’ua Beach, the golden sand has a gentle slope into the water. Our son Henry loves this beach to play at the gentle break.
The reef and harbor landfill to the north provide protection from the tradewinds and offshore waves. Conditions are usually calm except during large storms.
There are large kiawe trees over this beach. While they provide excellent shade and are a lot of fun to climb on, they have nasty thorns. Wear your sandals (slippers in Hawaii) when on the beach and near the trees.
Spencer Beach Park is one of our favorite beaches on the Big Island for snorkeling (of course) but also for its proximity to Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historical Park. The heiau or temple was built by Kamahahema the Great and is worth walking around before or after you go snorkeling.
FYI, if you’re looking for family-friendly activities for your Big Island vacation then check out our Big Island farm tours list. Bee farms, coffee plantations, and even an octopus farm make the list.
#5 Richardson Ocean Park
No offense to East Hawaii, but there aren’t a lot of great beginner snorkeling spots around Hilo due to the weather and ocean conditions. But we would reminisce to not include Richardson Ocean Park on our list of beginner snorkeling spots.
- Lifeguard on duty (most of the time)
- Restroom facilities
- Showers
- Picnic tables
- Directions to Richardson Ocean Park
- Check ocean conditions at Richardsons here
Located 5 miles east of Hilo is Richardson Ocean Park. The park has a well-protected, shallow cove that is frequented by Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles. If you’re staying in Hilo, this is the best place to go snorkeling.
The cove is mostly black lava with small black sand beaches around the shore. Enter from one of the sandy spots to explore the shallow cove.
As this snorkel spot is in East Hawaii, you should expect rain and strong currents throughout the year. While the cove can look calm in rough ocean conditions, beware of the currents near the exits of the cove.
Beginner Snorkeling Is But One Itinerary Item
Snorkeling is one of our favorite Big Island things to do, but this island has so much more to offer. From the best local food, cultural activities, and Volcanoes National Park, we show you perfectly planned excursion days around the island.
Learn more about our Big Island Wayfinder itinerary below. And you’ll have a great trip to the Island of Hawaii!
Get The Big Island Itinerary
The step-by-step itinerary takes you to all the best beaches, snorkeling spots, restaurants, and sights. You’ll get six carefully planned excursion days to help you see the can’t miss stops no matter how limited your time is.
Get all the details on our itinerary and download it for a memorable and easily planned trip to Hawai’i (Big Island).
