Let’s Talk Snorkeling - Guide to Snorkeling on O’ahu
Snorkeling is one of the top things people think to do when coming to Hawai’i. And for good reason, the water is unbelievably clear and turquoise blue here. There is so much to see when you poke your head under the sea. Knowing where to go and when is important because an amazing day of snorkeling at a location one day to the next can be a completely different experience due to elements like swell, rain, cloud cover, tide, time of year, etc. Also, there are widely varying difficulty levels depending on the snorkel location - not every spot is good for every snorkeler. With all these variables, how is it possible to know where to go when?
Oahu, Hawaii is a great destination for beginners to experienced free divers who want to explore some of the best and most accessible snorkeling spots in the world. With its crystal-clear waters and abundant marine life, Oahu has so many amazing spots all around the island to check out. From shallow lagoons with colorful coral reefs teeming with tropical fish to deeper areas where larger creatures like turtles can be found, there is something for everyone on this stunning island. In this article, I am going to go over some of my favorite places I like to recommend based on time of year and some specific weather conditions to be aware of. So let’s dive in and take a look at what awaits you under the sea!
Humuhumuʻeleʻele or Black Trigger school of fish on a snorkel tour
Some tips for snorkeling on O’ahu
If you have your own quality mask and snorkel, bring it. They are easy to travel with and it’s nice to have a good quality mask with a clear lens. Depending on the location, you will also need fins. The currents can be quite strong and you will want them.
Know your limits. The water can be BIG in Hawai’i. Even if you are a strong swimmer, if you're not an experienced ocean swimmer or free diver, there is a lot to know to stay safe. Stick close to shore or go on a snorkel tour to have the best experience otherwise.
Weather apps can be really helpful to determine the right weather conditions. Surfline is a great source for swell conditions. Windy is a great source for wind and weather conditions.
Don’t touch the sea turtles or any other animals in the water. Sea turtles and monk seals in Hawaii are federally protected and you can receive a huge fine if you’re caught touching them.
Go snorkeling in the morning - the light is the best this time of day and the animals are out. I always have the best snorkel sessions in the morning.
Hanauma Bay
Difficulty
Easy - great for beginners
Depth
Very shallow - fins not needed
What You’ll See
Fish and marine life and some that you won’t see anywhere else in the world.
Equipment available for rent at site
Yes
Time of year
Excellent year round
Weather conditions
Super protected bay good in most swell conditions
Things to know about Hanauma Bay: It’s a nature preserve and closed on Tuesdays and you need a ticket to get in. Getting tickets directly from Honolulu Parks and Rec can be difficult as you can only book 2 days in advance. They do hold back a limited number of tickets for day of sales. So go very early (before the park opens) to queue up in your car to get into the park and see if you make it early enough to snag one of the limited tickets for the day.
Not only is it an amazing snorkel spot, the beach is also beautiful and is a great place to spend the day.
2. Makai Research Pier
Difficulty
Medium
Depth
fins needed
What You’ll See
Live reef with fish
Weather conditions
Will need to check the swell report on the east side. Looking for 1-2ft swell @ Makapu’u to hope for good water clarity
This is a cool snorkel location for someone that is a little more experienced and adventuresome. There is limited parking and it’s along the side of the road. The reef is on the west side of the pier. This is not typically a very busy snorkel location and is in a beautiful part of the island. There is a shower at Makapu’u beach.
3. Kaimana Beach
Difficulty
Easy - Medium
Depth
fins not needed, but more fun with fins
What You’ll See
Coral heads teeming with fish, turtles, possibly monk seals
Time of year
Year Round
Weather conditions
Check the surf report for Old Man’s. Looking for 2-3ft surf max to hope for clear water
This is an easy place right on the edge of Waikiki to swim out and see lots of fish, turtles and possibly a monk seal or reef shark. You will want to swim out the channel toward the flag. There is reef off to your left as you are swimming out. Low swell is better chance for clear water.
4. Kaiser Barge
Difficulty
Experienced
Depth
fins needed
What You’ll See
Sunken barge with loads of fish and reef shark
Time of year
Best in winter months
Weather conditions
Check the surf report for Kaisers. Looking for 1-2 surf max.
Stand up paddleboards loaded with snorkel gear off Kaiser’s Barge
Kaiser's sunken barge is a really cool spot, but there are things to be aware of. You can head out from Kahanamoku Beach out the channel. This is a busy channel with boats coming in and out all day. The barge is outside of the reef and therefore you need to be well marked with a dive float so that boats can see you. One option is to go out on a stand up paddle board with a snorkel mask. It’s just past Kaiser surf break. Look for the boils at the surface of the water. Jump in and stay attached to your board when you get to the barge and check it out. Be on high alert for boat traffic and enjoy seeing how the ocean has taken back this massive sunken barge. Check this out for a sample of snorkeling in this area.
5. Turtle Canyon
Difficulty
Experienced
Depth
fins needed
What You’ll See
Reef with so many turtles
Time of year
Year Round
Weather conditions
Clear day
So, so many turtles
Turtle Canyon is an amazing place that has unfortunately been the victim of over tourism. It is well outside the reef in about 20 - 25ft of water. There are many snorkel tour boats that go here each day and it gets quite congested with a plethora of snorkelers. The amazing part of Turtle Canyon is that there are loads of turtles here - there’s a reason why so many boats come here. The turtles come in from all around to have the fish clean their shells. It’s too far to swim from shore, it's a long but doable paddleboard there, but you would need to know where you are going and go on a very low wind day. Or, you can just look for all the tour boats and you will know you are there. If you really want to go snorkel Turtle Canyon the best way is to go on a snorkel tour.
6. Electric Beach
Difficulty
Experienced
Depth
fins needed
What You’ll See
Reef, turtles, colorful fish, sharks
Time of year
Best in summer months
Weather conditions
Very important for little to no swell at Kahe Point Beach Park (1-2ft)
Outflow pipe at Electric Beach - so many fish
Electric Beach is an amazing snorkel location. That’s why people go to Electric Beach is to snorkel and free dive. Getting out through the surf can take a little bit of work even when the swell is down (1-2ft). I don’t recommend going if it’s much larger unless you are with a guide or local. Once you are through the surf go left, go right, straight ahead - it’s all amazing. So much to see at this location. I like to snorkel here again and again. It’s a special spot on the island. Hopefully, if the surf is down, you will be lucky with clear water and lots and lots of marine life.
7. Ke Iki to Sharks Cove
Difficulty
Experienced
Depth
fins needed
What You’ll See
Reef, turtles, colorful fish, sharks, eels, octopus
Time of year
Best in summer months
Weather conditions
Looking for little to no swell on the North Shore at Waimea Bay
This snorkel adventure is right in the Shark’s Cove area. Shark’s Cove is a beginner and very popular snorkel spot. If you are experienced and looking for a longer snorkel adventure, you can head down the road just a little further and have the most epic snorkel run you could ever hope for. Snorkeling on the north shore is best in the summer when the swell is down. Don’t even think about this location in the winter months. You can park at Shark’s Cove Beach Park and walk down the road a little ways to Ke Iki Beach. You'll want to get in the water on the west end of the beach and swim out around Kahawai Beach Support Park. Stay close to shore and enjoy all there is to see until you get to Shark’s Cove or you can keep going to Three Tables and then get out and walk back to your car. This is another free divers paradise like Electric Beach. I can go here again and again and always see something new under the sea. It’s amazing. Be aware, you are in unprotected water and there can be strong currents - stay close to shore and be aware at all times.
