Hawaii’s Best Scuba Diving and Snorkeling Sites

Hawaii’s Best Scuba Diving and Snorkeling Sites

 All the islands of Hawaii have pretty good scuba diving and snorkeling locations. There is no Hawaiian tropical vacation that is fulfilled without the tourists having to embark on a snorkel or scuba diving adventure. Travelers that are into various ocean activities would be pleased to find out that each of the islands in this state has its own fine coral reefs and mystifying shipwrecks. Here are some of Hawaii’s excellent scuba diving and snorkeling spots:

 

A lot of experienced scuba divers and snorkelers agree that the island of Maui is home to the first-rate underwater opportunities among all the Hawaiian Islands. First on the list is the Wailea luxury resort site. It has an easily accessible shoreline that offers the greatest off-the-beach snorkeling experience. Its waters are so calm that plenty of young children get to experience their first snorkeling escapade in Wailea. The best place in the whole of Maui, though, is the extinct Molokini Crater. Tourists would need to get on a short boat ride to get to this volcanic crater, which is acknowledged as among the top scuba diving areas worldwide.

 

In the Big Island, tourists would be able to delight in the Kohala Coast. It is very beautiful and is considered as the best that this island could offer to those who are seeking some scuba diving or snorkeling escapade. The Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area, a renowned destination for several ocean activities, is also encompassed by the Kohala Coast. The Sea Caves, which is just off Honaunau and close to the Kona Coast, boast of serene waters that are also ideal for snorkeling. The Big Island’s western shore houses the Kailua-Kona Town. One would be able to find here an extraordinary array of fish and for those lucky enough to visit beginning November to May, they would be able to see some humpback whales settle in the area.

 

Lanai might be the smallest of the state’s main islands, only having one town. However, it still boasts of great under the sea explorations. There are two renowned scuba destinations found in Lanai, which are The First and Second Cathedrals, as well as Fish Rock. The finest scuba diving and snorkeling place in this island is Fish Rock. It is a volcanic cone that has a depth of roughly 75 feet, and it is fantastic to explore the things around this underwater rock. The First Cathedral and Second Cathedrals are undeniably astounding. These are actually ancient lava tubes that hollowed out into a 65-foot depth, with bright lights shining inside from above. It has numerous smaller fish species that seek sanctuary in them plus the wall crevices became the home of varied kinds of crustaceans. The Second Cathedral is the bigger between the two, but either one would be able to offer an unsurpassed scuba diving experience.

 

All of the finest scuba diving and snorkeling places mentioned are definitely beautiful and out of the ordinary. But tourists should also do well to remember that the coral reefs found in these sites are living animals and therefore, should not be removed. It is better to take home another souvenir because it is considered illegal not to mention unethical, to cut off a piece of the corals to take home. All of these spots are among the best scuba diving and snorkeling areas in the whole state, and travelers should cap off a perfect tropical vacation by taking time out to have a scuba diving or snorkeling trip in exotic Hawaii.

Maui Beaches

• 42 miles of beaches, more than any other island
• Western Shore best for swimming, sunbathing, people watching
• Sands: White, golden, black, red sand on Hana Beach (remote)

Awalua Beach
- on Hwy 30, about 5 miles south of Lahaina
- name means “double channel”
- locals’ swimming favorite
- novice surfing

Baldwin Park
- on HIghway 36
- body surfing, long board surfing
- many recreational facilities

Fleming Beach Park
- On Hwy 30, past Kapalua resort
- good for families
- body surfing or boarding
- soft white sand

Hamoa Beach
- 2 miles north of Hana Town
- surfing popular, but some rip currents

Hana
- remote
- black sand and red sand — difficult hike to the red sand beach
- snorkeling good on calm days

Hanaka’o'o Beach Park
- 3 miles north of Lahaina
- used by local canoe clubs
- body boarding, surfing
- 1 mile of sand
- nickname: “Sand Box Beach”

Honokowai Beach Park
- on Honoapi’ilani Highway
- narrow sand strip descending to wide rock double-shelf
- shallow pool below shelves good for kids
- snorkeling good offshore

Ho’okipa Beach Park
- on Route 36, about 5 miles north of Kahului
- advanced surfing (popular)
- windsurfing, pole fishing
- restrooms

Ka’anapali Beach
- fronts the luxurious Ka’anapali Beach Resort
- nickname: “Dig Me Beach” — the place to be seen
- most water activities popular year-round

Kahana Beach
- access at south end of Pohaku Access Park
- shallow, protected by offshore reef
- somewhat isolated

Kahekili Beach Park
- access at north entrance to Ka’anapali Resort
- fine golden sand
- one of the safest swimming beaches
- snorkeling, diving

Kamaole Beach Park
- downtown Kihei
- three beaches in one park
- gentle surf
- white sand
- restrooms, showers
- body surfing, lazy body boarding
- picnicking, grilling, volleyball — playground for kids

Kanaha Beach Park
- next to Kahului airport
- white sand
- good swimming for kids
- windsurfing

Kapalua Beach
- access past Napili Kai Beach Club
- golden sand
- easy body surfing, snorkeling

Keawakapu Beach
- access at Kihei and Kilohana Roads in Kihei
- white sand
- snorkeling, body boarding

Koki Beach Park
- 1 mile North of Hana Town Center
- white sand — wider beach in summer
- body surfing, body boarding, some surfing
- camping allowed

Lahaina
- access on south side of the Hotel Lahaina Shores on Front Street
- snorkeling, shorediving and some surfing

Launiupoko State Park
- on Hwy 30 about 3 miles south of Lahaina
- surfing

Ma’alaea Beach Park
- on Hwy 31 N of Kihei, near Wailea
- nickname: Hay Craft Beach
- winter whale watching
- stretches for miles, good for strolling or jogging
- body boarding, surfing, windsurfing
- next to Kealia Pond bird sanctuary

Mai Poina ‘Oe la’u Beach Park
- on North Kihei Road
- humpback whale watching in winter

Makena Landing Beach Park
- off Old Makena Rd.
- small sandy areas and pebble beach
- good swimming for kids

Maluaka Beach Park
- access via right turn past the Maui Prince Hotel
- pearl white sand

Mokapu Beach
- access south of Stouffer Wailea
- white sand, short & wide beach
- snorkeling, some body boarding and surfing

Napili Bay
- white sand
- advanced swimmers – high surf & rip currents common in winter

Oneloa Beach (“Big Beach”)
- in Makena, north entrance to Kapalua
- white sand
- good view of Molokai
- one of most popular on Maui, local favorite
- diving, snorkeling
- nearby is Little Beach: clothing optional

Oneuli Beach
- dark sand
- exposed reef

Papalaua State Park
- on Hwy 30, about 10 miles south of Lahaina
- long, narrow roadside beach
- nickname: “Thousand Peaks”
- surfing, body boarding, snorkeling

Polo Beach
- access south of Kea Lani Resort
- white sand
- snorkeling, offshore bodysurfing
- some heavy surf and erosion as a result

Po’olenalena Beach Park
- off Old Makena Rd.
- golden sand
- three rocky points along long beach

Puamana Beach Park
- at the south end of Front Street in Lahaina
- nickname: “Hot Sands”
- picnic facilities

Ukumehame Beach Park
- on Hwy 30 about 9 miles south of Lahaina
- yellow sand
- long, narrow roadside beach
- fishing, easy surfing, kayaking
- picnic & grill facilities, restrooms

Ulua Beach
- access south of Stouffer Wailea
- long, wide white sand beach
- snorkeling, body boarding

Wahikuli State Park
- 2 miles north of Lahaina
- picnicking/barbecueing
- snorkeling

Waiehu Beach Park
- heavy surf along offshore reef
- ocean debris — popular for beachcombing and Limu gathering
- rocky sea bottom – not good for swimming
- fishing

Waihe’e Beach Park
- access via Halewaiu Road to Municipal Golf Course parking lot, turn toward ocean on park access road
- rocky bottom, not good for swimming
- shore diving, snorkeling, shoreline fishing
- beachcombing and Limu gathering

Wailea Beach
- access south of Four Seasons
- highly developed area
- long, wide white sand beach
- snorkeling, bodysurfing

Wainapanapa Park
- near the end of the Road to Hana
- black sand
- snorkeling, volcano rock caves, camping
- restrooms, showers