Every other year, our family visits the Big Island of Hawaii and we spend much of our time snorkeling. As we have explored the island and talked with the locals, we have discovered a few exceptional snorkel sites that are worth returning to time and again.

The absolute snorkeling gem is at the Captain Cook Monument on Kelakeau Bay. This underwater preserve offers an incredible abundance of fish and other sea life and is only accessible by a rented kayak or a commercial catamaran tour.

The other side of Kelakeau Bay also offers a beautiful scenic wonderland directly from the old cement pier.

Honaunau Bay, or Two Step, as it is called by the locals offers easy access from the flat pahoehoe flows. This site next to Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park is the home to many endangered green sea turtles.

A once in a lifetime experience is to snorkel at night with Manta Rays. Snorkel above the ballet of the gigantic (up 15 foot span) Manta rays as they feed on plankton bloom.

Kahaluu Beach Park, located right in the middle of Kona, is easily accessible snorkel site and ideal for first time snorkelers and small children. Lots of colorful fish in shallow water and lots of people too.

The Hawaiian Island Guidebooks do a particularly poor job of identifying snorkel sites. They are usually lumped together with scuba dive sites or beaches. The requirement for a good snorkel site are unique to snorkeling, dive sites are usually too deep and often only accessible by boat. Beaches, of course, have too much sand, poor visibility and few fish. All of the sites listed here are accessible from shore (except the Manta snorkel), not too deep, have an abundance of fish, and excellent visibility.

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