Kealakekua Bay is one of the most stunning and memorable snorkeling spots in Hawaii, but it can be challenging to get to over land. Take a boat with one of the Big Island’s local tour operators to experience this unforgettable snorkel spot!
This is a great option for beginner snorkelers because it’s protected from swell and has sandy entries free of lava rocks. Enjoy a variety of fish and a unique underwater rock formation!
Kealakekua Bay
Located in the heart of Kailua-Kona, Kamakahonu Beach (known locally as King Kam Beach) is an excellent snorkeling spot for families. Known for its calm waters, it is an ideal spot to observe tropical fish (i’a) and marine life in their natural habitat. It is also a popular place for whale watching during the winter months!
This pristine marine sanctuary is a must-visit for snorkelers and offers a diverse array of marine life, including tropical fish species, Hawaiian spinner dolphins, and green sea turtles. In addition, 30% of the fish species found here are endemic to Hawaii meaning they can only be found in this area!
The best way to see this underwater paradise is by taking a guided Kona snorkeling tour. Besides providing you with the best experience, these tours offer safe snorkeling conditions by limiting the number of people in the water and allowing you to dive deeper. Plus, they include all the necessary gear and safety equipment!
Another benefit of these tours is that they take you away from the crowded beaches and allow you to explore secluded reefs. While the snorkeling around the Captain Cook Monument is spectacular, it can be quite crowded.
Another option is to snorkel along the north side of the bay, close to the rocks where you can find a beautiful reef in less-crowded waters. This area is also a great spot to see Hawaiian spinner dolphins and if you’re lucky, the endangered monk seal (which can be seen here from November to March).
Kahaluu Beach Park
The large bay south of Kailua-Kona at Kahaluu Beach Park is one of the most popular snorkeling spots in the area. The water is calm and sheltered by a lava rock wall that keeps strong ocean currents from entering the cove, making this a perfect spot for novice swimmers and families with children.
Snorkelers enjoy observing schools of yellow tang, tiger and pink triggerfish (combining black and pinktail), many parrotfish, ornate butterflyfish, and raccoon butterflyfish here. In the deeper areas, you can also see threadfin butterflyfish and moray eels. Sea turtles are often spotted sunbathing here too.
Those who are not snorkeling can also enjoy the small beach at this park, which features picnic tables and grills. The sand is fairly soft here, making this an ideal place for kids to play. There is a restroom and outdoor shower here as well. Those looking for more adventure can rent a kayak here from the Kahaluu Bay Education Center, which also does snorkeling tours and offers rentals of equipment.
The entrance to the water at this beach is rocky, so you should wear water shoes if you plan on getting in here. It is best to walk carefully across the rocky area and enter the water slowly from there. Once you are in the water, be careful not to touch coral because this can kill it. It is also important to keep an eye out for the surfers at the northern end of this beach. Be sure not to swim into the surfing zone unless you are an expert surfer. This is a very popular local snorkeling beach in Kona, and the conditions can change quickly.
Manta Heaven
This is one of the more popular manta ray snorkeling spots in Kona for both daytime and night time trips. Also known as Garden Eel Cove this location sits north of Keahole Point and right offshore from the Kona Airport. It’s less crowded than the Sheraton Kona location and has a slightly higher success rate in manta ray sightings.
When snorkeling at this site you will encounter lots of different marine life — brilliantly colored parrotfish flap their pectoral fins in the water, schools of yellow tang move together conspicuously and trumpetfish try to blend in as best they can. You might also spot a sea turtle or two!
As with all snorkeling it is important to respect and be mindful of the underwater habitat. The coral reef and rocky areas are vital to marine life so please do not touch or stand on the rocks and only swim in the sand. It is also important to stay away from the ropes that separate the snorkeling area from the beach.
At night the sand is lighted to attract manta rays and guide them towards boats to feed on plankton that is attracted to the lights. Manta rays are completely harmless animals that do not attack humans but will swim right next to you at night as they hunt for food. This is why it is so exciting to see them in person at night!
Kamakahonu Beach
Located right in downtown Kona, this sandy beach is the perfect spot for beginner snorkelers to try out their equipment. It’s also a great spot for families with young children as it’s protected from swell and has easy entry points free of lava rocks. It’s one of the calmest spots in Kona thanks to an outer reef that takes away a lot of energy from waves entering the shoreline. Just remember to practice reef etiquette by swimming only in the protective outer boundary and leaving sea turtles alone.
The water here is amazingly clear, almost like a giant aquarium. You can see everything from schools of fish darting about to graceful sea turtles gliding through the ocean currents. If you’re lucky enough, you may even be able to spot a manta ray!
This spot is located south of the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa in Keauhou and it’s known as “Manta Heaven.” Around sunset, boats leave the harbors in Kona to travel to one of two sites in the area that are referred to as Manta Village or Manta Heaven. They set up rafts with floodlights, which attract manta rays to the surface as they feed on diurnal clouds of plankton. It’s an awe-inspiring experience that you don’t want to miss!
This sheltered spot is a small lagoon between the Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel and the Kona pier. Hence, it’s commonly called “King Kam Beach” by locals. This is a very family friendly beach with shallow waters, a coral patch, and plenty of shade trees. It’s a popular spot with locals and tourists alike and there is a full slate of conveniences such as restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and a snorkel rental center on site.
Honokaope Bay
With a sandy entry point and plenty of fish, coral, and rock formations Honokaope Bay is one of the most popular snorkeling spots in Kona. However, it’s not for people without good balance or mobility as the jagged rocks can cut up bare feet if you’re not careful. The best spot is the center of the bay – a rocky point on each end – but you can also swim toward the left or right of the beach.
Located north of Kahaluu beach and adjacent to the Four Seasons Resort at Mauna Lani it’s no wonder this beautiful stretch of beach is often packed with families, kids, and surfers. It’s a great beach for beginners because the waves here are very small and the water stays pretty calm. However, be prepared to see lots of people on the beach and in the water and since the beach is so shallow it’s easy for the ocean’s debris to cloud the waters.
One of the most popular beaches in Kona Kamakahonu beach (Kam for short) is a great place to see sea turtles especially during winter when they come here to breed. This is a family friendly beach that’s also perfect for beginners because the waves are usually small and the ocean floor is sandy making it easier to learn how to snorkel.
Another top pick for snorkelers looking to see manta rays is Keauhou Beach. This small beach is home to the Keauhou Lagoon marine sanctuary and is a favorite for both snorkelers and scuba divers. It’s also a great spot for beginner swimmers as the water is usually calm and the reef starts close to shore.
