With pristine waters and world-class snorkeling, Kona is a diver’s paradise. Dive into the crystal clear waters and witness exotic fish, sea turtles, and manta rays.
The best way to experience Kona’s underwater rainbow is with a tour company that provides transportation, gear, and knowledgeable guides. This allows guests to focus on the adventure ahead and enjoying the marine life around them.
Kealakekua Bay
Kealakekua Bay is a snorkeler’s paradise, with pristine waters and an incredible variety of marine life. It is the only underwater state park on Hawaii’s Big Island, and it boasts a beautiful coral reef sheltered by towering lava walls. It is also a popular spot for watching Hawaiian spinner dolphins, manta rays, and sea turtles.
The best way to experience Kealakekua Bay is on a guided tour, which will take you by boat out to the snorkeling area around Captain Cook Monument. It is possible to hike or kayak to the site, but it is easier and more fun to join a snorkeling tour from Keauhou or the surrounding Kona coast. A snorkeling tour will also get you to the bay earlier in the day, before the winds and swell pick up.
Located at the western end of the island of Hawaii, Kealakekua Bay is not only a snorkeler’s paradise but a place with deep cultural and historical significance. It is the location of the first significant contact between Hawaiians and Westerners, as well as where the famous British explorer Captain James Cook was killed. The Captain Cook Monument in the bay marks this significant event in Hawaiian history, says one staff member from konasnorkeling.tours.
The area was historically sacred to the Hawaiians, and its name translates to “the pathway of the gods.” It is believed that it is the home of the god Lono, who protects humans, children, and sailors. It was a place where the Hawaiians would perform the makahiki festival to honor the gods.
Today, the bay is a peaceful oasis, but it was once a site of violent conflict between Native Hawaiians and the British settlers who arrived in 1778. The monument serves as a solemn reminder of this tragic episode in Hawaiian history, and it is now a protected marine sanctuary and state park where you can enjoy one of the most spectacular snorkeling spots on the island. The calm, clear waters are teeming with fish and coral, and it is possible to see sea turtles, manta rays, spotted eagle rays, and Hawaiian spinner dolphins here (during whale season, November through March). The crystalline waters at the bay are incredibly calming, with visibility reaching up to 100 feet.
Fishbowl Snorkel Spot
Located to the north of Kaloko-Honokohau National Park this snorkel spot isn’t as popular as some of the other beaches but it has very good reef. This secluded cove is home to many arches that start in 20 feet of water and go down to 40 feet. This is a great spot for snorkelers with good skills and also a very good spot for beginners that want to try out free diving as it’s not very deep. This is a beach that you can only access from the water and there is no place for food or drinks so it’s best to bring lunch or at least some snacks if you’re planning on visiting this spot. If you do make sure to leave a tip for Uncle Jimmy as it’s well deserved and he does a great job of maintaining the beach and the trail.
This is another one of those spots that can only be accessed by boat and it’s actually pretty close to downtown Kona. It has very good reef and some really cool underwater features like arches and lava caverns. It’s also right in front of the Four Seasons and Grand Wailea resorts so it’s a busy snorkeling spot but if you are willing to walk far enough down the beach you can find some more secluded spots that are less crowded.
When visiting this spot be sure to check local conditions as there can be strong currents and choppy waves at times. You’ll also want to wear protective water clothing such as a rash guard because there are rocks and coral in the water here. Also be mindful of incoming waves when entering the water as they can sometimes knock people off their feet.
This is a very good snorkeling spot that can be found in the heart of Ka’anapali. It has a good coral reef and is known for a large population of Hawaiian green sea turtles. It’s an easy swim for snorkelers of all ages and skill levels and you can often see wrasse cleaning the Hawaiian green sea turtle shells at this snorkel site.
ABC Snorkel Spot
If you’re a snorkeler, this is the place to visit. The pristine reefs at this site, about a mile off of shore, are packed with marine life and offer great visibility. You’ll find corals, sea fans and even a few manta rays. The crew here is all Marine Biologists, so they’re really invested in making sure you see, engage and learn as much as possible from this amazing wonder of nature. In addition to a presentation by one of the marine biologists, they also take you on two hours of snorkelling at two different reef sites. You’ll be paired with an in-water snorkel guide, so you can have a personal experience with this underwater world.
In addition to the reef, a short dive in the water off this beach can lead to some incredible finds, such as a 235-foot cargo ship sunk by US soldiers during WWII. The hull is intact and the bow section can be explored with some caution and a long snorkel. The site is teeming with fish, and it’s a good location for photographing the rare Yellowfin Manta Ray.
The blackwater dive, another Kona innovation that has now been replicated worldwide, is a fascinating way to see the ocean at night. Here you’ll be surrounded by plankton and other strange creatures, whose light-catching luminescence is enhanced by the dark seas surrounding the reef. A great spot for spotting manta rays, which are usually found hunting the night-time food supply.
A good choice for families with kids, Kamakahonu (King Kamehameha) is a popular beach that has easy ocean access and a nice concentration of sea life. It’s a protected beach with sandy bottoms, but it’s also rocky and can have strong rip currents during high surf. It’s a good spot to watch for turtles, and the beach has picnic areas and a bathroom. There’s also a large park with a lava tube that’s teeming with wildlife. This is a great place to spend the day, and you can even walk to nearby La’aloa Bay for some more snorkeling in the clear waters.
Black Sand Beach
The black sand beaches of the Hawaiian Islands are not only fascinating, but offer an optimal snorkeling environment when the ocean is calm. You can explore deep blue waters, tide pools and spectacular underwater rock formations — plus colorful tropical fish and breathtakingly beautiful sea turtles!
Located north of Kona, Makolea Beach is a hidden black sand beach that’s often overlooked by tourists. It’s a perfect spot to relax, swim or snorkel and get some sun without the crowds. It’s also a great spot to see sea turtles basking on the shore.
While there are many types of black sand beaches around the world, only Hawaii has beaches that are truly black. These beaches are primarily composed of fine-grained magnetite and ilmenite (a black mineral), which are formed from cooled lava that was sorted by pounding surf.
Other types of beach sand have colors that range from dark green to brown, with some even having reddish hues. Typically, those types of beaches are found near active volcanoes or in areas where volcanic ash has been deposited.
Black Sand Beach is one of the most popular spots for snorkeling on the island of Hawaii. It’s a small beach in a protected national park that offers an amazing experience for everyone. It’s a bit of a hike to reach the beach, but it’s worth it.
While you’re there, be sure to explore the freshwater thermal ponds and old lava tubes. You’ll find warm to hot ponds tucked away along the beach and adjacent to the lava delta.
There are many other things to do and see at the 49 Black Sand Beach including a picnic area, restrooms and swimming. Just be careful, because the lava-based sand is pretty hard on the feet. So make sure to protect your feet with water shoes or sand socks.