Snorkelling Hapuna Beach
Jan 3rd, 2009, 01:49 PM
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Snorkelling Hapuna Beach
Hi everybody
My family and I are spending 4 night at the Marriott Waikololu Hotel in June. I was very tempted by the Prince Hapuna Beach, but I got a very good Marriott Rewards rate. However, when I looked at the Prince Hotel reviews, there was a photo of an absolutely beautiful little snorkelling bay, off the main beach. Does anybody know if this is only accessible for hotel guests? If so, I am tempted to spend 2 nights at the Marriott and 2 at the Prince! (Which would be madness really, because we would waste a whole day!)
Thanks!
My family and I are spending 4 night at the Marriott Waikololu Hotel in June. I was very tempted by the Prince Hapuna Beach, but I got a very good Marriott Rewards rate. However, when I looked at the Prince Hotel reviews, there was a photo of an absolutely beautiful little snorkelling bay, off the main beach. Does anybody know if this is only accessible for hotel guests? If so, I am tempted to spend 2 nights at the Marriott and 2 at the Prince! (Which would be madness really, because we would waste a whole day!)
Thanks!
Jan 3rd, 2009, 01:54 PM
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Hapuna Beach is a public beach - you do not have to stay at the Prince in order to enjoy it or the snorkel alcove.
Beware snorkeling there, though. The current is very strong and only for excellent swimmers. I asked my Hawaii-native boss about snorkeling at Hapuna, and she said, "No way! My best friend's brother died there." I realize that can be true of *anywhere* but that warning along with other things I'd read about the current was enough to keep me on the sand.
I will say that some of the best snorkeling I have ever experienced was at Captain Cook Monument. Don't miss it!
Beware snorkeling there, though. The current is very strong and only for excellent swimmers. I asked my Hawaii-native boss about snorkeling at Hapuna, and she said, "No way! My best friend's brother died there." I realize that can be true of *anywhere* but that warning along with other things I'd read about the current was enough to keep me on the sand.
I will say that some of the best snorkeling I have ever experienced was at Captain Cook Monument. Don't miss it!
Jan 3rd, 2009, 01:56 PM
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Jan 3rd, 2009, 01:58 PM
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Hapuna Beach is public. There is a parking lot there and you can easily walk to beach. I don't recall any little snorkeling bay off the main beach.
We stayed at Prince Hapuna Beach for 3 days, just a day before the big earthquake in Oct 2006.
The hotel is lovely, very quiet, very adult. Saw only 1 child while we were there. We liked that it was "kid free" but those with family may not feel the same way.
The beach was lovely, but the water was too rough to snorkel on the days we were there, so I can't comment on how good it is under normal days.
Deb
We stayed at Prince Hapuna Beach for 3 days, just a day before the big earthquake in Oct 2006.
The hotel is lovely, very quiet, very adult. Saw only 1 child while we were there. We liked that it was "kid free" but those with family may not feel the same way.
The beach was lovely, but the water was too rough to snorkel on the days we were there, so I can't comment on how good it is under normal days.
Deb
Jan 3rd, 2009, 02:00 PM
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beanweb, thank you so much for your very quick reply!
I guess that's me out then, as I can't even swim - LOL! But I am determined to do 'some' snorkelling - I figure I'll be ok if I wear a snorkelling vest and stick to the calm and shallow!
Yes, I keep reading about Captain Cook - will definitely go there - also some good places on Oahu where we are spending our first week.
Thanks again for the warning!
I guess that's me out then, as I can't even swim - LOL! But I am determined to do 'some' snorkelling - I figure I'll be ok if I wear a snorkelling vest and stick to the calm and shallow!
Yes, I keep reading about Captain Cook - will definitely go there - also some good places on Oahu where we are spending our first week.
Thanks again for the warning!
Jan 3rd, 2009, 02:04 PM
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Thanks for the link, beanweb. And, Debs - I love the idea of 'no children', but the Marriott is so much cheaper! The tiny snorkelling cove is accessible from the hotel and, I think one review mentioned that the public couldn't get to it (although I guess if they knew where it was they could sneak around!)
Jan 3rd, 2009, 02:32 PM
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iews-g29217-d169643-r21602271-Hapuna_Beach_Prince_Hotel-Island_of_Hawaii_Hawaii.html#TOPC
"The beach was the best on the entire island in regard to snorkeling. I should mention the beach and the snorkel bay are separate. Same bay, but set apart from each other to accommodate the activity, great idea. We kept our CA schedule and got up every morning at 4 (Hawaii time) and went for a swim with the turtles and fish. AMAZING. The water in the Hapuna Bay was the most clear we experienced on the island. Under water cameras caught the best photos in Hapuna Bay. The bay has easy access from the hotel, literally steps from some of the rooms, and even in the peak hours with the most guests in the water it felt uncrowded and fun. Warm waters full of glorious creatures and coral, LOVED it! We waited to purchase our snorkel gear until we got there. We picked up "adequate" gear at a local grocery store(!) for about $10.00 a set. If you snorel all the time bring your good gear, if not, the cheap stuff worked fine. This beach is also private so it is very hard for the public to get to it. A shame really, considering it has such great water."
"The beach was the best on the entire island in regard to snorkeling. I should mention the beach and the snorkel bay are separate. Same bay, but set apart from each other to accommodate the activity, great idea. We kept our CA schedule and got up every morning at 4 (Hawaii time) and went for a swim with the turtles and fish. AMAZING. The water in the Hapuna Bay was the most clear we experienced on the island. Under water cameras caught the best photos in Hapuna Bay. The bay has easy access from the hotel, literally steps from some of the rooms, and even in the peak hours with the most guests in the water it felt uncrowded and fun. Warm waters full of glorious creatures and coral, LOVED it! We waited to purchase our snorkel gear until we got there. We picked up "adequate" gear at a local grocery store(!) for about $10.00 a set. If you snorel all the time bring your good gear, if not, the cheap stuff worked fine. This beach is also private so it is very hard for the public to get to it. A shame really, considering it has such great water."
Jan 3rd, 2009, 02:44 PM
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You may be thinking of the small bay and beach adjacent to Hapuna Beach which is the lovely beach that the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is located on. It is a good swimming beach with calm waters often, but don't know about the snorkeling. There is limited parking and access. Get there early if you are not staying at the hotel.
Jan 3rd, 2009, 02:44 PM
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Scooped again today by iamq's great advice.
Reply to wildyonder, FYI the Marriott is located on a nice little snorkeling bay known as A-bay, which is somewhat more protected than Hapuna: (http://www.destination360.com/north-...oomalu-bay.php)
There can be good snorkeling along rocks at end of Hapuna beach to Mauna Kea when calm, but in my experience there are fast-changing and unpredictable ocean currents where its possible to end up beyond view of resort life guards. Highly recommend talking to lifeguards before snorkeling at Hapuna or Mauna Kea.
Reply to wildyonder, FYI the Marriott is located on a nice little snorkeling bay known as A-bay, which is somewhat more protected than Hapuna: (http://www.destination360.com/north-...oomalu-bay.php)
There can be good snorkeling along rocks at end of Hapuna beach to Mauna Kea when calm, but in my experience there are fast-changing and unpredictable ocean currents where its possible to end up beyond view of resort life guards. Highly recommend talking to lifeguards before snorkeling at Hapuna or Mauna Kea.
Jan 3rd, 2009, 08:06 PM
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Hapuna is a safe swimming beach. Currents are not a major problem and waves should be low during the summer. If you stay at the Hapuna Prince you can easily access the Mauna Kea Resort Beach. For what it's worth, snorkeling at both is fair at best.
Jan 3rd, 2009, 08:08 PM
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There may be lifeguard stands at the south end of the beach, where the park is, but the fellow in the stand in front of the hotel is not a lifeguard. The hotel posts notice that there is no lifeguard on duty.
Jan 3rd, 2009, 08:59 PM
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Reply to Marginal,
From Expedia website, Mauna Kea "Amenity Highlights":
"Lifeguards watch swimmers, snorkelers, and sailors at the hotel's white-sand crescent beach" and
"Property Amenities
quot;
Lifeguards are on duty at the hotel's white-sand crescent beach."
http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dll/qscr=dspv/htid=34873/crti=2/hotel-information
From Expedia website, Mauna Kea "Amenity Highlights":
"Lifeguards watch swimmers, snorkelers, and sailors at the hotel's white-sand crescent beach" and
"Property Amenities
quot;Lifeguards are on duty at the hotel's white-sand crescent beach."
http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dll/qscr=dspv/htid=34873/crti=2/hotel-information
Jan 3rd, 2009, 09:05 PM
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Jan 4th, 2009, 05:58 AM
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It depends on what time of year you visit the Hapuna Prince on how many children are about. During holidays and school vacations there can be quite a few. (But certainly not like the Hilton, though.)
Jan 4th, 2009, 09:31 AM
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Thanks for clarification on the Hapuna lifeguard situation.
The small cove mentioned is just a sandy-bottomed area, and the snorkeling is on the right side and around the point, where the water is up to 30 feet deep. It is exposed to the incoming waves, so it is not a good place for those who are weak swimmers. It is safest in the morning, before the wind comes up. The Hapuna lifeguard cannot see you once you go around the point. Otherwise, there isn't much to see in the picturesque cove, and I agree that either Two-step or Captain Cook are much better.
The small cove mentioned is just a sandy-bottomed area, and the snorkeling is on the right side and around the point, where the water is up to 30 feet deep. It is exposed to the incoming waves, so it is not a good place for those who are weak swimmers. It is safest in the morning, before the wind comes up. The Hapuna lifeguard cannot see you once you go around the point. Otherwise, there isn't much to see in the picturesque cove, and I agree that either Two-step or Captain Cook are much better.
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