Snorkeling in Honolulu and Oahu

One advantage that snorkeling has over scuba is that you never run out of air. That and the fact that anyone who can swim can also snorkel without any formal training. A favorite pastime in Hawaii, snorkeling can be done anywhere there's enough water to stick your face in. Each spot will have its great days depending on the weather and time of year, so consult with the purveyor of your gear for tips on where the best viewing is that day. Keep in mind that the North Shore should only be attempted when the waves are calm, namely in the summertime.

Think of buying a mask and snorkel as a prerequisite for your trip—they make any beach experience better. Just make sure you put plenty of sunblock on your back because once you start gazing below, your head may not come back up for hours.

Best Spots

As Waimea Bay is to surfing, Hanauma Bay (7455 Kalanianaole Hwy.) in Southeast Oahu is to snorkeling. By midday it can get crowded, but with over a half-million fish to observe, there's plenty to go around. Due to the protection of the narrow mouth of the cove and the prodigious reef, you will be hard-pressed to find a place you will feel safer while snorkeling.

Right on the edge of Waikiki, Queen's Surf is a marine reserve located between the break wall and the Queen's pier. It's not as chock-full of fish as Hanauma, but it has its share of colorful reef fish and the occasional sea turtle just yards from shore. It's a great spot for an escape if you're stuck in Waikiki and have grown weary of watching the surfers.

Directly across from the electric plant outside of KoOlina resort, Electric Beach (1 mi west of KoOlina) in West Oahu has become a haven for tropical fish. The expulsion of hot water from the plant warms the ocean water, attracting all kinds of wildlife. Although the visibility is not always the best, the crowds are thin, and the fish are guaranteed. Just park next to the old train tracks and enjoy this secret spot.

Great shallows right off the shore with huge reef protection make Shark's Cove (Across from Foodland in Pupukea) on the North Shore a great spot for youngsters in the summertime. You can find a plethora of critters from crabs to octopus, in waist-deep or shallower water. The only caveat is that once the winter swell comes, this becomes a human pinball game rather than a peaceful observation spot. Summer only.

Equipment & Tours

Hanauma Bay Rental Stand. You can get masks, fins, and snorkels right at the park. 808/395-4725.

Hanauma Bay Snorkeling Excursions. For those who are a little more timid about entering these waters, this outfitter provides a tour with a guide to help alleviate your fears. They'll even pick you up in Waikiki and provide you with equipment and knowledge for around $30. 808/373-5060.

Kahala Kai. The Kahala Kai sails out of Kewalo Basin in Honolulu—very convenient if you have other plans in town. Take a two-hour sail out to sea-turtle breeding grounds where 50-foot-plus visibility makes for great snorkeling with loads of sea life from turtles and reef fish to dolphins, and, in the wintertime, whales. Rates for a two-hour sail, all equipment included, begin at $45 per person. 808/239-3900.

Ko Olina Kat. The dock in KoOlina harbor is a little more out of the way, but this is a much more luxurious option than the town snorkel cruises. Three-hour tours of the west side of Oahu are punctuated with stops for observing dolphins from the boat and a snorkel spot well populated with fish. All gear, snacks, sandwiches, and two alcoholic beverages make for a more complete experience, but also a pricier one (starting at $99.50 per person). 808/234-7245.

Snorkel Bob's. We suggest buying your gear, unless it's going to be a one-day affair. Either way, Snorkel Bob's has all the stuff you'll need (and a bunch of stuff you won't) to make your water adventures enjoyable. Also feel free to ask the staff about the good spots at the moment, as the best spots can vary with weather and seasons. 700 Kapahulu Ave. 808/735-7944.