I will be staying on Maui and the big island in February. What are the best snorkeling spots?

The best snorkling spots on the Big Island are:
West (Kona) side:
1. Kealakekua Bay near the Captain Cook monument (which can be reached by a hike (long), kayaking (our preference) across the bay, or with a tour boat,
2. Kahalu'u Beach just south of Kona, where you can rent snorkle gear right at the beach,
3. Two Steps, which is right next to the Pu'uhonua O Honaunau or "Place of Refuge" National Historical Park. Large lava shelf for easy entry.
East (Hilo) side: Kapoho lagoons in the Puna District
Have a great time!

I thought this was some kind of new angry sport.

I thought it was going to be about loud sleepers!

I concur with the BI recommendations, and (forgive my spelling) Honolua Bay and La Perouse Bay on Maui. Both are Marine Sanctuaries are just full of colorful fish, turtles and colorful reefs.

La Perouse bay is currently closed to charter operators but is an easy drive.

Honolua Bay has charter trips but they probably aren't worth the money, you can easily drive to or kayak into the bay.

A word of caution at Honolua Bay, parking is very limited so go early. The local cops come by at about 11:00 AM and ticket all the illegally parked vehicles. Most are cars parked partially over the fog line on the road.

Avoid Black Rock on Maui, its expensive to park at the public parking area, the beach is crowded and the water tends to be murky. Its a popular spot mostly because its close to the big resort hotels at Kaanapali.

The future recreational use of La Perouse is currently up in the air. it most like will be gated very soon due to extreme overuse. Whatever is the final outcome, you can coutn on their being restrictions on the area by February.

Sorry, snorkling spots.

On Maui - we took the snorkling cruise out to the island (I forget the name of it but it's the island all the snorkling cruises go to), anyway, I thought that was a bust. The best snorkling was right off the beach in Ka'anapli and Kapalua! Many of the hotels rent the equipment right on the beach.

The "island" is doubtless Molokini, off the southern shore of Maui. It's part of the rim of a collapsed volcano. I agree with the assessment expressed about snorkeling there and offshore, though I believe the offshore sites in south Maui are unbeatable. If you intend to snorkel lots, rent from an outfitter such as Snorkel Bob's. Better prices and assortment of equipment. Rent on one island and drop off on the other.

Although Honolua Bay is my favorite snorkeling spot on Maui, I'm not sure if the conditions will be favorable in February as there can be significant surf on North and West shores...see trip planning weather on mauiweathertoday.com. You might be better off at Black Rock and Wailea spots like Ulua. Check with a dive shop or snorkel rental shop for the "current" best snorkeling locations on Maui when you arrive.

Also, check out the following web site:
http://www.maui-vacation.net/snorkelmap.html

my wife and I are avid snorklers - we go to maui every year and the snorkling is good off most of the beaches - black rock is over rated - their is a beach in wailea and I always forget the name but it is behind one of the hotels and it has a small parking lot - anyway fifty feet off the shore you can see a great variety of fish were the water is less than chest deep (I am 5ft 8inches) it is great as one of our partners is afraid of water but she can enjoy the fish there. Also we go to molokini volcano every year and have yet to have a bad snorkeling day there . The water is 200 ft and you can count the grains of sand at the bottowm it is so clear along with 100's or so it seems of different fish we have even seen sea turtles (though only a couple of times)

Icuy-yes! I'm laughing!