My family (husband, baby and myself) are planning a trip in February to Hawaii. I don't have any idea where to go. We want to go where the best snorkeling is and if possible a hotel that offers good daycare of some kind. We are on a budget! Thanks for your help!!

To answer your question, we need to know what island or islands you will be visiting.

Our best March snorkeling experience has been off the Big Island of Hawaii (near Capt. Cook Memorial & Honaunau Bay).

Snorkeling is also good off of Maui (Maui Dive shop has a free snorkel site guide) and Kaua`i (probably Poipu area for Feb.)

we don't know which island to go to. We'll pick based on the snorkeling. Thanks!

If you are avid snorkelers, you may be a little disappointed with Hawaii, as it doesn't have the pretty coral reefs of other tropical areas. The Big Island is the most unspoiled so I would think that would be the best. Maui's spots are way overused, as is Hanauma Bay.

Hi Postal,

Where do you feel the best snorkeling is? Some people say Hawaii but others (such as yourself) think other locations are better... any recommendations?

Thank you!

For snorkeling, I'd probably stay in Kona (Big Island) and take a snorkel boat from there.

Well, if you're looking for the best snorkeling in the world, that would be the Great Barrier Reef of Australia.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...27638?v=glance

For sure, the island with the best snorkeling is the Big Island, preferably on the Kona side. I've snorkeled on Oahu, Maui, Kaui, and Hawaii, and I've never been more impressed than i was on the Big Island. My parents and I even got a chance to snorkel out and touch in this bay (I forgot the name, but it is right next door to the Place of Refudge, I HIGHLY reccommend it)with about 40 spinner dolphins. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Also, LOTS of gorgeous green sea turtles, and the most colorful array of fish and coral you could ever see.

Ten years ago I would have recommended the coral reef in the Florida Keys - specifically Looe Key about eight miles south of Big Pine Key - but even that is nothing like it used to be. It DOES still have the coral I never saw in Hawaii. I think you'll be okay with the Kona side of the Big Island. At least you'll see plenty of fish.