Hi! My husband and I are headed to Hawaii in April for 2 weeks and are looking for some suggestions for snorkeling. We are beginners (we've both done it a couple of times) and have purchased equipment. We'll be spending 6 days in Oahu (staying with friends in Kailua), 5 in Maui (staying in the Aston Mahana (sp?) in Kaanapali), and 2 in Kauai (I think we're staying at the Coconut Beach Resort or the Beachboy one). Any suggestions??
Thanks a lot! This forum is great -- I've printed a bunch of posts so I don't miss any of the best places!
Steph

Since you read all the posts I won't repeat. Try a scuba lesson and dive! First a class then a pool dive then the beach dive to a reef. I did it at the Marriott in Kannapali Maui. Contact me for the Agent I used, best price, great teacher. Anyone can snorkel right there infront of the marriott the reef is just off the beach and marked by a bouy at each end!! We took the Navatek 11 on a day trip to Lanai to snorkel. It was great, unless you have your heart set on a "sail" excursion. The people, the ride,boat, service, food, were all great as was the dive site. Quite pricy but worth it. Saw many many whales and even dolphins swam with the boat.

On Oahu, Hanamua Bay is as wonderful a beach for snorkeling and wading as any you're likely to find. Unfortunately, everyone knows this so its somewhat crowded. If you can get there early on a week day it won't be too bad.
On Kauai, Captain Zodiac Tours (*IF* they're still operating) feature a short time of snorkeling.
On Maui, take any tour out to Molokini, preferably as early in the day as you can manage. Again, it will be crowded.

Steph, consider the Trilogy trip to Lanai. It's a great trip. The 1 we took departed at 6:30 am and retuirned to Lahaina at 4 pm. They have a web site and an 800 number if you can't find it let me know. This was the 8th trip to Maui and the Trilogy is one of the best excursions we have taken.
Aloha,
Bart

Steph..As said before..on Oahu, Hanamua
is nice but VERY crowded! get there early for a parking space. Another good area is shark Cove over in the waiamaia area..
On maiu, a great spot is Black rock in front of the sheraton hotel in Kaanapali. Follow the rock out and around, into the small bay area, then if your feeling up for it, go out of the bay, and follow the rock around to the other side..lots of turtles around there..Another spot is up past Kapalua..
Drive past the road into the Kapalua resort...go about 3 miles till the road starts to narrow..look for a small dirt road that cuts off to the left..There probably will be lots of cars parked along the road there..park and walk down the road its a short way to a nice bay. standing facing the ocean, swim around to your left along the shore
by the big rocks..almost at the openning of the bay..good chance to find morays there..
Aloha

The Aston Mahana, where you are stayiing on Maui, is a very nice condo. My wife and i were just there last month. It is only a 10-minute drive (or a 45 minute slow walk on the beach) from the Sheraton on Black Rock, which is a great place for beginner snorkeling. If you get to be more advanced, then you could try the boat snorkel trip to Molokini island.

LOTS more info about Maui restaurants, hotels, activities, sights, etc, at this web site:
http://www.mauihawaii.org
(note it ends in org, not com)
Jon