Water activities in Big Island
 

On my upcoming 5 day visit to big Island, I plan to spend some time (relatively lesser than others would do!) on water-based activities. Can you pls help me with the foll:

1. which are the best places for Snorkeling (kona or hilo)?
2. I have heard about the glass-bottom boat ride. Do you think it is worth it?
3. I am with my mother so am not sure if she'd be able to do para sailing or jet-skying.. ppl who've done it pls comment.
4. Any other rides, activities?

thanks

On a recent trip to BI we did a night snorkel with giant mantas. It was WONDERFUL!!!

The best snorkeling on the BI is in the Kealakeakua Bay area (south of Kona) -- at Caption Cook and a place referred to as Two-Step. Lots of turtles - very nice. Access to Two-Step is easy -- but to get to Caption Cook you have to kayak or take an organized boat trip. Enjoy!

Kona for snorkeling (take Fairwinds cruise to Keaukakua (sp?) Bay
Parasailing for kids
Go to Hapuna Beach

We did the FairWind snorkel to Kealakekua Bay. These are not water activities, but our favorite things on the BI were seeing Akaka Falls and going to Volcano National Park. We stayed at the Hapuna Beach Prince, and the beach there was gorgeous; it's supposed to have good snorkeling, but the water was too rough to try it out when we went. Really enjoyed the beach though.

How old is your mother? My mother (then probably in her 50s) went parasailing and she didn't even know how to swim.

Another area where you can snorkle in the Kealakakua Bay is along the coast just north of Ke'ei Beach, south of Napoopoo. (Take the road south out of Napoopoo until you come to the Ke'ei transfer station (trash drop off), turn around and go back toward Napoopoo and then take the first left. It is a very rough lava road that goes back to the local village of Ke'ei.) When you see the sign that says "No Vehics beyond this point) park in the parking lot by the lava rock wall. It is easiest to get in the water just to the right (when facing the water) of the parking lot. There is a little inlet there. Do not try to snokel here unless the ocean is pretty calm and you are relatively strong swimmers. Or you can walk on down the road through the village to to little beach--which is never crowded. The local people have cleared a pathway through the water, and people do snorkle off the beach beyond the lava off-shore.

Another interesting area are the tidepools along the coast at Kapoho (in Puna about 45 min from Hilo). Lots of colorful coral and fish--most are not deep and they are totally protected from the waves--the water is crystal clear and calm. See http://www.letsgo-hawaii.com/kapoho/ for more information and directions. Also best to go at high tide.