For beautiful beaches with snorkeling, which side of Kauai and Maui would you get lodging on?

Maui has 2 main hotel areas. Kaanapali (north on W. side), and Wailea (Southern part of W. side). We've been 5 times and like both. Wailea is a little warmer. Snorkeling was pretty good at Grand Wailea where we stayed, but better if you drove south about 1/2 hour. We found great snorkeling in Kaanapali in Kapalua Bay, and in front of the Sheraton.

I'm not sure about kauai

On Kaua`i it really depends on the time of year you go. In the winter the beaches on the south shore are usually calmer than they are in the summer. In the summer the beaches on the north shore can be calm and great for snorkeling, but in the winter they are rocking and rolling.

Have you gotten yourself some guidebooks on Hawaii? I'd suggest the "Revealed" books.

-Bill

When you get your guidebook you'll find that Wailea is in the southwestern part of the east side of Maui and Kapalua is still about 15 miles north of Ka`anapali. Black Rock is at Ka`anapali.
Many of the south Maui beaches from Keawakapu south have good to excellent snorkeling. The Wailea beaches are a string of crescent shaped strands developed with lowrise hotels and condominiums. In the west, Black Rock, Napili and Honolua Bay have good to very good snorkeling. Ka`anapali is a very long beach dominated by highrise hotels and condominiums. Kapalua is a pretty bay, and Napili (also very pretty) is densely developed with condominiums [mostly]. Honolua Bay is not a resort destination and has no beach.

Bill is right about Kauai. The prettier beaches are up north, though you may not be able to swim or snorkel many in the winter. `Anini in the north is protected by an offshore reef, so its waters are often calm. Steer clear of the stream on the western side.

Well I would recommend Wailea hands down for Maui, although the best snorkeling was Honolua Bay which was probably a 2 hour drive from Wailea. Wailea has amazing beaches though and is a really beautiful area.

As far as Kauai, we were there in July and had the most amazing snorkeling on the north shore (ke'e beach, and tunnels). We spent 3 days on the south shore and didn't snorkel there at all (it was too choppy).