Kona snorkeling 🌴 5 Big Island beach snorkeling spots from shore for beginners for your first time in Kona 🌴 Big Island snorkeling on your own without a tour 🌴 Big Island travel blog

ALOHA!

So you want to go to snorkeling when you go to Kona!

Which are the best beaches on the Big Island for snorkeling?

Well, the thing about the Big Island, unlike other islands in Hawaii, is that some of the best snorkeling spots don’t really have much of a sandy beach. More on this below.

I spent 3 weeks on the Big Island and that included snorkeling! These are the Big Island snorkeling spots that you need to know about!

Best snorkeling spots on the Big Island from shore

aka here are the best snorkeling beaches on the Big Island!

Most of the spots listed below are FREE.

1. Kealakekua Bay

Kealakekua Bay marine life conservation district, South Kona

There are basically 3 ways to get to the Kealakekua Bay snorkeling spot: hike, kayak, or boat. 

The free way to get to Kealakekua Bay is to hike the Captain Cook Monument Trail.

This is one of the best hikes on the Big Island.

So make it a hike and snorkel kind of day!

Make sure you are prepared for hot weather hiking with WATER and SNACKS!

There is a small parking area near the trailhead right off the main road.

And once you reach sea level, you will basically just hop into the ocean. No real beach here.

If you’d rather not hike, then you can book a paid snorkeling tour to get there by way of a kayak tour or a boat tour.

There is no road access to the snorkeling area of Kealakekua Bay. There is a road that leads to the other side of the bay, but that’s not considered to be the snorkeling area.

And, um, this isn’t meant to scare you, but it was reported that there was a shark attack at Kealakekua Bay in 2019. There have been many people who have gone snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay since then and there haven’t been any more shark encounters it seems, though! As they say, in general, shark attacks in Hawaii are rare.

See more about the Kealakekua Bay snorkeling spot.

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2. Lapakahi

Lapakahi marine life conservation district, Lapakahi State Historical Park, north of Kona

This is a quieter snorkeling spot at Lapakahi State Historical Park.

It’s a rocky entrance, so if you’re not wearing snorkeling fins, be sure that you bring water shoes for snorkeling as part of your Hawaii snorkeling essentials.

There will be a sign that tells you the best entry point.

While you’re here, you can also do a coastal walk alongside what remains of an ancient Hawaiian village (pdf).

If you’re staying in Kona, you may consider stopping by Lapakahi state park on your way back from a trip to Pololu Valley.

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3. Waialea Bay

Waialea Bay marine life conservation district, north of Kona

Waialae Beach is also called Beach 69. A local said he had always thought it was called that because of the nearby numbered marker.

You’ll find a sandy beach here.

I believe there was a $5 parking fee here if you’re not a Hawaii resident.

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4. Honaunau Bay aka Two Step

South of Kona, near Puuhonaunau National Historical Park

Snorkeling at Two Step is snorkeling at Honaunau Bay.

This is another great snorkeling spot to consider.

There’s not much of a sandy beach here at all, so people come here primarily for snorkeling.

It can be a lava rock entry where you climb down into the water by stepping on rocks, so once again if you’re not wearing fins it’ll be better to have water shoes. You can also avoid this lava rock entry if you don’t mind a little extra swimming. You can walk right into the water over on the left side by using the paved canoe launch.

Two Step beach is quite literally located next to the national historical park (one of the parks you can use a Hawaii national park pass at), so if you have plans to go there, it’s perfect to go snorkeling after a visit to the park.

There are very limited parking spaces directly along the shore. There is paid parking of maybe like $5 right in the lot right in front of Honaunau Bay. I believe this is cash only. You can also find free parking that’s a minute or 2 walk away. If you’re going to the national historical park, it’s also reasonable to just walk from that parking lot to Two Step, a walk of a few minutes.

See more about the Two Step snorkeling spot.

5. Kahaluu Beach

South of Kailua-Kona town

This is probably the best snorkeling spot located near Kailua-Kona town. This is a beach park, and there are proper bathroom facilities as well as a lifeguard here. 

It’s also possible to get to Kahaluu Beach by using the Kona bike sharing bicycles. Make it a bike and snorkel day!

Swimming with turtles on the Big Island

There are turtles on the Big Island and you have a chance to swim with turtles when you are snorkeling too!

These are places I saw turtles swimming in the water:

• Punaluu black sand beach
• Mahaiula Beach in Kekaha Kai State Park
• Richardson Ocean Park black sand beach in Hilo

Know before you go! Know what it is when you see it!

• humuhumunukunukuapua’a (Hawaii state fish… it’s not as hard to pronounce as you might think!)
• Hawaiian white-spotted toby (cute little Hawaiian pufferfish!)

Marine life conservation districts on the Big Island

So among the best Big Island snorkeling spots are Kealakekua Bay, Lapakahi State Park, and Waialae Bay because… they are part of marine life conservation districts!

In Hawaii, there are what’s called marine life conservation districts.

This means that these areas just off the shore are more protected for marine life.

This can make them good snorkeling spots.

The main Hawaiian islands of the Big Island, Maui, Lanai, and Oahu have these conservation districts.

On the Big Island, there are officially 5 listed marine life conservation districts:

• Kealakekua Bay
• Lapakahi (at Lapakahi State Historical Park)
• Old Kona Airport
• Waialea Bay
• Waiopae tide pools (Kapoho tide pools)

I didn’t make it to the Old Kona Airport snorkeling spot.

The Waiopae Tidepools no longer exist because of volcano lava flows that covered these tide pools.

Aside from the Kapoho tide pools that no longer exist, you can access these snorkeling spots from shore on your own.

Here’s a recap of the best snorkeling spots on the Big Island, with the ones that are part of a marine life conservation district!

1. Kealakekua Bay

Located south of Kailua-Kona, you can hike to get to the Kealakekua Bay snorkeling spot, or go for a kayak tour or boat tour.

2. Lapakahi

Located north of Kailua-Kona, far north on the Kohala coast, this snorkeling spot is a part of the Lapakahi State Historical Park.

3. Waialae Bay

Also located north of Kailua-Kona, Waialae Bay is near Waikoloa Village resorts.

Is snorkeling free on the Big Island?

Yes, there are many FREE snorkeling spots on the Big Island!

There are many snorkeling spots on the Big Island that you can access on your own from shore.

So it’s possible to snorkel off the beach or shore during your trip to Kona.

So, if you want to go snorkeling on the Big Island, you don’t NEED to pay to go on a snorkeling tour to do so.

Aside from snorkeling, a Big Island snorkeling tour can also be about getting a Hawaii experience to remember with a day out on the water sailing the ocean!

Snorkeling alone in Kona and the Big Island

It is best to not snorkel alone on the Big Island (or anywhere) if you are traveling to Hawaii alone.

That said, with the exception of Lapakahi, these listed snorkeling spots I would generally say would be fine if you are a solo snorkeler on the Big Island, for the reason that there will likely be many people around as they are among the popular snorkeling spots on the Big Island. This at least gives you more of a chance that someone sees you if you get into trouble in the water.

The snorkeling beaches on this list with the most people are likely Two Step (Honaunau Bay) and Kahaluu Beach. These are the easiest to access and among the best known beaches on this list. Waialae Beach is also easy to access and would likely also have people. If tourism is back, then also possibly Kealakekua Bay because of the boat tours and kayak tours that go there. The only beach with a lifeguard is Kahaluu Beach.

Whether you are snorkeling alone or you have a snorkeling buddy, be sure that you take care when snorkeling, always! The ocean is beautiful, but it’s also powerful and can be dangerous!

NOT snorkeling alone on the Big Island will always be safer…

What to pack for snorkeling in Kona and the Big Island

1. Waterproof phone case

Pack a waterproof phone pouch for snorkeling for a CHEAP way to waterproof your phone so you can capture some underwater memories!

2. Water shoes

Pack this if you won’t be wearing fins when you snorkel.

Water shoes can help to protect your feet from hidden rocks on the beach and if you accidentally hit coral reef.

Coral reef is sharp!

And, they can be good for a snorkeling entry that’s not sandy… like the lava rock entry at Two Step!

3. Sunscreen that’s considered reef-safe

The type of sunscreen that you wear is kind of a big deal for locals in Hawaii.

There is now a ban in sales in Hawaii of sunscreen that contain certain chemicals.

Now, you could buy any sunscreen you like back home and then bring it to Hawaii.

But… it would likely be very appreciated if you wear a type of reef-safe sunscreen that locals prefer!

See more about the best sunscreen for Kona and how to know if your sunscreen is the good type for snorkeling on the Big Island.

4. Snorkeling set

Pack this to have your own snorkeling gear for your future snorkeling trips too!

It is possible to rent snorkeling gear on Maui, and you can also find some basic snorkel sets sold in convenience stores, like ABC Store in Kaanapali and Wailea.

But it can be convenient to not have to spend time shopping for this when you don’t have a lot of time during your Hawaii vacation!

See more of snorkeling essentials for Hawaii, including why to wear a rash guard when snorkeling!

Also see more of what to do in Kona and great places to see old lava flows in Kona and the rest of the island.

If you’re interested in snorkeling on the Big Island, you may also be interested in these marine life in Hawaii:

• Punaluu black sand beach turtles on the Big Island
• Hookipa Beach turtles in Maui
• Waikiki turtles in Oahu
• Hookipa Beach seals in Maui

Headed to another island in Hawaii? See more snorkeling spots on other Hawaiian islands!

• Best snorkeling spots on Maui
• Best snorkeling spots on Oahu

HAPPY SNORKELING ON THE BIG ISLAND!

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Where to stay near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Read the reviews at partner website!

• Volcano House (book sooner rather than later! This is THE lodging of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and it's in demand!)
• Lava Lodge at Hale Kilauea
• More budget-friendly option: Aloha Crater Lodge

Here are some ideas for your time on the Big Island!

Among the most popular things to do on the Big Island are Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Akaka Falls State Park, and Waipio Valley!

For Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the main road to drive is Chain of Craters Road and it will take you to see the best lava fields in Hawaii! Before that though (or after!) you will want to make a stop for the Thurston lava tube. You can also hike into a former lava lake by doing the Kilauea Iki Trail!

Other Big Island activities you may want to make time for are the best black sand beaches in Hawaii (including Punaluu black sand beach to see turtles maybe!) and the Papakolea green sand beach of Hawaii.

👇 Explore the Big Island map on google maps!

See the list:

• Things to do on the Big Island (for VIEWS!)
• Things to do in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
• Things to do in Kona

ALOHA!