Oahu Hawaii beaches! Queens Beach snorkeling is the Waikiki Marine Life Conservation District snorkeling spot

ALOHA!

So you want to go to snorkeling as part of your time in Waikiki!

Waikiki is not generally known for the best snorkeling on Oahu.

But, the Waikiki Marine Life Conservation District is one of the marine life conservation districts in Hawaii.

This means that you do have a good chance to see lots of fish in Waikiki… if you go snorkeling in the Waikiki Marine Life Conservation District!

And that means snorkeling at Queen’s Beach!

Queens Beach is widely known to be the best snorkeling spot in Waikiki is Queens Beach.

Queens Beach is where to go if free snorkeling in Waikiki is your goal!

I saw a bunch of colorful fish while snorkeling at Queens Beach, including the humuhumunukunukuapuaa and the type of Hawaiian pufferfish that can only be found in Hawaii!

Specific spots where I was snorkeling at Queens Beach explained below!

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Waikiki marine life conservation district at Queens Beach

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

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

This can make them good snorkeling spots.

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

There are 3 marine life conservation districts on Oahu:

• Waikiki marine life conservation district
• Hanauma Bay marine life conservation district
• Pupukea marine life conservation district

Is snorkeling free at Queens Beach?

Yes, snorkeling at Queens Beach is FREE!

Queens Beach is free to the public, which means that snorkeling at Queens Beach is free.

So snorkeling in the Waikiki Marine Life Conservation District is one of the free things to do in Waikiki!

🐠 You may also be interested in going on a Waikiki snorkeling tour where you are guaranteed to see turtles! Read the reviews for the best Waikiki snorkeling tour at getyourguide.

More below on where to start snorkeling at Queens Beach!

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Where to go snorkeling at Queens Beach

Once at Queens Beach, look for lifeguard station 2F. Looking out towards the ocean, it can be good to snorkel on the right side of the Queens Walkway. (That’s the pier that’s sticking out into the ocean.)

You’ll likely see a bunch of fish if you look directly along the walkway.

Then, you can also go swimming around the more open part of the ocean.

Look for little rocky areas and holes where fish might be swimming in and out of!

You can also set up your beach camp at lifeguard station 2E and start swimming around from there.

Depending on the surf, it could be better to stick to the middle or left side (as you’re facing the ocean from the beach), as the waves tend to be higher off towards the right. That’s where you’ll find most of the boogie boarders. (You can buy boogie boards at ABC Store too.)

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After you go snorkeling, you can go to Barefoot Beach Cafe for FOOD! (menu + reviews)

Barefoot Beach Cafe is near Queens Beach, and it’s also a spot you can watch the Waikiki fireworks!

For the best of Waikiki, also see: Things to do in Waikiki (for VIEWS!)

What to pack for snorkeling in Waikiki

Here’s your quick list!

• Swimsuit or swimming shirt aka rash guard
  • rash guard: swim set for women and swim shirt for men
• Water shoes
• Waterproof phone case (so you can capture pictures of fishies underwater!)
  • cheapo phone case OR waterproof camera
  • I also have this “camera” wrist float to attach to my cheapo waterproof phone case so my phone won’t sink to the bottom of the ocean in case I somehow let go of it. (Mine does stay afloat – test this for yourself before completely trusting it!)
• Swimming goggles or snorkeling mask set
• Reef-safe(r) sunscreen
• lightweight travel towel
  • turkish towel
• WATER! (and snacks)

I also don’t go snorkeling in Waikiki without a personal swim float buoy. Not only does it help to keep me visible, but it makes for a perfect way to rest out in deeper water! Oh, and it also serves as a dry bag so I can take stuff into the water with me.

Another way I have taken valuables into the water with me is to wear a travel money belt that I don’t mind getting wet with salt water (it’s not waterproof but I have several so I just use one of them) and then I put things in a ziplock freezer bag, and put that freezer bag in the money belt.

There are also designated waterproof waist pouches that you can store your valuables and take into the water with you.

Snorkeling alone in Waikiki

I’ve snorkeled at Queens Beach alone. While it is best to not snorkel alone in Waikiki (or anywhere), if you are traveling to Hawaii alone, I would generally say would be fine if you are a solo snorkeler in Waikiki, for the reason that there will likely be many people around. There is also a lifeguard.

This at least gives you more of a chance that someone sees you if you get into trouble in the water.

I personally like to try to make myself as visible as possible. This includes swimming with a bright colored swim buoy. I also like to wear a bright colored swim shirt. I’ve also worn a bright colored swim cap.

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!

You want to go snorkeling when there’s minimal surf at Queens Beach

You can check the local weather forecast to see if there will be ideal snorkeling conditions before you go.

Specifically, you’ll want to look for the surf forecast.

As a snorkeler, ideally you will want the least amount of surf as possible, which means 0 ft waves is best!

But otherwise, even 1 to 3 ft waves could be doable for snorkeling.

Although keep in mind that any amount of waves can decrease visibility since the waves can stir up sand.

This means you may not be able to see underwater to be able to look for the fish as well.

The bigger the waves are, the worse it is for snorkeling not only because of visibility, but because of safety.

You might get caught off guard with a wave coming right at you right as you lift your head out of the water. That could turn bad!

Bigger waves means that you will likely be bobbing up and down in the water as you’re looking down too with the rolling water. That might be fun if you’re on a float, but maybe not so fun if you’re trying to snorkel! (You can buy floats at an ABC Store in Waikiki, by the way!)

You can check local weather at KITV weather for example. The surf conditions are provided with every major weather forecast. (Watch the video!)

Since Waikiki is on the south side of Oahu, you’ll look for the surf conditions on the southern shores of Oahu.

Hawaii marine life

If you’re interested in snorkeling at Queens Beach, you may also be interested in this marine life in Hawaii:

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

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!)

HAPPY SNORKELING AT QUEENS BEACH!