One of the best activities to do when visiting the Big Island is snorkeling. Many of the main snorkel spots are free and easily accessible thus making it an affordable activity on the Big Island especially if you bring your own gear. The following are some of the best snorkel spots on the Big Island and they should be part of any Hawaii itinerary.
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Table of Contents
Where to Stay on the Big Island
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Big Island hotels here!
The most central location to stay for five days on the Big Island is in Kona. The Holiday Inn Express Kailua-Kona is a nice and central location to Kona. I also recommend staying at the Hilton Waikoloa Village. This is a massive resort with tons of amenities. There is an on-site lagoon perfect for snorkeling as well as a massive pool complex. The great thing about this resort is it offers a ton of different room types, so it is perfect for every kind of traveler.
Transportation Around the Big Island
You will need a car to get around to the best snorkel spots on the Big Island. I recommend renting a car through Economy Bookings as it will search all rental car companies for you.
The Best Snorkel Spots on the Big Island
Richardson Ocean Park
Cost: Free
Richardson Ocean Park is one of the best snorkel spots on the Big Island. It is located near Hilo and the eastern side of the Big Island. Richardson Ocean Park is known for having a ton of marine life in the area, especially sea turtles. There are several beaches scattered across the area. The area is also pretty sheltered, so the water is not too choppy. This beach is unique as it is one of the few green and black sand beaches on the island.
It is free to visit this beach and does not seem to get too crowded. To get here from Kona, you will need to drive for an hour and 45 minutes across the island. I recommend spending a few nights over in this area to hit all the local spots.
Carlsmith Beach Park
Cost: Free
If you want to see Sea Turtles, Carlsmith Beach Park is where you want to hear. It is one of the best snorkel spots on the Big Island because it is a nice smooth bay to snorkel. The bay has very few waves and it is only 3-4 feet deep. There are a ton of different fish in the bay and turtles frequently hang out in the area. The turtles will come right up to you, but please remember they are a protected species, so you are not allowed to touch them and should try to swim away with them.
Carlsmith Beach Park is another free beach to visit but it tends to be a lot more crowded than Richardson. This is also almost two hours from Kona, so I recommend spending the night in Hilo to hit up the various beaches in the area.
Hilton Lagoon
Cost: Free or $30+
This lagoon is located on the Hilton Waikoloa Resort property. Guests at the resort can snorkel in this lagoon, or you can buy a day pass starting at $30. The Hilton Resort is about a 40-minute drive north of Kona. It is a nice all in one place so you do not have to worry about leaving to get food or drinks.
The lagoon is salt water and has a white sand beach. There are a variety of tropical fish in the lagoon as well as some sea turtles. A bonus is you can also enjoy the amazing resort pools when visiting the Hilton Lagoon. This is one of the best places to snorkel on the Big Island because it is super secluded and you do not have to worry about waves. It is a good option for people who are not strong swimmers.
Two Step
Cost: $5+
Two Step is the best place to snorkel on the Big Island. It costs $5 to park or you can park at Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park and walk over if you plan on visiting there as well. There are no bathrooms or showers, so make sure to plan accordingly. It is about a 40-minute drive south of Kona.
Two Step has great snorkeling and it is usually pretty smooth. It takes two steps to get into the water, but it is a bit harder to get out. The water here is pretty deep, so make sure you are a strong swimmer or bring a life jacket or boogie board. The water has a ton of different types of fish and is also popular for divers due to the huge variety of fish.
Kealakekua Bay
Cost: Free
Kealakekua Bay is one of the best snorkel spots on the Big Island due to the fact you can often see dolphins. However, to get in, you need to scramble down a lot of rocks and then you need to swim out at least 100 yards. Only strong swimmers should attempt snorkeling here as it is hard to get in and out and the waves can get pretty big. There are several rock formations in the water that has a ton of fish around them.
It is free to park at Kealakekua Bay. To get here, it is about a 30-minute drive south of Kona. This spot is usually not too busy so it is a good spot to hit any time of the day.
Magic Sands Beach
Cost: Free
Magic Sands Beach is a popular white sands beach for lounging, surfing, and hanging out. It is located near Kona thus making it one of the best snorkel spots on the Big Island. Although people usually swim here, it is also possible to snorkel in the area.
It is easily walkable from anywhere in Kona, thus making it a popular beach to head to. It can get very crowded, especially on the weekends, so keep that in mind when planning to head there.
Manta Ray Snorkel at Keauhou Bay
By Sophie and Adam of We Dream of Travel
Cost: $100+
Taking part in a manta ray snorkel at night is guaranteed to be a highlight during your trip and one of the best snorkel spots on the Big Island. You will need to book a snorkel tour to experience these majestic creatures, but it will be worth every penny!
Just a short boat ride from the Kona shore, you will snorkel in Keauhou Bay. The manta rays are drawn here due to the spotlights from nearby buildings that light up the water, attracting their food source; plankton.
As you float atop the water, these gentle giants acrobatically dance around in the water beneath you. There are few experiences that allow you to so closely observe marine life and it’s made even more magical by being in the water under starlight. Make sure you bring a waterproof camera as it’ll provide some of the best opportunities for photography on the Big Island.
Although, perhaps the best thing about this incredible wildlife experience, is that the tourism industry has helped to protect these graceful and gentle animals from a fishing trade that was wiping them out, selling them in the exotic meat market as “shark”.
With that said, as the manta ray snorkeling on the Big Island becomes more popular it is important to ensure you choose a responsible and experienced travel company. Both Kona Honu and Sea Paradise provide these tours and are considered preferred companies on the Green List of Activity Providers by Hawaii Ocean Watch.
Makako Bay
By James of Travel Collecting
Makako Bay –called “Manta Heaven” by the locals – is reached by boat from Honokohau Marina, a 10-minute drive north of Kailua-Kona. You need to take a dive boat there, and there are plenty of operators who leave from the marina in the late afternoon, timing their arrival for sunset.
This is one of the best places in the world to see manta rays. A large circle of lights has been set up permanently on the seabed here. As it becomes dark, the lights are turned on. The light attracts plankton, which is the mantas’ main food source. Because they know there is a reliable food source here, manta rays typically show up throughout the year.
You can dive or snorkel. Snorkelers are fitted with snorkel gear, then hold onto the sides of a raft, which helps keep everyone from the same boat together in the dark and means you can focus on the manta rays rather than having to keep your bearings.
Before long, enormous alien-like creatures swoop out of the dark, their huge wings an incredible sight to see. They swoop and dance as they scoop invisible plankton up in enormous wide jaws. They often swoop right below the surface, so you can see them up really close. This is a unique experience you will not want to miss.
Where to Stay for the Best Snorkel Spots on the Big Island
I recommend basing yourself in Kona or Hilo and then taking day trips from there. If you want to hit all of the spots, split your time between the two spots. Kona has a lot more hotel options versus Hilo. I recommend staying in an Airbnb in Hilo. Make sure to check out Priceline Express Deals to save on a hotel!
What to Pack for Snorkeling on the Big Island
- Swimsuit
- Towel
- Snorkel
- Mask
- Fins
- GoPro or waterproof camera
- Snacks
- Water
- Water Shoes
Other popular places to snorkel on the Big Island include Kahalu’u Beach Park, Leleiwi Park, Wai’olena Beach Park, and Onekahakaha Beach Park. No matter what, there are a ton of hidden gems to snorkel at and you could spend weeks exploring all the different spots.
If you have more time, make sure to head over to the other Hawaiian islands of Oahu, Maui, and Kauai to check out the best snorkel spots there.
