The Hawaiian Islands shield Kona’s coast from ocean swell making it ideal for snorkeling. But there’s more to it than pristine reefs teeming with tropical endemic fish.
Kahalu’u Beach Park has easy ocean access to a stunning reef with numerous species of fish including yellow tangs and saddleback wrasse. At night, it’s a magical place where manta rays gather to feast on clouds of diurnal plankton.
1. Sea Turtles
Sea Turtles are one of the most majestic marine creatures on the planet and seeing them while snorkeling is a special treat! These amazing reptiles have been around since the dinosaurs and there are five different species that inhabit Hawaiian waters: Green (honu or Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill (Honu’ea or Eretmochelys imbricata), Loggerhead (Caretta caretta), Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) and Black (Heliochelys coriacea).
While you can see sea turtles on your own without a guided tour, if you want to increase your chances of seeing them, consider booking a tour with KonaSnorkelingTours.com. They have the expertise, equipment and experience to give you an unforgettable underwater encounter with these magnificent animals!
The most common spot to see a sea turtle is at Kahalu’u Beach Park. This is a popular beach and snorkeling site south of Kona that is home to sea urchins, coral reef, octopi and eels. It also has a wide variety of tropical fish such as yellow tang, bullethead parrotfish, racoon butterflyfish and orangespine unicornfish.
If you are lucky enough to spot a sea turtle here, be sure not to touch it or try to get too close. They are wild animals and while they may seem slow and sleepy on land they can be spirited underwater! If you are swimming near them, swim side by side to make yourself appear less of a threat and do not stare at them straight down. This will make them feel threatened and they will likely revert to their natural behavior of hiding from predators.
Another great spot to look for sea turtles is Honokohau Bay. This is a smaller snorkeling site but offers a lot of marine life to see. There is a wide variety of fish here including needlefish, yellow tang, sergeant majors, manini and black triggerfish. There are also wrasses such as the saddleback and threadfin varieties and the lovely lined butterflyfish. Occasionally you can even see sea cucumbers here!
The best time to visit this snorkeling location is in the morning when the sun isn’t too strong. It’s also a good idea to wear polarized sunglasses to avoid glare and to better see the multi-colored marine life.
2. Manta Rays
Since the 1970’s tourists and locals have been flocking to the Kona coast of Hawaii for the opportunity to swim with manta rays. These amazing ocean creatures are creatures of habit and have specific places they visit to feed on zooplankton at night: feeding stations. The bright lights used by tour companies attract the rays and give snorkelers and divers front row seats to watch their acrobatic performance.
While you can see manta rays without taking a tour at most beaches and dive sites in the state, the best chance of seeing them is by joining a feeding tour. A top tier operator like Kona Snorkel Trips offers tours that are both safe and successful. This is because they are experienced in the area and follow strict safety procedures.
They also offer a large catamaran that is both stable and roomy for their tours. This is perfect for people who may be prone to seasickness. The other major benefit is that they go to the southernmost manta ray site on the island. This means less time traveling and more time spent swimming with manta rays.
Once you arrive at Kahalu’u Beach Park for the tour you will be greeted by one of the island’s most experienced guides. They will provide everything you need for your awe inspiring encounter with the graceful ocean giants. Once in the water your guide will shine a bright light from the boat on the water to attract the manta rays. You will then get to swim alongside the gentle sea giants in the enchanting moonlight.
This is an experience that will last a lifetime and inspire you to care for the oceans and all the life they hold within. The awe you feel while watching the manta rays will stay with you long after you leave the water. And remember, while you are swimming with these giants of the sea, it is important to respect their space and allow them to live in peace. If you do not, you will be in violation of Hawaiian law. It is against the state’s marine conservation laws to interfere with manta rays in their natural habitat.
3. Dolphins
Dolphins are one of the most magical creatures to see while snorkeling in Kona. These playful and intelligent marine mammals are often seen swimming right up to your snorkel fins or leaping out of the water earning them the name spinner dolphin. Dolphins love the calm, shallow waters of Kona and can be found in the bays near the hotels. A Kona Dolphin swim is a once in a lifetime experience you won’t forget.
You can find dolphins all over the coast of the island but a great place to start is Kahaluu Beach Park, also known as “old airport”. Located south of the airport this popular beach park has pavilions a decent amount of sand and snorkeling. This is a protected bay which means you will find lots of coral and fish. It is also home to a few species of sea turtles and other marine life including octopus and sea urchins.
This spot is also a favorite of green sea turtles and manta rays. It is one of the most popular snorkeling spots in Kona and it is not uncommon to see both snorkelers and surfers on this beach. The best part is the reef and fish are very close to shore and the snorkeling depth is fairly deep at about 50 – 60 feet.
Another great spot is Golden Arches, a small cove located at the Four Seasons Resort in Waikoloa. This snorkeling spot is a little more difficult to get into because it requires walking over lava rock. This snorkel spot is very good and is home to a large number of fish as well as a small cavern called skull cave.
This spot is also home to a few species of marine turtles and other marine life including octopus, sea urchins and eels. It is also a favorite habitat for manta rays and is also a good spot to see spinner dolphins. You can find yellow tang, sergeant majors, spotted tobies, orangeband surgeonfish, rockmover wrasse and Moorish idol here among other tropical fish. It is important to remember when snorkeling in Kona to give these amazing marine animals plenty of space so they can continue to thrive and swim freely.
4. Whales
One of the most popular things to do while snorkeling in Kona is to go whale watching. Humpback whales migrate to Hawaii each year to breed and give birth. Seeing these massive mammals up close is a once in a lifetime experience. You can do this by joining a whale watching tour or simply heading out onto the ocean during whale season which typically begins early to mid December and ends in March.
The best spot for whale watching on the island of Hawaii is in Kona. Here you can find several companies that offer whale watching tours on private boats. These can be anything from 2 hours to half a day and are a great way to see the whales from the comfort of your own boat!
Other marine life you can see while snorkeling in Kona include yellow tailed coris, black triggerfish, sergeant majors, needlefish, manybar goatfish, Moorish idol, and orangeband surgeonfish. There’s also a good chance you’ll spot sea turtles at Honokohau Beach as they swim through the calm waters! Just be sure to respect these animals and always give them 30 feet of space so they can go about their business.
If you want to snorkel but don’t have your own gear there are plenty of companies that rent out equipment on the island including Snorkel Bob’s and Kona Scuba. You can also rent a snorkel set for about $30/day at most local dive shops in town!
Snorkeling in the Hawaiian islands is a unique experience that you should try to do at least once during your vacation. The waters in Hawaii are some of the most clear and calm you’ll find anywhere, and they are teeming with marine life! When you are ready to experience all the best that snorkeling in Kona has to offer, contact us and we can get you booked on an unforgettable trip!
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