The Underwater World of Hawaii

The sheer beauty of the underwater world and the elated feeling you get while exploring tropical waters attract so many people to this fabulous destination each year. When you include breathtaking beaches and amusing boat-tours in the equation, the solution will present itself. This is a place that you have to visit.

Still, like most other activities of this type, snorkeling requires both preparation and appropriate equipment if you wish to reap all the benefits it can offer. Here’s a reminder of what you need to take with you when going to Hawaii for snorkeling and recommendations of some of the locations that are popular among fellow snorkelers.

Don't forget to pack.

Clothes that are not too bright – Sharks can see contrasting colors well, which means they can see bright colors in the water. Still, you don’t want to go for completely dark clothes, since your snorkeling partners will have trouble spotting you. Basically, you need to find a balance here.

• Sunscreen: You need reef-safe sunscreen; it’s not harmful to marine life, yet it is easy to rub into your skin. Make sure it doesn’t contain any ingredients that might endanger the beauty you wish to see.
• Fins: Though you can go snorkeling without them, fins are a great addition, since they allow you to go further, faster and with less effort. If you have enough room in your baggage, make sure you include them.
• Mask: Broadly speaking, there are two types of snorkeling masks: the one with a tube, a basic model, very common among snorkeling enthusiasts; and a full-face snorkel mask, which covers the whole face and has become very popular over the years.
• Waterproof Pouch: You don’t want to leave your valuables unattended while snorkeling, which is why you should invest in one of these. It can hold your phone, wallet or anything else you don’t want stolen or lost.

Popular Destinations

Turtle Canyon

As the name suggests, this location is perfect if you wish to see the famous Hawaii’s green sea turtles. The green turtle is one of the largest sea turtles in the world. Interestingly enough, they got their name because of the greenish color of their cartilage and fat, not their shells, which range from olive to black. These turtles are classified as endangered, which is why efforts are made to prevent their extinction. Also, you might be lucky enough to spot dolphins, whales and other marine life, especially if you come in winter. This is also a great place for novice snorkelers, who can marvel at the sights of crabs and hawkfish looking for shelter in the coral.

Molokini

This location is great all year round, but the most popular season seems to be the spring. The coral reef is home to over 200 species of fish, many of which are endemic to Hawaii. You might even be treated to a sight of the plankton-feeding whale shark. The waters around Molokini are known for their excellent visibility and safety, which is why many families opt for this destination, as they want their kids to fall in love with the marine life and there aren’t many better places than Molokini for such magic to happen.

Honolua Bay

This is a relatively big bay, which offers many great spots for snorkeling. For the best experience, you should do a bit of swimming further from the shore, which might be a problem for less experienced visitors or those not in good shape. However, you can always take a boat tour, which can take you directly to the best snorkeling spots.

One of the advantages of Honolua Bay is the fact that the water is usually pretty calm, since the bay is well-protected. Still, the winter season is more suitable for windsurfing than snorkeling, but you should really look at the weather forecast before planning your visit. Another problem might be heavy rains, since the stream that enters the left side of the bay can make the water murky, which completely spoils the fun.

On the other hand, if you choose the right time to visit Honolua, you’ll be able to see plenty of different fish, coral, turtles and urchins. Probably the most famous is the Great Barracuda, which is a famous predator, but it’s usually not dangerous to people. The rare incidents of swimmers being attacked by the Great Barracuda have been attributed to their inability to differentiate between swimmers and their normal large prey.

As you can see, there are many different spots perfect for snorkeling in this part of the world. However, before you dive into the marvelous sea, make sure you have all the right gear and equipment and choose the best possible time to go snorkeling. Only then can you actually experience the best these islands have to offer.