Snorkeling on the Big Island

[WartedEmperor]

I am planning a trip to the Big Island at the end of January. I was wondering what the best snorkel sites and for that site what company you recommend?

 

[stakanak]

The bay off of the City of Refuge is wonderful to skin dive. I also like the Koloko Ponds (my favorite, but strong current on the entry and exit when there is swell).
Get Wet!

 

[Pliny]

Consider Puako. Can go by boat from the Mauna Lani or shore from various points off Old Puako Rd. Nice lava finger topoography so a short swim will give you everything from 3' to 40' or so. Saw a couple of honu, white moray, boxfish, puffers along with the usual suspects when there last month.

 

[olelomoana]

The south side of Kealakekua Bay (opposite the monument) is my favorite snorkeling spot on the island. Easy entry at Manini Beach.

 

[WetBoy101]

Do you know where you will be staying? (Kona, Waikoloa, Hilo, etc)

 

[tarponchik]

1. The 69 Beach just N of Puako: mostly puffers but also raccoon and threadfin butterflyfish etc
2. Kahaluu beach Park: turtles, sailfin tangs etc
3. Right next to Capt Cook monument: plenty of yellow, archilles and orange-bar tangs, trumpetfish, triggerfish etc
4. Lapakahi St park: here you can see a lot of fish that lives in the surf like white-spotted tangs

 

[acooper]

The weather and surf has been up lately, and promises to be so for much of the next week. I suspect this will not change through the end of the month. I would plan on the more sheltered locations! Puako end-of-road tends to be much calmer than the more exposed areas, but even it can be rough at times.