Newbie - wants to snorkel in Hawaii Dec 2010 - Jan 2011 - advice?

[oreocookie]

Hanauma Bay is a nice spot, I was there a couple of years ago when I was on Oahu. It gets crowded though, so go early - I've heard they close the gates when they reach capacity and will turn people away.

[cutlass]

On Oahu, for a novice, Hanauma Bay is probably the best bet. Getting there around 8:30am should be sufficient to find parking; the admission lines move fairly well; check the website. There's a spot called "Sandman's Patch" just off to the right of the old telephone line channel. It's a little less crowded and more fish pass through the area. Don't go past the marker buoys into the deeper areas of the Bay unless you're a confident open ocean swimmer.

In Waikiki, the areas fronting the old Natatorium and Waikiki Aquarium can be good snorkeling.

Another Oahu spot off the beaten tourist path is Kahe Point Park which is a bit of a drive west of Honolulu. Be warned that there's no lifeguards, it's open ocean, and vandalism/crime can be a problem. But because of the warmwater discharge from the nearby powerplant, it supports an unusual profusion of fish and corals. Deep water pelagic fishes and dolphins occasionally pass through.

On the kona side of the Big Island, you have to work to find a bad place. Even the area fronting the Kailua-Kona pier can be worth a dip. Pawai and Kealakekua are both winners.

On Maui, people tend to take a dip at Olowalu, which is just past the long straightaway after the winding drive along cliffs just past Maalea Harbor, on the way to Lahaina. Go there only during daylight and when the water's clear; it has a sharky reputation.

Check out the Hawaii O'hana forum on this board for more ideas.

[k ellis]

Is Molokini Crater worth a try? I had decided to do this, but now I have read several posts that state there aren't as many fish around there as there used to be...


Cheers!
Claire.

Molokini is definately worth it. What you have to remember is when people give reviews some denounce a sight based on their own prefrences. Molokini is probably one of the best snorkle spots on the planet due to the fact its extremely clear (Visibility well over 100 feet at times) and there is most often never any type of current. If there are waves inside of the crater these are often not enough to even notice. I strongly recommend this as a snorkle destination!

[Canadian99999]

Thanks for the advice, everybody.
I will let everyone know what I decide to do. I think Molokini is in. Then, on Kona, I think I will either do place of refuge or the tour of Kealakekua Bay (with FairWinds), if I can manage it.
On Oahu, I think I will stick with Hanauma Bay - I am not overly comfortable with going somewhere without lifeguards, since I am very new at snorkelling, so Hanauma Bay is probably best, despite the crowds.
But I am going to look over everyone's suggestions again before I make my final decision.

[Chill Diver]

I have done a fair amount of snorkelling in Hawaii. I have been there 10 times so far and snorkelled each time (next time - scuba!).

I agree with the posts so far but I recommend one additional location. We did a boat trip to the middle of Kaneohe bay. There is a large sandbar in the middle of the bay - 2km to land in each direction. The boat "beaches" on the sandbar in about 2' of water. There are excellent reefs all around the sandbar.

I have snorkelled Hanauma bay many times and, unfortunately, it is a victim of its own success. So many people go there that the near-shore snorkelling can be disappointing. Despite warnings not to touch the coral, people sit or stand on them which kills them.

In Kaneohe bay, the only way to reach the snorkelling area is by boat so a lot fewer people go there. The coral is in better shape and there were a lot more fish to see. I don't remember the name of the dive outfit we went with but a quick google search should provide the answer.

Good luck and enjoy Hawaii!