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

[Canadian99999]

Hi everyone!
I live in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
I am as new as they come - I LOVE swimming, but I have never snorkeled before, or anything. I am in the process of arranging a class here in town, to learn the basics.

I want to go snorkeling, or possibly try SNUBA while I am in Hawaii, from December 30 2010 to January 13, 2011. I will be on an inter-island cruise for the first week.

I should have enough time to try snorkeling in Oahu for one day before the cruise (I am thinking of Hanauma Bay), then I will be in Kona for one day, and Maui for one day - but I am tied to the Pride of America schedule for ports of call.
After the cruise is over, I am going to Kauai for 5 days, so I might try it there, too.
(of course, it is all weather/ocean current dependent)

Any recommendations of the best tour operators, etc. would be great, and for the best spots to try snorkeling (bearing in mind the cruise ship limitations, which unfortunately rule out night dives, etc.). Also, I suspect I will have to deal with motion sickness (although I don't know for sure yet - but it's a pretty good bet that I would get it, because my mom gets it really badly).

For example: On my one day in Kona, should I try snorkeling in Pawai Bay (Body Glove) or Kealakekua Bay (I think it's through FairWind)? I can't decide...

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...
I want to see lots of fishies, and turtles and dolphins, etc., too, if possible (but I don't want to disturb the dolphins, or wake them up when they are sleeping - I just read about that problem yesterday).

Any advice for a complete novice is most welcome.

Cheers!
Claire.

[David Wilson]

Hi, Claire! Welcome to Scubaboard's snorkelling forum. I see that you have trawled widely to glean answers to your questions, including the regional forums for local knowledge and information. I'm afraid I can't provide you with local information as I've never visited Hawaii, although I am an avid snorkeller of fifty years' standing who has snorkelled in the UK, the Mediterranean, Southern California and the lakes of Minneapolis. If you're comfortable with your swimming skills, that's definitely an asset. Have you done any open-water swimming, in lakes, rivers or the sea, as well as in the pool? Experience there will help address the issues of colder waters and currents, which don't really arise with indoor swimming. I snorkel on the coast of North East England and I've learnt to "read" the waves before deciding whether I want to have a dip that morning. If you're a good swimmer, that's great for snorkelling, which is not just about going beneath the waves, it can also be about swimming distances across the surface with the aid of fins, mask and snorkel. Here in Europe, swimtrekking is becoming popular for those who enjoy long-distance swimming.

I see you have asked on other threads about snorkelling gear. Remember that dive stores will probably assume you're really interesting in scuba, while freediving stores may try and convince you that long-bladed fins are the only way to go. You can find perfectly adequate snorkelling gear in a general sporting good store, often at a fraction of prices demanded elsewhere. In the case of masks, your mission is to find one that fits your face, nobody else's, so forget about brands and just concentrate on finding a mask that stays on your face without the strap when you breathe in through your nose to create a slight vacuum. As for fins, focus again on fit, remembering that feet are three-dimensional and you'll need to find a pair with foot pockets that accommodate your feet length-, width- and height-wise. I snorkel with an old-fashioned rubber-skirted oval mask and a pair of all-rubber full-foot fins, the kind of snorkelling gear that was the norm back when I started in the late 1950s. I bought them new a couple of years ago and they satisfy my requirements. I'm not recommending that you follow my lead, however. Just get yourself the simplest gear, free of gimmickry that'll just fail when you least expect it. And make sure everything fits you, not anybody else.

Enjoy choosing your gear, attending your course in Ottawa and trying out your new skills and equipment in Hawaii later in the year. Snorkelling is great fun, it's relaxing, instructive and exercising too.

[Canadian99999]

Thanks for all the advice, David!
I will write more later (I am at work right now, so can't slack off too much! LOL!)
Claire.

[Dyno Bill]

I have a friend that has a dive operation on Maui, Scuba Luv Maui is the business. You could send him an e-mail and ask for advice as far as a guide service etc. I'm sure he would have any rental equipment needed if you did business with him. His name is Steve Maderas

[Canadian99999]

Hi Dyno Bill,
Sure, if you don't mind giving me his email, I would appreciate that.
Thanks.
Claire.

[ilmostro99]

I just got back from 3 weeks in Maui, so I can only speak for that island. We did the boat trip to Molokini, and it was really good (great visibility), but found that it really was no better than snorkeling at some of the (read: FREE) bays around the island. Honolua Bay was great, but I hear that it is a great surf spot in the winter, so it will probably be rough. La Perouse is really good as well.
Have fun,
Erik

[Canadian99999]

Thanks for the feedback, Erik!
I am still making my final decisions about where and when to go snorkeling with a tour, and when to go it alone, and I certainly appreciate your 2 cents. Obviously, "free" excursions (other than the car rental, etc.) are always good, so that will likely factor into where I end up.
Which tour operator did you go with on your Molokini trip?
Claire.

[ilmostro99]

The name of the boat was Alii Nui, and I have nothing but good things to say about them. I've only been with them the one time, so it is hard to give a full recommendation, but I can say that we had a great time when we went.
Erik

[Thalassamania]

If you can get to Ho'okena (Big Island), you can snorkel with wild spinner dolphins and at that time of year maybe encounter a humpback or two.

[oceans11diver]

I can help you when you get to kauai. Feel free to contact me if you would like some ideas