Snorkeling on Oahu

We have been to Hawaii a few times, but we have never snorkeled on Oahu. Actually, as far as beaches go we have only been to Waikiki. Are there suggestions as to calm places to go and snorkel? I do remember seeing some snorkeling at Waikiki, but wasn%26#39;t sure if there were other areas. Also, are there places to rent snorkel gear as there are on Maui? Thanks for the advice. We do have a car so no worries about travel.

Snorkeling on Oahu

Snorkel Bobs will be your friend for gear. They are are found on all if the Hawaiian Islands.

As for places to snorkel, we enjoyed our time in the lagoons at the K%26#39;Olina Resort, but that%26#39;s pretty far out from Waikiki if that%26#39;s where you%26#39;re staying. The beaches there are beautiful with free use of the chaise lounges and umbrellas even if you%26#39;re not staying there.

There is the state park bay at Hanauma Bay that is general calm but also very crowded and damaged due to people standing on the coral. If you go here, make sure you%26#39;re early in the morning as parking is limited. Also after midafternoon, the shadows take over the bay (from the rim of the cliffs) and the beach air will seem chilly and your snorkel views poor.

Snorkeling on Oahu

I disagree about Haunama Bay. In the recent years the park has done an outstanding job of improving the park. I always take visitors to Hanauma Bay because just the view from the top is so pretty! We often go in the afternoon, as it%26#39;s much easier to find parking!

If you continue north from Haunama Bay, you will pass Sea Life Park. After you pass Sea Life Park, there is a research pier that has good snorkling. However people fish off the pier, so I don%26#39;t like snorkling there. I don%26#39;t like thinking I could get caught in line or hooks.

Sharks Cove on the North Shore is good in the Summer.

I like snorkeling in Hanauma Bay. You see different variety of fish.

Shark Cove is the best. You are swimming with the fish. While I was snorkeling a green sea turtle swim by. It was a great experience.

We were there in August.

Snorkel locations:

www.snorkelbobs.com

Click on: Hawaii Gear %26amp; Adventure

Click on: Snorkel Map%26#39;n Tips

Click on: the ';C'; in the circle

hawaiisnorkelingguide.com/oahu_snorkeling.ht…

I totally agree about Shark%26#39;s Cove in the summer! We went snorkeling there last June and loved it. Probably not great in the winter though.

Surprisingly, my DH said the snorkeling was decent at Waimea Bay on the south end the other day. That%26#39;s our favorite all-around beach on Oahu.

I haven%26#39;t found any good snorkeling around Waikiki, yet!! That may change as I have more research to do. They say the research pier is good, but it wasn%26#39;t the day I went. Went to snorkel Waimea Bay last weekend but no parking at 9:00am!! Ended up at Sunset Beach. Good snorkeling there and plenty of parking. Saw about 100 different species of fish and some turtles. All north shore beaches, which this is a part of will be a no go in the winter months. Also went to Turtle Bay and the visibility that day was zero!! Your best bet with the criteria you outlined would be Hanauma Bay.

Don%26#39;t expect snorkeling on Oahu to be the same as Maui. It isn%26#39;t nearly as good.