Kona Chronicles: Snorkeling near Kona Town, Hawaii

The Big Island of Hawaii boasts 266 miles of coastline with a plethora of great snorkeling spots, each filled with colorful coral reef, jagged lava rock and a fish for every shade in the rainbow. Kona Town, on the island’s west coast, is known for some of the best weather and water in Hawaii.

What will you see under the sea? To name a few: Parrotfish, Grouper, Needlefish, Tang, Wrasse and, of course, the Humuhumunukunukuuapua’a, the Hawaii state fish. As for coral, Pocillopora resembles a brain or cauliflower while Acropora looks like an elk rack or outstretched fingers. Sea turtles, octopuses, urchins (watch your step!) and dolphins share the water with swimmers.

Listed from beginner to advanced, these three spectacular snorkeling destinations in and around Kona are both accessible and distinct.

Beginner:

Image via Vlad Butsky

Kahalu’u Beach Park is perfect for novice; the readily reachable beach attracts tourists with abundant sea life. If you’re going to snorkel here, plan on getting out of the water by 10 AM to avoid crowds.

Intermediate:

On the south side of Honaunau Bay, locals call it “Two Step” as a pair of steps welcome swimmers into the water. For solitude, steer farther north. Sea turtles swim the bay (though it’s illegal to touch them) while underwater caves lie offshore from the steps; reef sharks nap here by day, roaming the bay closer to dawn and dusk.

Advanced:

Old Airport Beach Park is where the big guys are. The really big guys. The ‘don’t swim past the drop’ kind of fish. The ‘drop’ is an underwater shelf that descends from shallow, transparent water to deep, dark water. Looking to spear a tuna? This is the spot.

Winds pick up throughout the day, so swim early to avoid choppy water. Don’t dive into in murky water (when a good rain dirties the ocean with runoff). Sharks don’t see well in murky conditions and may well mistake you for food.

At Miller’s Surf, $16 per week rents a quality mask, snorkel and fins. For $24, take two sets for the week.

Happy snorkeling!