Big Island Snorkeling Guide
Kahalu'u Beach Park
This is one of the more popular Big Island Snorkeling locations, both for tourists and local families, and we have snorkeled here many times.
This location offers a beach, lots of facilities, and some very protected waters. It makes an excellent beginners snorkel location because of the calm shallow waters.
Site Snorkeling Details - Kahalu'u
Big Island Snorkeling
There are two basic areas to snorkel here. Most people appear to snorkel close to shore. But the better snorkeling we have found is farther out and to the south around the rocks.
Even though it is a sandy beach here, it is mostly rocks as we enter the water. The best place to enter is the sandy entrance on the far right hand side of the beach inside the wall that extends into the water. The water is a little bit deeper here.
Another options is the little winding strip of sand to the left of the lifeguard tower.
(I was surprised after I took the picture of the turtle on the right too see all the fish in the upper left. I had not noticed them when I took the shot.)
We have found the near shore waters to be surprisingly shallow, often only a couple of feet of water. There are lots of fish in these shallow areas, but visibility is normally low because of sediment and lots of fresh water springs. The fresh water sits on the surface making it a bit cold and hazy. The coral in close to shore is also not very healthy. It looks to us like most people make the mistake of staying in the shallow areas.
But the better snorkeling is to swim out a ways towards the protective reef. This reef is partly man made. The further out you swim towards this reef the warmer and clearer the water gets. Also the sealife starts to become healthier, with beautiful corals and larger fish populations. If it is very calm we have found the snorkeling to be even better outside the reef, keeping an eye out for currents.
But when the waves are kicking up a bit we have still enjoyed snorkeling inside. Another area worth checking out is to swim south along the rocky point, but still inside the reef.
We have seen lots of turtles, and tons of fish. It is pretty clear that people feed the fish here. All we did to attract them was to pretend to feed them.
Share Your Kahalu'u Snorkel Stories and Pictures Here
This park offers shade, restrooms, water, picnic tables, showers, BBQ, and lifeguards. There are also some nice educational displays about the different types of fish and the common water currents to be aware of. There are snorkel gear rentals and lock boxes available a the vendor truck (they also offer basic grill foods).
Driving Directions - Kahalu'u
Big Island Snorkeling
Directions to Kahalu'u Beach Park from Kailua Kona
Drive south on Alii Drive for 5 miles. Just past the 5 mile marker is Kahalu'u Beach Park. It is well marked and you turn right into the parking lot.
Next - Fantastic Kealakekua Bay
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