Big Island Snorkeling Guide
Manini'owali (Kua Bay)
Every time we have gone to Manini'owali on our Big Island snorkeling adventures we have been stunned by the beautiful color of the water. It is a true tropical paradise with a white sand beach. And the snorkeling here is not bad, if it is calm, which it rarely is.
We used to get to this beach by a rough dirt road and there were no restrooms. Recently though it has gotten a paved road, parking lot and nice restroom facilities. These types of improvements have happened all over the Big Island in the last couple of years. There was even a security guard to keep your car safe!
This beach is now much more popular and appears to have become a bit of a sun bathers scene. We often see people enjoying boogie boarding here.
Site Snorkeling Details - Manini'owali (Kua Bay)
Big Island Snorkeling
We have enjoyed snorkeling here, but the water has always been a bit rough. The water is probably calmer in the mornings.
The beach is a bit steep, and the waves can break pretty hard. After working our way through some waves we have always found the snorkeling to be surgy and the water has been cloudy.
The place to snorkel is at the far right of the beach, around the rocky point. We have felt pretty exposed here, and are very careful about not getting tossed into the rocks in the surge.
The other place to snorkel is on the left of the beach around the rocks and coral.
Both areas have nice coral formations, a good number of fish and sea turtles. The underwater topography is pretty interesting with big tall boulders to explore around. But neither area is very big. Still, given how nice the beach is, and how beautiful the water is, it is hard not to want to get in and explore.
Driving Directions - Manini'owali (Kua Bay)
Big Island Snorkeling
Take highway 19 (Queen Kaahumanu Hwy) north out of Kona. Watch the mile markers and after 89 watch for a road to the left that is opposite of a road on the right that has large signs for the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery. Follow this fairly new, nicely paved road to the end where there is a parking area for the beach.
There are new restrooms available, water, and picnic tables. There is very little to no shade at this park.
Next - go to Old Kona Airport (Pawai Bay)
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