Oahu Snorkeling Guide
Turtle Beach (Laniakea)
As far as Oahu snorkeling is concerned, Turtle Beach (Laniakea) is not really a good spot. It is shallow, rocky, with poor visibility, and often wavy.
But it is one of the best places to view the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle lounging on the beach or munching on seaweed close to shore.
Site Snorkeling Details - Turtle Beach (Laniakea)
Oahu Snorkeling
Like we mentioned above, snorkeling here is not great. We have tried it. Even snorkeling right next to a turtle offered less enjoyable views than just watching them from shore. The visibility is most often very poor, partly due to the seaweed that draws the turtles here.
But we do enjoy stopping here just to watch the turtles, "honu" in Hawaiian. The turtles most often bask in the sun on the beach in the afternoons, and are almost always in the bay.
The local scientists have identified about 20 turtles that hang out in the area. Most of them are around 20 years old.
One interesting fact we learned when at Laniakea is that all the Green Sea Turtles in Hawaii migrate 500 miles to the French Frigate Shoals to mate, lay eggs, and be born.
That is a long swim! So give them a break. Don't crowd them or try to touch them.
Here is a video of a turtle getting tossed around in the waves near shore.
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There are no facilities located at this beach.
Have you enjoyed the turtles at Laniakea?
Driving Directions - Turtle Beach (Laniakea)
Oahu Snorkeling
Driving Directions to Turtle Beach/Laniakea Beach from Waikiki
You can choose to drive up the east side of the island or up the middle of the island to reach the north shore. To reach Hwy 83 on the east side heading north, you need to get on Hwy H-1 westbound then take one of the highways that crosses the Ko'olau Mountains, Hwy 61 (Pali Hwy), Hwy63 (Likelike Hwy), or Hwy H-3. When you come to the intersection with Hwy 83 (Kahekili Hwy), turn left, heading north. Alternately, to reach Hwy H-2 that leads to Hwy 99 up through the middle of the island, get on Hwy H-1 heading westbound until you reach the intersection with Hwy H-2 and head north. Hwy H-2 will turn into Hwy 99 that you follow until it comes to Hwy 83 again near Hale'iwa. Turtle Beach/Laniakea Beach is between Hale'iwa and Waimea Bay on Hwy 83. About 2 miles southwest of Waimea Bay, look for the south end of the Pohaku Loa Way loop road. Parking is across the road from the beach.
Continue to the next spot - Sans Souci Beach
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