Snorkeling the right side of Waimea Bay - Oahu

by James Bassler
(San Diego, CA)

The right hand side of the bay (next to the church tower) is deeper in the 20 to 25 foot range out to the end of the rocks where it opens up to the ocean. It is a sandy bottom and has these huge coral heads coming up that look like pinball bumpers. They are close together and you can swim down between them and see all kinds of fish and other life living around them. It was very unique and beautiful. When you move away from the right edge to swim towards the middle of the bay and swim in to the shore it is a flat sandy bottom the whole way in and barren.

I got uncomfortable swimming out of the bay on the right side because of currents and it got much deeper.

This is a beautiful beach to just float in the water 5 feet off the shore. The shore break surge tosses you around and it's just fun. The bathrooms and picnic area were nice and there were people selling t-shirts and jewelry if you're interested. I would definitely go back.