One of the biggest perks of living in Hawaii is that the ocean's surface water temperature is typically 77-83°F, which lends itself perfectly to snorkeling explorations any time of year. read more
Several great snorkeling spots can be found outside of Honolulu, on the North Shore of Oahu. My personal favorites are Turtle Bay and Shark’s Cove. You’ll want to get there early, however, as these spots can get packed in the afternoons. read more
Some of the many underwater creatures can only be found here in the islands, and a Hawaii snorkeling adventure will lead you right to them. These are the perfect Hawaii snorkeling spots, based on accessibility and viewing. Most locations are good for beginners and all are teeming with underwater sea life. To submit your pick for the 10 Best Snorkeling Spots in Hawaii, click here. read more
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve (honolulu.gov), one of Hawaii's most popular snorkeling spots, is located in southeastern Oahu, 30 minutes from Honolulu's Waikiki neighborhood. Nestled between dormant volcanic craters, the calm, shallow waters of the inner reef are ideal for beginners, while only experienced swimmers should explore the outer reef. read more
It's a good place to try out your snorkel gear for first timers (that's what we did). There's not tons and tons of fish, but you'll see a fair number and lots of variety. When we were there, a number of locals were at the beach and were great at giving us advice as to the best spots in the area to go and look. read more