The ocean waters surrounding the major islands of Hawaii are comfortably warm, have great visibility (often in excess of 100 feet), and are teeming with beautiful coral formations and colorful tropical fish. The viewing begins within feet of the shoreline and may extend out a quarter of a mile in some areas.
As you glide over fantastic spires and crevices of coral, watch for eels, starfish, rays, lobster, or even a giant ulua. The panorama is hypnotic: swaying limu and sea urchins, the endless shifting of the sandy bottom between coral cliffs.
Never snorkeled before? Don't worry. It's simple, can be learned in a matter of minutes and mastered on You're first outing. It's easiest to learn with the assistance of one of the crew on a snorkel trip, so you might give that a try before you set out on your own.

Each island has it's own exciting snorkeling locations.
For Maui it would be the tiny island of Molokini, the marine preserve of La Peruse and the coastline of Lanai. These are areas where you are likely to see dolphins playing and turtles adrift in the surf. Molokini provides it's own special snorkel environment as it is the top of an extinct volcano caldera is somewhat like a "fishbowl" in the middle of the ocean.
On the Big Island the most dynamic spots for snorkeling are on the Kona coastline. The entire area from Waikaloa down through Kailua-KOna to Kealakakua Bay is one of the most beautiful places in all of Hawaii to see beautiful (and plentiful) fish and incredible coral formations. One of the most remarkable experiences you can have here is to see the giant Manta Rays. This is also one of the few places you'll be invited to come on special "night tours" designed to catch these majestic creatures in their nocturnal activities.
On Kauai some great spots to snorkel would be on the Napali coastline (during the summer months when the snorkeling boats can safely navigate you to protected areas) and off the coast of the smallest of the major Hawaiian Islands, Niihau. Most of the snorkel boat activity for Kauai would be departing from the small West Coast harbor of Port Allen.
Oahu's best snorkeling is arguably off the Kailua coastline on the Eastern Shore, which is about a 35 or 40 minute drive from Waikiki. Kaneohe Bay is very beautiful and the falling tides often reveal sandbars, which add to the enchantment of the location.

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