Snorkeling in Hawaii

[mom2travel]

We did a snorkeling tour on the Island Princess out of Lahaina which stopped at Molokini and also "turtle town". Snorkeling with the sea turtles was incredible! I had one swim directly under me! The crew also put out a giant water trampoline which the kids loved. (DS was 13 and DD 8 1/2)

On Oahu, DS loved climbing up Diamond Head - he and DH ended up doing it twice. We also visited Pearl Harbor and did a circle drive around the island, plus some beach time of course!

On Maui, in addition to our snorkeling tour and beach time, we drove up Haleakala which was great, and did a horseback riding tour at Mendes Ranch (DD's request).

Our favorite was Kauai. We hit the beach, did a little bit of off the beach snorkeling, stopped by Spouting Horn, hiked Waimea Canyon, did a sunset cruise to the Napali coast, did an ATV tour (4-person buggie), a luau, and a kayak/hike/zip-line tour.

I wish we were going back soon!

 

[DawnCt1]

Okay, experts, if you had a time-share week, and therefore spent most of your time on one of the Islands, with maybe a day-trip to another... Where would you choose. I am looking for what nature has to offer, not necessarily over-developed over-crowded 'tourist' destinations.

Kauai looks fabulous! Verdant, steep mountains and cliffs. I am looking at one resort at Poipu Point.

I LOVE more Caribbean type white/light sand beaches, mostly clear water... What would you recommend for that?

Poipu in the winter. The north shore of Kaua'i in the summer. I love Hanalei.

 

[DawnCt1]

This was going to be my suggestion! This was the most incredible place to snorkel, we didn't want to leave. If you do want to use a company, we went with Captain Zodiac (you can just google them) and they were great. We also saw spinner dolphins on our way out to the bay, it was awesome!



I totally agree. This area seemed so spoiled to me - there were tons of fish, but the coral was all brown, nothing like the incredible pinks and oranges we saw at Kealakekua Bay. There are much more pristine areas to go to. We did a sunset cruise on the Napali coast too. Also found that in the Entertainment book.

!

We did Captain Zodiac the first time we went there too. Nice size boat for going in and out of the sea caves. I think I got a coupon for it in the Hawaii Entertainment book. Something I would buy if I were going to a couple of islands, and it was on sale.

 

[HannaBelle]

Hands down - Pacific Whale Foundation for a trip to Molokini Crater.

+1

We went out with Body Glove in Kona and PWF in Maui.

PWF had better gear, better food and a better atmosphere. The crater was beautiful with calm, clear water even though the day was blustery!

Body Glove had more of a "party" boat, it was nice! But, their gear was not as nice and the water was not as clear.

Do not do the sub tours! They are not worth the money.

 

[beachbunny]

A couple more comments after reading this thread: If you take a helicoptor tour, talk to the pilot first and make sure you're comfortable with him - you're putting your life into his hands and we've had too many accidents in recent years. Helicoptor tours are not sufficiently regulated in Hawaii. It's the wild west in the skies - especially on Kauai.

Captain Zodiac is fabulous! Nuff said!

To the person who swam really close to a turtle, I know you didn't know but, green seaturtles are threatened and hawksbills are endangered. NOAA recommends that you stay 150 feet or more away from them. That tour boat company was not being a responsible citizen by allowing its passengers so close in the water.

Someone else mentioned how dirty and crowded Hanauma Bay has become. I agree. But it's still pretty nice for the number of fish you see without having to go out far into the water and the admission is cheap. Everyone wants to come to Hawaii and swim with the fishies. That's why the same is happening to Molokini, etc. That's just the sacrifice the people of Hawaii have to make to get their hands on your tourist dollars.

 

[Laura]

Honolua Bay on Maui
http://www.hawaiiweb.com/maui/beaches/HonoluaBay.htm

 

[christineann]

Another vote for Molokini

We saw lots of fish, beautiful seascape and a shark or two (that could not have cared less about all of us humans).

We also kayaked off the beach at Maui.

My dream is to go back.

 

[Katieinwonderland]

To the person who swam really close to a turtle, I know you didn't know but, green seaturtles are threatened and hawksbills are endangered. NOAA recommends that you stay 150 feet or more away from them. That tour boat company was not being a responsible citizen by allowing its passengers so close in the water.

Hmmm, I have a question. When we go to Kona we stay at the Hilton Waikeloa Beach Resort, and one of their pools is a huge saltwater lagoon that leads right out to the ocean. One of the great things about this was that fish, and even better, green sea turtles, used to swim right in and hang out. Now I know there were lifeguards everywhere making sure no one touched/fed/harrassed the turtles, but there were plenty of people out there swimming with them. DH and I were followed around by one for about 30 minutes, it seemed really interested in us!!!

The turtles seemed happy enough, it wasn't like they were kept there, they swam in and out of the lagoon as they pleased - but I'm wondering if this is something the Hilton shouldn't really be doing? Any idea?