Snorkeling

[catzle]

Where is the best place to snorkel? I know that there is Hanauma Bay but is that truly the best?

 

[happymommy]

You can go out early and snorkel in the coves right there at the resort.

You can go up to electric beach, but be careful! Do NOT leave anything in your car at all.

You can take a dolphin snorkel boat trip from the Ko Olina marina, which is fun!

We never go to Hanauma Bay from Ko Olina just to snorkel - it's too far. Not that we haven't been there, but not in a long time.

 

[PetePanMan]

We went to electric beach last time but be careful - pick the right day. We went in pretty rough conditions and it was challenging (and we are all strong and experienced swimmers).

 

[JCornell]

Hanauma Bay is a well known spot for a reason. That said, it means there are a lot of people there and the water can get cloudy at times.
We're looking forward to trying Shark's Cove which had good reviews and is maybe a little less trafficked. It's up on the North Shore though so it's a hike from Aulani, same as Hanauma.

 

[alohamom]

We love Sharks Cove but you need water shoes to get in, it is really rocky without a smooth entrance. We have only been in the summer so I would think you need to use caution in the winter with high surf. It is a very sheltered area and totally rivals if not surpasses Hanauma Bay in many ways.

 

[JCornell]

Good point about Shark's Cove (and all of North Shore) in winter. We're going in August which should be fine.
To OP, seasons will inform some of your options so if you know when you might be going, that would be good to know.

 

[alohamom]

Good point about Shark's Cove (and all of North Shore) in winter. We're going in August which should be fine.
To OP, seasons will inform some of your options so if you know when you might be going, that would be good to know.

Best time to go imo! @JCornell you probably know this but right below Sharks Cove is Three Tables and it is also great for snorkelling http://www.tropicalsnorkeling.com/snorkeling-three-tables.html
Look for the Fire Station and the Foodland across the highway, they are right there.

 

[cgattis]

We love Sharks Cove but you need water shoes to get in, it is really rocky without a smooth entrance. We have only been in the summer so I would think you need to use caution in the winter with high surf. It is a very sheltered area and totally rivals if not surpasses Hanauma Bay in many ways.

Can you explain where to enter for the sheltered (I.e. not open ocean) snorkeling part? And which part/side has more fish? I read someone's description but didn't really follow it. Seemed to imply one side was shallower tide pools, mostly empty. Really looking forward to checking this out!!

 

[alohamom]

Can you explain where to enter for the sheltered (I.e. not open ocean) snorkeling part? And which part/side has more fish? I read someone's description but didn't really follow it. Seemed to imply one side was shallower tide pools, mostly empty. Really looking forward to checking this out!!

It is kind of a big oval that is rimed by rock and so long as you stay toward the shore you are pretty far from the open ocean.The rocks that line the oval act as a barrier. There is really only a small part that goes out to the ocean. The section to the north seems to have more variety but you will see fish all around the cove. It is fairly shallow for the most part too. Certainly nothing like Electric Beach or any open ocean snorkelling. The south side is tide pools and you can enter through them to get to the snorkelling. It is pretty easy, it just sounds confusing.

There are some fairly accurate pictures on this Yelp review
https://www.yelp.com/biz/sharks-cove-haleiwa-3 see the review a few down from the top by Juan F.

 

[Chemist]

We did a guided catamaran/snorkeling trip to Electric Beach. I don't remember what company, it was a few years ago.

Not the best snorkeling I've ever done (Playa del Carmen had a reef which was much nicer), but it was still a lot of fun.