10 Best Places To Snorkel In Oahu That Are Worth Visiting

Hanauma Bay is one of the topmost destinations in Oahu for snorkeling. Swing along sea turtles and more than 450 species of vibrant tropical fish.

The Bay is a sunken volcanic crater and a protected marine life conservation area. It is arguably the world's best place for beginner snorkelers. 

Hanauma Bay snorkeling with Kaimana Tours is a 6-hour underwater adventure. This tour cuts off the stress and hassle by providing organized transportation and snorkel gear.

Hanauma Bay reservations for snorkeling are available for $53.99 per person. You can secure your place for the adventure via tripadvisor.com.

The rental company also offers 'walk-in' tickets for those who missed out on the reservation. They rent masks, fins, life vests, beach chairs, Ninja Masks and more.

Some additional information of the tour are as follows:

• No. of Guests: 10 per group (at max)
• Children under 12 get a free tour
• Entrance Fee: $25 per person
• Hotel Pickup is offered

Best places to snorkel Oahu Shark's Cove is located on the north shore of Pupukea Beach Park. This is a famous spot for adventurous water activities on the island.

These rocket tidal pools on the north shore of Oahu are part of the Marine Life Conservations District. This place is famous among visitors for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Sharks Cove Oahu has been rated as one of the 'Top Twelve Shores Dives in the World' by Scuba Diving Magazine. The blue waters are home to diverse marine life.

There are plenty of companies that offer snorkel gear rentals on-site. Sharks Cove Snorkel Rental provides some of the best gear for divers.

The one-stop rental is located at 59-712 Kamehameha Hwy, Pupukea, Hawaii 96712. The opening hours of the place are 9 am to 5 pm from Monday to Friday.

Best place to snorkel Oahu Kahe Point Beach Park has clear blue waters perfect for water adventures. It is easy to spot green sea turtles and several species of fish.

The Electric Beach is a great place for shore diving and snorkeling. It has lots of life on the pipe running from the electric plant.

The tour begins by swimming out to the pipes on the clear water. However, this is not the place for beginners since the water is deep and involves a lot of swimming.

• Address: 92-301 Farrington Hwy, Kapolei, HI 96707
• Opening Hours: 6 am to 10 pm daily
• Phone: 808 696-4481
• Tripadvisor Rating: 4.5/5 based on 115 reviews

Origami Tours offers exciting packages of underwater activites in Hawaii. The Electric Beach Snorkeling with Dolphin Tour is available for $135 per person.

This seven-hour tour admits up to 14 visitors per group. Experience the wonder of Electric Beach and its three main areas: the Pipe, the north reef and the south reef.

Best snorkeling in Oahu Kuilima Cove is a well-protected cove with picturesque rollers. This is the perfect place to get on the water for beginner snorkels.

Kuilima Cove is part of Kawela Bay that features an abundance of juvenile reef species. There is plenty of room to stretch out and the water is calm due to offshore reefs.

The northern shore is generally notorious for its big surf during winter. However, Kuilima Cove is an exception since it is protected by its rock wall.

This Bay is located approximately 41 miles from Honolulu. Head down the H-83/Kamehameha Highway, and look for the sign of the Turtle Bay resort.

The family-friendly Cove provides perfect snorkeling conditions for:

• Beginners
• Children
• Non-swimmers

Kuilima Cove is a part of the Turtle Beach Resort which is open to the public. Visitors can purchase snorkel gear from the Bay Views Beach kiosk located near the hotel.

Best snorkel in Oahu Lanikai Beach provides a stunning view of the Mokukua Islands. The beach features soft sands, pristine blue waters and a clear sky.

Lanikai is located on the windward side of Oahu and can be reached by a short drive from Honolulu. The place sees little to no waves which make it perfect for a beach bum.

The oceanfront is open to the public and no entry charge is levied. However, the only downside is that there is no designated parking lot.

If you are planning a snorkel tour in Lanikai, then it is wise to visit the beach in the morning. At dawn, you will spot lots of live coral and a variety of fish.

Best snorkel in Honolulu Kailua Beach Park with pristine waters and perfect sands is  It is located on the east side of Oahu.

This beachfront is often overlooked by visitors who are drawn toward Lanikai Beach. This is a boon in disguise because this means less crowd.

Travel a mile north from Lanikai and you will reach Kailua. Framed by the vibrant green rugged mountain, the beach offers a sight to behold.

• Address: 526 Kawailoa Rd, Kailua, HI 96734
• Opening Hours: 5 am to 10 pm daily
• Free Admission to the Park

The entire Kailua Bay features three distinct beaches including Castles Beach, Kalama Beach, and Kailua Beach. Enjoy the clear blue water, white sand and an awesome sea breeze here.

Kailua Beach is one of the finest places in Oahu for watersports. There are several rental services available at the location including snorkeling.

Snorkeling places in Oahu Kaena Point State Park is located at the end of Mokuleia. The Park features secluded sandy coves and wide open spaces.

The Park is Oahu's westernmost tip and translates to "the heat" in Hawaiian dialect. This place is designated as a Natural Area Reserve.

This remote coastal area with a lava shoreline is famous for scenic, rugged hiking trails and surfing. Enjoy some time admiring the ocean here and have lunch.

• Address: Farrington Hwy, Waianae, HI 96791
• Opening Hours: 6 am to 6:45 pm daily

Ka'ena Point is located 35 miles west of Honolulu which makes it one of the most remote and pristine places on the island. You need to travel via the scenic Farrington Highway to reach here.

Snorkeling at Kaena Point State Park is not everyone's cup of tea.  The condition here is best suited for experienced snorkelers due to the strong waves and currents.

Oahu Snorkeling places Ko Olina Lagoons is situated on the west side of the island. Visitors get to enjoy amazing sunsets from this public park.

This park is situated between the man-made lagoon and the Ko Olina Marina. There are four man-made lagoons and all of them offer perfect spots for novice swimmers.

The Ko Olina Lagoons are a great place to snorkel for families and first-timers. The place is located near Kapolei, which puts you a 40-minute drive away from Waikiki.

The areas around the lagoons have grassy areas and palm trees that provide plenty of shaded areas to relax. Even on windy days, you will have no problems getting into the waters.

The visibility is usually good at Ko'Olina and it would be wise to avoid the middle channel. The marine life you can spot at the place includes butterflyfish, barracuda, goatfish, green sea turtles and more.

• Address: 92-100 Waipahe Pl, Kapolei, HI 96707
• Opening Hours: 6 am to 10 pm daily

Best snorkeling Oahu Turtle Canyon is a nature preservation site in Honolulu County. This canyon is a finger reef system with lots of hard corals.

The canyon is located on Oahu's southern shore just off the coast of Waikiki. This place is home to green sea turtles which earned it the name itself.

Turtle Canyon snorkeling with Mana Kai Catamaran is available for $71.96 per person. On this tour, you will get to observe octopuses and starfish as well.

Witness green sea turtles being cleaned by fish while snorkeling in the pristine waters off the coast of Oahu. Sightseeing of other marine life such as octopuses and starfish is a bonus.

Best place to snorkel in Oahu Āweoweo Beach Park is a beautiful place tucked away in the neighborhood of Waialua. This family-friendly park is an excellent space to spot sea turtles.

Located between Haleiwa and Mokuleia, Aweoweo is a long stretch of nice sandy beach. This public park also features bathrooms, outdoor showers and picnic tables onsite.

Bring your kids along on the trip and let them have a good time at this exotic location. There is a dedicated play area for children, one thing to take off your stress.

The highlights of Aweoweo Beach are the tranquil, laid-back, quiet and scenic views that this place offers. Furthermore, the place is far less crowded which gives you plenty of room.

• Address: 68-197 Au St, Waialua, HI 96791
• Opening Hours: 7 am to 9 pm daily