Snorkeling Location:
Knowing a great snorkeling spot is crucial to seeing some awesome sea creatures. In other words, it’s all about location, location, location!
If you’re going on a snorkeling tour, you can expect the tour company to know the best spots. Many companies, us included, take guests out in a boat to locations inaccessible from the shore. Hard to beat that, right?
However, if you have snorkeling equipment and want to do it yourself, we’ve written an article on a few spots you can access from the beach on Oahu.
Here are five well-known beaches on Oahu for snorkeling and swimming with turtles:
Oahu Snorkeling Beaches
- Laniakea Beach (aka Turtle Beach) is on the North Shore of Oahu and is known for seeing turtles from the beach. If you’re wanting to snorkel, however, there are better options, in our opinion.
- Electric Beach (aka Kahe Point) is on the West Side of Oahu and a great snorkeling spot. It’s a little far for most tourists. There aren’t a lot of other attractions in the area, but if you’re staying in the Ko Olina area on Oahu, it’s a great choice.
- Cockroach Cove (aka Kaupo Bay) is on Oahu’s South Shore. It’s an amazing area to explore, and if you can pop down for some snorkeling on a day with calm waters, it’s worth the hike down. Just remember to think of safety first.
- Waikiki Beaches are on the South Shore of Oahu. Waikiki is a long beach with many areas to swim and snorkel. It’s hit or miss, but since it’s likely close to your hotel, it’s worth a try if you have the gear.
- Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve (closed on Tuesdays) is on the East side of Oahu. Hanauma Bay is a popular tourist destination and one of Oahu’s best beaches. Parking can be an issue, and it’s more of an ordeal than visiting other beaches, but it’s a great experience if you have the time.
These locations can all be visited without a tour; you’ll simply need to rent a car and plan a day. You’ll need your own snorkeling gear for everywhere except Hanauma Bay, which offers rentals.
Whether you’re going snorkeling in Hawaii or another part of the world, for the best snorkeling experience, you’ll want to go with a reputable snorkeling company. There’s no beating the experience that a company has.
Snorkeling tours are safe, well-organized, and know the best spots for viewing sea turtles and fish.
Does the Snorkeling Tour Offer Something for Your Entire Group?
Maybe we’re biased here, but as a tour company that offers something unique, we think it’s important to consider your options when choosing a snorkeling tour.
We not only offer snorkeling tours on Oahu, but we’re most well known for our sub-scooter tour, which also includes snorkeling. For those only looking to snorkeling in an amazing location, we offer that as well.
Snorkeling and riding sub-scooters on Oahu with Island Water Sports Hawaii.
Providing a few options is a great way to make your entire group happy!
Tour vs. Going on Your Own:
After you choose a spot that works best for you, you’ll need to decide if you’d like to go to the beach on your own or go with a snorkeling company. If you choose to go on your own, you’ll want to read up on some snorkeling safety tips and make sure to have the proper equipment (whether it’s rented for the day or bought).
If you choose to go with a company, you’ll want to make sure that they are reputable, have qualified staff, and have a good safety record. All snorkeling tours have specific places they dock their boats, so you won’t need to worry about choosing a location.
What you will want to do is research the company’s website, read online reviews, and view their social media.
Companies with great reviews are generally solid choices, but you can also feel free to ask your hotel concierge what companies they recommend.
Our Recommendation:
We recommend going on a snorkeling tour, especially if you’re unfamiliar with snorkeling or the waters that you’ll be in. It’s not only safer, but there are several other advantages of a tour compared to going on your own.
Advantages of going on a snorkeling tour:
- Tour companies know the best spots.
- They provide all the equipment needed.
- It’s much safer than going on your own.
- They usually include a boat ride.
- You’ll have underwater photo opportunities.
- They’re usually quite affordable.
We hope this blog provided you with helpful information to get you ready for your future snorkeling trip. Please remember to be respectful of our underwater friends and keep the snorkeling safety tips in mind.
So charge up your GoPro’s, lather on that sunscreen, and get ready to have a blast!
