If you’re looking for a great snorkel experience accessible to Waikiki, I found Hanauma Bay a great spot. Turtles and fish galore.

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Undersea Exploration Just Steps from the Beach

Hawaii’s waters boast an exciting wealth of biodiversity, accessible with a swimsuit and a snorkel. The rocky shores of Richardson Beach on the Big Island are a favorite jumping-off point for humans and sea turtles alike, while the island’s Keauhou Bay is a protected area for sea life that blends a playful snorkel with the greater good. Kauai’s Tunnels Beach reef is teeming with sea creatures, keeping swimmers face-down in the water for hours. Electric Beach, on the leeward side of Oahu, gets its name and its abundance of inhabitants thanks to the unusually warm (and clean) water heated up by the nearby power plant.

Hanauma Bay’s staff educate snorkelers and swimmers about restoration efforts at their popular protected underwater sanctuary. With snorkel equipment for rent, the diversity of aquatic life at Hanauma make these tropical waters a great place to visit. Keep an eye out for the abundant Humuhumunukunukuapuaa (Hawaii State fish) and the more elusive green sea turtles and octopus.

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