Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
Back to OCEAN JOY BLOG

What Parts Of Oahu Have The Best Snorkeling?


snorkeling-in-water-of-hawaii

Oahu is a beautiful island with something for everyone. If you’re looking to go snorkeling, there are some great spots on the island that you’ll want to check out. In this blog post, we will discuss the best parts of Oahu for snorkeling and give you some tips on what to look for when choosing a spot. So, if you’re ready to explore the amazing underwater world of Oahu, keep reading!

Boat Snorkeling & Snorkeling Tours

Boat snorkeling is definitely the way to go if you’re looking to get the most out of your snorkeling experience on Oahu. For one, you’ll get shuttled out to offshore coral reefs that you wouldn’t be able to reach from shore. Plus, the visibility is usually much better out in the open water without waves causing the sand to blur your line of sight. You’ll be able to see marine life that normally doesn’t come close to shore. And last but not least, boat snorkeling simply unlocks a whole new world of snorkeling that is not accessible by any other means.

Boat snorkeling is hands down the best way to experience snorkeling on Oahu.

Boat Snorkeling Tours with Ocean Joy Cruises

Ocean Joy Cruises offer a variety of ways to explore Oahu’s waters. Take a look at something like our Sunset Snorkeling Dinner Cruise for a fun and relaxing evening, or relax on your morning for a cruise around the island.

If you’re looking to learn more you can read about how snorkeling cruises work.

The Best Snorkeling Beaches

Oahu also has some great beaches to snorkel and spend a day at. While we can’t cover every single beach to snorkel on, these are some island favorites.

Hanauma Bay

Hanauma Bay lies on the southeast coast of Oahu in Hawaii Kai, on Hanauma Bay Road. This is one of the most popular beaches and great snorkeling sites in Hawaii because of the amazing variety of aquatic creatures that may be seen beneath the water’s surface. In 1956, dynamite was used to clear portions of the reef to make room for telephone cables between Hawaii and Mainland America.

Snorkelers may see up to 300 distinct Hawaiian fish species in the Hanauma Bay region of the marine life nature preserve. It is also located at the bottom of a volcanic crater, providing stunning scenery and a fascinating tale to tell your friends. In the winter, when there are more storms, underwater visibility might be limited, but conditions should otherwise be ideal.

Shark’s Cove

Shark’s Cove is one of the best snorkeling locations in Oahu because of its diverse marine life and rock formations. Scuba Diving Magazine named it one of the twelve best shore dives in the world. The Pupukea tide pools, located on the cove’s south side, are also a great place to explore for any divers out there.

Sharks Cove is located on the northern coast of Oahu, near Kahuku. The cove’s stones might be sharp, so reef shoes or fins are advised. In winter (November to February), the waves and currents are strong, making summer snorkeling the best time.

Electric Beach (Kahe Point)

The “Electric Beach” snorkeling location is located just in front of the power plant on O’ahu’s western shore. Offshore, there is a long, underground pipe that spits heated water from the plant into the sea. The temperature difference attracts a diverse range of creatures, including large gatherings of tropical fish and turtles as well as sharks, on occasion.

Kaena Point State Park

One of the things that set this snorkeling beach apart from the others is that it’s not crowded with tourists. You would be surprised at how few people are on this beach compared to others in Oahu, especially when looking at how much white sand there is. Usually, beaches like these are packed and it becomes hard to find a spot to lay down your towel, but that’s not the case here.

While Keana Point does not have as many fish as some of the other beaches mentioned, the transparent blue water is full of life. Most excellent snorkeling beaches, on the other hand, don’t offer lots of space to stretch out on the beach as this one does.

Visit Ocean Joy Cruises on Oahu

Now that you know some of the best snorkeling locations on Oahu – it’s time to visit! Reach out to us at Ocean Joy with any questions or concerns about your cruise or vacation, our staff is happy to help. Pack your snorkel and get ready for paradise!

  • Posted in: