5 of the Best Oahu Snorkeling Beaches for Your Vacation

By Casey Makovich

Go snorkeling and explore Hawaii's vibrant coral reefs and unique sea life. We put together a list of a few of our favorite and best snorkeling beaches on Oahu. Snorkeling is a great activity for visitors of all ages and skill levels. There are lots of places to rent equipment throughout the island so all visitors need to do is set aside some time, find a good spot, and spend the day scoping out the vibrant sea life and beautiful shorelines of Hawaii.

Hanauma Bay

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A wide variety of colorful fish and sea life can always be found in Hanauma Bay. Rent some snorkeling gear nearby and you'll be sure to see a good sample of the Hawaii ocean life. Within the bay's pristine and clear waters, you’ll have the opportunity to swim through this stunning reef teeming with rays, turtles, and diverse species of tropical fish. Pack a picnic lunch or some snacks and enjoy dining al fresco in the bay's grassy picnic areas. Please note: non-residents must pay $7.50 to enter the nature preserve (children under 13 years of age and Hawaii residents get in for free) and Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is closed on Tuesdays.

Kuilima Cove

The gentle surf, clear shallow waters, and sheltered shoreline make Kuilima Cove on the north shore a great place for novice or first-time snorkelers. Pack your beach gear and relax on the white sandy beaches after your snorkeling adventure.

Kahe Point Beach Park

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Located on the west side of the island, the clear, open waters of Kahe Point Beach Park make it a popular destination for snorkelers and divers alike.

Sharks Cove

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Despite its name, you will most likely not run into any shark danger while snorkeling in Sharks Cove (but you might be able to spot some white tipped reef sharks). Rent some snorkeling gear nearby and you can expect to see lots of fish and crustaceans who make a home in the unique lava formations making it a popular destination for divers too. Take some time to explore the tide pools here too.

Kaena

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This is a great beach to spend the day at with its mile long white sand shoreline and clear waters. Although there are typically less fish at Kaena, the calm surf and lesser crowds allow visitors to leisurely snorkel and explore the waters.

North Shore

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Go on a guided tour of Oahu and let your tour guide scope out a prime spot to give you the chance to snorkel with turtles as part of your Oahu tour experience. You'll get a full day tour that takes you to Oahu's major landmarks and hidden spots starting in Waikiki. You'll go to Diamond Head Lookout, Halona Blowhole Lava Tube, Tropical Farms Hawaiian Coffee and Macnut sampling, visit some of the freshes tropical fruit stands and North Shore shrimp farms and food trucks, North Shore Oahu Beaches, turtle hotspots, and Dole Plantation -- all in a day! Or, go at your own pace and rent snorkel gear in Waikiki for the day and choose your own spot to snorkel.

What to bring snorkeling

  • Bathing suit
  • Towel
  • Sunscreen and/or consider wearing a layer of UPF clothing to protect yourself from the sun (your back will be very exposed as you swim).
  • Bring a waterproof camera to get pictures of the vibrant sea life.
  • Tip: make a day of it and pack a beach bag.

Equipment to rent

  • Face mask or goggles
  • Snorkel
  • Flippers
  • Life vest or floating device (optional, but recommended)

Get a discount on your snorkeling

Save up to 55% on snorkel gear rentals in Oahu and admission to over 30 additional activities for one low price with the Go Oahu® Card All-Inclusive Pass. The more you do, the more you save. Or, pick and choose things to do in Oahu when you build your own Oahu pass and save 20%, guaranteed when you buy 2 or more attractions.

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Things to do in Oahu When It's Hot Outside

Hawaii is hot in every sense of the word: its warm climate makes it pleasant to visit year-round, which in turn makes it one of the planet’s most popular tourist destinations, pulling in around eight million visitors every year. The majority of Hawaii sunseekers (around five million, give or take) wind up on the island of Oahu, home to some of the state’s biggest attractions – Pearl Harbor, Waikiki Beach, Honolulu and the Diamond Head volcano, to name just a few. It goes without saying then that there’s plenty of fun to be had in the sun here. After all, no-one goes to Hawaii for its skiing opportunities, right? But with summer temperatures that average way up in the high 80s, you’ll likely want to pencil in a few slightly cooler activities (as well as covering yourself top to toe in factor 50, natch). Here, then, are a few ideas for things to do in Oahu and Honolulu when it’s hot outside, including: Beaches! Snorkeling! Catamarans! Pineapples! Shave ice! And more! Keep Your Cool on the Beach You’ll want to pack plenty of beach bag essentials for your day at Waikiki, Hanauma Bay, the North Shore and, well, whichever of Oahu’s stunning tropical beaches tickle your fancy. We’re talking UV sunglasses, great big floppy sun hats and gallons of bottled water as a bare minimum. You may want to add a parasol or tent for use in some of the more exposed bays, though you’ll also find plenty available to rent in the main tourist areas. Beaches like Lanikai and and Kailua on Oahu’s windward side (the east coast) tend to offer more natural shade, in the form of palm trees. Top-tip: before slinging your towel down underneath, check carefully for the very real and present danger of ripe coconuts up above. You’ll be cooling off in A&E if one of those beauties drops on your nut! Waikiki Beach is of course the most popular of Oahu’s beaches, and opportunities to cool off on snorkeling trips here abound. Cruise out onto the beautiful clear blue waters and come face to face with all manner of tropical marine life. You’re all but guaranteed to meet green sea turtles at the aptly named Waikiki Turtle Canyon. Hanauma Bay is where it’s at for some of Oahu's most spectacular sealife selfie opportunities. Vibrant yellow tangs and flamboyant spinner dolphins are just two of the cute critters you might spot on snorkeling excursions to the thriving coral reef that lies in the cone of this long-extinct volcano. Hit up the pristine sands of Lanikai Beach for more of the same (but with added palm cover), and crescent-shaped Kailua Beach (pictured above), where balmy trade winds encourage other watery pursuits including kitesurfing and kayaking. Oahu’s Hottest Tours If you simply can’t bear to spend all day lounging in the shade of a coconut palm, moving only to top up your rum-laced Mai Tai cocktail, there are plenty of island tours you can take around Oahu and Honolulu on hot days instead. Here, after all, is an opportunity to see this beautiful volcanic paradise from the lush cool confines of an air-conditioned coach. Try a trip to the Dole plantation on the North Shore. Sampling the sweet flesh of their world-famous pineapples under the hot Hawaiian sun is one that’s worth disembarking the refrigerated coach for, and no mistake! You could also take a tour of Oahu’s hidden gems, including tranquil temples, shaded Japanese gardens, and the cooling spray of epic blowholes like Halona. Or immerse yourself in rainforests and visit the 150-foot Manoa waterfalls, passing through jungle scenery used in The Hunger Games movie series. You can book tours including all of the above (and more) with an Oahu pass from Go City, which can save you up to 50% on top attractions, tours and activities on Oahu. Find out more and bag your Oahu pass here. Ice Cold in Oahu Hawaii is arguably as famous for its shave ice as its beaches, volcanoes and hula skirts. Find out what all the fuss is about at any one of dozens of purveyors of this frozen treat across the island. Shave ice is exactly what it sounds like: tiny shavings of ice liberally doused in lashings of fruit syrup, and boy is it refreshing on a hot day. Get yours from North Shore shave ice stalwart Matsumoto’s. A fixture on Oahu since the early 1950s, its natural lychee, passion fruit and yuzu flavorings are some of the best in Hawaii. Other local favorites include Ululani’s and Shimazu – for all the ice-cold refreshment but without the half-hour lines. Top tip: it’s ‘shave ice’ not ‘shaved ice’, so be sure to sidestep any vendor that didn’t get the name right on their signage. Life on the Ocean Wave Feel the sea breeze on your skin aboard a catamaran or luxury yacht as you tour the Oahu coastline in style. This is a fine (and crucially effortless) way of seeing a bit more of the island and perhaps even ogling the odd humpback whale, flying fish or green sea turtle on your travels. Don your floppiest sun hat, slather on the sunscreen and sip a glass of prosecco on deck-o as you cruise past jungle-clad mountains and over the coral-rich depths of Oahu’s submerged volcanic cones. Take your pick from straightforward catamaran excursions to decadent day trips that include lunch, snorkeling, and bottomless bubbly. You can access a variety of superb sea-faring options with the Go Oahu pass. Oahu’s Coolest Hikes Ok ok, so hiking may not be the first activity that springs to mind when it’s hot out in Oahu, but bear with us. The botanical gardens at Waimea Valley are a 1,875-acre oasis of lush plantlife and great fronds of greenery. Shady groves and a cooler climate make the gardens ideal for strolling, even when the tropical sun is at its most punishing. Meander gently through some of the park’s 52 themed zones, where towering cacti and fresh-scented hibiscus flourish, and where the picture-perfect Waimea Falls provide ample opportunity for cooling off should the heat get too much. Alternatively, hop across to Big Island, home of Mauna Kea, the highest peak in Hawaii. Hikes to the summit commence from the visitor center, 9,200 feet up, where you’re all but guaranteed freezing temperatures and possibly even snow. But be warned that this 12-mile round-hike is not for the faint of heart, with challenging terrain and the threat of altitude sickness the price of evading the Hawaii heat way up here. Save on Oahu and Honolulu Activities, Tours and Attractions Save on admission to Oahu attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
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10+ Things to Do in Oahu in Spring 2020 - April to June Activities & More

Oahu is an excellent springtime destination for many reasons. While the weather is probably just warming up where you’re coming from, it’s perpetually warm in Oahu and they’re ready to go when it comes to outdoorsy fun. It’s also less of a busy season for American tourists in Oahu, so you’ll likely encounter fewer lines and shorter wait times for big attractions. If you’re looking for things to do in Oahu in Spring 2020, check out our list of some of the best activities and attractions, including... Hanauma Bay Snorkel Polynesian Cultural Center Diamond Head Hike Sea Life Park Hawaii and more! Save on Springtime Activities in Oahu Regular admission to a number of these attractions are available on the Go Oahu pass. Choose as you go from popular attractions and save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Check out all available Oahu attractions, passes, and prices. Please note, some of these special spring events may be separately ticketed and not available on the Go Oahu pass. Embark on a Snorkel Adventure Explore the Polynesian Cultural Center Enjoy the Warming Waters Play at Sea Life Park Visit the Honolulu Museum of Art Get Out and Get Active! Find Your Zen Space If you loved exploring the cultures of Polynesia, then you won’t want to miss out on learning about the Japanese heritage of Oahu as well. Visit the serene Byodo-In Temple and meditate on the nature of a global world, and soak up the peace and mindfulness that a temple nestled in the wilderness can bring. Getting In: Admission to the Byodo-In Temple is included with the Go Oahu pass. Local Events in SpringWaikiki Artfest Kapiolani Park Monthly Lei Day Celebration May 1, 2020 Kapiolani Park This annual celebration is held every year on May 1 to honor the spirit of Aloha that makes Oahu so special. Come to see these beautiful flower garlands in all their glory, and to see the new Lei Court. Featuring an impressive line-up of musical and dance performances, exhibits, and a parade and ceremony, the Lei Day Celebration is sure to please the entire family. Getting In: Admission to Lei Day is free. Remember to Save on Admission Did we miss anything? A few things to do in Oahu in the spring, including some special events, other seasonal activities in April, May, and June. Please note, the spring events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed and not available with the Go Oahu pass. We hope you consider adding some of these fun ideas to your spring vacation itinerary.
Katie Sagal
Couple drinking wine on a beach at sunset
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Romantic Destinations in Hawaii

Our pick of the Hawaii resorts, tours and activities for all the hopeless romantics out there, including stargazing, volcano sunsets and canyon hikes.
Stuart Bak

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