Snorkeling is a great way to stick your head in the water without the inconvenience of holding your breath. For the completely uninitiated, snorkelers wear masks and fins and breathe through a tube called a snorkel. The Big Island's see-through water and mostly sunny skies make it easy to spot marine life, which is generally the objective. People of all ages can participate, and there are plenty of good spots—many of them just offshore—to practice the moves.
This is not an xtreme sport. Anyone can put on snorkel gear and float around the ocean spying on schools of neon-bright fish. But it does take a bit of know-how to find a good spot. Book a cruise with a tour boat company and you won't have to worry about that.
Snorkeling aboard a catamaran will probably include marine life viewing, plenty of food, no-host cocktails, restrooms, water slides, high jumps, and lots of flotation equipment. The more adventurous cruises take place in powered, rigid-hull inflatable rafts. They cater to small groups with specific interests who are up for an exhilarating ride and an up-close and personal experience.
Kealakekua Bay, an underwater marine preserve that is a resting area for dolphins and the site of the Captain Cook Monument, is a popular destination. So are the crystal clear waters off the Kohala Coast and Pawai Bay. The bay is located between Honokohau Harbor and Kailua Bay and is known for its abundant marine life.
Snorkel gear can be rented or purchased. In either case, all you'll need is a mask, a snorkel and some fins. Gear comes in many sizes and shapes, but be sure you have a good fit.
Here's a few safety tips:
1. Never snorkel alone. Hang with a buddy.
2. Never turn your back to the ocean.
3. Whenever possible snorkel in the morning. Fish are significantly more active in the morning, and predictable afternoon winds make water clarity less than ideal.
4. Marine life tends to congregate around structures, so stick to reefs for the best opportunity to score a face-to-face encounter.
5. Don't feed the fish.
6. Even on the cloudiest of days, use waterproof sunscreen.
7. Take a small cooler with bottled water, snacks, and food. Most beaches don't have concession stands.
8. Snorkeling isn't so much about swimming as it is about floating. Stay relaxed, float, kick only when necessary. The more relaxed you are in the water, the more relaxed and friendly the fish will be.
9. Be respectful of the ocean and her creatures. Avoid standing on coral, which is the foundation of Hawaii's reef environment, All sea creatures rely on the reef for homes, protection, and food. Broken coral takes many years to grow back.
10. Don't combine snorkeling with alcohol or drugs.
