A. Hanauma Bay is closed to the public on Wednesdays & Tuesdays. Swimming with sea turtles, beautiful fish, coral, and sea urchins was magical. There is public parking available for all four lagoons from sunrise to sunset that is first come-first served, or you can pay for valet parking at one of the resorts (like the Disney Aulani Resort). If you are visiting for the very first time or have been here before, keep reading to discover the best snorkeling locations in Oahu. Its a beautiful beach for lounging, which makes it a perfect options if not everyone in your group wants to get in the water. Dan taught her how to be comfortable in the water, took her hand, guided her around the Bay. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. We saw lots of fish! Hanauma Bay can be found on the southeast coast of Oahu in the East Honolulu neighborhood of Hawaii Kai on Hanauma Bay Road. Download your copy of our Also known as Sans Souci Beach, it boasts gorgeous white sand and clear blue water with a stunning backdrop of San Souci Recreational Park. As a non-swimmer too, I can attest that Janis's suggestion is dead-on. Please visit VELTRA Support page to send an inquiry about this activity. Hanauma Bay Beginner Snorkel Tour with Expert Guide & Waikiki Transportation, Please click here for the Hawaii State Holiday Schedule. There's really no way for a non-swimmer to snorkel. It's a lot easier than I had thought, and I would add my voice to the folks who suggested a calm location where the water isn't too deep. They really make an effort to respect the wildlife and keep a safe distance from the dolphins, while still giving you the opportunity to snorkel at several different spots along the coast. Many beaches do not have them. snorkeling for non-swimmer - Honolulu Forum - Tripadvisor ~ Trusted by Millions of Hawaii Visitors Annually ~. Manta Night Snorkel | Kona Hawaii | Manta Adventures This well-protected cove is nestled on the eastern side of the beautiful Turtle Bay Resort. A riptide or current could put you in harms way before anyone else really notices. If you are wearing fins and get into trouble with your mask or mouthpiece, you have to bring your feet under in order to stand up. What are the water activities, such as snorkeling, that you could recommend while we are there? I kept doing this until pretty soon I was more aware of what was going on under the water - I could see, and even breathe! The current is strong, so getting in and out can be a workout even if the surf looks small. It was a life changing experience for sure. I've never snorkled before but plan to on my visit to Oahu in March. Makaha Beach is one of the best places for snorkeling and swimming but the waters can be a little bit choppy so be sure to check the conditions before you go. Kuilima Cove is just over an hour drive from Honolulu airport, on the Kamehameha Highway. Has anyone on the forum who does not swim done snorkling on the islands? The Best Snorkeling on Oahu - US News & World Report If anyone has suggestions regarding specific companies on any of these islands, I would appreciate the info. Our popular Summary Guidesheets are now included. I know, it's kinda hard to snorkel without having your face in the water :), I have several non-swimmers in my family, so I understand where you're coming from. We snorkeled til we were too tired to go on! Dynamite was used to clear away parts of the reef in 1956 so telephone cables could be added to link Hawaii with the mainland. Standard Package Adult/Child (Age 6-70) USD 90.00 Hanauma Bay is a very special place. New boat designed for great night time manta adventure snorkel. The first was at Shark's Cove at Pupukea Beach. more. Highly recommend them. This experience requires good weather. Standing on coral, kills it, immediately so stand on nothing but sand. ), There are places you can rent those boards with a clear bubble to see thru (Snorkel Bob's, with a location a few blocks away from Waikiki Beach, rents them for ~$25/week; other places may have them, too). We highly recommend this tour! Today. The area is not too deep inside the reef and your natural buoyancy and the saltwater should suffice to keep you afloat. up and drop off, fitting for flippers, trolley down to the beach, putting on wet suits (additional option), instructions on technique and guidelines, storage of valuables, etc) was smooth from start to finish. Snorkeling for non swimmer - Oahu Forum - Tripadvisor Any insight to sway on Waikiki accommodations? Best option would be Ko Olina on the west coast. Cookie Policy - It is also closed for commercial tours on weekends and state/federal holidays. She loved it, sparked us on to additional snorkel trips on this vacation. This is one of the most popular beaches and the best snorkeling locations in Oahu because of the amazing array of aquatic life beneath the surface. After your pick-up, head straight to Hanauma Bay and skip the long entry lines with your guide as you make your way down to the ocean. Fun, safe, and amazing first time snorkeling experience. Please submit your request upon booking. So, if your husband really hates the water, just know that this could happen to him before you spend a bunch of money on equipment or an excursion. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88623538', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Hawaii for drownings and many take place in 2-3 feet of water. Check Out the Newest Tours & Activities on Oahu, Top Waikiki Booze Cruises, Sunset Sails & Daytime Fun Boats, Oahu Hidden Gems Tours & Top Hawaii Unique Experiences, Top 5 Best Polynesian Luau Dinner Show in Oahu, Snorkel Tours from Ko Olina & Waianae Harbor, Explore Oahu's Best Water Activities & Honolulu Watersports, Explore Kualoa Ranch - Jurassic Valley Adventure Park, Oahu Bestseller Tours - Likely to Sell Out Attractions. My husband isnt a swimmer. Its best to snorkel here when the water is calm, as the fine sand can make the visibility a bit cloudy. If you dont have snorkeling gear, theres a shop nearby stocked with everything you might need for your snorkeling adventure. Explore the waters of Hanauma Bay and see all the beauty that this protected nature preserve has to offer. I found it hard to take a breath because, after all, my face was in the water! Thank you to everyone for making this the best family vacation ever! Hanauma Bay Snorkeling Tours - HawaiiActivities.com Do Not Sell My Personal Information -, Fodor's may use your email address to send you relevant information on site updates, account changes, and offers. No trip to Honolulu would be complete without visiting this vibrant and spectacular treasure. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. So if youre looking for a place to get up close and personal with some marine life, Three Tables is the perfect spot. Register and enjoy smoother booking, as well as being able to save your wish list and recently viewed activities. Q. A better choice would be to take a snorkeling (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Hawaii's Bucket List - Top 20 Things You MUST Do on Oahu! The waves and currents are strong in winter from November to February, so the best snorkeling is during the summer months. The key to safe, enjoyable snorkeling for a non-swimmer is to find a fairly shallow, reef-protected location that will offer calm, clear water where you can put your feet down and stand up anytime you feel the need. Where do I Find the Legal Vacation Rentals? Never snorkel alone (its more fun with a buddy, anyways!). He gave a tutorial at first and gave me time to learn some basic techniques. We spent some time in the shallows and then went to deeper parts of the bay. Book a tour with Holokai Kayaks if you dont have access to a boat, proceeds go towards conservation, and you can choose to go with a guide or on your own. Except the best viewing is out further in the water, where you can float above coral. I have been to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It's a whole new world under there! Overall, this was an amazing experience that my partner and I highly recommend!!! I would still like to give it another try while I am in Maui in another 6 weeks:. I am a non swimmer and she made me feel very comfortable in the water. Non swimmers can panic in that situation, and hampered by the fins can't get their feet under them, and drown. Would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this excursion for all qualities of snorkelers. At the shoreline, your expert local guide will go over the basics of snorkeling and swimming in open water, and guests who require flotation devices will be fitted with one to assist them in the open water. Use google maps on your phone and search for "Public Parking for Wailea beach access". There are lockers and snorkel equipment for rent at the beach. Trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-32341869', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Waikiki many times with my wife who is a very strong swimmer. snorkeling for non-swimmers? - Honolulu Forum - Tripadvisor Are prescription snorkel masks available? Its no secret that the ocean can be a dangerous place but this lagoon is encased by artificial breakwaters,keeping swimmers safe from rip tides. But now that the word is out, this secluded little cove is getting more popular by the day. No, you do not need to know how to swim and flotation devices will be provided. Legend has it that the lava shoreline on the western tip is where the souls of Hawaiians would jump off into the spirit world to go meet their ancestors. Oahu. Ko Olina Ocean Adventures - Catamaran Sail & Snorkel Tour Take an approximately three-hour sail around Oahu, enjoying the sights and stopping at two top snorkeling spots to swim with sea. . In fact, youll probably have trouble keeping track of all the different kinds of fish you see! House/Condo in January, 7 days, 6 adults and two preschooler. Just speaking frankly, our size and ability is not always welcomed or accommodated well - especially in physical activities. The ocean is a living thing and ocean related incidents are the greatest cause of deaths for tourists. Chinatown, Historic Honolulu and Aloha Tower self walking tours, Hawaii Down Memory Lane (Hawaii in the Past), The Official List of Legal Vacation Rentals on O`ahu, Hotel In Waikiki Outrigger Reef VS Outrigger Waikiki Beach. Your guide will do their best to take professional photos throughout the tour, and if available, they will be posted on the company Facebook page for you to download. Dan and Chieko were great hosts and guides. Bring your own snorkel gear or rent from one of the hotel kiosks on the beach. Give it a try, under supervision, and you never know, you might even enjoy it. Even with that, though, be aware that you don't want to go out too deep, and don't get in a spot where you have to stand on the coral. We all enjoyed the experience. Just off the coast of Waikiki, youll find the Turtle Canyon reef and if snorkeling with turtles is on your bucket list, this is the place to go.