Ke’e Beach End of the road, Ha’ena State Park, north shore · summer only (May–Sep) · lifeguard · reservation required for entry/parking Ha’ena logistics Parking passes + entry via the official Ha’ena reservation site — book as early as your dates allow; shuttle from the north shore is the fallback; walk/bike entry $1 per visitor […]
Where Keaukaha shoreline, minutes east of downtown Hilo along Kalanianaole Ave Cost Free · beach-park lots, restrooms, showers Difficulty Beginner at both parks — protected, shallow options, lifeguards (Richardson full-time, Carlsmith seasonal) Turtles Very likely at Richardson; often at Carlsmith Conditions Rainier and greener than Kona; mornings clearest, year-round The side of the island nobody […]
Ahihi-Kinau South Maui, past Makena — Natural Area Reserve; snorkel only at the designated open coves, parts of the reserve are closed to entry Olowalu West Maui, off Honoapiilani Hwy near mile marker 14 — roadside parking steps from the water Cost Free, both Difficulty Intermediate–advanced: lava entries (Ahihi) and a long swim out (Olowalu) […]
Where Offshore reef off Waikiki, south shore Oahu — boat access only Cost ~$85–160 per adult · 1.5–2.5 hr tours · gear and flotation included Difficulty Beginner — guided, vested, crew in the water Turtles Very likely — it’s a cleaning station; some operators guarantee re-rides Departures Waikiki Beach itself (some catamarans board from the […]
Where Beside Turtle Bay Resort, Kahuku — eastern tip of Oahu’s North Shore Cost Free · public beach access with resort-area parking Difficulty Beginner — the most protected water on the North Shore Season Year-round — the rock rim keeps working in winter (with judgment) Turtles Sometimes — in the cove and along the point […]
Where Poipu, south shore Kauai — Poipu Beach Park, Ho’owili Rd Cost Free · beach-park lot, restrooms, showers, lifeguards Difficulty Beginner — protected, shallow options, lifeguarded Season Year-round — the south shore is Kauai’s winter answer Wildlife Turtles often; monk seals haul out regularly (50-ft rule, roped off when present) Best time Morning; summer south […]
Where Ha’ena, north shore Kauai — Kuhio Hwy (560), past Hanalei Cost Free — no entry fee, no reservation (that’s Ha’ena State Park / Ke’e, further on) Season May–September; winter surf makes the whole north shore unsnorkelable Difficulty Intermediate — reef passes, depth changes, no lifeguard at Tunnels itself Parking Two small alleys near mile […]
Where Kapalua, West Maui — just north of Napili Cost Free · small public lot with beach access path Difficulty Beginner — protected crescent, sandy walk-in entry Turtles Often — along the rocky points at either end Season Year-round; among the most reliably calm bays on Maui Best time Morning, for parking, calm and clarity […]
Where Northwest Maui, past Kapalua on the Honoapiilani Hwy Cost Free · roadside parking, then a ~5–10 min forest walk Season Apr–Oct; winter = world-class surf, zero snorkeling Difficulty Intermediate — rocky shoreline entry, no sand, no lifeguard Protection Marine Life Conservation District — no fishing or taking of any kind Facilities None. No restrooms, […]
Where Kahe Point Beach Park, West Oahu — Farrington Hwy, opposite the power plant Cost Free · small beach-park lot Difficulty Intermediate — ~100 m swim out, current near the outflow Turtles Often · dolphins pass offshore many mornings Season Year-round; calmest in summer, always a morning spot Facilities Restrooms and showers at the beach […]