Where Pupukea, North Shore Oahu — on Kamehameha Hwy, near Foodland Cost Free · roadside and small-lot parking Season May–September ONLY — winter surf makes it deadly Difficulty Intermediate — rocky entries, uneven footing, no sand Protection Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District — no fishing, no taking Bring Reef shoes (non-negotiable here) and your own […]
Where North end of Ka’anapali Beach, West Maui — beside the Sheraton Cost Free · parking is the only expense (public stalls or paid garage) Difficulty Beginner on calm mornings — deeper water right along the rock Turtles Very likely — they patrol the rock face daily Best time Early morning: calm water, clear visibility, […]
Where Maluaka Beach, Makena — South Maui, past Wailea Cost Free from shore · or included as the 2nd stop on most Molokini tours Difficulty Beginner — sandy entry, calm mornings, moderate swim to the turtle zone Turtles Very likely — this is a resident population, not a lucky sighting Best time Morning, before wind […]
Where Ali’i Drive, Kona — a short drive south of Kailua-Kona town Cost Free · small lot fills by mid-morning Difficulty Beginner — shallow, protected, lifeguard on duty Turtles Very likely — grazing the rocks or basking nearby Facilities Restrooms, showers, picnic tables, lifeguard Best time Early morning — for parking and for glassy water […]
Where Honaunau Bay, South Kona — ~35–45 min south of Kailua-Kona via Hwy 11 then Hwy 160 Cost Free to snorkel · $5 cash lot by the water, or limited free roadside spots Entry Natural lava steps — first drops to ~10 ft of water, second to ~25 ft Difficulty Intermediate — the rock entry […]
Entry fee $25 ages 13+ · kids 12 & under, Hawaii residents & active military free Reservations pros.hnl.info only — released 2 days ahead at 7:00 a.m. HST, 30 people per slot, ~720 visitors/day Closed Every Mon & Tue, plus Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year’s Day Hours Opens 6:30 a.m.; last entry 1:30 p.m. Parking […]
Where Kona coast, Big Island — departures from Keauhou Bay or Honokohau Harbor Cost Roughly $118–200 per person; 1.5–3 hour trips, after sunset Sighting odds 80–90% of nights; Manta Village historically 90%+ with ~4 rays average Difficulty Beginner — you hold a flotation board at the surface the whole time Season Year-round; mantas are resident, […]
Where Ka’awaloa Cove, Kealakekua Bay — South Kona, Big Island Access Boat tour, permitted kayak, or the Ka’awaloa Trail hike — no road to the cove Protection Marine Life Conservation District since 1969; every vessel on the bay needs a State Parks permit Best time Before 10 a.m. — the Kona breeze chops the surface […]
Access Boat only — morning tours from Ma’alaea Harbor, south Maui Cost Roughly $150–200 per adult; kids discounted, under 3 often free Difficulty Beginner–intermediate; crews provide flotation and in-water support Best time Morning departures, year-round; afternoon wind chops the crater Bonus season November–April tours double as whale watches What Molokini actually is Molokini is a […]