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SNORKELING

Oʻahu has some of the best snorkeling in Hawaiʻi, offering diverse marine life, clear waters, and a mix of beginner-friendly and more adventurous spots. Here's a list of the most recommended snorkeling spots on Oʻahu, ranked by popularity, water clarity, and marine diversity!

01

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Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

  • Why it’s top-rated: Crystal-clear, protected waters filled with reef fish and turtles.

  • Marine life: Parrotfish, butterflyfish, wrasse, moray eels, and Hawaiian green sea turtles.

  • Best for: Beginners and families.

  • What to know:

    • Reservations required: https://pros5.hnl.info/hanauma-bay

    • Closed Mondays & Tuesdays.

    • Entry fee: ~$25 for non-residents.

    • Online reservations can be made 2 days in advance starting at 7:00am Hawai‘i Standard Time (HST)

    •  Tickets are on high demand and are very limited. They could sell out as fast as 5 minutes after reservations are available at 7:00AM HST

02

Shark's Cove 

  • Why it’s great: Clear lava rock pools and reefs teeming with marine life.

  • Marine life: Turtles, Surgeonfish, sea urchins, nudibranchs, and occasional octopus.

  • Best for: Intermediate to experienced snorkelers.

  • What to know:

    • Best in summer months (May–Sept) when the water is calm.

    • No lifeguards. Can be rocky – water shoes help.

    • Free access, but limited parking fills quickly.

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03

Electronic Beach

  • Why it’s special: Warm water from nearby power plant attracts huge schools of fish and sea turtles.

  • Marine life: Spinner dolphins (sometimes), turtles, jacks, and reef fish.

  • Best for: Strong swimmers and experienced snorkelers.

  • What to know:

    • Strong currents and deeper water — not for beginners.

    • No lifeguards. Use caution and buddy system.

    • Early mornings often offer best visibility and chance of dolphin sightings.

RENTALS

Here are some top-rated places in Oahu where you can rent snorkeling gear—perfect for exploring local reefs, Hanauma Bay, Sharks Cove, or simply enjoying some water time around Waikiki:

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1. Snorkel Bob’s Oahu

  • Located near Waikiki, en route to Hanauma Bay.

  • Offers full packages with Rx masks and dry snorkels.

  • Open daily 8 AM–5 PM with inter-island returns

2. Waikiki Shore Beach Service

  • Beach stand on Waikiki

  • Offers mask, snorkel, fins with flexible hourly, daily, and 5–10-day rentals ($12/hour, $35/day, $45 for 5 days)

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⚠️ General Snorkeling Pro Tips for Oʻahu

  • Avoid stepping on coral – it damages the reef and can injure you.

  • Use reef-safe sunscreen – required by law in Hawaiʻi.

  • Check ocean conditions: Use hawaiibeachsafety.com before going.

  • If diving, consider bringing a dive flag at deeper or less populated sites.

  • Turtles are protected – stay at least 10 ft away.

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