11 Best Places to Snorkel On Oahu, Hawaii + Warnings

We have been snorkelling in Hawaii for 20 years, and Oahu is one of our favourite places. Although it is the most populated of the Hawaiian islands, Oahu has some amazing snorkelling locations that you can do right from the beach! The best places to snorkel on Oahu, Hawaii by area!

Over the years, the coral in Hawaii and on Oahu in particular has taken a bit of a beating due to global warming. This trip when I went to Oahu, I thought that the fish population was going to be a lot smaller than other visits I have had in Hawaii. Boy was I surprised. There was a massive population of fish still on Oahu. They have moved a little bit further out from shore, but thank god they are still here.

Myself and our kids spent a lot of time snorkelling in every location over a 3 week period this trip and We want to share everything we learned and all of the best places to snorkel on Oahu by area.

11 Best Places to Snorkel On Oahu, Hawaii

11 Best places to snorkel on Oahu, Hawaii

1. Ko Olina Beach Park and Lagoons snorkelling

I litterally spent 2 entire days snorkelling in the different lagoons in Ko Olina. This area is rich with fish, turtles and monk seals. We were out spearfishing right by Ko Olina at Nimitz beach and there was a monk seal just sleeping there all day. It was unreal.

There are 5 Ko Olina lagoons, and they are all very diverse and pretty shallow. The visibility here is always pretty good because the lagoons are protected by rock walls.

Ko Olina is located to the west of the island, and many large resorts are located here including the disney resort. Read more about Ko Olina snorkelling here.

2. Snorkel Sharks Cove Oahu

Sharks cove is a long time favourite of mine. It is only really good and safe to go to in the summer time when the waves on the north shore are calmer. Sharks cove is one of the best places to snorkel on Oahu because of the massive fish population along with loads of turtles to swim with. Don’t worry, you probably will never see a shark in the cove. Once I was snorkelling in sharks cove and I saw a group of around 500+ Naso tangs mating. Other fish were chasing them and eating. It was unreal.

3. Waikiki beach Snorkelling

Believe it or not, Waikiki beach has pretty good snorkelling if you look in the right places. Waikiki beach has great kids snorkelling in the coves, and there are tons of turtles swimming around the beach. The fish population is not great near the surfers, but move down a bit and you will be pleasantly surprised!

Snorkelling Waikiki Beach, Oahu

4. Hanauma Bay

Hanauma bay used to be amazing, and you can still see a lot of fish here. However it has taken a beating over the years with too many tourists visiting the beach and poisoning the coral reef here. It can also be dangerous and I almost died here. Read my article before you go to Hanauma bay about everything you need to know about this area before you go.

5. Electric Beach

This beach has really amazing snorkelling. It actually happened by accident. There is a power plant nearby that has a tube that goes into the ocean, releasing warm water into the area. Because of this, a frenzy of fish, turtles, spinner dolphins and other animals flock to the area for the warm water.

Be careful with your stuff in this area, and only bring what you have to. There are a lot of shady characters in the area, and your car is very likely to be broken into if you leave valuable inside. The snorkelling is worth it and it is not very far from Waikiki. But be aware of car thefts. I have been robbed while at a beach in Hawaii, and it feels like crap. It happened to me in Maui, and I will never forget the feeling.

6. Kahala Beach Snorkelling

Kahala beach is located at the Kahala resort in Honolulu. This beach had really good snorkelling near the bay area and the doc area. It is very shallow very far out and then there is a drop off. At the drop off there is a lot of sea life and the water is very clear. In the shallows you might see a lot of small fish.

You can also snorkel at the resort in their pools, where they stock large fish and dolphins! The entry fee is $200 to swim with the dolphins, but it is worth it for the memory.

7. Sans Souci Beach

This beach is located and attached to Waikiki beach, it is close to Kapiolani park and the Waikiki aquarium. It is one of the best places to snorkel on Oahu because there are way less people here and the reef is in descent shape compared to the rest of Waikiki beach.

There will be a lot of turtles and rays in the area, so have your underwater camera at the ready!

Snorkelling in Oahu

8. Turtle Bay Snorkelling

Is located at the turtle bay resort in the north shore. I have been snorkelling in this area at least 3 times, and I have never had a bad experience. With 2 hidden beaches in the area,  they are so picturesque that we saw a movie being filmed here.

There will be every amenity you can think of at this beach including a badass beachfront restaurant to have a drink at or eat. There are clean bathrooms, and it is a very safe environment. People always forget that Hawaii can be dangerous if you are in the wrong areas, just like other parts of the world.

9. Snorkel Kailua

Kailua has great snorkelling in the summer months when the water is calmer. There is a small island that you can kayak to from the beach. It is a bird nesting island, and the some of the best snorkelling on Oahu is in this area all around the island.

If you want to try something different in Kailua, then snorkel in the river leading to the ocean. It is really neat because it is brackish water. Salt water mixed with fresh. There are some different species in this area, that you may see no where else on Oahu!

Kailua has great small restaurants and shops to visit. It is actually the best place on Oahu for kite surfing! And Barrack Obama is from Kailua.

10. Kulima Cove Oahu Snorkelling

This is the second beach near turtle cove. It has very still water, and is best for beginner snorkelers. You will see a lot of sea life in Kulima cove as because of its location, it is a fish feeding ground.

Best Places On Oahu to Snorkel with kids

1. Waikiki kids coves

There are two main kids coves right in Waikiki, where they have built a man made wall preventing the waves from entering the coves. These are some of the best places in all of Hawaii for kids to learn how to snorkel, because the visibility is great and it is shallow.

You will find all of the fish in this area are around the wall as it has created a false reef here.

2. Secret Lagoon at Ko Olina

The secret lagoon in Ko Olina was our absolute favourite spot this trip for kid friendly snorkelling. There was a lot of life in this shallow cove area. And a large area to explore.

3. Turtle Bay

Turtle bay is also great for kids, as the water is tranquil due to the large rocks on the outside of the bay. There is a lot of coral here in shallow water, and the beach is stunning.

4. Kahala beach and resort

Kahala has literally no waves for a kilometre or so. There are lots of fish to snorkel with right in the shallow water.

Snorkelling in Oahu

Best Places to swim with the dolphins in Oahu

Kahala resort Oahu Dolphin swim (Dolphin quest)

At the Kahala resort in Honolulu, there are man made pools with dolphins and sea turtles in them. It is called dolphin quest and you can swim with the dolphins here for $240 USD.

Open Ocean snorkel adventures

There are a few companies that you can hire to take you out in the open ocean, so that you can swim with wild dolphins! To me this is a better spend with your money as the dolphins are not kept captive in this scenario. The experience is much more natural.

Sea Life park Oahu

Located on the east side of the island, sea life park has a swim with the dolphins program for $259USD.

Best place to snorkel with turtles on Oahu

Waikiki beach

Waikiki beach has loads of turtles, they are everywhere. I stayed once at the Sheraton Waikiki and when you look down at the water from this location, you will literally see 30+ turtles at the time in the water. They are huge shadows in the water. This time as I snorkelled around with my son, we saw 4 turtles in a 2 hr timeframe.

Ko Olina secret Lagoon

As soon as we arrived at the secret lagoon in Ko Olina, we saw a few people in the water following something. Me and the 2 kids hopped in and saw that it was a huge sea turtle!

We spent an entire day at this beach and there were multiple turtles around all day. The water is really clear and you can see these majestic animals for up to 30 meters here.

Electric beach

Electric beach has lots of turtles, because of the warmer water in the area. It would be hard not to see a turtle if you are snorkelling at this beach on Oahu.

Oahu Snorkelling tips

• Do not snorkel in the north shore in the winter times
• If you are wearing fins, enter the water backwards until you are deep enough to swim
• Do not touch the wildlife
• Stay away from the rocks
• Avoid large waves
• Read the beach sign flags to see if it is safe to enter the water
• Stay away from jelly fish, they can kill you
• Do not feed the sea life
• It is illegal to touch the turtles or to bother them
• Use reef safe sunscreen
• Wear water gloves
• Have a plan when you enter the water.
• Have buddy swimming with you

Best places to snorkel on Oahu’s North Shore

1. Sharks Cove
2. Waimea Bay
3. Turtle Bay

Best Place to Snorkel in Honolulu

1. Waikiki beach
2. Sans Souci Beach
3. Queens Beach
4. Kamana Beach
5. Ko’ Olina
6. Electric Beach

Types of fish and Wildlife you will see when you snorkel on Oahu, Hawaii

1. Naso Tangs
2. Yellow Tangs
3. Goatfish
4. Hawaiian Sea Turtles
5. Manta rays
6. Eagle Rays
7. Butterfly fish
8. Angel fish
9. Wrasses
10. Monk Seals
11. Crabs
12. Octopus
13. Jelly fish( hopefully not)
14. Lobster
15. Parrotfish
16. Coral

Oahu Snorkelling guide

Common questions about snorkelling on Oahu

What do I do if I see a shark when I am snorkelling?

If you see a shark when you are snorkelling in Oahu, you should remain calm. Easy to say I know, but I want you to try to identify the shark before you freak out. Some sharks are called reef sharks and are very unlikely to bite. They are actually scared of humans. So if you look at a shark and see that it has white or black on its upper fin, you will know that it is a reef shark and will not harm you.

Either way try to remain calm, sharks can sense fear. Do not thrash around in the water, as this will attract the shark to you, it reminds them of fish that are hurt….easy prey. Keep your eye on the shark and swim slowly to your boat or to shore. Sharks do not like the shallows.

Is snorkelling safe in Hawaii, Oahu?

Yes snorkelling is very safe on Oahu, Hawaii. There are hardly anything poisonous in the waters. The main danger of snorkelling here is the ocean and the currents. Always pay attention the the signs on the beach to see if it is safe to go out. And if you are concerned with safety, swim at the beaches that have life guards.

Does Oahu have nice coral reefs to snorkel in?

No the coral  reefs at the shoreline are all very bleached out. Every year I go there it gets worse. To find nice reefs around Hawaii, you will have to go out further in a boat. The water will be colder here and the healthy reefs may be in a bit of deeper water.

What is the best time to snorkel in Oahu, Hawaii?

The best time to snorkel on Oahu, Hawaii is at 6am. This is when the nocturnal creatures are eating dinner and going to sleep, and when the daytime fish wake up and eat their breakfast! It is really beautiful, and I take advantage of this every time I go to Hawaii.

Where can I snorkel in Oahu?

You can snorkel at most beaches on Oahu, just beware that the north shore waves and visibility is really bad in the winter months. If you are planning to snorkel on Oahu, I would stick to the places in this guide. I have literally driven around the entire island and visited most of the beaches on Oahu in search of the best places to snorkel here.

Should I go on a snorkelling tour in Oahu, Hawaii?

I think the snorkelling tours that are inland are a waste of money. If you want an awesome snorkelling tour, take one that will put you on a boat and take you out further. You will find the visibility and the sea life much better out here.

Can I drive to the snorkel spots on Oahu?

Yes you can drive to all of the good snorkel spots around the mainland of Oahu. I have driven to every one of the locations listed here.

Do the turtles bite in Oahu?

I’m sure they can, and probably very hard. I have never been bit by a turtle because by law you are supposed to keep your distance and not disturb the turtles. Turtles are gentle creatures, but like anything if you push them hard enough they may bite.

Things you need to go snorkelling on Oahu, Hawaii

1. Reef safe Sunscreen

When you are snorkelling it is really important to wear reef safe sunscreen. When you are in the water, the hot Hawaiian sun will be amplified by the reflection on the water. I have seen a lot of people burn this way.

2. Snorkel mask

This is for obvious reasons, so that you can see in the water. And don’t use one of those cheat masks (full face). They are very dangerous to use in the ocean.

3. Fins or water shoes

Fins help you swim faster if there is a strong current, Water shoes can protect your feet when you are entering and exiting the water. It will also protect you if you get into a dangerous situation in the water.

4. Whistle for safety

I highly recommend this as when you are in the ocean, you may be hard to see and hear. A whistle will help to pinpoint your location.

5. Rash guard or wet suit

I use wet suit top when I snorkel called shark skin. This thing is the best, it keeps me warm, buoyant and has saved my in a few situations from getting cut on coral and rock!

6. Lots of water

Snorkelling can be exhausting and you might take in some salt water. Make sure you bring lots of water to keep you well hydrated!

7. Towel

To dry off and to put on the car seat when you are driving back.

8. Waterproof camera

To capture the moments when you are snorkelling.

If you have any more insight or questions about Honolulu, Oahu, please shoot us an email or comment. We want our Hawaii Travel blogs to be the most comprehensive source of information about Hawaii on the internet.

The Rampersauds at Ko Olina Beach in Oahu, Hawaii