Snorkeling in Hawaii

[21forever]

My DH and I want to snorkle in HI. He has decided on an excursion in Kona. My question is, there is a morning and an afternoon one. Is one any better than the other?

[pcs15]

As a general rule the water tends to get more stirred up as the day goes on, therefore visibility is usually better in the morning. I'd go with the morning excursion.

[10X]

Do morning for sure. The trade winds begin to pick up by noon so the water becomes more rough and stirred up after that. Scuba diving boats almost always leave at or before 7AM so they can get in 2 dives and be back at the dock by noon.

[Middleager]

We just came back from a wonderful cruise trip to Hawaii. I did lots of diving while my wife and friends (2 other couples) snorkeled. The underwater life in Kona is quite good. We did both of our sites north of the Kailua-Kona harbour. There are also good sites south, especially the most famous one at the Kaleakekua Bay.

 

Morning the water is calmer as was pointed out. But the afternoone dive/snorkel we had was also pretty good. Unless you're going to Kaleakekua Bay (need to be on boat or kayak to get to), there are lots of good shore snorkeling sites.

[doryv]

The snorkeling is awesome in Kona. I snorkeled and my DH scuba'd.. it was morning when we went and then had lunch on onboard. It was great. We snorkeled in Maui too but IMO, Kona was the best. Enjoy!

[21forever]

Thanks so much for all your advice. I think we have been convinced to do the a.m. trip.

[ciroon]

Anyone going to be on the Serenade 10/6 cruise? We're trying to decided where to snorkel also. Thought about West Maui Molokini Crater Snorkel. Anyone every done this one?

[SeaYa52]

Molokini is FANTASTIC!!!!! We're going back next July.