10 Incredible Snorkel Spots On Oahu! (Best Beaches To Snorkel)

If you ask us, no trip to Oahu is complete without snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters off the island’s beautiful coastline.

The diverse marine life is amazing to see up close during one of your beach days and the easiest way to do so is to go snorkelling.

Snorkel gear was one of the first things we bought upon moving to Oahu and we have since spent many days in the water exploring the unique reefs of Oahu. From the more commonly visited areas, to the hidden gems, we have seen it all and drawn up our own conclusions on the positives and negatives for snorkelling across the island.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner, the following guide will point you towards the beach that suits you best for a fun and safe day of snorkelling in Oahu! Ready to dive in?

1) Shark’s Cove Beach

Pros: Good variety and number of different fish, shallow and calm enough waters to stand in, beach located across the road from food trucks

Cons: Can be too dangerous to snorkel around Winter

Shark’s Cove’s waters offer the perfect snorkel spot for beginners due to the shelter the cove offers as well as the fact that the area is shallow enough to stand in.

Located on the north shore, if you are coming from Waikiki, it will take just under an hour drive to one of the island’s most well renowned snorkel spots. The clear waters here are filled with a variety of different tropical fish and large schools of fish are often seen in these waters which is amazing to see up close.

Plenty of colorful fish, sea turtles, and maybe even an eel are just some of the wildlife you can expect to see. Don’t worry, the name is derived from the shape of the cove, not because the area is frequented by sharks.

But, if you are interested in swimming with sharks, you can check out this amazing company on the north shore which offers cage free snorkelling experiences! (This is the ORIGINAL north shore shark diving company).

The cove also features a beautiful, crescent shaped white sand beach that is perfect to view the sunset in particular. There are also a number of good food trucks across the road from the beach and you will usually not have a problem getting parking there too.

Keep in mind that through the months of November through March, the waves can be very harsh, and the choppy water can be unfit for snorkelling.

If you are planning to visit during those months always check the swell charts beforehand and aire on the side of caution. There are plenty of other amazing snorkelling destinations on Oahu!

2) Hanamau Bay

Pros: great variety marine life and calm waters for safe water activities, restrooms available, great view from the beach

Cons: You must reserve a spot in advance and pay 25 dollars per person for entrance, limited shade.

Formed within a volcanic cone, Hanauma Bay is a must-see destination if you are looking to take in Hawaii’s natural beauty! The long white sand beach is enclosed by a spectacular bay that home to a more than 450 different species of marine life.

Along with the crystal clear and calm waters, it is a fantastic place to snorkel for everyone especially as there are plenty of shallow areas where most can stand.

The large quantity of fish coupled with the colorful coral reefs has ensured no shortage of things to see during our times snorkelling at Hanauma Bay.

Open Wednesday through Sunday from 6:45am to 4pm, you will need to make a reservation to gain access this beach with it costing $25 per person for non-Hawaiian residents (those under 13 get in free).

Hanauma Bay is a 15-minute drive from Waikiki and parking costs $1 for the day. As well as uber, there are the bus routes 60, 80, and 1L that will take you there from the city.

3) Paradise Cove Beach

Pros: variety of colorful fish and high probability of seeing a sea turtle, not crowded, monk seals often rest here

Cons: Very limited parking

Paradise cove did not mislead us with its name and is a hidden gem on Oahu to go snorkelling!

The cove is small and well sheltered from waves making it ideal for snorkelling among the variety of different fish and it rarely lets us down as far as spotting sea turtles too.

A lot of the cove is shallow enough to stand in but as you move out towards the rock it gets deeper, but waves and currents are minimal. Paradise cove is one of our favorite spots to go snorkelling in Oahu.

From the shore you occasionally see the turtles resting on the cove’s rocks and often monk seals will rest on the beach (make sure to keep your distance). It is located about 30 minutes west of Honolulu if you have a car.

Parking is very limited so arrive early to make sure you get one of only about 10 spots. Even one the weekdays, plan to get there by 9:30am to avoid having to line up for a spot once they fill. On the plus side, the lack of crowds due to the limited parking is a blessing and is one of the reasons that makes Paradise Cove one of our favorite beaches! A nice change of pace from the from the busy beaches of Waikiki.

4) Waikiki Beach

Pros: Great location with nearby bathrooms, restaurants and stores, good surfing waves and possible chance you will see a sea turtle.

Cons: Very crowded beach area, limited shade

Surrounded by high rise hotels, Waikiki is an exciting neighbourhood with a beautiful beach on its doorstep. The world-famous Waikiki beach will give you a spectacular view of the Diamond Head landmark and is a great place to simply relax and enjoy the weather.

It’s also a great place to snorkel with clear and calm waters which allowed us to spot an impressive number of fish on our visit.

Sea turtles often swim in the waters off Waikiki beach so keep an eye out! Snorkelling in these waters is usually safe all year but strong currents can occur in the summer months so always check the forecast beforehand.  

For an almost guarantee of seeing a sea turtle, hop on one of the many boat tours to Turtle Canyon, located about 1.5 miles off the coast of Waikiki Beach. This was one of our favorite places to snorkel with sea turtles. Our first excursion, we saw over 10 turtles!

We would recommend booking the earliest tour (usually around 7am) for your best chance of seeing sea turtles and beating the crowds.

5) Laniakea Beach

Pros: Sea turtles on the beach

Cons: Limited area suitable for snorkelling, very rough waters in the winter

Otherwise known as Turtle Beach, Laniakea Beach is known for catching a Hawaiian sea turtle basking in the sun on the shore. There’s also a good chance you’ll spot one while snorkelling in the nearby water!

Aside from turtles, you’ll catch schools of colorful fish swimming near reefs relatively close to the shore.

The only downside to this beach is the rough waves that the north shore can experience during the winter which can affect visibility and make it unsafe to swim.

Always follow the rules laid out by the lifeguards and do not get into the water if the waves are rough. In our opinion, even in the best conditions you should not snorkel here if you are a beginner.

There is a parking lot across the street from this beach, but it can fill up quickly so like most popular beaches in the area, make you get there early to ensure a spot.

6) Electric Beach

Pros: Arguably the best off the beach snorkeling site on Oahu in terms of variety of sea life, available parking

Cons: Only suitable for strong swimmers; reefs that are a far distance from shore

Electric Beach is found on Oahu’s west coast and is a 45-minute drive from the Waikiki area. Also known as Kahe Point Beach Park, Electric Beach gets its name from the power plant located on the other side of Farrington Highway.

The beach itself is small and is not very picturesque but it offers an easy access into the water which is the main attraction. The power plant’s pipeline travels a few hundred yards out to sea and is covered in a coral reef featuring many tropical fish and eels within the crevices.

Getting out to the snorkel point is difficult as you have to swim against strong waves and was a test of our stamina for sure. We swam a few minutes to where the pipeline opens up and we saw many different fish here amongst the warm water being pumped from the pipeline.

Spinner dolphins and sea turtles often can be spotted here enjoying the warm water as well, but this is definitely not a good place to snorkel for beginners.

7) Aweoweo Beach Park

Pros: Very secluded beach great for spotting sea turtles

Cons: Choppy, unclear water in the winter months

Located on the north shore, this beach is a hidden gem for snorkeling. This secluded beach has beautiful turquoise water and is another hot spot for seeing sea turtles.

Apart from sea turtles, there’s some shallow reefs only a few feet from the shore where you can spot small colorful fish.

It can be rocky in some areas so be sure to wear water shoes.

8) Lanikai Beach

Pros: Calm, clear waters; Scenic location

Cons: Limited parking; lack of variety of sea life

A scenic atmosphere, crystal clear waters, and powdery soft sand all make Lanikai beach one of Oahu’s most popular beaches. It’s also a great snorkelling spot for beginners or children who are learning the basics.

The shallow reefs and calm water still offers a nice, relaxed snorkel experience but you will see more marine life on beaches elsewhere on the island.

Lanikai Beach itself offered great scenery of the pair of islets found a mile off the shore called Mokulua (the two islands) and is a great beach to relax as well as strengthen your snorkel skills.

If you are arriving by car, you must arrive very early as there are only a handful of parking spots in this residential area.

9) Makapuu Tide Pools

EDIT: This spot is now illegal. If you go to the tide pools, you may be ticketed.

Pros: Free parking; variety of different fish; great scenery

Cons: Dangerous hike; do not visit here before checking tide charts (only go during low tide)

Although they are a little bit treacherous to reach, the secluded, aqua blue Makapuu tide pools are a worthwhile reward! The beginning of the hike was easy as we made our way up a paved footpath that offered great views of the south eastern coastline.

After about 20 minutes on this path, we reached a rest stop that has an information board about whales and this is where the more adventurous portion of the journey began. We climbed down a steep and rocky path that took us another 40 minutes and the tide pools we reached below looked stunning as the sun’s reflection bounced off of them.

Formed from lava rock, the deep pools of water were full of different fish with some of the pools being a few meters deep. The relatively calm waters also made the visibility good which was another reason we found it perfect to snorkel here.

Be sure to bring a pair of water shoes to protect from the sharp rocks in some of the tidepools.

If you visit this spot, exercise extreme caution. Check the tides reports beforehand only go during low tide. At high tide, the waves crash into the tide pools and you can risk being swept out to sea. Even during low tide, you must be extremely cautious of rogue waves.

10) Alan Davis Beach

Pros: secluded beach area; colorful fish

Cons: Water can be choppy and unclear

Like the Makapuu tide pools, Alan Davis beach is another great snorkel spot that is a short detour from the Makapuu lighthouse trail. This a secluded cove that is not as well known by tourists but locals often come here on the weekend so going on a weekday will be your best bet to avoid crowds.

To get there, we parked at the parking lot at the bottom of the lighthouse trail but instead of walking up the tarmac pathway, we walked down the dirt pathway to the right-hand side. It took us about 15 minutes to reach the beach from here and when arrived, we were met with a fairly large beach considering there was only about 10 other people there. The water itself was well sheltered within the cove which was ideal for snorkeling in the shallow waters.

There is a path to the left-hand side of the beach that will take you to a popular area to jump off the rocks into the water. The water here is deeper than at the beach and it can be a little choppier but the clear water and plentiful fish absolutely makes it worthwhile bringing your snorkel gear here. As always, check the swell, be sure to snorkel with a buddy and stay close to one another