Hawaii

If vibrant fish, brilliant coral, and crystal clear waters are up your alley, you’re going to LOVE snorkeling on the Big Island of Hawaii. In my opinion, this underrated island offers the best snorkeling in the entire state! Here’s 4 unmissable Big Island snorkeling spots to explore Hawaii’s jaw-dropping underwater world and see its incredible wildlife.

The Big Island of Hawaii is incredibly diverse, offering active volcanoes, colorful coral reefs, and stunning beaches. With such a dynamic range of activities to enjoy, it can be hard to know what to pack into a single vacation here. Not to worry, though- we’ve laid out your 8-day Big Island itinerary- and suggestions if you have less time here- to make the most of this tropical paradise.

Home to one of the most active volcanoes on the planet, you’d think that the Big Island of Hawaii would offer tons of hot springs. And while there used to be several hot springs on the island, most of them were consumed by lava in a recent eruption, leaving only one untouched. Here’s everything you need to know to visit the Pohoiki Hot Springs, the only accessible hot springs on the Big Island.

One of the most incredible things you can do in Kona on the Big Island is snorkeling with manta rays. But there are a few unique aspects of this activity- you’ll be swimming with the fifth largest fish species in the world, in the middle of the ocean, at night. So you’ve got some questions about the experience, here’s everything you need to know about manta ray snorkeling in Kona.

For the best snorkeling on the Big Island, Kealakekua Bay, in the town of Captain Cook, offers a coral reef absolutely teeming with wildlife. Taking a tour is an awesome way to find the best snorkeling spots and learn about the bay’s wildlife. If you want a tour operator that cares for and protects this special place, here’s 3 of the best Captain Cook snorkel tours for exploring Kealakekua Bay.