Best snorkeling on Oahu: 10 spots beyond Hanauma Bay
Oahu's best snorkel spots beyond Hanauma Bay, from Shark's Cove and Three Tables to Ko Olina and Turtle Canyon, with directions, seasons, levels and tours.
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On this page
Hanauma Bay gets all the attention, but it needs a reservation, closes two days a week and fills up fast. Oahu has plenty of other good snorkeling, much of it free and uncrowded if you pick the right coast for the season.
The Oahu rule: North Shore in summer, everything else all year. In winter, waves on the North Shore regularly reach 15 to 30 feet and more.
Map of Oahu snorkel spots
North Shore (summer)
From roughly May to September, the North Shore turns from big-wave surf into calm, clear lagoons. Pupukea Beach Park, which includes Shark's Cove and Three Tables, is a marine life conservation district.
Shark's Cove (Pupukea)
North Shore
- Level
- 2 of 5
- Entry
- Shore, rocky
- Depth
- 3–40 ft
- Visibility
- Excellent in summer
- Best months
- May to September
- Facilities
- Restrooms across the road, food trucks
- Fees and permits
- Free
- What you'll see
- Lava arches and tubes, reef fish, turtles
How to get there
On Kamehameha Highway in Pupukea. Parking along the road and in a small lot. Wear reef shoes for the sharp lava.
21.651° N, 158.063° WDirections
Three Tables
North Shore
- Level
- 2 of 5
- Entry
- Shore, sandy
- Depth
- 3–20 ft
- Visibility
- Excellent in summer
- Best months
- May to September
- Facilities
- Restrooms at Waimea Bay
- Fees and permits
- Free
- What you'll see
- Reef fish, turtles around the three flat rocks
How to get there
Just south of Shark's Cove at Pupukea Beach Park. Snorkel around the flat 'tables' but stay inside them; the outside gets current.
21.646° N, 158.064° WDirections
Waimea Bay
North Shore
- Level
- 2 of 5
- Entry
- Shore, sandy
- Depth
- 5–30 ft
- Visibility
- Good in summer
- Best months
- June to August, flat days only
- Facilities
- Restrooms, showers, lifeguard
- Fees and permits
- Free lot (fills fast)
- What you'll see
- Reef along the rocky south side, turtles
How to get there
Waimea Bay Beach Park off Kamehameha Highway. Parking is tight; arrive early. In winter this is a big-wave surf break.
21.641° N, 158.066° WDirections
Kuilima Cove
North Shore (Turtle Bay)
- Level
- 1 of 5
- Entry
- Shore, sandy
- Depth
- 2–10 ft
- Visibility
- Good
- Best months
- Year-round
- Facilities
- Restrooms, showers, rentals
- Fees and permits
- Free public parking
- What you'll see
- Turtles, reef fish
How to get there
Public beach access parking next to Turtle Bay Resort. A reef shelters the cove even in winter.
21.707° N, 157.999° WDirections
West side (Leeward Oahu)
The west side is drier and sunnier than the rest of the island. It is also less touristy, so be respectful at local beaches and do not leave valuables in the car.
Electric Beach (Kahe Point)
West Oahu
- Level
- 4 of 5
- Entry
- Shore, sandy then deep
- Depth
- 15–40 ft
- Visibility
- Good
- Best months
- Summer, calm days
- Facilities
- Restrooms, showers
- Fees and permits
- Free
- What you'll see
- Big fish schools at the warm-water outflow, turtles
How to get there
Kahe Point Beach Park on Farrington Highway across from the power plant. Swim about 150 yards to the outflow. Strong currents: confident swimmers only.
21.355° N, 158.131° WDirections
Ko Olina lagoons
West Oahu
- Level
- 1 of 5
- Entry
- Shore, sandy
- Depth
- 2–12 ft
- Visibility
- Good
- Best months
- Year-round
- Facilities
- Restrooms, showers
- Fees and permits
- Free; limited public parking
- What you'll see
- Reef fish along the rock walls, sometimes turtles
How to get there
Four man-made lagoons at the Ko Olina resort. Each has a small public lot; Lagoon 4 is usually best for snorkeling.
21.336° N, 158.123° WDirections
Makua Beach
West Oahu
- Level
- 3 of 5
- Entry
- Shore, sandy
- Depth
- 5–40 ft
- Visibility
- Good
- Best months
- Summer, calm days
- Facilities
- None
- Fees and permits
- Free
- What you'll see
- Reef fish; spinner dolphins rest in the bay
How to get there
Off Farrington Highway near the end of the road. No facilities. Federal rules require you to stay at least 50 yards from spinner dolphins.
21.528° N, 158.231° WDirections
Waikiki and the South Shore
Kaimana Beach (Waikiki MLCD)
Waikiki, South Shore
- Level
- 2 of 5
- Entry
- Shore, sandy
- Depth
- 3–20 ft
- Visibility
- Fair to good
- Best months
- Calm mornings year-round
- Facilities
- Restrooms, showers, lifeguard
- Fees and permits
- Free
- What you'll see
- Reef fish in the marine life conservation district, turtles
How to get there
At the Diamond Head end of Waikiki, by the Natatorium. The Waikiki Marine Life Conservation District protects the reef between here and the Waikiki Aquarium.
21.267° N, 157.822° WDirections
Turtle Canyon
Off Waikiki
- Level
- 1 of 5
- Entry
- Boat only
- Depth
- 20–35 ft
- Visibility
- Good
- Best months
- Year-round
- Facilities
- On the boat
- Fees and permits
- Included in tour
- What you'll see
- Green sea turtles at cleaning stations
How to get there
Boat trips from Waikiki beach, Kewalo Basin or the Hilton lagoon. See our Turtle Canyon tour comparison.
21.268° N, 157.832° WDirections
Turtle Canyon is a shallow reef where green sea turtles visit cleaning stations. It is the easiest way to see turtles if you are staying in Waikiki, and most trips include guides in the water. We compared six boats in Turtle Canyon snorkel tours.
| Tour | Leaves from | Time | Group | From | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turtle Canyon guided snorkel with turtle guaranteeViator: beginners | Waikiki | About 2 h | Guides in the water | $75–85 | Check availability |
| Turtle Canyon snorkeling tourGetYourGuide: short walk from hotels | Hilton lagoon, Waikiki | About 2 h | Boat | $81 | Check availability |
| Turtle Canyons cruise and snorkelGetYourGuide: bigger boat, smoother ride | Kewalo Basin | About 2.5 h | Catamaran | $89 | Check availability |
| All Oahu snorkeling toursViator: browse every option | Oahu | Varies | Varies | — | See all tours |
Hanauma Bay
Hanauma Bay
East Oahu
- Level
- 1 of 5
- Entry
- Shore, sandy
- Depth
- 3–30 ft
- Visibility
- Good
- Best months
- Year-round
- Facilities
- Full visitor center
- Fees and permits
- Entry fee and reservation
- What you'll see
- Reef fish, turtles
How to get there
Reservations open online two days ahead. See our Hanauma Bay guide.
21.269° N, 157.694° WDirections
Hanauma is still Oahu's best beginner spot when you can get in. Our Hanauma Bay guide explains reservations, fees, closed days and how to get the best time slot.
Safety on Oahu
- Read the surf before you go. Check the Hawaii lifeguard surf report and choose a coast with small waves.
- Never turn your back on the ocean at rocky spots like Shark's Cove.
- Currents: Electric Beach, Makua and the outside of Three Tables can pull. Stay close to shore unless you are a strong swimmer.
- Flotation: a snorkel vest is a good idea for anyone who is not a confident swimmer.
For the rest of the islands, see best places to snorkel in Hawaii, and if you are new to snorkeling, start with Hawaii snorkeling for beginners.
Questions people ask
Where is the best snorkeling on Oahu besides Hanauma Bay?
Can I snorkel on the North Shore in winter?
Where can I snorkel with turtles on Oahu?
Can I snorkel in Waikiki?
Keep reading
HawaiiHanauma Bay snorkeling: reservations, tips and is it worth it?
ToursTurtle Canyon snorkel tours from Waikiki: 6 compared
HawaiiBest places to snorkel in Hawaii: 20 spots by island
HawaiiBest snorkeling spots in Hawaii for beginners
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