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Hawaii Snorkeling
Guide - Hilo
Below is our list of favorite snorkeling locations on the Hilo
(eastern) side of the Island. This is not a comprehensive list
of all snorkeling locations on the Big Island, but merely a personal
guide of our most frequented snorkeling sites.
Check out our Kona Snorkeling Guide for
snorkel destinations on the western side of the island.
Leleiwi Beach Park
 Location - Approx. 4 miles East of Hilo on Keaukaha Coast.
Water Entry / Exit - Climb over the low rock wall onto the
lava point. Enter the water to the right on the low shelf.
Watch your step on the slippery lava rock, and be careful of the waves
when entering the water. You may have to time your entry to
right after the wave hits the lava shelf. Do not attempt to
enter in high surf.
 Snorkel Route - Start off to the left of the rock wall and
follow the reef. Hawaiian Sea turtles are very common in this area.
A visit to Leleiwi Beach Park without seeing turtles is very rare.
Extras - Picnic area; coral sea arch.
Directions - Take Rte 11 South / Kanoelehua until it ends
(near airport) at Banyan Drive; turn right onto Kamehameha; drive
along the coast approx. 5 miles. The parking lot and sign to the
park will be on the left side.
Richardson's Beach Park
Location - Approx. 4.5 miles East of Hilo on Keaukaha Coast.
 Water Entry / Exit - Easy via the black sand beach.
Snorkel Route - for beginners, stay in the enclosed cove.
Watch out for surfers. For the adventurous, swim out and around
(South) the lava rock outcrops this will lead you to a nice reef and
lots of fish and usually sea turtles too - be careful during high surf
conditions. The protected cove attracts a multitude of colorful
fish that swim around the coral reef. Out beyond the cove the
water deepens.
Extras - Lifeguard on duty; showers and bathrooms, black sand
beach; take the time to venture South along the beach to the lava rock
tidal pools.
 Directions - Take Rte 11 South / Kanoelehua until it ends
(near airport) at Banyan Drive; turn right onto Kamehameha; drive
along the coast approx. 6 miles (pass Leleiwi Beach) until just before
the road ends. The parking lot and sign to the park will be on
the left side.
 Leleiwi
Beach Park and Richardson Beach
Park are located adjacent to
each other. We suggest you try to snorkel both locations in
the same day. Start the morning at Leleiwi, bring a picnic
lunch and drinks. After snorkeling at Leleiwi, enjoy a
relaxing lunch in the pavilion and then head down to Richardson's
for the afternoon.
Kapoho Tide Pools
 Location - Approx. 25 miles Southeast of Hilo on Puna Coast.
Water Entry / Exit - Tidal pools protected from surf.
Easy entry into calm waters. Bring sandals / water shoes for
short walk over lava rocks. Regardless of the ocean
conditions,
 these tidal pools are protected from the surf.
Snorkel Route - Enter any tidal pool, many are
interconnected. Tidal pools closer to the ocean contain more
sea life. Watch out for stronger current near the ocean.
Extras - Crystal clear water; calm surf conditions excellent
for children and weaker swimmers; lava shelves for sunbathing;
abundant fish and coral population; see if you can spot any sea
cucumbers!
 Directions - From Hilo, head South on Rte 11. At Keau,
turn left onto Rte 130 (Pahoa Rd). Follow the signs for
Kalapana. Once you pass the town of Pahoa, look for signs for
Kapoho. You will take a left towards Kapoho on Rte 132 after
passing Lava Tree State Park. Follow Rte 132 until it
 ends at
a four-way intersection. Do not go down the dirt road straight
ahead. Turn right onto Rte 137 (paved road) and follow it
until you reach Kapoho Kai Rd. Turn left on Kapoho Kai Rd into
the Vacationland subdivision. Continue down the road and turn
right on Ho'ola'i Rd. This road curves left and takes you to
the Kapoho Coast. Park on the side of the road when you reach
the large open area to the right. You should see the ocean and
tide pools here. Parking is limited.
We
recommend you picnic on the lava rocks underneath the small
collection of palm trees next to the road. This is an
excellent place for a barbeque, but you will need to bring your own
grill. The lava shelves offer excellent opportunities for
sunbathing. This is a nice trip even if you do not have
snorkeling gear. The clear tidal pools and warm sun offer a
true taste of paradise.
More
information and photos on Kapoho Tidal Pools
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