Dan was our instructor. At the opening of these pipes, the water is several degrees warmer than the rest of the ocean and this warmth attracts shoals of marine life. Check out the Holokai or Makani catamarans for a great deal on a Turtle Canyon snorkeling tour. It is also closed for commercial tours on weekends and state/federal holidays. We also receive a small commission from travel partners for some of the links found on this website. My kids (5 and 3) play there and we have no real fear since it is so calm and shallow. Beautiful beaches, the Dole Plantation, and various other sites had us all feeling giddy with excitement. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Where do I Find the Legal Vacation Rentals? Guests who are pregnant are not permitted to participate in this activity. (I feel as if I am going to panic if my face goes in the water, or if I am over my head, especially somewhere besides a pool where there are no sides!) Just a word of cautionmy Mom can swim and enjoys being in the water, but could NOT snorkel. I found a place where I wasn't around a lot of people or reef, and. I really enjoy it and am amazed at what can be found under the water - a whole new world. With a maximum of six guests, you will be sure to have a safe and memorable snorkeling experience as you explore the calm and protected waters of Hanauma Bay, and your guide will take you to the best locations to see tropical fish, Hawaiian green sea turtles and other marine creatures. It is located next to the Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore of Oahu. Hanauma Bay is one of Oahu's top 3 places to visit and with around 1000 visitors per day it is one of the world's most popular snorkel destinations! This beach gets its name from three giant flat-top, table-like coral reefs that are just 50 feet offshore and can sometimes be spotted from the bay at low tide. If you go Pennekamp Coral State Park and take the snorkeling tour, they require that you be able to swim. Please click here for the Hawaii State Holiday Schedule. And the rest of the time is ideal for snorkeling as waters are generally calm and you can take your time and explore. None of us know how to swim. Snorkeling can be traced back thousands of years, with divers using hollow reeds as snorkels and little else in the early days. During the tour, your guide will do their best to take professional photos throughout the tour, and if available, they will be posted on the company Facebook page for you to download. There are snorkel jackets and belts specifically designed for snorkeling. My daughter-in-law uses a boogie board. Dont let the name fool you Sharks Cove isnt known to contain sharks (except for perhaps a couple of tiny white-tipped reef sharks). Your guide will do their best to take professional photos throughout the tour, and if available, they will be posted on the company Facebook page for you to download. Standing on coral, kills it, immediately so stand on nothing but sand. All instruction and personalized attention, 3894 Wailea Alanui Dr, Kihei, HI 96753, USA, Confirmation will be received at time of booking, Not recommended for travelers with back problems, No heart problems or other serious medical conditions, Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level, This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers. more. Being a non-swimmer (who's almost drowned a couple of times), I'm weird about having my head underwater. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-32329633', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Hawaii? A snorkel tour will be your best option. Trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. Any suggestions/comments on how to choose a mask would be appreciated.<. This place is excellent for a family with kids as they can swim safely and wade about in this open-air aquarium. Advertising - The four protected lagoons that front the beach are perfect for a calm snorkel sesh for children and beginners. Mahalo! The reef at Wailea Beach is great. It would be worth a try, and it also makes you feel good to say "I snorkeled". Snorkeling in Oahu is a great form of exercise, boosting your cardio health, flexibility and overall fitness level. The ocean is a beautiful, but powerful and unforgiving environment. Excellent experience, we had such a great time. Full guides on the top bucket list travel destinations to inspire your wanderlust! Except the best viewing is out further in the water, where you can float above coral. Snorkeling for Non-Swimmers for First Time - Wailea Beach 138 Ratings Live Guide Instant Confirmation Group Tour E-Ticket 1.5 hr Learn about the culture as Triston paddle through the magnificent coral-sea garden of Wailea point. We saw lots of fish! Please. I found it hard to take a breath because, after all, my face was in the water! With so much aquatic life in one of the most pristine settings in the world, it's easy to see why so many people continue to flock to Oahu each year to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Shark's Cove was named because a reef outside the cove resembled the shape of a shark, so you shouldnt have to worry about encountering any real ones as you snorkel. Please submit your request upon booking. Oahu. I just wanted to add an option. There are prescription snorkel masks provided, however, selection is limited. The ocean is a living thing and ocean related incidents are the greatest cause of deaths for tourists. No trip to Honolulu would be complete without visiting this vibrant and spectacular treasure. Learn to swim, it's never too late, take lessons at the Y, it's worth it! There are prescription snorkel masks provided, however, selection is limited. Youll be swimming with more sea turtles than you can count! Anyhow, I wanted to snorkel so bad!! Fun, safe, and amazing first time snorkeling experience. I tried one of those once, while learning to snorkel and couldn't see a thing through it!! Archive - Even she enjoyed! Tip: You can use a little petrolium jelly along the edges of the mask to make a better seal and help prevent leaks. Which place is best for snorkeling for a non swimmers and which floating device would be best? :) My mom isn't a swimmer; she was a good sport when we took her out on a kayak/snorkel trip on (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Plus, theres no lifeguard. The hosts were very kind with working through any fears in the water and also pointed out and brought up cool sea creatures. You need to be aware of the ocean conditions, how they can change in an instant and what to do if you get caught in a rip tide or swift current. The reason I recommend this is that you can really get into trouble on the beach. * Hawaii-Guide.com is not a booking agent, accommodation provider, establishment, or tour operator. Restrooms and showers are both available at the Hanauma Bay State Park. Check Out the Newest Tours & Activities on Oahu, Top Waikiki Booze Cruises, Sunset Sails & Daytime Fun Boats, Oahu Hidden Gems Tours & Top Hawaii Unique Experiences, Top 5 Best Polynesian Luau Dinner Show in Oahu, Snorkel Tours from Ko Olina & Waianae Harbor, Explore Oahu's Best Water Activities & Honolulu Watersports, Explore Kualoa Ranch - Jurassic Valley Adventure Park, Oahu Bestseller Tours - Likely to Sell Out Attractions. * Hawaii-Guide.com is not a booking agent, accommodation provider, establishment, or tour operator. She wasn't in for very long, but did get to experience some snorkeling in a very safe way. The instructors were patient and kind and helped both of my kids get comfortable in the ocean. Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews. There is no safe place for non swimmers to snorkel and no floating device that can make it safe. Less than -10 days 50% refund And to top it all off, this tour keeps you fueled up with food and drink throughout the day. Are prescription snorkel masks available? Advanced Reservations For USS Arizona Memorial. From calm bay areas perfect for beginners to more challenging spots for experienced snorkelers, here are some of the best spots for snorkeling in Oahu. Swimming with turtles in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience. This place is only accessible by boat, so youll need to book an excursion with one of the snorkeling tour companies in the area. The reef is teeming with colorful fish of all shapes and sizes. While my kids can swim pretty well, my youngest has a fear of swimming in the ocean. After your pick-up, head straight to Hanauma Bay and skip the long entry lines with your guide as you make your way down to the ocean. Any insight to sway on Waikiki accommodations? Beginner snorkelers will feel safe and comfortable learning about the sport during this small-group class. Best option would be Ko Olina on the west coast. Unique Experiences - Big Island of Hawaii, Kalaupapa National Historical Park Tours & Tickets, Iao Valley State Monument Tours & Tickets, Hana Lava Tube (Ka'eleku Caverns) Tours & Tickets, Puaa Kaa State Wayside Park Tours & Tickets. Guests with exhaustion are not permitted to participate in this activity. Answer 1 of 13: Aloha . There is public parking available for all four lagoons from sunrise to sunset that is first come-first served, or you can pay for valet parking at one of the resorts (like the Disney Aulani Resort). Kahe is also a popular spot for scuba diving and spearfishing, so dont forget to share the space! A riptide or current could put you in harms way before anyone else really notices. Even with that, though, be aware that you don't want to go out too deep, and don't get in a spot where you have to stand on the coral. Ocean conditions change with the seasons. family looks forward to more snorkeling. whilst i would think i'm a good swimmer, i get mini panic attacks if i get caught in a rip or get scared so when we went to hanauma bay, we got life jackets and we didn't mind and we found it safe when we were snorkelling. The key to safe, enjoyable snorkeling for a non-swimmer is to find a fairly shallow, reef-protected location that will offer calm, clear water where you can put your feet down and stand up. I would encourage you to try this, and then if you just can't seem to do it or get used to it, then try the boogie board. One thing to try to get your confidence up before venturing into the ocean is trying it out in a swimming pool. Book one activity and receive a coupon for {{string_target}} off your second activity. Scuba Diving Magazine even gave it the distinction of being one of the twelve best shore dives in the world. Nevertheless, when we were on the BI a few years ago I really wanted to try it. Hanauma Bay is the number one spot in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I know there will be some who think this is silly, but it worked for me, and I'm so glad I tried it. At first it was just for a second or two before I felt like I would hyperventilate. Overall, this was an amazing experience that my partner and I highly recommend!!! How about taking swim lessons at the Y? i couldn't find a place to find a lifejacket in waikiki but maybe it was in ABC shops and didn't realise it? The bay is home to a colorful reef and an incredible amount of sea life, making it the perfect place to see eels, sea urchins, and tropical fish in their natural habitat.