While the Big Island of Hawaii offers incredible hiking and volcanic landscapes, the surrounding Pacific waters provide just as many unforgettable adventures. Big Island snorkeling and beaches provide some of the worlds best snorkeling on vibrant reefs and kayaking across historic bays to deep-sea fishing offshore, the island’s ocean activities are a huge part of the Hawaiian experience.
During our two-week family vacation, we tried to pack in as many of these water adventures as possible. Some trips we booked ahead of time, while others we discovered along the way.
Before arriving, we reserved a few experiences that were high on everyone’s wish list:
- 🎣 Deep-sea fishing with Captain Robert Hudson aboard the Camelot
- 🤿 Night snorkeling and diving with manta rays
- 🐠 Daytime reef snorkeling and scuba diving
I’ve already written about the incredible manta ray dive and daytime scuba diving adventures in another post. This article focuses on the many other ocean-based activities that make the Big Island such an incredible destination for sea lovers.
🎣 Deep-Sea Fishing on the Kona Coast
Bob was especially excited to return to the Big Island for another round of deep-sea fishing.
The Kona coast is one of the best big-game fishing destinations in the world because the ocean floor drops off dramatically just a few hundred yards offshore. Within minutes of leaving the harbor, fishing boats are trolling waters thousands of feet deep.
This unique underwater topography, combined with powerful ocean currents, attracts species like:
- blue marlin
- mahi-mahi
- yellowfin tuna
- wahoo
- and sailfish
Bob booked two fishing days so our son, grandson, son-in-law, and daughter Danielle could experience the adventure with him.
They headed out from Honokōhau Harbor to meet Captain Robert Hudson aboard the Camelot, hoping to repeat the incredible success we had on a previous trip when Bob landed and released a 600-pound blue marlin.
Unfortunately, fishing is still fishing.
Despite hours of trolling through Captain Robert’s favorite fishing grounds along the Kona coast, the crew came home empty-handed both days. They did manage to catch several large bait fish and spotted dolphins and pilot whales along the way.
While the fish weren’t cooperating, everyone still enjoyed the day out on the ocean.
And to be fair — sometimes that’s simply how fishing goes.
🐠 Snorkeling at Two Step Beach
The Big Island’s west coast is famous for its crystal-clear water and excellent snorkeling.
One of the best spots we discovered was Hōnaunau Bay (Two Step), located next to Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park about 45 minutes south of Kona.
Two Step gets its name from the natural lava rock formation that creates a perfect entry point into the water — literally two steps down into the ocean.
Loaded with snorkel gear from the house and a few items we brought ourselves, about half the family headed down to the water, including our youngest grandson Ben, who was six at the time.
A small sandy area near the entry point allowed him to safely play with a boogie board while the rest of us took turns snorkeling nearby.
Danielle and I jumped in first to check the conditions before bringing the rest of the group into the water.
The reef was spectacular.
In only 10–15 feet of water, the visibility was excellent and the reef was filled with hundreds of fish and other marine life. Colorful reef fish darted through coral formations while schools of tropical fish moved in every direction.
Even our nine-year-old granddaughter Ella handled snorkeling beautifully for her first experience. Watching her confidently float above the reef helped convince us she would be ready for the night manta ray snorkeling trip later in the week.
After about an hour in the water we returned to our gear and noticed the area was getting quite crowded. Two Step is popular for good reason, and by late morning more and more snorkelers were arriving.
Before leaving, I even helped a woman climb safely out of the water and lent her a pair of water shoes to navigate the lava rocks.
⚠️ Snorkeling Safety Tips for Hawaii
Snorkeling around the Big Island can be incredible, but it’s important to respect the ocean and the delicate reef ecosystems.
Here are a few things we learned along the way:
✔ Use reef-safe sunscreen only to protect coral ecosystems
✔ Wear water shoes when walking across lava rocks
✔ Bring your own snorkel gear — many remote spots have no rentals
✔ Carry water and snacks — snorkeling burns more energy than expected
✔ Always snorkel with a buddy
✔ Consider using a flotation vest or inflatable snorkel belt
✔ Watch for sea urchins, whose spines can easily lodge in your feet
✔ Respect marine life and avoid touching coral reefs
And perhaps most importantly:
Leave your ego at home and stay within your comfort zone.
🚣 Kayaking to Captain Cook Monument
Another famous snorkeling destination on the Big Island is Kealakekua Bay, home to the Captain Cook Monument.
The monument marks the location where British explorer Captain James Cook first landed in Hawaii in 1779 — and where he was later killed during a conflict with native Hawaiians.
Today the bay is a protected marine sanctuary known for some of the best snorkeling in Hawaii.
Although boat tours operate here daily, we decided to reach the snorkeling area by kayak.
We rented three kayaks from Bayside Adventures, located in the small village along Kealakekua Bay. Note: Bayside adventures has closed but other vendors are still in business in the area providing kayak rentals and tours.
After a brief safety orientation, we paddled out across the wide bay toward the monument.
The water was relatively calm, though we did have to paddle through a few rolling waves. Once we reached the snorkeling area, we took turns slipping into the water to explore the reefs below.
The marine life here was impressive, though not quite as dense as what we saw at Two Step.
One thing to keep in mind: climbing back into a kayak from the water can be tricky. Anyone planning this trip should make sure they are physically comfortable re-entering a kayak before jumping in.
After about an hour of snorkeling we paddled back across the bay, following the landmark banyan tree our rental staff had pointed out earlier.
By the time we reached shore we were tired, hungry, and ready for lunch.
🏝️ Beaches of the Big Island
The Big Island’s beaches are unique because of the island’s volcanic origins.
Unlike many tropical destinations where beaches stretch for miles, the Big Island’s beaches are often found in small coves surrounded by lava rock formations.
The island is also famous for having several different colored sand beaches, including:
- white sand beaches on the west coast
- black sand beaches near volcanic areas
- rare green sand beaches created by olivine crystals
One of our favorite beaches was Kaunaʻoa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach), located near the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.
This beautiful crescent-shaped white sand beach is often ranked among the best in Hawaii. Although located next to the resort, the beach remains public and can be accessed through a small public parking lot.
We took the kids here several times during our stay.
The water was perfect for swimming, and the beach provided plenty of space for relaxing while the kids played in the sand and waves.
🧂 Ocean Science and Salt on the Kona Coast
Later in the trip, after most of the family had returned home, Bob and I discovered another fascinating stop along the coast: the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority.
This research park focuses on ocean science and marine sustainability.
Two particularly interesting tours stood out:
🐙 Kona Kanaloa Octopus Farm
This unique research facility studies how to successfully breed and raise octopuses in captivity — something scientists are still trying to perfect.
During the tour we even had the chance to gently interact with several octopuses in the tanks. They are incredibly intelligent creatures and surprisingly curious about visitors.
One warning: octopuses love shiny objects and will happily grab watches, rings, or cameras if given the chance.
🧂 Kona Sea Salt Farm
Another fascinating stop was the Hawaiian Salt Farm, where deep ocean water is used to produce mineral-rich sea salts.
The tour explained how cold ocean water from thousands of feet below the surface is pumped up to create unique Hawaiian sea salts.
We sampled several varieties and ended up bringing quite a few home with us.
🌊 Why Ocean Adventures Define the Big Island Experience
From snorkeling vibrant reefs to kayaking historic bays and exploring the island’s unique marine research centers, the Pacific Ocean surrounding the Big Island offers endless opportunities for adventure.
While the island’s volcanoes and landscapes are breathtaking, the ocean experiences are equally unforgettable.
For our family, these adventures created some of the most memorable moments of our entire Hawaiian vacation.
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