Is there a safe rout that people swim off their beach regularly? Also, how does the snorkeling compare to Kona right near the peir? Or would it be better to just drive to Kona for these activities?
I have swam by the marriot. I know there are some markers out there but I’m no local so I don’t know how many people swim there. There were a few people swimming there in the lead up to honu 70.3. In terms of snorkeling, the water is so clear and there’s a lot of things going on. I’ve also swam by the pier in Kona and for snorkeling etc I’d go with the Mariiot beach, its pretty awesome there.
I have snorkeled there. It was ok, lots of turtles. Hapuna, just up the coast is really nice. Lots of swimmers at Hapuna too.
The swimming there is great in the early morning before it gets windy. Lots of people swim there. If you walk down to the south end of the beach you’ll find showers and bathrooms. This is the main public access to the beach. Straight offshore from here is a striped buoy at about 250 yds. There is another marker buoy out around another 200 yds. Typically there are a few tour and dive boats moored in the bay. A few days a week the canoe club will be out there.
The bay is fairly shallow all the way out to almost the second buoy. Here are some fresh water springs there so some spots can be chilly. No substantial currents. There are coral formations at shallow depths well out into the bay that you should avoid depending on tide level. Also be careful near shore when entering or exiting the water.
Hapuna is great and an all sand beach. Early swimming is recommended there. The surf can pick up and the current across the beach can be strong. It can make for a strong push out at the south end of the beach. The snorkeling at this end if the beach and out around to the southwest is spectacular. Just be aware of the current. You can always swim further north across the beach to make exiting easier.
We snorkelled five times off the west coast of Hawaii. Here are our rankings from best to worst:
- Captain Cook Monument (you can hike down early in the morning to avoid crowds–best variety and shallow depths, dolphins);
- Kahaluu (shallow, but worn down coral formations, plentiful turtles, easiest swimming, most popular and very crowded after 10:30 am);
- Two Step Honaunau (very deep, excellent coral formations, turtles, and dolphins, but dicey entry and exit);
- Beach 69 (murky cloudy water, sparse fish); and
- Hapuna (murky cloudy water, sparse fish)
In all cases, go as early in the morning as you can to avoid crowds and to get calmer water.