I’ve been to Hawaii, specifically the island of Maui, three times in my life. Lucky, I know! Granted, I can’t remember the first one because I was a baby, but twice is still a good number. I did a lot in Hawaii between my visit when I was 10 and my visit when I was 15, but the parts I remember most are whenever I was snorkeling. This is by far the most fun activity available to children in Hawaii, and so I thought I’d tell you about my experience and also give you a little advice.
The first time I went snorkeling, I was super psyched up for it. My grandparents kept telling me about all the fish I’d see, and because I wanted to be a marine biologist at the time, I felt like my dream was coming true. That is, until we went to the aquarium.
At the aquarium I got to see all the fish and sea creatures I would see snorkeling in person, a sort of sneak peek behind glass. You’d think this would make me even more excited, and it did at first, but then I came across the moray eel exhibit. I read on the plaque about how morays hide in little crevasses in the rocks and coral, and then strike out quick and fast to grab their prey. I looked at the eel, at his big head and gaping jaws, those lifeless eyes that seemed to stare at me no matter where I moved. Suddenly, I didn’t want to go snorkeling anymore. I was convinced that I was going to be attacked by an eel, my little ankle caught in his jaws.
The first time I went snorkeling, I was super psyched up for it. My grandparents kept telling me about all the fish I’d see, and because I wanted to be a marine biologist at the time, I felt like my dream was coming true. That is, until we went to the aquarium.
At the aquarium I got to see all the fish and sea creatures I would see snorkeling in person, a sort of sneak peek behind glass. You’d think this would make me even more excited, and it did at first, but then I came across the moray eel exhibit. I read on the plaque about how morays hide in little crevasses in the rocks and coral, and then strike out quick and fast to grab their prey. I looked at the eel, at his big head and gaping jaws, those lifeless eyes that seemed to stare at me no matter where I moved. Suddenly, I didn’t want to go snorkeling anymore. I was convinced that I was going to be attacked by an eel, my little ankle caught in his jaws.
(Look at them! They're terrifying! Source.)
I didn’t say anything until we got to the black sand beach where we were going to snorkel. My brother, 3 years younger, refused to go in the water at all. Finally facing the big moment, and thinking about all the colorful fish I had been dreaming about seeing, I fessed up to my fear. Luckily, my family being the kind souls that they are, figured out a way to let me see the fish without getting too far into the water. Someone left and came back with an orange blow-up raft. I got to lie on the raft and dip my goggled face into the water while someone pulled me along by a tether. So, if you’ve got kids that are too scared to go into the water for snorkeling, you should try this trick! I felt perfectly safe, and I didn’t have to miss out on the experience.
During my second visit, at age 15, I went snorkeling twice. One was an official, paid-for excursion. My whole family and I got onto a boat to go out the tiny island of Molokini, where there were promised to be lots of fish, turtles, and maybe even sharks. Unlike last time, I wasn’t even worried about the sharks (at least, not after our guide assured us they were small and uninterested in humans). The best part about that excursion was that the company had high-prescription goggles for me to wear! I would actually be able to see all the fish!
Unfortunately, the fish were really far down below us. If you are a good diver, this might not pose a problem, but I couldn’t dive down far enough to get a good look. My ears would start to hurt. Everything was a blue-green color, and it was somewhat murky. I did pick out lots of fish and even some turtles, but it wasn’t nearly as colorful and impressive as when I had snorkeled off the beach during my last visit.
During my second visit, at age 15, I went snorkeling twice. One was an official, paid-for excursion. My whole family and I got onto a boat to go out the tiny island of Molokini, where there were promised to be lots of fish, turtles, and maybe even sharks. Unlike last time, I wasn’t even worried about the sharks (at least, not after our guide assured us they were small and uninterested in humans). The best part about that excursion was that the company had high-prescription goggles for me to wear! I would actually be able to see all the fish!
Unfortunately, the fish were really far down below us. If you are a good diver, this might not pose a problem, but I couldn’t dive down far enough to get a good look. My ears would start to hurt. Everything was a blue-green color, and it was somewhat murky. I did pick out lots of fish and even some turtles, but it wasn’t nearly as colorful and impressive as when I had snorkeled off the beach during my last visit.
(This was about as good as it got at Molokini. As you can see, there were fish, but the area is very murky.)
We had a stroke of luck, however, later in the week. My siblings, cousins, and I walked down to the very end of the beach in front of our resort, the Ka’anapali Ali’I Resort. The beach ended at an outcropping of jagged black rocks. Here you could see several people bravely flinging themselves off the edge, carefully landing into the safe part of the water. Too far to the right, and they’d be caught by a dangerous current that would slam them against the rocks. At least, that’s what my parents told me, probably to discourage me from trying it, too.
At the bottom of the rocks, the part that fell into the sea, we found the perfect snorkeling spot. Shallow and much warmer than the spot by Molokini, this snorkeling spot was small but filled with dozens of brightly colored fish. They were so close I could touch them—if they would just hold still. Colorful coral wiggled in the waves, and then three sea turtles lazily swam up to join us. They were half my size, with shells covered in algae. Although I was concerned about being bitten accidentally, I grabbed some seaweed and held it out to one of the turtles, who happily chomped it up without going near my fingers. I think they must be used to all the humans in that spot. I thought to myself, “This is the best place to snorkel, and we didn’t even have to pay extra!”
At the bottom of the rocks, the part that fell into the sea, we found the perfect snorkeling spot. Shallow and much warmer than the spot by Molokini, this snorkeling spot was small but filled with dozens of brightly colored fish. They were so close I could touch them—if they would just hold still. Colorful coral wiggled in the waves, and then three sea turtles lazily swam up to join us. They were half my size, with shells covered in algae. Although I was concerned about being bitten accidentally, I grabbed some seaweed and held it out to one of the turtles, who happily chomped it up without going near my fingers. I think they must be used to all the humans in that spot. I thought to myself, “This is the best place to snorkel, and we didn’t even have to pay extra!”
(This turtle is from the Molokini visit. I don't have photos from my off-beach snorkeling.)
Snorkeling excursions are fine, but I really recommend trying to find a good snorkeling place near a beach that doesn’t cost money. Even when I was in Mexico, the snorkeling excursion we paid for really wasn’t worth it, but I’ll never forget the sights at that black sand beach or by those black rocks. There’s no time limit, the fish are right at your fingertips, and the diversity is fantastic. I think it would be more comfortable for younger kids, too, since it’s not out in the middle of the ocean. I hope you can find a great place to snorkel during your next beach-side vacation.
Where was the best snorkeling you’ve ever experienced? Do you prefer excursions or finding your own spots? Are you scared of anything in the water, like I was? (Seriously, moray eels are creepy!) Anyway, here are some more photos from our visit. All of the photos in this post are
Where was the best snorkeling you’ve ever experienced? Do you prefer excursions or finding your own spots? Are you scared of anything in the water, like I was? (Seriously, moray eels are creepy!) Anyway, here are some more photos from our visit. All of the photos in this post are