Pawai Bay Snorkeling: Best “Secret” Snorkeling Big Island
Have you heard about Pawai Bay snorkeling and wondering where and how to get to it? I got you!
There are so many great snorkeling spots on the Big Island of Hawaii, but while most people go to the crowded highly touristy spots, there are few spots as excellent or well-known as Pawai Bay snorkeling.
Located just on the north end of Kailua-Kona, Pawai Bay is a protected spot near Big Island’s most western point. It’s part of a protected marine area and home to some of the most interesting underwater lava features.
Pawai Bay snorkeling wasn’t well known until recently. Most dive tour companies would frequent this spot during big swell days, but more recently companies like Kona Snorkel Trips have created tours specifically tailored to visit this “secret” spot.
While most visitors are spending most of their precious time on a boat ride down to Captain Cook Monument, snorkelers can get double the amount of time in the water on this tour by spending less time on the boat and more time in the water.
Let’s learn about Pawai Bay snorkeling from local diving and snorkeling expert, Byron!
Don’t have time to read? Here is the best snorkel tour to bring you to Pawai Bay:
Kona Snorkel Trips
✔️ 2hr. Seafari & Discover Pawai Afternoon Reef Snorkel
✔️ Snorkel gear, snack, and drinks included
✔️ Limited daily visitors so less crowds
How Do You Get to Pawai Bay?
The bay is inaccessible from shore because the area is a Hawaiian heritage site and only people of Hawaiian heritage are allowed to camp there with permission.
Another option is to swim from Old Kona Airport but the entry and exit can be quite rough and then it’s a long swim from there to Pawai Bay area. Not recommended.
The best and only way to snorkel Pawai Bay is with a snorkel tour company.
Kona Snorkel Trips leaves in the morning or afternoon from nearby Honokohau marina and takes a short trip to Pawai Bay for snorkeling. Depending on which tour you book you’ll either go straight there or stop off along the way at another great snorkeling spot.
If diving is more your thing, Kona Honu Divers takes scuba divers to Pawai Bay regularly for it’s excellent diving.
Pawai Bay Snorkeling Tour with Kona Snorkel Trips
Seafari & Discover Pawai Afternoon Reef Snorkel
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ LENGTH: 2 hrs | ✅ Book it!
Kona Snorkel Trips Pawai Bay snorkeling tour includes:
- Navy SEAL boat
- Knowledgeable guide
- Mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit, and floatation devices
- Snacks
- Juice, sparkling water
- GoPro available for rent
- 15ppl Max.
- Ages 3+
As mentioned before, the best and only way to experience Pawai Bay snorkeling is with a snorkel tour. Hop aboard a snorkel boat at nearby Honokohau Marina and it’s only a quick 10 minute boat ride.
On the way you might see dolphins or whales. Once you arrive a friendly guide will describe the site and help you get geared up.
Once you hop into the water you’ll see why this spot is so special. Thousands of tiny tropical fish dart along the reef. Eels swim from rock to rock, and sea turtles might cruise by. Swimming along the coast you’ll see interesting lava features like arches, caves, and pinnacles.
One of the best reasons I love it the tour so much is, its very intimate. It’s not like a big production, it doesn’t seem very rehearsed or like they are reading from a script. One thing I noticed was that our one of our guides was in the water with us pointing out all the different sea creatures where as the other groups there didn’t. Great energy, I highly recommend! I can’t wait to do it again!
Chloe (read more reviews)
The visibility is typically very good at Pawai Bay between 30–80 feet.
The water is typically between 75–80 degrees.
This is a great opportunity to take the whole family on a memorable outing and is suitable for ages 3 and up.
Kona Snorkel Trips is Hawaii’s highest rated and most reviewed snorkel tour company so you can be sure they will show you a great time out on the water.
What Will You See Snorkeling in Pawai Bay?
There are several spots for boats to tie up in Pawai Bay close to the shore.
The reef quickly drops from the shore to about 25 feet. There is a steep reef wall and then a large area that covers the bottom towards the open ocean a few hundred feet from the coast. The bottom drops off quickly there. This is one of the key features of Kona snorkeling that makes it so good.
The lack of sand and the steep drop offs mean better visibility than elsewhere on the Big Island. It typically has much better visibility than the other Hawaiian islands as well.
The steep drop off near the coast also means you’ll be much more likely to see pelagic marine life swim in over the reef. Mantas, hammerhead sharks, tuna, trevally (jacks), and other normally more deep water pelagic critters can be spotted here from the boat or in the water.
There’s also a whole host of reef fish here. One of the first things most snorkelers will notice upon entering the water is the multitude of tiny reef fish blanketing the reef rocks. There’s also lots of Hawaiian reef fishes found only in Hawaii. These include triggerfish, tangs, surgeonfish, snapper, damsel fish, goatfish, grouper, eels, and even the little Hawaiian cleaner wrasse.
Don’t forget about the sea turtles, octopus, pufferfish, and even the occasional whale shark!
Keep your eyes peeled for underwater arches and ears open for whale sounds too!
It’s also possible to spot dolphins or whales on your way to the site.
What to Bring on a Pawai Bay Snorkeling Tour?
While snorkeling gear will be provided by your tour company, besides wearing your bathing suite before hopping aboard, it is recommended that you bring your own:
- Reef safe sunscreen
- Towel
- Hat
- Sunshirt
Best Time to Snorkel Pawai Bay
The best time of day to snorkel Pawai Bay is typically in the morning when the water’s surface is calmest. The afternoon can also be suitable as it’s protected from wind chop from the north that is common later in the day but morning is nearly always calmer.
The best time of year to snorkel Pawai Bay is typically in the summer months from June through October. This is when the water is calmest and warmest.
September is the ideal time of year because the ocean water’s the warmest, the sea surface is the calmest, and tourism is at a low. Tours and accommodations will also be easier to book during this time of year.
Who Can Snorkel Pawai Bay?
Anyone with strong swimming skills that is comfortable snorkeling can visit Pawai Bay. The snorkeling here is relatively easy.
The protection offered by the bay makes this one of the best snorkeling spots during high swell days.
Depths at Pawai Bay range from 10–30 feet with a sharp drop off near the shore created by the lava rock. You’ll want to be sure to have good swimming skills and solid snorkeling ability.
Seasickness
For those prone to seasickness, a tour to Pawai Bay has minimal time spent on the boat so the likelihood of getting seasick is reduced versus a tour to Kealakekua Bay where you’ll be spending a larger portion of the tour in the boat on the ride over.
To reduce seasickness symptoms, it is recommended to keep your eyes up and on the horizon the entire time. People tend to get seasick when they look down at their gear or phone. The difference between what the brain senses visually and the actual motion looses sync and causes nausea. Read more about ways to prevent it here.
Looking for More Snorkel Adventures on the Big Island? Check out:
Manta Ray Night Snorkel
Captain Cook Snorkeling Kealakekua Bay
Epilogue: Pawai Bay Snorkeling
Kona has most of the best snorkeling on the Big Island Hawaii, but if you’re looking for the best snorkeling in Kona then Pawai Bay snorkeling is worth a trip.
Most visitors will attempt to snorkel Kealakekua Bay, so Pawai Bay will be less crowded and a more unique experience. Plus, you won’t have to venture far out of town to witness amazing underwater features, marine life, and well protected coast.
🌺 Big Island Travel Planning Guide 🌺
🚨 Should I buy Hawaii travel insurance?
YES — I recommend Travel Insurance Master because you can compare multiple options with one click. With plans starting at $5/day per person, why not give yourself piece of mind? Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it!
🚗 Is it safe to rent a car on the Big Island?
YES — It’s totally safe to drive on the Big Island. And unless you plan to chill by the resort pool the entire time, renting a car is pretty much a necessity on the Big Island! Jeep rentals are popular. I recommend Discount Hawaii Car Rental, as they have some of the best prices around.
📞 Will my phone work on the Big Island?
PROBABLY — Most, if not all, cell providers work on the Big Island. However, be prepared for some dead spots in the more remote parts of the island. For example, I always lose service driving through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
🛏️ What’s the best way to book my Big Island accommodations?
For Big Island hotels, Booking.com is amazing because you can often reserve your room with no money down. If you are looking for an Airbnb condo with a kitchen and more space, don’t forget to check VRBO for potentially better prices and options.
✈️ What’s the best site to buy Big Island flights?
I recommend looking at Skyscanner for finding cheap flights. Pro Tip: check if flying into Hilo is cheaper than flying into Kona.
🛂 Do I need a passport to visit Hawaii?
NO — If you are a US citizen, you do not need a passport as Hawaii is part of the United States. If you are from out of the country, the same passport and visa requirements are the same as entering anywhere in the United States from your country.
🧳What should I pack to the Big Island?
Pack for tropical weather but also prepare for colder than expected nights and early mornings, so a light sweatshirt is recommended. Check out this list of 5 Things Not to Forget to Pack.
