Fish fetish? Get your snorkel on at Hawaii's best sites

By Christine Strobel
3D TRAVEL ONLINE EDITOR

Childhood memories come flooding back when I snorkel — gliding among colorful coral, delicate butterfly and beefy parrot fish, curmudgeonly turtles, eels and (if we were lucky) dolphins, all of us suspended in an aquamarine world. Breathing Darth Vader-like, in and out of a rubber tube; sometimes a wave would top over it and I'd inhale a little salty ocean, an opportunity to adjust the apparatus before diving deep again. Staying out so long my fingers were shriveled and my lips started to shade blue.

Growing up in Hawaii, of course, it's conditional: You'll be in the ocean a lot. Heading here for summer vacation? You'll want to make this memory with your kids... or for yourselves! The ocean and marine life here are stunning. Herewith, Hawaii's best snorkeling spots.

Hanauma Bay, Oahu

Thanks to aggressive conservation efforts, this nature and marine preserve is abundant with sea life (see video, above). You'll go through the visitors center and watch an educational film first, then descend to the beach at the bottom of this sunken volcanic remnant. FLY TO HANAUMA BAY IN 3D »

Snorkeling gear: Available to rent on the beach.
Admission: $7.50, free for kids under 13. $1 per car to park. The beach is closed on Tuesdays.

Oahu's Waianae Coast

Where there are fewer humans, there are more fish. Oahu's remote west side is chock full of snorkeling and diving spots with stunning water clarity and lots of creatures. We offer a tour on the power catamaran Kai Oli Oli that includes a pick-up from Waikiki and several hours playing among the best snorkeling spots the coast has to offer. They guarantee dolphin sightings — not that it's hard to spot them out there. BOOK THE CRUISE IN 3D »

Snorkeling gear: Provided
Price: $139 adult, $119 kids (3-12 years), $60 (2 years and under)

Lanikai, East Oahu

Small offshore islands
("The Mokes" to the east and Flat Island to the west) and a connecting reef frame this pristine beach, offering brilliant snorkeling throughout (see video, above). Close to the islands are surf breaks — best not to snorkel there — but there's more than enough space in between. Keep an eye out for kayakers and kite boarders: This beach is an ocean-sports enthusiast's dream. (Photo: Jason Helle/Creative Commons.) FLY TO LANIKAI BEACH IN 3D »

Snorkeling gear: Bring your own
Admission: Free

Shark's Cove, North Shore, Oahu

During the winter, when Oahu's North Shore is exploding with high surf, this spot serves better as a vantage point from which to watch the action. During the calm summer, however, the rocky shoreline offers abundant nesting places for marine life. FLY TO SHARK'S COVE IN 3D »

Snorkeling gear: Bring your own
Admission: Free

Kee Beach, Kauai

This spot at the end of the highway on Kauai's north shore cannot fail to amaze. Crystalline waters and tons of marine life — expect to lose a day exploring these waters. If you'd rather take a boat trip to Kauai's north shore, we offer several tours of the Na Pali coast. When you fly to Kauai in 3DHawaii, in the left nav click "Water Activities" in the "Activities/Attractions" category. (Green sea turtle at Kee Beach, Kauai. Photo: deeje/Creative Commons.) FLY TO KEE BEACH IN 3D »

Snorkeling gear: Unless you're on a paid boat tour, bring your own
Admission: Free

Molokini, Maui

This crescent-shaped, half-mile-wide islet between Maui and Kahoolawe is like an open-ended fishbowl, packed with such variety you won't know where to look first. It's 2.5 miles from Maui's Makena Beach, so better to take a boat. Try a morning snorkeling cruise from Maalaea Harbor. (Photo: Mike Bostock/Creative Commons.) FLY TO MOLOKINI IN 3D »

Snorkeling gear: Provided if you're on the Pride of Maui's Molokini Snorkel Cruise
Admission: Free if you can swim it. (Not recommended.) For the cruise, the adult price is $99.50.

Kona Coast, Hawaii

The Kona Coast is an embarrassment of riches when it comes to snorkeling. Volcanically rich soils and reef mix with freshwater and saltwater to create an epic marine playground a hundred miles long. Take your pick from, or hit all of, these:

• Kekaha Kai Beach Park
• Keauhou Bay, next to the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort
• Honaunau Bay, next to Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park
• Kahaluu Beach Park
• Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park (see video, above)

Snorkeling gear: Take a trip up and down the Kona Coast on Hawaii Belt Road (aka Highway 11, or the Mamalahoa Highway), and bring your gear.
Admission: Free, free and free.

Hulopoe Bay, Lanai

There are those who will say this is, hands down, the best snorkeling in the state. A protected bay and marine preserve, flanked by a lovely Four Seasons resort, it certainly is picturesque. Filled with tidal pools and underwater sea caves, and teeming with dolphins, turtles and myriad fish, the exploration can go on and on... FLY TO HULOPOE BAY IN 3D »

(Hulopoe Bay with the Four Seasons Resort at Manele Bay behind. Photo: Castle & Cooke Resorts LLC.)

Snorkeling gear: Available at the Four Seasons Lanai at Manele Bay
Admission: Free