A Hawaii Snorkeling Vacation - Eco-Adventure on a Budget


Snorkeling, one of the simplest of Hawaii's spectrum of ocean recreational activities could be the basis for a great family vacation in the islands!
As all of us look for creative ways to stretch our vacation budgets, a closer look at this simple, inexpensive activity can provide for a vacation with memories comparable to anything your family's experienced together! Unlike scuba diving, snorkeling offers the silence for you to hear sounds emitted by fish, crustacea, and the relaxing sound of sand rubbing against sand as the upper layers move with the wave action.
Prerequisites:
Needless to say, you need to be able to swim to go snorkeling. That being said, the level of your aquatic ability will determine the level of snorkeling you're able to pursue. Considering that snorkeling can range from drifting on the surface in knee-deep water to descending beyond depths of sixty feet or more, snorkeling offers a range of choices from the most basic ocean experience to the exhilarating sport of free-diving.
The equipment list is simple. A mask, snorkel, and a pair of fins are all you'd need to embark on a series of in-water field trips to different Hawaii beaches each with it's own unique charm. Available in complete sets for under fifty dollars (there are less expensive sets that will probably be less comfortable or effective) and going up in price as the quality increases, snorkeling equipment comes in a range of style and quality commensurate with the immense popularity of the activity. And it's important to distinguish between snorkeling and scuba equipment, as the associated masks, fins, and snorkels for each are quite different as any half-knowledgeable sales person could point out for you.
Underwater disposable cameras (and even some waterproof point-and-shoot ones!) are a great investment that will add to the snorkeling experience. We all know that half the fun of any adventure is the opportunity to re-visit pictures of the event and some great underwater shots will probably be among your most treasured souvenirs or a great vacation in Hawaii!
While quite safe when the necessary precautions are observed, snorkeling is not without risk as is any water sport. Exposure to coral bottoms, currents, and creatures who's natural protection or instincts can pose considerable threats to us humans are also inherent risks that while generally not experienced do exist. Taking the time to seek out sites with lifeguards and consulting with them on the area's risk factors and highlights for snorkeling will go a long way in allowing you to enjoy the snorkeling experience.
Education:
Just as you'd read up on any new area or destination you'd be visiting, time invested learning about places at which you'll be able to snorkel while staying in Hawaii can make the difference between a one-time beach excursion with no one voting for a second trip versus a family activity that will have you all waking up each day looking forward to the next adventure.
Books on Hawaiian reef fish (the operative word here being "reef" to limit the fish to those you're likely to encounter rather than those game fish you'd only come across in open ocean) and ocean animals would go far in piquing the interest of every family member by allowing each to develop both expectations and anticipation... key ingredients to any exploratory endeavor!
Surrounded by water, it would hardly seem important to also get a book on where to snorkel while in Hawaii. But the difference between a place at which you can snorkel and a place that's great for snorkeling can mean the difference between simply getting wet and getting extremely excited. Some areas might offer an abundance of coral and all of the creatures that thrive in such an environment while other areas might be noted for sharp drops that give the feeling of being suspended over a cliff. There are snorkeling sites that are noted for turtles and dolphins that frequent the area and wildlife sanctuaries where fish go about their business almost oblivious to their two-legged visitors! Read up on the popular snorkeling spots and carefully choose the spots you'll explore. You'll be rewarded with experiences that will be well worth remembering for every one in the family.
Visiting the Honolulu Aquarium is another way to preface your snorkeling adventures, as would be trips to any of the local fish markets! In both cases, you'll discover the beautiful and abundant ocean life that awaits you in the islands' near shore waters.
The Snorkeling Trip:
You've read up on what to look for and have chosen the spots you'd like to explore. Try to coincide your snorkeling during the lower tides, preferably in the morning hours. During the lower tides, the decreased wave action causes fewer disturbances in the water making for better visibility. Be cautious going out on the three days following a new moon as those days bring blooms of stinging box jellyfish to certain areas. Additionally, avoid going out in areas exposed to onshore winds as such shores often see Portuguese men-o-war, another stinging citizen of Hawaii's near shore waters.
Before taking to the water, project a path that you intend to traverse while snorkeling and remember for every foot you travel outward, you'll have to swim back with a bit more fatigue than when you started. Plan your trip for the weakest swimmer in the group so to assure a level of comfort throughout. You'll be surprised at how much there is to see and explore close to the shore! To give yourself the best visibility, rubbing saliva, some tobacco, or the bright brown seaweed in your mask will keep your mask from fogging.
While snorkeling, be sure to look up at the shore and reckon your position. The relative ease of snorkeling and the ability to literally drift for hours without lifting your head out of the water can put you into some situations that could be embarrassing (like drifting into a group of waders) or downright dangerous like drifting out to sea or losing sight of your companions!
After getting used to the equipment and developing a good level of comfort in the water, you might even want to try your hand at spearfishing for fish you've seen in the local fish markets! In any case, snorkeling will provide more than a day of fun but rather a series trips that can significantly highlight your time in Hawaii at a fraction of the cost of a couple of "touristy" activities.
And take care of your snorkeling gear while you're here, being sure to wash after each use and store out of the sun. You might find that upon returning home there are also opportunities, albeit different, to pursue your newly discovered recreational sport... like the recent feature I saw of a group of snorkelers drifting down a slow stream in Florida!
After a week of snorkeling, chances are you and your family will feel like seasoned island beachcombers with the pleasant realization of how little you've spent for your ocean eco-adventure here in Hawaii!
The author, Richard Young is a lifelong resident of Hawaii and the creator of hawaiibeachcombers.com which features among other ocean recreational activities a close look at Hawaii snorkeling. Also covered are fishing, kayaking, body surfing, and much more!