Snorkel· Hawaii (Big Island)· Hawaii
Two Step (Honaunau Bay)
19° 25.4′ N · 155° 54.7′ W
Two natural lava ledges by the Honaunau boat ramp make the easiest entry on the coast into a bay of clear water, healthy coral, turtles and reef fish, often with spinner dolphins resting offshore. On a calm day you barely need to swim to see it all.
Practical
Coordinate is OpenStreetMap's Two Step Beach. The site is outside Pu'uhonua o Honaunau NHP at the County-managed Honaunau Bay Boat Ramp (the Coast Pilot gives the surfaced ramp at 19-25.40N 155-54.68W, just north of the sand beach on the southeast side of the bay). It is primarily a boat ramp, so watch for boat traffic. The ledges are slippery and rough when surf or surge picks up; wear shoes for the lava and keep off coral. Parking is limited and fills early; snorkelers should park outside the national park gate. From a boat anchored in the bay, swim or dinghy over and land on the beach (small boats can land easily in normal weather, per the Coast Pilot).
Best for
Easy-entry reef snorkel with turtles
Season
Year round in calm conditions; avoid surf and surge
Nearby
- Honaunau Bay Anchorage0.1 NM away
- Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park0.1 NM away
- Ho'okena (Kauhako Bay) Anchorage2.6 NM away
- Ka'aloa's Super J's (Honaunau)2.6 NM away
- Ho'okena Beach Park2.7 NM away
- Kealakekua Bay Anchorage3.1 NM away
- Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park3.2 NM away
- Napo'opo'o Beach Park and Hikiau Heiau3.2 NM away