Big Island Snorkel Report Today

USA · Updated Tue 05:10 (HST) · Source: Snapshot

The skinny

Marginal Data updated Tue 05:10 (HST)

Big Island looks marginal today. The least-bad daylight window is around Tue 13:00, but waves is limiting the forecast.

Right now (forecast)

Poor · 0.0/10

Tue 05:00 (HST)

Later today

Poor · 0.0/10

Tue 07:00 (HST)

Next three days

Poor · 0.0/10

Tue 07:00 (HST)

Model estimates using Open-Meteo; not observations or safety guarantees. Check official advisories and conditions at the beach.

Score: 0.0/10

Best time: Tue 13:00

Main risk: Waves

Best morning signal: Tue 07:00 (Poor).

Best afternoon signal: Tue 12:00 (Poor). Peak afternoon wind is about 4.8 m/s.

Kohala Coast is the call later today; Kailua-Kona is the coast to skip.

A Big Island coast looks usable later today. Check boat availability.

Best nearby spots later today

Read the Hawaii snorkeling guide for coast, access and best-month guidance. Also: Maui vs Big Island, Maui vs Oahu

How Big Island's coasts look today

Tuesday, September 29, 2026 · HST · Data updated Tue 05:10

Kohala Coast is the call later today; Kailua-Kona is the coast to skip.

Compare the coasts by forecast period. These are model estimates, not beach observations. Open each beach report and check official advisories before leaving.

South Kona

Kealakekua Bay has the best forecast in South Kona later today.

Right now (forecast)

Kealakekua Bay · Poor

Forecast for the hour starting Tue 05:00: 1.0 m waves and 0.2 m/s wind.

Later today

Kealakekua Bay · Fair

Its best forecast hour is Tue 07:00, with 1.0 m waves and 0.5 m/s wind.

Next three days

Kealakekua Bay · Fair

Its best forecast hour is Wed 12:00, with 1.1 m waves and 0.4 m/s wind.

Kailua-Kona

Kahaluu Beach Park has the best forecast in Kailua-Kona later today.

Right now (forecast)

Kahaluu Beach Park · Poor

Forecast for the hour starting Tue 05:00: 1.0 m waves and 0.2 m/s wind.

Later today

Kahaluu Beach Park · Fair

Its best forecast hour is Tue 07:00, with 1.0 m waves and 0.6 m/s wind.

Next three days

Kahaluu Beach Park · Fair

Its best forecast hour is Tue 07:00, with 1.0 m waves and 0.6 m/s wind.

Kohala Coast

Anaehoomalu Bay has the best forecast in Kohala Coast later today.

Right now (forecast)

Anaehoomalu Bay · Poor

Forecast for the hour starting Tue 05:00: 0.8 m waves and 1.9 m/s wind.

Later today

Anaehoomalu Bay · Good

Its best forecast hour is Tue 07:00, with 0.8 m waves and 1.1 m/s wind.

Next three days

Anaehoomalu Bay · Good

Its best forecast hour is Wed 08:00, with 0.7 m waves and 0.3 m/s wind.

Best beach in the forecast for later today

Anaehoomalu Bay · 5.7/10

Its best forecast hour is Tue 07:00, with 0.8 m waves and 1.1 m/s wind.

Swell arrives from W (275°); bays facing away from that direction stay calmer. Tidal current is about 0.40 m/s. The tide is not at high.

Weakest beach in the forecast for later today

Kahaluu Beach Park · 5.2/10

Its best forecast hour is Tue 07:00, with 1.0 m waves and 0.6 m/s wind.

Check these official alerts

Big Island sea temperature · Compare Hawaii islands · Read the Hawaii snorkeling guide

How we work out the score

The score uses the hourly wave, wind, water temperature, tide and current forecast. A beach can differ from the wider forecast grid. Check beach signs, lifeguards and official alerts before you enter.

Local beach intelligence

AreaHawaii Island

DifficultyVaries by beach

Best timeMorning

ExposureKona coast is often calmer; east side is windier

ShoreIsland hub

Sunrise

06:13

Sunset

18:12

Water

-

Max air

15.1°C

Sky

Clear

5% cloud

No good model window in the next 72 hours

Use the best-available section for the least-bad times.

3-day planner

Tuesday

❌ Poor conditions

Main blocker: Waves

Wednesday

❌ Poor conditions

Main blocker: Waves

Thursday

❌ Poor conditions

Main blocker: Waves

Best available hours

  • Thu 13:00: Poor (0.00) · still limited by waves, sea temperature
  • Thu 12:00: Poor (0.00) · still limited by waves, sea temperature
  • Thu 11:00: Poor (0.00) · still limited by waves, sea temperature

Why this verdict

Main blockers across the next 72 hours:

  • Waves (71 hours)
  • Sea temperature (71 hours)
  • Darkness (50 hours)

Jellyfish drift risk

Drift estimate from wind, swell, current and warm water.

Low · 6/100

Low drift risk now.

local shoreline exposure is not mapped yet.

Sightings override the model: if you see small purple jellyfish with long trailing tentacles, treat them as sting-capable and give them space.

Bookable snorkel tours near Big Island

Prices and availability from Viator. Check conditions before you book.

We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Manta Ray Night Snorkel at Kona, Big Island

Manta Ray Night Snorkel at Kona, Big Island

4.7/5 2060 reviews 1h 30m
From USD 30.00 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel

Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel

4.8/5 6306 reviews 2h 30m
From USD 94.00 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Another fun day at captain cook reef

Big Island: Captain Cook Snorkel On A Power Catamaran With Lunch

4.9/5 2503 reviews 4h
From USD 85.00 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Big Island: Manta Ray Night Snorkeling Adventure in Kailua-Kona

Big Island: Manta Ray Night Snorkeling Adventure in Kailua-Kona

4.9/5 852 reviews 2h 30m
From USD 75.00 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel Adventure

Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel Adventure

4.8/5 495 reviews 1h 25m
From USD 99.00 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tour in Kailua-Kona, Big Island

Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tour in Kailua-Kona, Big Island

4.8/5 481 reviews 2h
From USD 125.00 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Nearby snorkel spot map

Compare nearby spot forecasts for later today before choosing a beach.

Forecast spot map

Use the map to see where the compared spots sit. Open a card for the hourly forecast.

This is a location diagram, not a marine chart. Check the shore and local signs in person.

Nearby alternatives in USA

Advanced forecast data

Viewing historical data

Wed 05:00 – Sat 05:00 (HST)

Snorkel Score (selected 24h)

Best snorkel score is 0.0 around Wed 05:00; 0 of 24 hours are good, fair, or excellent.

Score trend, higher is better. Excellent ≥ 0.72, good 0.55–0.72, fair 0.35–0.55.

Conditions (24h trends)

Tap a chart to load just that series.

No wave-height trend data is available for the next 24 hours yet.

Wind is at or below 5.4m/s in 21/24 sampled hours (range 0.68 to 7.68m/s).

No tide trend data is available for the next 24 hours yet.

72-hour historical overview
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Scoring methodology (for technical users)

We score each hour from 0 to 1 using daylight and these weighted components:

  • Wave height (35%): best below 0.36m, then decreases as it rises.
  • Wind speed (25%): best below 5.4m/s, lower is better.
  • Sea surface temperature (15%): best within 20.6°C to 30.4°C.
  • Tide and currents (15%): best around slack/high-tide windows.
  • Daylight (10%): visibility is better in daylight, so night hours score lower.
Detailed hourly data table
Time Wave (m) Wind (m/s) Sea temp (°C) Status
Wed 05:00 · high 3.06 · good · out of range Poor
Wed 06:00 · high 3.60 · good · out of range Poor
Wed 07:00 · high 3.43 · good · out of range Poor
Wed 08:00 · high 2.85 · good · out of range Poor
Wed 09:00 · high 3.43 · good · out of range Poor
Wed 10:00 · high 4.18 · good · out of range Poor
Wed 11:00 · high 4.11 · good · out of range Poor
Wed 12:00 · high 3.79 · good · out of range Poor
Wed 13:00 · high 3.69 · good · out of range Poor
Wed 14:00 · high 4.29 · good · out of range Poor
Wed 15:00 · high 2.44 · good · out of range Poor
Wed 16:00 · high 2.29 · good · out of range Poor
Wed 17:00 · high 1.76 · good · out of range Poor
Wed 18:00 · high 0.68 · good · out of range Poor
Wed 19:00 · high 1.04 · good · out of range Poor
Wed 20:00 · high 7.68 · high · out of range Poor
Wed 21:00 · high 6.49 · high · out of range Poor
Wed 22:00 · high 5.02 · good · out of range Poor
Wed 23:00 · high 5.93 · high · out of range Poor
Thu 00:00 · high 4.19 · good · out of range Poor
Thu 01:00 · high 3.15 · good · out of range Poor
Thu 02:00 · high 1.25 · good · out of range Poor
Thu 03:00 · high 1.22 · good · out of range Poor
Thu 04:00 · high 2.10 · good · out of range Poor
Thu 05:00 · high 1.67 · good · out of range Poor
Thu 06:00 · high 2.00 · good · out of range Poor
Thu 07:00 · high 1.21 · good · out of range Poor
Thu 08:00 · high 2.96 · good · out of range Poor
Thu 09:00 · high 2.49 · good · out of range Poor
Thu 10:00 · high 2.24 · good · out of range Poor
Thu 11:00 · high 3.40 · good · out of range Poor
Thu 12:00 · high 3.10 · good · out of range Poor
Thu 13:00 · high 4.34 · good · out of range Poor
Thu 14:00 · high 5.09 · good · out of range Poor
Thu 15:00 · high 3.06 · good · out of range Poor
Thu 16:00 · high 2.52 · good · out of range Poor
Thu 17:00 · high 3.15 · good · out of range Poor
Thu 18:00 · high 3.05 · good · out of range Poor
Thu 19:00 · high 3.47 · good · out of range Poor
Thu 20:00 · high 7.68 · high · out of range Poor
Thu 21:00 · high 6.59 · high · out of range Poor
Thu 22:00 · high 6.99 · high · out of range Poor
Thu 23:00 · high 5.96 · high · out of range Poor
Fri 00:00 · high 8.33 · high · out of range Poor
Fri 01:00 · high 6.73 · high · out of range Poor
Fri 02:00 · high 6.49 · high · out of range Poor
Fri 03:00 · high 6.71 · high · out of range Poor
Fri 04:00 · high 7.28 · high · out of range Poor
Fri 05:00 · high 9.32 · high · out of range Poor
Fri 06:00 · high 6.30 · high · out of range Poor
Fri 07:00 · high 9.81 · high · out of range Poor
Fri 08:00 · high 10.35 · high · out of range Poor
Fri 09:00 · high 10.38 · high · out of range Poor
Fri 10:00 · high 11.52 · high · out of range Poor
Fri 11:00 · high 9.03 · high · out of range Poor
Fri 12:00 · high 11.77 · high · out of range Poor
Fri 13:00 · high 12.07 · high · out of range Poor
Fri 14:00 · high 10.30 · high · out of range Poor
Fri 15:00 · high 16.41 · high · out of range Poor
Fri 16:00 · high 14.30 · high · out of range Poor
Fri 17:00 · high 15.99 · high · out of range Poor
Fri 18:00 · high 15.35 · high · out of range Poor
Fri 19:00 · high 11.47 · high · out of range Poor
Fri 20:00 · high 15.73 · high · out of range Poor
Fri 21:00 · high 14.74 · high · out of range Poor
Fri 22:00 · high 15.24 · high · out of range Poor
Fri 23:00 · high 17.86 · high · out of range Poor
Sat 00:00 · high 18.91 · high · out of range Poor
Sat 01:00 · high 17.91 · high · out of range Poor
Sat 02:00 · high 1.10 · good · out of range Poor
Sat 03:00 · high 10.56 · high · out of range Poor
Sat 04:00 · high 9.31 · high · out of range Poor