Pau’oa Bay

Pau’oa Bay snorkeling on the Big Island of Hawaii is a breathtaking contrast of serene waters and volcanic shores. Its turquoise, blue, green, and brown water has been the backdrop for some of the most amazing marine life you will have seen. Multiple access points allow visitors to see and explore a range of different levels of water clarity and ocean life without having to travel too far from shore.

The snorkeling at Pau’oa Bay is some of the most incredible you will ever find. Underwater, you will have hundreds of different species of coral to see and a myriad of other marine organisms that will make this bay one of your favorites.

You can snorkel and explore several areas in and around Pau’oa Bay. The upper bay has the best visibility in the area, making it an excellent place to start looking for ocean life when it opens up. The bay is home to multiple different types of coral, and with the gentle current and shallow water, it’s an easy place to get perfect macro shots. The upper bay area also has many areas where you can walk through the mangroves. These dense trees make excellent homes for many birds while also providing habitat for their prey. Some people have been known to sell their fish from this area on the beaches just off the bay. This is an excellent thing to keep in mind when planning your trip here if you are looking to buy some fish for your dinner that night. 

While snorkeling at Pau’oa Bay, be sure to look for the colorful puffer fish that live in the shallows amongst the rocks and corals. The pufferfish, also known as the balloon fish, is a venomous fish that can inflate its body with air or water to scare off predators. You can sometimes find these fascinating creatures by looking for small depressions on the lava rock. These pufferfish will use these small depressions to hide and bury themselves amongst the corals and other rocks in the bay. They are territorial creatures that will only tolerate other species of pufferfish surrounding them when they are hiding.

The other side of the bay is a popular spot for snorkelers and divers alike because of the abundance of marine life on the outer edge. This area is home to large schools of fish and several types of turtles. The current can be a little strong in this area, but nothing challenging for most swimmers. The outer edge is also good to see some incredible reef formations and colorful coral beds. During low tide, one great place to go is the cliffs that line the coast. This area is a popular place for people to jump from in the hope that they will reach the bottom of the cliff.

As you are snorkeling, don’t forget your camera. There is no place in Hawaii that you would want to miss taking a picture of a spectacular coral reef or a beautiful view of Pau’oa Bay!

Diving at Pau’oā Bay is an exhilarating experience for divers and snorkelers alike. The visibility is fantastic, and the number of fish you can see with your naked eye is genuinely astounding. While diving, your visibility range will depend on where the bay is. The deeper you dive, the more apparent it will be. There are several different coral reefs in Pau’oā Bay, and each has a unique composition of fish. The best reefs to dive into are the outer bay and the fissure reefs. The outer reef is excellent for seeing many other types of fish nearby, and some species are only found here. 

You will also be able to see some of the most beautiful coral formations on the island. The fissure reefs are home to many types of sea creatures as well. You can see many different types of ocean life while you are there, including schools of fish and turtles. You may even be unlucky enough to come across a shark or two in the deeper waters. With the abundance of marine life, you will most likely find yourself picking up some new skills along your way. 

It is no surprise that this place is a favorite for many local divers, as well as tourists that are on vacation. With the help of our snorkel guides, you can experience the breathtaking underwater scenery of Pau’oa Bay and come back home with an exciting experience to tell your friends about!

The beach areas on either side of Pau’oa Bay are excellent places to check out. The water is shallow enough that you can walk out into it on a day with shallow tide. Be careful, though, as you don’t want to get stuck out there.

Pau’oa Bay is unique, and If you are interested in booking a snorkeling tour at this location, please let us know in the contact form. We look forward to snorkeling with you!