What Makes Kona’s Waters Perfect For Beginner Divers
Nestled on the western coast of the Big Island, Kona has earned its place amongst the top snorkeling and scuba diving sites in the world. That’s because the area boasts some of the island’s most beautiful and vibrant coral reefs, fantastic weather nearly year-round, calm snorkeling conditions, and countless marine animals you can swim alongside. If you’ve been thinking about trying snorkeling for the first time, or you’re looking for the best way to get SCUBA certified in Hawaii, you’ve come to the right place. At Kona Ocean Adventures, we specialize in providing safe, engaging, and accessible snorkel and scuba tours for all ages and skill levels. In our opinion, there’s no better place to learn than Kona, HI. Here’s what makes our side of the island perfect for beginner divers:
Comfortable and Consistent Water Temperatures
For many of our first-time snorkelers, one of the things they worry about is being cold in the water. We don’t blame them; the thought of not feeling warm enough and shivering while trying to enjoy a new experience like SCUBA diving or snorkeling doesn’t sound like a ton of fun! However, a dive in Kona will totally ease your fears. Kona’s temperatures stay pretty consistent year-round, and its waters generally range from a comfy 77 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit. That means you’ll feel plenty warm during your dive, especially with a light wetsuit or rashguard. Many beginner snorkelers even opt for an exciting nighttime manta ray dive and find the water temperature totally tolerable, especially considering you get to swim alongside beautiful manta rays. Experience the warm, gentle waters of Hawaii for yourself on a Kona snorkel tour!
Tons of Great Beginner SCUBA & Snorkel Options
Something else that makes diving in Kona ideal for beginners is that there are tons of tours and SCUBA lessons available geared just for them! In fact, we offer kids’ SCUBA diving lessons for ages 10 and up, as well as SCUBA diving for adult beginners, so you can start learning the sport at any age. We also have wonderful snorkeling tours for families, such as our afternoon manta ray snorkeling and Captain Cook Big Island snorkeling tour! Explore the island’s beautiful coral reefs, search for colorful tropical fish and graceful manta rays, and check your dream Hawaii dive off your bucket list. There’s really no better place than Kona to do so!
Diverse Marine Life
While snorkeling and SCUBA diving are a thrill all on their own, the most special part of a beginner dive in Kona is all the incredible marine life you might encounter! The Big Island is home to countless aquatic animals, many of which are endemic, meaning this is the only place you can find them on the entire planet. Plus, for beginner snorkelers and first-time SCUBA divers, catching a glimpse of a wild animal in its natural habitat is an excellent motivator to overcome those initial nerves and jitters! During your beginner snorkel tour in Kona, you might see animals such as tropical fish like the Butterflyfish and Reef Triggerfish, Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, and Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins. And, if you choose to take a nighttime snorkeling tour, you’ll have the chance to swim amongst graceful and gentle Reef Manta Rays! Whether you’ve got a young nature enthusiast in your family or you’re an animal lover yourself, Kona is the perfect place to see some amazing wildlife up close and personal on a beginner snorkeling or SCUBA dive.
Excellent Visibility for Beginner Snorkeling and Diving in Kona
Having excellent visibility in the water is an absolute must, especially for beginner divers. Luckily, Kona is known for having some of the best ocean visibility! Snorkeling visibility is almost always excellent, often exceeding 100 feet on a calm day in locations like Captain Cook. Hawaii’s Big Island is ideal for first-time divers because of this, and you can expect to be able to see your instructor, your family or group, and all the amazing underwater sights easily and clearly. This not only helps you feel confident and safe on your first dive, but will make any SCUBA or snorkel dive in Kona well worth it!
Reserve Your Beginner Snorkel or SCUBA Dive in Kona, Hawaii
Ready to take the plunge and experience some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving for beginners in Hawaii? Whether you’re a total newbie or looking for a fun experience for you and your kids, Kona is definitely one of the best places to start learning how to SCUBA dive and snorkel. Take a tour with an expert guide and feel the calmness and warmth of the water, see the abundance of marine life, and see for yourself what makes Kona, HI, such a special place for first-time divers. Explore the magical underwater world of the Kailua-Kona Coast on our unforgettable beginner SCUBA diving tour or snorkeling adventure here at Kona Ocean Adventures! Book today.