Free Queens Beach snorkeling in Waikiki Hawaii

ALOHA!

While Waikiki isn’t generally known as the best place for snorkeling on Oahu, it’s still possible to have a fun snorkeling experience!

I’ve been snorkeling at a bunch of beaches in Waikiki, and I’ve found that Queens Beach has had the most fishies swimming around.

Snorkeling at Queen’s Beach in Waikiki generally means easy access, good swimming conditions, and… FREE!

If you want to see fish without leaving the main part of Waikiki, then Queens Beach is the best snorkeling spot to try.

It may not be as dramatic as Hanauma Bay, but it’s a fun beach if you don’t want to leave Waikiki.

Queens Beach is on the far end of Waikiki, and it fronts Kapiolani Park. Look for lifeguard tower 2E at Queens Beach. I’ve entered the water in front of that lifeguard station (or near it) and swam around and had a fun snorkeling experience!

Another landmark to look for is “Queens walkway” which is a concrete walkway that goes out from Queens Beach (map). (This is also a good Waikiki viewpoint! Walk here before you start swimming!) For snorkeling, look for the Queens walkway and enter the water to the right of this when facing the ocean.

In general, when you’re swimming in the water, you want to look for rocky looking area at the bottom of the ocean, as that’s the most common places to see little fishies, as they are there looking for food!

I’ll let you know below more about the best snorkeling on Oahu so you can decide if Queens Beach will be good enough for you, or if you want to make the effort to leave Waikiki for another beach!

 

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WAIKIKI IDEAS > LUAU | BEST OAHU TOURS

 

 

Marine Life Conservation Districts in Hawaii

In Hawaii, there are Marine Life Conservation Districts. These are located on the Hawaiian islands of Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island. And just as it sounds, the purpose is to conserve marine life in the area.

On Oahu, there are 3 of these districts. One of them is the Waikiki marine life conservation district. Queens Beach is a part of it!

When it comes to the best Oahu snorkeling spots, you’ll often hear about Hanauma Bay and Sharks Cove.

These are part of the other 2 marine life conservation districts on Oahu! There is the Hanauma Bay marine life conservation district (entry fee required), and Sharks Cove is part of the Pupukea marine life conservation district (free).

These snorkeling spots are also worth considering, but they do both require a bit of a time commitment. Hanauma Bay is at least 20 minutes away from Waikiki depending on your method of getting there, and Sharks Cove is on the North Shore which is at least an hour away. (Winter gets rough ocean conditions at Sharks Cove.)

 

There is a Hanauma Bay snorkeling tour (read the reviews) and Hanauma Bay shuttle (reviews), and you can also go on your own. While there are a limited number of walk-in tickets every day, it’s best to make Hanauma Bay reservations ahead of time if going on your own.

Take a look at my list of what to bring to Hanauma Bay for ideas for what to bring snorkeling in Waikiki too!

 

If you’re staying in Waikiki and don’t want to go far, then you can go to Queens Beach for the best snorkeling in Waikiki!

This is not the only place in Waikiki where you have a chance to see cute tropical fishies, but it is the best chance to see a variety.

So if snorkeling is your main goal and you don’t want to plan much, then head to Queens Beach! If you don’t mind a little extra planning, look more into Hanauma Bay and Sharks Cove!

 

I’ve gone snorkeling at Duke Kahanamoku Beach (aka the Hilton Hawaiian Village beach) and it’s been fun, and I did see a cute little Hawaiian pufferfish when snorkeling at Kuhio Beach. So if these are your beaches in Waikiki that you have decided on going to, you can still look for little fishies. I’ve read about people seeing turtles while snorkeling at the Duke Kahanamoku Beach, although I didn’t see any. If you really want to increase your chances of swimming with turtles in Waikiki, then you must do the turtle canyon snorkeling tour or the kayak surf snorkel turtle tour!

 

Best snorkeling in Waikiki: Queens Beach and Waikiki marine life conservation district

Queens Beach is on the far south end of Waikiki. This is on the opposite end of Hilton Hawaiian Village and next to Kuhio Beach.

This is the quieter side of Waikiki, and you’ll follow the sidewalk which turns into an oceanfront walking path on the beach side of Kapiolani Park. (Queens Beach is also called Queen Kapiolani Beach.)

Queens Beach is right where Kapiolani Park begins, just past the Waikiki Wall. (Kuhio Beach is on the other side of the Waikiki Wall.)

There are basic facilities near Queens Beach, like bathrooms and outdoor showers. There is even a bike sharing station if you are coming from the other side of Waikiki and want to bike here!

 

👆 This is the walking path at Queens Beach you’ll take to get closer to the Queens walkway.

 

👆 You can set up your beach spot anywhere on Queens Beach (it’s not that big), but lifeguard tower 2E can be a good reference point!

 

👆 Another reference spot is the Queens Walkway. You can look to fishies off to the right of this.

 

 

Quick travel tips when you’re OFF TO WAIKIKI!

• For the best snorkeling in Waikiki, head to Queens Beach! Have fun swimming around looking for fishies between the Waikiki Wall and Queens walkway (map)
• After snorkeling, walk a few minutes to Barefoot Beach Cafe for food! (reviews)
• Do the Turtle Canyon snorkeling tour for the best chance of swimming with lots of turtles in Waikiki!
  • See the official info and read the reviews.
• For the ultimate Hawaiian adventure that includes snorkeling and turtles, you must do the kayaking, surfing, and snorkeling combo tour!
  • See the official info and read the reviews.
• Learn the Hawaiian way to say the Hawaii state fish aka the reef triggerfish aka humuhumunukunukuapuaa!!
  • It’s not as difficult to say as you might think, and then when you see it when you’re snorkeling, you can be like “oh, there’s humuhumunukunukuapuaa!” and be all proud of yourself! 🤣 Break it up: humu-humu-nuku-nuku-apu-a-a! Here’s a video you must watch to prep you for Hawaii! 😁
• If you have yet to book your trip to Waikiki, you may want to look at the jellyfish calendar and avoid flying to Honolulu when there’s a higher chance of a jellyfish invasion.
  • People still do get in the water during these times, but something to be aware of!