Traveling to Kailua Kona Hawaii

Snorkeling is great fun. If you have never tried, please promise yourself that you will.

I am not an expert, however, these are a few things I wish I had known the first time I went to "Snorkel Bob's" to rent snorkel gear.

Get the snorkel with a purge valve...it allows the ocean water to automatically drain out i.e. when a wave washes over you, your companion splashes you or you do a less than Olympic style swim move and get water in it all by yourself! If you do not get the purge valve kind the water goes right in your mouth through the tube you were trying to breathe out of.

This type of snorkel usually cost a little extra in rental or purchase fees. This extra cost will make your snorkeling experience much more enjoyable.

Make sure your mask fits you properly. Yes, it takes a little extra time, but again your snorkel time will be much more fun. Move all of your hair out of the way and adjust the straps to fit tightly against your face without making deep creases. Try on different ones to find the best fit. You do not want to be all poised to take your sea turtle or parrot fish picture and suddenly have salt water in your eyes!

Do you wear prescription eye glasses? See if you can rent a mask to match your prescription. This might make snorkeling easier for you without the worry or glasses or contacts. You want to see the pretty fish and coral as clearly as possible.

Fins...there are basically two kinds...some with straps and some without! The full foot kind fit more like a shoe and are generally lighter and more flexible. The advantage of the adjustable strap kind is you can wear neoprene booties to protect your feet from jagged coral or sharp objects in the sand. Try on both kinds and see what appeals to you.

Get one of those laminated cards with the fish pictures and names to help identify all the cool fish to see. These are great to identify the fish in your photos when you get home. You can also put them in your scrapbook or vacation treasures box.

Keep reading...the information continues in the next module. 2500 words was not enough!

Choose a safe place to snorkel. Being swept out to sea could ruin your vacation! Check with your hotel, local dive shops and fellow travelers for the best spots. Read your guide book for a list of great snorkel beaches. Some beaches have life guards on duty. Obey the signs, many beaches have signs stating what part of the beach is safe and what part is not safe. Now that you are afraid of the water, let's talk about the good part...

Start in the shallow water...do not jump into forty feet of water to start. Stand in waist deep water, Put on your mask and snorkel, Place your face in the water and breathe. Is your mask adjusted properly or is water pouring in? Does the snorkel feel right? Do you trust that you can breathe the snorkel and stop holding your breath?

Give yourself a little time. All new skills take time to master. After you comfortable with the mask and snorkel, put on your fins. Float in water you can stand up in. When that feels natural, swim around a bit in the shallows. When you feel like a "fish in water" go snorkeling!

The underwater world offers so many spectacular views. Enjoy your new skill and all the beauty the ocean has to offer. Melissa :-)

Tourism:
Hawaii Visitors Bureau-Big Island (808) 961-5795
Kailua-Kona Chamber of Commerce (808) 329-1758
Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce (808) 935-7178
Hawaii Island Economic Development (808) 966-5416

Long Term Rentals or Purchases:
Rentals Illustrated (808) 949-3686
Homes & Land (800) 277-7800

Local Newspapers:
Hawaii Tribune Herald (808) 935-6621
West Hawaii Today (808) 329-9311

2-3 Swimsuits (It's no fun putting on a wet sand filled suit! You could ruin one on rough coral, etc. Shopping is fun in Hawaii, but not on the best surf day!)

Sunscreen (If you have sensitive skin, try it out at home first, a skin rash on vacation is not fun)

Sunglasses

Sun Hat/Baseball Cap (Even the part in your hair can burn if you're not careful, besides, you look cute in hats!)

Journal (If for no other reason, so you can write down all the directions, dinner times, boat launchings, etc.)

Camera (film or card)

Disposable underwater cameras (great for snorkeling)

Comfortable Sandles (Wear around the house)

Tennis Shoes and Cool Socks (You may want to go for a run on the beach or a hike)

Swim Shorts (If you like to snorkel, your buns may need a little sun break)

Calling card (May be a little easier and less expensive to phone home)

Postage Stamps (Who wants to stand in line at the post office in Paradise to mail all those great postcards?)

Attractive cool casual wear (You may want to look a little nicer than beachwear going out to dinner or dancing!)

Beach Bag (You may not want your nice rolling Samsonite in the sand with your entire wardrobe.)

Hulihee Palace--This two story New England style mansion was built by John Adams Kuakine, governor of Hawaii. Built in the 1800's with lava, coral, ohi'a timber. It is on Alli Drive in Kailua-Kona near the boat harbor. Admission charged by the Daughters of Hawaii who now operate it as a museum. Beautiful koa wood furnishings and artifacts can be seen inside. You can always just walk along the beach behind the structure, too.

Turtle Photos Copyright Ursula Keuper-Bennett and Peter Bennett. Used by permission.

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