Fishing and Snorkeling Trip - Oahu or Big Island?

Question

Hello! We will be staying in Honolulu for 3 nights and on the big island of Hawaii for 6 nights. I want to make sure that we do a fishing and snorkeling trip but I don't know which location we should do it in. We are staying on the Hilo side of Hawaii and on Waikiki in Honolulu. My son loves fishing and I love snorkeling and my husband and daughter are just along for the ride. Cost is a concern. I'm looking for the best value with good fishing and snorkeling. My kids are 15 and 13 years old, for reference. Any suggestions? Thank you so much for your help!

Answer

For a family interested in both fishing and snorkeling with teenagers, both Oahu (Waikiki) and the Big Island (Hilo side) offer unique experiences, but there are important differences in cost, accessibility, and marine life variety.

Oahu (Waikiki): The south shore offers many short boat tours combining fishing and snorkeling. These trips tend to be well-organized, often departing from Honolulu Harbor, and are convenient given your Waikiki stay. You can expect good reef snorkeling and coastal fishing for species like mahi-mahi, aku, or bottom fish.

Pros: Easy access from Waikiki, lots of operators offering combined trips, shorter travel times, safety and comfort are usually high.
Cons: Ocean tends to be busier, some reef snorkeling areas are smaller or more crowded, and fishing trips can be pricier due to the island’s popularity.
Recommended duration: 4–6 hour half-day trips are often sufficient, keeping costs moderate.

Big Island (Hilo side): The east side is less crowded than Kona and Oahu, but fishing charters departing from Hilo are less abundant and often geared more toward experienced anglers targeting deep sea species. Snorkeling near Hilo can be limited due to rougher waters and more volcanic coastline, compared with Kona’s famous calm snorkeling spots like Kealakekua Bay or Turtle Town.

Pros: Less crowded, potentially more personal attention on a charter, unique marine life experiences.
Cons: Fewer operators, sometimes rougher seas on the Hilo side, limited shallow snorkeling spots, and trips may require longer travel to reach optimal fishing/snorkeling locations.
Recommended: If your goal is both easy snorkeling and fun fishing for beginners or family-friendly trips, Hilo may be less ideal than Kona or Waikiki.

Recommendation: Considering your son’s interest in fishing and your love of snorkeling, plus teenagers along for the ride and cost concerns, Oahu offers the best combination of convenience, safety, and value. You can book a combined snorkeling and fishing charter close to Waikiki with manageable travel times and reasonable costs. If you have extra time or want a more adventurous experience, you could consider a short trip to Kona for world-class snorkeling and fishing during your Big Island stay, but it will be more expensive and require more planning.

Look for operators offering half-day or full-day combined fishing & snorkeling tours in Waikiki for a balance of cost and activity time.
Reserve in advance if possible, as tours can fill up quickly in March-April.
Bring your own gear if allowed, and ask about family-friendly options to keep teens engaged.

In summary, for convenience, value, and family enjoyment, Waikiki on Oahu is the most practical choice, while the Big Island offers more remote or adventurous options if you’re willing to plan a longer trip and higher cost.

Fishing and Snorkeling Trip - Oahu or Big Island?

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