Travelers may think of Hawaii as the land of surfboards, sunsets and mai tais, but there's a lava flow of reasons to go beyond the beaches and discover why residents say they are lucky to live in Hawaii. And, yes, some of the state's best beaches are found on the Big Island. But don't get stuck there. Do what the locals do.
-- George Fuller
-- George Fuller
Swim with the honu
There are five snorkeling areas along the Big Island's Kohala Coast: Puako Bay, Waialea Beach (Beach 69), Hapuna Beach, Mauna Kea and Mauume. You'll enjoy each for different reasons. The undersea life is abundant at all of them, and more often than not you'll encounter at least one of Hawaii's sacred honu, or green sea turtles. These protected creatures feed on the coral reefs just offshore, making an encounter likely. But even if you don't see turtles, there are thousands of brightly colored fish and even the occasional monk seal, manta ray or eel.
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Source: http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-activities-on-hawaiis-big-island-20120420,0,1448771.photogallery