Snorkeling in Lanai

Snorkeling is the easiest ocean sport available on the island, requiring nothing but a snorkel, mask, fins, and good sense. Borrow equipment from your hotel or purchase some in Lanai City if you didn't bring your own. Wait to enter the water until you are sure no big sets of waves are coming; and observe the activity of locals on the beach. If little kids are playing in the shore break, it's usually safe to enter. To get into the water safely, always swim in past the breakers, and in the comparative calm put on your fins, then mask and snorkel.

Best Spots

Hulopoe Beach. Hulopoe Beach is an outstanding snorkeling destination. The Four Seasons Manele Resort overlooks this beach and has guest amenities. The bay is a State of Hawaii Marine Conservation District, and no spearfishing or diving is allowed. Schools of manini (seargent major fish) feeding on the coral coat the rocks with flashing silver, and you can view kala (unicorn fish), uhu (parrot fish), and papio (small trevally) in all their rainbow colors. As you wade in from the sandy beach, the best snorkeling is toward the left. Beware of rocks and surging waves. When the resident spinner dolphins are in the bay, watch them from the shore. If swimmers and snorkelers go out, the dolphins may leave and be deprived of their necessary resting place. Manele, Lanai City, HI, 96763.

Manele Small Boat Harbor. A wade-in snorkel spot is beyond the break wall at Manele Small Boat Harbor. Enter over the rocks, just past the boat ramp. It's dangerous to enter if waves are breaking. Manele, Lanai City, HI, 96763.

Equipment, Lessons, and Tours

Trilogy Oceansports Lanai. A 4½-hour snorkeling trip aboard a spacious catamaran explores Lanai's pristine coastline with this company's experienced captain and crew. The trip includes lessons, equipment, and lunch served on board. Tours are offered Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday for $181 per person. Manele Small Boat Harbor, Manele Rd., Manele, Lanai City, HI, 96763. 888/628-4800. www.sailtrilogy.com.