Hulopoe Bay is consistently rated one of the finest snorkeling spots in all of Hawaii, and it earns the title. The crescent of white sand sits at the foot of the Four Seasons resort but is a public beach and open to everyone. The water is clear, warm, and calm inside the protected bay — coral heads begin just a few yards from shore and the fish life is dense and varied.
The bay's signature residents are spinner dolphins. Small pods frequently spend the morning hours resting and socializing here before heading offshore to feed. Snorkelers who enter the water quietly often find themselves alongside them. The dolphins are wild and undisturbed; approach calmly and let them set the terms.
On the south end of the bay, a lava shelf drops into deeper water where larger fish congregate. Bring your own snorkel gear if possible — rentals on Lanai are limited.