Exploring Kaneohe Bay With Holokai Kayak and Snorkel Adventures

Kaneohe Bay is only 30 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki beach and is popular with locals and tourists alike for its representation of all aspects of life on Oahu, from ancient Hawaiian fishponds to blockbuster movie locations.

It’s also where Hawaii’s only barrier reef can be found, making it a natural wonder and bucket-list destination for marine enthusiasts.

The bay, set against the backdrop of the Koolau Mountains, will be familiar to many visitors for its appearance in films such as “Jurassic Park.” It’s also the perfect setting for a unique experience on the water.

Holokai Kayak and Snorkel Adventures knows just how special the location is, so the company makes it a priority to show guests the best of what Kaneohe Bay has to offer.

I recently experienced the operator’s Guided Kayak and Snorkel Adventures. It  began on the waterfront peninsula of Heeia State Park, an ideal location to appreciate the beauty of Kaneohe Bay. We started our tour with a quick introduction and safety briefing from our guides, Alivia Danhoff, Parker Johnson and Jon Hosokawa. (All guides are first aid-, CPR- and lifeguard-certified.) Then, after a short walk to the water, we were fitted with the gear we needed to enjoy our adventure, including life jackets, paddles, fins and masks. Holokai even has a selection of prescription masks for guests who wear glasses.

We then climbed into one- or two-person kayaks and were clipped to a motorboat so the guides could tow us halfway to the snorkel site. Danhoff explained that this was to expedite our trip to the reef and give us more time in the water. Tours often go to Coconut Island (also known as “Gilligan’s Island” because it was used as the stock shot for the television series), but when visibility is poor at Coconut Island – like it was on the day of my tour – guides take snorkelers to Horseshoe Reef.

“Horseshoe Reef’s visibility is incredible,” said Danhoff, who, in addition to being a guide, is also a marine biologist. “We’re going to see a lot of coral species, fish species and really cool things in the water.”

Once we were halfway to Horseshoe Reef, we were unclipped from the motorboat, and we paddled to our landing site: a sandbar next to the reef, where we could easily get out of our kayaks and put on our fins and masks in the knee-deep water. The reef teemed with all types of fish and corals, and we even saw a few sea turtles.

“You can see little 3-foot reef sharks here,” Johnson said. “But the barrier reef keeps all the scary ones outside.” 

Although we didn’t see any of the not-so-scary sharks, one thing that particularly stood out to me was the large number of yellow tangs, bright yellow fish that have made a recent comeback in Hawaiian waters after being decimated by the aquarium trade. 

After about an hour in the water, we paddled back to our starting point (although there was an option to be towed back by motorboat).

After all that snorkeling and kayaking, I had definitely worked up an appetite. Luckily, a delicious lunch was waiting for us at the “hale” (Hawaiian for house). There was barbecue chicken and ribs with rice, grilled corn and salad. A vegetarian option was also available. 

Another aspect of this tour that clients will appreciate is that 100 percent of the proceeds go to Kamaaina Kids, the nonprofit organization that created Holokai Kayak and Snorkel Adventures, to facilitate educational and instructional programs, camps and after-school activities for local kids and their families. Kamaaina Kids is also dedicated to the restoration and beautification of Heeia State Park.

“Kamaaina Kids runs the entire park, and these activities are literally what fund it,” said Andy Carre, general manager of Holokai Kayak and Snorkel Adventures. 

The landscape of Oahu can change drastically from one side of the island to another, and while many visitors to Oahu choose to stay in well-known areas such as Waikiki or the North Shore, a visit to Kaneohe gives travelers the chance to see a side of the island that is much more green and lush. In addition, unlike popular Hanauma Bay, crowds are significantly smaller at Kaneohe Bay.

Travel agents can feel comfortable recommending this tour to clients of all experience levels, as it is challenging enough for those who have kayaked or snorkeled before, but the guides are always close at hand to help beginners. And thanks to the barrier reef, there are no large waves to intimidate new paddlers. Although the center of Horseshoe Reef is fairly deep, the less experienced snorkelers on our tour chose to stay close to the edges (some also opted to keep their life jackets on), and the sandbars also provided natural shallow rest areas.

The four-hour tour operates Monday through Saturday. It costs $130 for adults and $110 for kids (ages 5 to 12). Transportation to and from Waikiki is included.

The Details
Holokai Kayak and Snorkel Adventures
www.holokaiadventures.com