Kapoho Vacationland

Wai Opae Tidepools and Marine Sanctuary

Note: the photos on this page were taken several days AFTER CHRISTMAS in 2006!

The neighborhood just southwest of Kapoho Beach is known as Vacationland. Vacationland's lava flows provide an excellent setting for swimming, diving and picnicking. This area is widley regarded as the best snorkeling spot in East Hawaii, and one of the best on the entire island.

The coral-and-fish laden tide pools here make for great snorkeling! Moorish idols, large parrotfish, and many variations of butterflyfish, wrasse and tang are just a few of the tropical species you will encounter here. The pools range from a few feet to over 15 feet deep and change dramatically with the tides. The pools are sheltered from the surf and mirror-smooth - safe for young, old and everyone in between!

Head out towards the waves thru the small channel and you'll find a gorgeous patch of white sand about the length of a football field, a gorgeous spot to frolic and explore. When the tide is not low, you can continue past this area, still heading towards the waves at about a 45 degree angle, and you'll find your self in a forest of coral - acres of very old coral that have been spared by lava flows for ages. Even more densely populated than the pools, you can often spot honu (green sea turtles) snoozing or grazing among coral growths as big as Volkswagens.

In 2003, the area was made into a protected marine sanctuary by the state of Hawaii under the name of "Wai Opae Tidepools and Marine Sanctuary".

Guests at Snorkel Heaven have a beautiful, unobstructed view of these tidepools, and can walk there in less than 5 minutes. Our Kapoho Beach guests can drive there in less than 5 minutes and utlize the clearly marked public parking just in front of the area.