Snorkeling with Native Hawaiian Fish in Kona

Hawaii is home to over 1100 native tropical fish and most can be found by snorkeling at Kahalu’u Bay in Kona, Hawaii.

Out of the 24,000 known species of fish in the world, the Hawaiian Islands are home to over 1,100 of them, including 149 endemic (native only to Hawaii) fish species. Some of these fish include the Hawaiian Whitespotted Puffer, Potter’s Angelfish, and the several species of wrass. Surprisingly enough the Hawaii state fish, the Humuhumunukunukuapua`a or the Hawaiian trigger fish is not an endemic species. There are many places to see these fish on the Big Island, but our favorite place to find them is by snorkeling right in front of our shop at Kahaluu Bay.

While the Humuhumunukunukuapua’a is Hawaii’s state fish, it is not a native Hawaiian fish.

Kahaluu Bay is considered the jewel of Kona and there is no question why. With a depth that reaches only six feet in some areas it makes a perfect place for family’s to enjoy the marine life together. At Kahaluu Bay you can find over 40 percent of the endemic species of fish, almost all of the endemic corals and the Hawaiian green sea turtle in just minutes from entering the water.

 Want to snorkel with some of the most diverse and tropical fish in the world? Stop by Kahalu’u Bay Surf and Sea today for all of your high quality snorkel gear rentals.