Two Step (Hōnaunau Bay)Big Island, HI

Visibility is an estimate — wind, rain, tide & water alerts.

Getting in

Shore access, rocky entry

Depth

6 to 25 ft

Snorkeling

Snorkelable from the beach

Best conditions

The bay is reasonably sheltered and snorkelable on most days. Give it a miss when there is real wind or swell out of the south or west.

Parking

The Park Service asks snorkellers to park outside the park gate and leave the park lot for park visitors, and county signs reserve the boat-ramp stalls for trailers. A small private pay lot and a little roadside space are the rest of it, so arrive early.

Protection

The Two Step entry is not inside Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. Shoreline access at the Hōnaunau Bay boat ramp is managed by the County of Hawaiʻi.

On site

restrooms, boat ramp

Watch for

The entry is a natural lava ledge that takes surge, so time getting in and out with the sets, Sea urchins sit in holes on the entry ledge, so watch where you put your hands, The entry is beside a working boat ramp, and the Park Service asks snorkellers to stay out of the way of boat traffic, Spinner dolphins rest in this bay. Federal rules prohibit swimming with Hawaiian spinner dolphins and prohibit approaching or staying within 50 yards of one

Checked 2026-07-19. Sources: National Park Service, Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau, NOAA Fisheries, Tropical Snorkeling.