Beach Snorkel - Sea Turtle and Black Sand Lagoon

Discover a world of marine science and one of the best snorkeling spots in the Hilo region at these two family-friendly beach parks, accessed from the shoreline. The only black-sand beach in the Hilo region provides relaxed swimming, sheltered rock pools for beautiful snorkeling and excellent surfing. Lava from Mauna Kea has formed a natural seawall at Richardson Ocean Park, making it a sheltered beach that is perfect snorkeling with giant sea turtles, monk seals and abundant sea life. Rock pools that fill at high tide make for shallow, detached swimming holes at low tide. Snorkel in the pools, without the stress of swell or currents.