Best place to snorkel and see turtles?

Just curious where people think is the ideal place to snorkel and see turtles on the Big Island? I have heard of many sightings at Punalu%26#39;u on the black sand beach, but was looking for other%26#39;s opinions who have had personal experiences actually snorkeling near them (but naturally not touching them). (I%26#39;ll also be going to Maui and thinking that ';Turtle Town%26#39; might indeed be my best bet). Thanks.

Best place to snorkel and see turtles?

We were staying at the Fairmont Orchid and saw tons of turtles while snorkeling off the beach there. Lots of pretty coral, too.

Best place to snorkel and see turtles?

I have seen them at Punaluu lying on the beach; snorkeling I%26#39;ve seen them quite frequently at Kahaluu south of Kona. Very good snorkel beach.

Also have seen them at Kiholo Bay ... if you are into out of the way places, you can try this ... you park at mile marker 81 off Hwy 19 and there%26#39;s a trail down to the ocean. Head toward the palms.

Kahalu%26#39;u Beach Park, also referred to as ';Children%26#39;s Beach'; is the best place we%26#39;ve found to see, and swim with, turtles. (Especially just south of the main entry point, for some reason). The turtles at Punalu%26#39;u are generally easily visible, but the times we%26#39;ve been there the water has been too rough to snorkel in. Kahalu%26#39;u is in the resort section of Kona, and there are lots of amenities at the park (including outdoor showers, lifeguards, local artists, playground and picnic area, etc.)You can find an interactive, panoramic view of this park at: www.sewcon.com/kahaluu360/

Of course, don%26#39;t forget your underwater, disposable cameras (we wait and buy ours at a Long%26#39;s Drug somewhere--they seem to have the best prices, overall, then we used our Costco membership to get the pics developed on the island--they do a good job with the tropical colors). We also recommend trying to get to the park in early to mid-morning, as the parking lot can fill up by late morning.

Be sure and listen for the crunching noises the turtles make when they bite food off the rocks, underwater. It is really cool!

i was just in hawaii for a month and i saw turtles almost every single day, along along kona coast, north and south kona and up north as well. don%26#39;t think you%26#39;ll have a problem finding them! there were tons right in town, i swam with them my first night there, right next to the %26#39;bubba gumps%26#39;. i noticed people could be standing right next to me and not even notice them, just look for a moving rock under the water. i found it best to observe them and just watch them, not %26#39;swim with%26#39; them because when they are near shore they are looking for food and swimming around them disturbs that. they are fun to watch, even my 4 year old liked watching them every single day. you can be sitting on a beach, take a nap, and wake up to find several are basking near by you. it%26#39;s pretty cool.

Thanks to everyone who has responded to this thread. Heading to the BI in August, so I%26#39;m hoping they%26#39;ll still be around when that time finally arrives. ;-) Anyone with more updates please feel free to add your sightings/locations.