Why Is Waikiki's Water So Blue?

One of the first things that takes your breath away in Waikiki is the water itself: impossibly blue, glowing turquoise over the reefs, and clear enough to watch fish dart beneath you. Have you ever wondered why the ocean is blue, and why it is so clear here? The answer is a bit of simple, beautiful science, and it is good news for snorkelers.

Water Is Not Actually Clear and Colorless?

In a glass, water looks colorless. But fill a whole ocean with it and something magical happens. Water actually absorbs colors of light, and it absorbs the warm colors, red, orange, and yellow, first. Blue light has a short wavelength that travels deepest and scatters back to your eyes. So across a large body of water, the blue is what remains, which is why the ocean looks blue. It is a property of the water itself, not a reflection of the sky.

Why Waikiki Glows Turquoise

Over Waikiki's shallow reefs, the water often looks bright turquoise rather than deep blue. That is because in shallow areas, light passes through less water and bounces off the light, sandy bottom and the reef before it is fully absorbed. The result is that gorgeous glowing aqua color you see in all the postcards, and it means you are over the kind of shallow, sunlit reef that is perfect for snorkeling.

What Makes Water Clear for Snorkeling

Clarity, how far you can see underwater, is a little different from color. The clearest water has very little floating in it: no stirred-up sand, mud, algae, or runoff. Waikiki's water is clearest on calm mornings before the wind picks up the surface, and it can turn cloudy for a day or two after heavy rain washes sediment into the ocean. That is why guides often recommend snorkeling early in the day.

Tips for the Clearest Water

If you want the best visibility on your snorkel, a few simple habits help. Go in the morning when the water is calmest and the light is bright. Check the surf and avoid snorkeling right after a big rainstorm. And pick a sheltered, reef-protected spot where the water stays calm. On a guided tour, the crew knows exactly where and when the water will be at its clearest.

See the Blue for Yourself

Now that you know the science, that glowing Waikiki water becomes even more amazing. Come see it up close, floating over a sunlit reef in some of the clearest, bluest water in the world. On a guided snorkel tour, we will take you to the best spots to enjoy it. Your own underwater paradise is waiting.