Two Step
4.5
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Duration: 2-3 hours
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- mybonnielynPanama City, Florida31 contributionsTrumpetfishEasy parking. Relatively easy entry and exit to the reef (lava rock so if you have practical shoes, I recommend them). Beautiful fish. My favorite is the yellow trumpet fish. Fun activity.Visited October 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 30 October 2023
- Face_The_ElementsEdmonton, Canada344 contributionsSpend a few hours here if you’re in the areaRight next to Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park, Two Step is a beautiful beach to enjoy the waterfront, pools in the volcanic rocks and some amazing snorkelling. There were some picnic tables and shade to find, but there was very little sand to sit on if you don’t get a seat at the tables. If you wanted to park close, there is a fee, otherwise park at a distance (along the road to the historical site) and walk. There isn’t a permanent toilet or water fountains but there are portable toilets. Great little lagoon to spend a few hours at.Visited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 19 April 2024
- K9TrainersAtlanta, Georgia102 contributionsGood for a few hours snorkelingThis is a very good snorkeling spot - with a few caveats. 1. Go early. It starts to get hot and crowded later in the day. Hot lava rock is not good for bare feet. 2. Know your equipment and skill level. I wouldn't recommend this for an inexperienced swimmer or snorkeler. Know what you are doing or go to a regular snorkel beach. 3. Don't plan to stay the whole day. There are so many other good places to hang out on the island. Swim and snorkel here, but find a nice sandy swimming beach for the afternoon. I like two step a lot, but it is one of my morning swim/snorkel spots on the big island that should be enjoyed in moderation.Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 8 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
125 reviews
Excellent
81
Very good
34
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6
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3
Terrible
1
G C
Anchorage, AK1,004 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Two Step offers really easy access to excellent underwater viewing of Hawaiian marine life, and is much frequented by visitors to the Big Island :)). The water here is usually calm, and the bottom drops off close to shore, which enables folks to check out spinner dolphins, etc. There’s also some nice shallow areas for less experienced snorkelers, keikis, etc. with lots of colorful reef fish swimming about (and Honu turtles at times too :). There’s no showers here — albeit portable toilets are available — and parking can be challenging (best to arrive early). Enjoy!
Written 12 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laurie L
Plymouth, MN606 contributions
May 2021
You can park on the street for free or there is paid parking directly across the street from the beach for $5. We paired this with a visit to the national park and then walked over when we were done with our tour. It seems quite busy but there was still plenty of room for everyone to spread out on the lava flow shore or snorkeling in the water. The water was clean & clear we could see fish as we stood on the lava before we even got into the water. You can enter the water via the “two step” in the middle of the lava flow but we found it easier/less congested to enter at the side of the old boat launch. It’s quite shallow for awhile & there are large rocks to navigate if you’re walking but not bad. There is also a small shallow tide pool that is great for smaller children.
Written 26 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melinda B
2 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
Excellent snorkel spot. Beach entry or rocky drop in entry was somewhat difficult but the payoff in fish variety was worth it! Not a Sandy beach, this is an area to park on the Main Street near the national historic site entry, bring little stuff, walk in, and snorkel, then go. We even purchased inexpensive but lovely hand-strung leis from a local family on the way out.
I wish to have seen the dolphins, which are prevalent, would definitely return.
I wish to have seen the dolphins, which are prevalent, would definitely return.
Written 24 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle
20 contributions
Mar 2022
There is nearby parking for $5 for the day, otherwise, free street parking is crowded and hard to find. It was easy to get in and out of the water. It was a little crowded but people were very helpful. Lots of fish to be seen. We visited a second time early in the morning and it was uncrowded with a variety of birds.
Written 9 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heidi G
Moses Lake, WA199 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
I’ve been to the Big Island 3xs, first time to two step. Wow great snorkeling. We went early, got there by 8:30am, by 11:00 it was pretty crowded. I am sure with all the use corals are getting killed. Please be responsible if you go. Wear reef safe sunscreen, don’t touch anything, don’t stand on or kick corals. Pack in and pack out.
Written 22 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carolyn S
Dayton, OH21 contributions
Jan 2020
What a great little find! The best snorkeling we found on the island. Like most reviews have said, parking can be difficult but we were lucky enough to get a spot on the street directly across the street (we arrived about 9a). There are 2 steps to enter the water for snorkeling which can be slippery. Minimal sand so expect to be on the lava rocks. Many shady places!
We had a bunch of kiddos with us as well (ages 6 and under) and they had a great time playing in the tidal pools and even saw some sea urchins and an eel in the little tidal pools.
We had a bunch of kiddos with us as well (ages 6 and under) and they had a great time playing in the tidal pools and even saw some sea urchins and an eel in the little tidal pools.
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Face_The_Elements
Edmonton, Canada344 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
Right next to Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park, Two Step is a beautiful beach to enjoy the waterfront, pools in the volcanic rocks and some amazing snorkelling. There were some picnic tables and shade to find, but there was very little sand to sit on if you don’t get a seat at the tables. If you wanted to park close, there is a fee, otherwise park at a distance (along the road to the historical site) and walk. There isn’t a permanent toilet or water fountains but there are portable toilets. Great little lagoon to spend a few hours at.
Written 19 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveler
Napa165 contributions
Jan 2023
We've visited this snorkeling site dozens of times and after our month long stay we were shocked by the lack of turtles. We only saw one on 2 dozen snorkels. We never saw dolphins as in past trips. NO DOLPHINS. .TERRIBLE. Try other snorkel sights is my advice. If you want to see tropical fish then this will be an okay experience. The accesses off lava so be careful. Thus is not for behpgiiners or small children.
Written 28 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
flyingdoc99
Portola Valley, CA421 contributions
Nov 2022 • Family
Get there early to beat the crowds. Bring your own gear. Don’t park in the official national park parking lot. Either park on the street and walk in or there is a pay lot for $5 if you drive down the small road to the water. They have port a potties there too.
You literally step down two lava steps and you are in the water. Amazing sea life! Will definitely go back next time we’re on the big island.
You literally step down two lava steps and you are in the water. Amazing sea life! Will definitely go back next time we’re on the big island.
Written 8 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sigepotter
San Francisco, CA102 contributions
Mar 2023
We went snorkeling at two step our first two days on the Big Island. It's about a 30 minute drive south of Kona, but worth it. Entry is across the rocks but there are a couple natural "steps" built into the rock which make for an easy entry. Expect it to be busy with a lot of snorkelers so be patient while people enter and exit.
We saw almost every kind of Hawaiian fish imaginable and whole schools of yellow tangs. To the left (south) end of the bay are sand channels amid rock formations which are spectacular.
To the north, the reef drops off to a very deep sand bay where Spinner Dolphins swim around some days. Be cautious entering that side of the bay because there are a couple locals with a loudspeaker who call you names and threaten you to leave that side of the bay. When we were there, we didn't see anyone get within 50 yards of the dolphins, but it didn't stop the couple from yelling at people and calling them names. Very disappointing to treat visitors that way!
We saw almost every kind of Hawaiian fish imaginable and whole schools of yellow tangs. To the left (south) end of the bay are sand channels amid rock formations which are spectacular.
To the north, the reef drops off to a very deep sand bay where Spinner Dolphins swim around some days. Be cautious entering that side of the bay because there are a couple locals with a loudspeaker who call you names and threaten you to leave that side of the bay. When we were there, we didn't see anyone get within 50 yards of the dolphins, but it didn't stop the couple from yelling at people and calling them names. Very disappointing to treat visitors that way!
Written 3 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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