The Honu can be found almost anywhere on the island where there is not heavy surf. They tend to prefer areas with lagoons, tide pools or at least places where they can find food (seaweed, algae and grasses.) Also they tend to stay away from areas that have pollution. I have seen the most at Richardson Beach in Hilo and that is where these pictures were taken last March. You will see lots of big turtles if you take the hike to SHipman Beach. I also see them regularly in Hilo Bay & Waiakea Pond where I walk every day. On the West side of the island, I have seen them snorkeling at Hapuna Bay, Mauna Kea Beach, Kiholo Bay, Keauhou Bay and Honaunau Bay. However to answer your question, I think that the best place to find them is at Richardson Beach near the rocks in the tide pools on an ebb tide. When snorkeling at Haupuna once I did not have my camera with me, but I saw about 30 yellow Tang fish cleaning the back of a honu. It was very cool.
Hey Dev, ever been to Punalulu? Best spot to see the Honu eat limu and sun. Big Honu too. All basking in the sun. They really dont sun too much in Hilo due to the rocky coastline. Kau and Kona side have the best spots. I have a pic at Kaʻupulehu (Kona Village/Four Seasons) where there are at least 6 of them sunning. Cool stuff...
So cool! Were these pics taken on your recent snorkeling trip? Where do you think the best location is for someone to see Honu?
ReplyDeleteHi Ann,
ReplyDeleteThe Honu can be found almost anywhere on the island where there is not heavy surf. They tend to prefer areas with lagoons, tide pools or at least places where they can find food (seaweed, algae and grasses.) Also they tend to stay away from areas that have pollution. I have seen the most at Richardson Beach in Hilo and that is where these pictures were taken last March. You will see lots of big turtles if you take the hike to SHipman Beach. I also see them regularly in Hilo Bay & Waiakea Pond where I walk every day. On the West side of the island, I have seen them snorkeling at Hapuna Bay, Mauna Kea Beach, Kiholo Bay, Keauhou Bay and Honaunau Bay. However to answer your question, I think that the best place to find them is at Richardson Beach near the rocks in the tide pools on an ebb tide. When snorkeling at Haupuna once I did not have my camera with me, but I saw about 30 yellow Tang fish cleaning the back of a honu. It was very cool.
Hey Dev, ever been to Punalulu? Best spot to see the Honu eat limu and sun. Big Honu too. All basking in the sun. They really dont sun too much in Hilo due to the rocky coastline. Kau and Kona side have the best spots. I have a pic at Kaʻupulehu (Kona Village/Four Seasons) where there are at least 6 of them sunning. Cool stuff...
ReplyDeletewonderful honu shots.
ReplyDelete