Snorkeling safety in Hawaii is back in the international news, with renewed attention on full-face snorkel masks and the possible risk of snorkeling after flying. We’re drawing from our own personal experiences, expert insights, and discussions within the Beat of Hawaii community.
Among some of us who really enjoy snorkeling and diving the full face masks have gained a reputation as “death” masks. They have more volume to clear, so there is going to be more re-breathed CO2 with each breath. That little tube is the snorkeler’s lifeline, so care needs to be taken when selecting and using snorkels.
I don’t think the time relative to landing is a significant factor. On one trip back-in-the-day I drove from HNL directly to Hanauma Bay and went snorkeling. I was fine.
Lastly, I looked up info about the reported deaths. I have snorkeled at that location multiple times, and consider it a beginner spot. That makes this more tragic, IMO, because no one should have died there.
The young couple died in Maui, not Oahu.