Two Step Beach Snorkeling Pictures & Visitor Information - Pu'uhonua o Honaunau Place of Refuge Park, South Kona, Big Island, Hawaii

Two Step Beach Snorkeling - Honaunau Bay, Big Island, Hawaii
Pictures and visitor info from a snorkeling trip to Two Step Beach near Puuhonua o Honaunau Park in South Kona.

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Two Step "Beach"

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Two Step Beach, also known by the plural "Two Steps", is a very popular snorkeling hot spot located near the educational Pu'uhonua o Honaunau Place of Refuge Historical Park in the South Kona area of the Big Island of Hawaii.

There isn't an actual sandy beach here, just a mostly flat surface of lava rocks where people sunbathe and enjoy picnics in between snorkeling sessions.

To reach Two Step from Kailua-Kona, take Hwy 11 south to the Honaunau-Napoopoo area and turn right after the 104 mile marker on City of Refuge Rd (Keala O Keawe Rd / Hwy 160). Then continue about 5 miles towards the ocean and turn right before the entrance to the Pu'uhonua o Honaunau Park. Follow the narrow road to just past the Keoneele Cove Boat Ramp.

Parking along the shoreline at Two Step can be limited on weekends, but you can always pay $5 to park at the Place of Refuge and walk the short distance back to Two Step.

Spiky Sea Urchins In Holes

Natural Lava Rock Steps

First Step

To safely get into the water at Two Step, approach the natural lava stone steps where you'll see everyone else entering or exiting and put on your flippers. There are small sea urchins with sharp spikes in the holes on the steps that can be painful on bare heels. Then step into the shallow water on the first step, sit down, gently lower yourself onto the 2nd step and time your entry into the water with the waves.

Second Step

The snorkeling at Two Step was really great in person but underwater photographers may have a hard time getting clear pictures due to the natural freshwater springs in the Honaunau Bay. The springs tend to spray up sediment into the water and reduce visibility in the immediate area around them. Besides that minor issue, I still highly recommend snorkeling at Two Step since you can admire a wide variety of colorful fish and even a green sea turtle ("Honu") or two .