Visitors who are lonely for the dogs waiting for them at home might consider taking their snorkels to “Dog Beach,” one of the few overtly doggy beaches on Hawaii Island.
Enter Honokohau Harbor and follow the road to the end, past all of the docks. Park in the dirt lot and find the beach to the left/south. There is a bit of a clamber down over the rocks to the beach, a cove of tawny sand with a shallow little bay beyond.
Once you have petted all the dogs, enter the shallows and work your way out of the cove and then southward along the healthy, busy reef. Stick close to the shore in case of currents, and also because an active harbor entrance is nearby.Keep an eye out for the famous yellow tangs of the Kona coast, often seen here in small golden clouds.