Snorkel Hawaii: The Big Island [Paperback]

Mel Malinowski (Author), Judy Malinowski (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1996 | Series: Snorkel Hawaii

Snorkel Hawaii: The Big Island is the first guidebook exclusively devoted to snorkeling on The Big Island of Hawaii.

From a colorful cover to dozens of detailed maps of snorkeling sites, it draws you into the fascinating underwater world that shouldn't be missed by anyone touring the Big Island.

As Dave Barry says: "When you finally see what goes on underwater, you realize that you've been missing the whole point of the ocean--it's like going to the circus and staring at the outside of the tent."

It is the first in a series of guidebooks that provide more detailed snorkeling information than ever before available for each of the Hawaiian islands in an attractive, easy to carry package. Snorkel Hawaii: Maui and Lanai, also available from Amazon.com, provides the same detailed coverage of these beautiful islands. Our website, www.malinowski.com, provides detailed information, updates and more.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Funny thing about Judy and Mel Malinowski. They live in Northern California, and are certified scuba divers who have traveled to more than 50 countries around the planet. Yet they prefer the freedom of snorkeling, and they keep coming back to Hawaii. The result of their love affair with Hawaii is a series of exceptional guidebooks to the best snorkeling sites in Hawaii. With simple prose that is eloquent with aloha, their books are extended love letters to Hawaii's best reefs. The authors preach respect for moana and aina, and gush over the more extravagant snorkeling sites while warning of problems. Detailed and accurate maps and charts can put even a hopeless twit in the right spot for a delightful diving adventure, and the text leaves readers with a sense of history, Hawaiian culture, geography, oceanography and aloha. They have achieved a rare balance in presenting essential elementary information to help beginners, and insightful revelations to keep experts interested. Their series includes books about the Big Island and Maui/Lanai, but the Malinowskis are happily plunging into field research to cover the rest of the islands. -- Honolulu Star-Bulletin Greg Ambrose December 15, 1997

From the Author

An active vacation is memorable for adventure as well as relaxation. Hassles and missteps finding out where to go can raise your blood pressure, and waste your time. Our research will help you quickly locate appropriate sites that fit your interests and abilities, saving your valuable vacation hours.

Snorkeling sites in Hawaii are trickier than some calmer parts of the world, so it's best to get good advice before heading out. Everyone's had their share of unpleasant experiences due to vague directions, as well as outdated or inaccurate information. We have created the Snorkel Hawaii series as that savvy snorkeling buddy everyone needs. We hope you'll enjoy the personal stories we've included; see About the Authors on page 126 if you want to know a little more about us.

We have personally snorkeled all the major sites listed. Few of these sites are well-marked. The challenge lies in knowing how to find them quickly, as well as how to enter and exit, and where to snorkel, so you'll have a safe and rewarding experience. Our detailed maps and instructions will ease the uncertainty, saving you time and effort.

The Big Island offers some of the clearest water and finest snorkeling sites in all of the Hawaiian Islands. Less developed than the more crowded islands of Maui and Oahu, it retains much of the Aloha spirit even today. Most residents of the Big Island are friendly, relaxed and willing to talk and share their love of this remarkable place. Try to visit it at least once in your life, and by all means don't miss the underwater world. Aloha!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Indigo Publications; 1st edition (June 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964668009
• ISBN-13: 978-0964668003
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,863,781 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceeded our expectations. Top-notch book!, September 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Snorkel Hawaii: The Big Island (Paperback)

We spent two weeks on the Big Island, snorkeling beach after beach. Our general guidebook was helpful, but not that useful for getting us to snorkeling spots.

This guidebook, on the other hand, has detailed, clear maps that made getting to places easy. We found them to be clear, accurate and pretty foolproof. It helps take the stress out of getting there.

We didn't expect the Big Island to be a great beach destination, and were pleasantly surprised at how many fine beaches there are, and how much snorkeling adds to the experience. We especially liked all the insider advice on how to snorkel properly. Snorkeling is fun and easy, and not beyond the capabilities of youthful seniors like us.

All the pointers on where to enter the water safely, and what hazards to watch out for, made us feel more confident.

We especially enjoyed Kealakekua Bay, a spot we probably would have overlooked if not for the enthusiastic review. It is the finest snorkeling we have seen in Hawaii.

Now that we have good equipment and training, we look forward to returning to the Big Island and snorkeling more. We'll take our well-thumbed copy of Snorkel Hawaii The Big Island with us. We recommend it highly.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Detailed, useful, and enjoyable, December 10, 2000

By 

M. Broderick "mikebinok" (Oklahoma City, OK USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Snorkel Hawaii: The Big Island (Paperback)

This book comes through on the most important criterion: It gives useful and specific information on a variety of snorkeling sites and snorkel/dive boat operators. It gives maps, driving directions, and advice on the best way to enter the water at a given site. There is a useful chart that classifies the different snorkel sites as to how good the snorkeling is (water clarity, fish variety) and how easy water entry is. I wouldn't want to snorkel the big island without it. .... If you go to the Big Island equipped with this book, and with "Hawaii: The Big Island Revealed" you will be well-prepared!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There is a newer edition of this book!, July 16, 2005

By 

Mel Malinowski "Snorkeler" (Kohala Coast, HI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Snorkel Hawaii: The Big Island (Paperback)

Snorkel Hawaii The Big Island Second Edition is the current, in print version of this book. From time to time, the Amazon search engine sends people to this older, out of print version. We have tried repeatedly to correct this, but Amazon seems unable to do it. Try clicking on the authors names, and look for Snorkel Hawai The Big Island Second Edition, which is more up to date.