Beach Treasures and Treasure Beaches

Today’s Featured Guest Writer is Ken Muise, an active-duty soldier stationed on the beautiful island of Oahu.

This is one of my favorite topics to talk about when it comes to going to the beach and, in particular, snorkeling.  I will never understand how people can get bored at the beach.  You can do so many things and there’s a great opportunity for some alone time, too.  You can read, tan, nap, build sand castles, dig holes, swim, sit in 6 inches of water and just…sit.

Makaha Beach Park, Photo Contributed by Ken Muise

Personally, my favorite past time at the beach is snorkeling.  I can’t get enough of it.  To be honest, I don’t feel 100% complete when I’m in water anymore without a mask and snorkel.  My kids are some of those people who “get tired of the beach” after about an hour…an hour and a half at tops.  I don’t understand it.  “Take your mask and snorkel and go in the water and look around.” I tell them.  Depending on the beach we’re at, they usually come back with something like, “But there’s no coral here.  There won’t be anything to see.”

Nothing to see?!  OMG…it’s the ocean.  Anything you see below the surface is new and exciting.

Sea Urchin Photo contributed by Ken Muise

One of my favorite things to do when I’m at a beach with little coral is to hunt for sea shells.  My favorite spot to do this:  Makaha Beach, West Oahu.

Now, don’t get me wrong.  Makaha is known as the turtle cleaning station, but it requires about a 100 yard swim out to the sweet spot.  There is plenty to see out there; fish, coral and turtles. I don’t always want to do that, though.  Instead, right at the shoreline in about 3 to 4 feet of water, is a gentle break where all sorts of rock, coral, and sea shells gather.

Keep in mind, that during the winter months on Oahu, Makaha Beach Park is known for some good surfing and you shouldn’t snorkel anywhere where this a  large surf.  Always take notice of the beach and surf warning signs and gauge the situation against your abilities.

I have found a large piece of my sea shell collection while snorkeling in that gentle break at Makaha Beach Park.  Plenty of shiny, cowry shells and even sunrise seashell are the favorite pieces of discovery at Makaha.

Besides that, Makaha Beach Park is one of my favorite “sit down and chill” beaches on Oahu.  The space is wide open with hardly enough people to call a group, let alone a “crowd”.   I always find parking and there are restrooms and showers across the street.

Ken Muise, Our Featured Guest Writer

About the Author:  Ken Muise is an active-duty soldier stationed on Oahu.  He owns and runs a snorkel gear review site as well as a move to Hawaii blog.  When Ken isn’t working he is usually snorkeling or upset when he can’t go snorkeling.  Much to the chagrin of those around him, Ken calls himself a “world class snorkeler” and believes he does it better than most.

A note from our Treasure Hunters: On this Independence Day weekend we would like to express our gratitude to men and women who serve, and have served, our country.  

“In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved.”  ~Franklin D. Roosevelt

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