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Richardson's (Hilo), Big Island: dive & snorkel conditions
Richardson's (Hilo), Tuesday, November 3: visibility Poor, 3–8 ft (1–2.5 m), and Caution by boat (56/100) to dive or snorkel, best 06:00–18:00 HST.
Updated ; the forecast refreshes every 6 hours. Confidence 90%.
Open Richardson's (Hilo) in the appNo Hawaii DOH Brown Water Advisory near Richardson's (Hilo) today.
Today by how you get in
Shore
✕ No-go 16
Surf ~8 ft at the entry (N swell, 10 s)
Nearshore reef
Kayak
✕ No-go 16
Surf ~8 ft at the launch (N swell, 10 s)
Blue water (300 ft+) 1.9 km out
Boat
– Caution 56
Seas ~8 ft out where you'd dive (N swell, 10 s)
Best 06:00–18:00 HST
Blue water (300 ft+) 1.9 km out
Next 7 days at Richardson's (Hilo)
| Day | Divability | Visibility | Wind | Swell | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| – Caution 56 by boat | Poor 3–8 ft | 5 kt SE | 8.5 ft @ 10s | 90% | |
| – Caution 37 from shore | Poor 3–8 ft | 5 kt WSW | 7.2 ft @ 9s | 90% | |
| – Caution 50 by boat | Fair 8–15 ft | 5 kt WSW | 7.9 ft @ 9s | 86% | |
| – Caution 54 from shore | Fair 8–15 ft | 6 kt SW | 9.8 ft @ 10s | 81% | |
| ✓ Go 71 from shore | Fair 8–15 ft | 5 kt SSE | 9.2 ft @ 9s | 74% | |
| ✕ No-go 30 | Very Poor 0–3 ft | 6 kt SSW | 8.5 ft @ 9s | 68% | |
| – Caution 68 from shore | Fair 8–15 ft | 6 kt S | 7.5 ft @ 9s | 61% |
About Richardson's (Hilo)
- Richardson's (Hilo) faces north-northeast (30°): swell from that side arrives head-on.
- Swim or kayak in from shore, or go by boat from Wailoa Small Boat Harbor.
- Water 100 ft (30 m) deep starts about 0.4 km out.
- Blue water (300 ft / 100 m and deeper) is about 1.9 km out.
What spoils the visibility here
- North and northwest swells, mostly October to April, hit it head-on and stir up the bottom.
- It faces the trade winds (east-northeast most days), so wind chop often cuts visibility.
- Heavy rain sends brown runoff into the water for a few days; Hawaii DOH posts Brown Water Advisories when it does.
Questions about Richardson's (Hilo)
- Is it good to snorkel or dive at Richardson's (Hilo) today?
- On Tuesday, November 3 DiveVis rates Richardson's (Hilo) Caution by boat (56/100) (Seas ~8 ft out where you'd dive (N swell, 10 s)). Possible, but check conditions on site before going in.
- What is the water visibility at Richardson's (Hilo) today?
- Poor, 3–8 ft (1–2.5 m) expected on Tuesday, November 3, with 90% confidence. It is an estimate from wind, swell, rain, runoff and ocean conditions, not a measurement.
- What's the best time to get in the water at Richardson's (Hilo) today?
- Between 06:00 and 18:00 HST on Tuesday, November 3, by boat.
- How do you get in the water at Richardson's (Hilo)?
- Swim or kayak in from shore, or go by boat from Wailoa Small Boat Harbor.
Other Big Island spots today
- Beach 69 (Waialea Bay) · Go
- Old Kona Airport · Go
- Puako · Go
- Pine Trees (Kohanaiki) · Go
- Milolii · Go
- Kailua Pier · Go
- Keauhou (manta site) · Go
- Kealakekua Bay · Go
Estimates from wind, swell, rain, runoff, tides and ocean conditions; check conditions on site before going in. How the forecast works.