The easiest way to enter the water for snorkeling Captain Cook Monument is from a boat if you came on one; though entering from a kayak can be a struggle, but will be necessary if you rent your own (read more below). The cruises generally take between 3 hours and half a day and provide snorkeling gear, snacks and refreshments, as well as cultural, natural and historical information relevant to Kealakekua bay. It was also great to have only one other couple on board. Clear waters and abundant wildlife make Kealakekua bay a great place to go diving. Take more water than you want to and dont forget your mosquito spray. You can either bring your own gear or to join a diving tour that handles all logistics for you, see our scuba diving guide for more information. To make matters more interesting: almost all of the trail is exposed to full sun. This is the Hoku Nui trimaran from Sea Paradise in front of Kealakekua Bay, read more about snorkeling tours to Kealakekua Bay by Sea Paradise. If you reached the Puuhonua, you would be pardoned and given a second chance at life. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. In recent years, the state has attempted to clean up the situation with a moratorium on kayaks in the bay. Image source: @TioLuz on instagram. Visibility is excellent, the seabed is rich in coral and teeming with fish. A Fair Wind Snorkel Tour also provides snorkel gear and an assortment of floatation devices for unmatched intimate encounters with the bays abundant and unique marine life. Schools of colorful tropical fish play hide and seek among delicate filigree forests of pale purple, pink, and white coral architecture and dark fingers of pillow lava. In fact, Hidden Hawaii describes Kealakekua Bay as an outstanding snorkeling spot with technicolor coral reefs and an array of tropical fish species.. You can read more about this park on our website. This structure was built in 1878 and is a white obelisk located at the Kaawaloa Flats, in the western portion of the Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park. You can slip or lightly jump off the top of the concrete wall into the water. Tour operators are familiar with the best areas in the bay to see fish and corals, and some companies also include lunch in the price of the tour. If you are staying somewhere that has a free kayak for your use, your vessel still needs a permit for use on Kealakekua Bay. Join us on an amazing Kona Manta Ray encounter. Sea turtles are a very familiar sight on many snorkeling spots in Hawaii, including Captain Cook Monument. But the ones in slightly deeper water fared better. See the state park website linked to above. If you are interested in learning more about our MLCDs you can do so on the official DNLR website. Water depths here range from about 5 to 120 feet and the diversity of coral and fish is exceptional. You will see that much of the shallow corals here were killed by the bleaching events in 2014 and 2015. FacilitiesThere are no facilities at Captain Cook. We got to see dolphins and snorkel with tons of tropical fish in a beautiful reef. When visitor numbers are high, this is also the area where most of the tour guides moor their boats, so watch out for them. The best way to access the magic of Kealakekua Bay is aboard a Fair Wind Snorkel Tour. In a 30-minute call we help you set up the trip of your dreams. We share our favorite tips and images on Instagram, click here to go to our instagram account. All Rights Reserved. The following things are popular activities in the area: Manini Beach, halfway the eastern shore of the bay, is a GREAT place to see the sun set. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws. It used to be a rough 4x4 road that came down to the monument, but has been closed to vehicles for quite some time. There are other ways to reach the spot. Encrusting coral, caves, crevices and ledges, all can be found in these waters down to about 30 feet deep. Kealakekua Bay also hosts unique marine life found nowhere else in Hawaii. Move towards the deepest areas (14-26ft/4-8m), with a deep blue color, to see if you can catch sight of a green sea turtle resting on the seabed or swim along with a shoal of raccoon butterflyfish. this famous coffee. If there is no ladder, the ends of the concrete wall extend and descend into the water. You can find a well-written account of these faithful events in an article on the Coffeetimes website called the demise of Captain Cook. These are: If you want to make the trip yourself you can find people offering kayak rentals on the side of Hwy 11 and along the road down to the bay (route 160). Many tours end with a (free) tasting of the coffee, very close to a showroom or visitor center where you can buy the local coffee if youd like to take some home. So, if you rent a kayak you will be getting in and out of it on the water and will need to tie it to yourself while you snorkel. It would be a waste of time to only visit the bay without seeing any of the other nearby attractions on the south Kona coast. The bays transparent waters are filled with coral, and schools of colorful tropical fish. Adding to the magic of Kealakekua Bay is its cultural and historical significance. MLCDs are thus home to a great variety of species, and the fish in these districts are fairly tame, often showing little fear of humans. It is not the easiest entrance, but it is better than trying to enter over the uneven and slippery rocks elsewhere. These snorkeling Captain Cook Monument instructions are given looking at the white obelisk of the monument from the water. There are a few parking spaces on either side of the road near the path. 3. While it is possible to obtain your own permit, it is a non-trivial process that takes a few weeks to complete (contact the State Parks office in Hilo at (808) 961-9540 for more information). Aloha Kayak Co. Read more about the state park on the official state park website. And depending on what type of adventure you want, and how in shape you are, it should be pretty easy to decide. Soon after arriving at the Captain Cook monument, turn right at the Napoopoo Road sign. In general, visibility is excellent and the sea is calm, with almost no current. Bring a hat, sunscreen, plenty of water, comfortable and close-toed shoes, and, of course, snorkeling gear! And be clear about the conditions the state has placed on these permits. The water height in the sea entrance area is reasonable, but you will not necessarily be within your depth. Vibrant fringing reef with sea turtles and spinner dolphins, Marine reserve with a fringing reef and many fish, Reef drop off and sandy beds with sea turtles, Immersed volcanic crater with coral, reef fish and turtles, Localize and discover the best snorkeling spots in more than 50 destinations worldwide. Sustainable Travel guide and itineraries for the Big Island of Hawaii. Moderate currents can occur in the area, even when the sea conditions are good. Also be aware that as of October 28, 2021, you are not allowed to approach within 50 yards of the Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins, either as a snorkeler or on your kayak. It now consists of a collection of rocks and, while not great for hanging out, it is reasonable for a quick swim and a good place for snorkeling. Geoff was great. 1. The Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park spans the shoreline of almost all of Kealakekua Bay (except the south-eastern shoreline). About 1/10th of a mile from the intersection, on the right, across the street from three large palm trees, is the trailhead. From Kailua Kona drive south on either Highway 11 (Hawaii Belt Rd) or Ali'i Drive (which becomes Mamalahoa Bypass). During a Kona coffee tour you are typically shown around the plantation to see the growing coffee in the field. Also be aware that the state may start requiring permits to hike down to snorkel. 1. We find that in front of the monument and to the right is a little more interesting than to the left. There is no parking anywhere near the best snorkeling waters though, so you have to jump through some proverbial hoops to get to where you want to be. Sea Paradise and Fair-Wind (both departing from Keauhou Bay). There is fun stuff to see in both directions. This Heiau is a well-preserved ancient temple in the park dedicated to the Hawaiian god Lono, but with a dark history: it was built as a place of human sacrifice. We used the Fair Wind, which is a large catamaran. Note:This page is a sample from our popularBig Island Snorkeling Guide eBook available here. To get to the bay you need to get to take the Npopoo turn off onto Npopoo Road, which intersects with Highway 11 near the 111 mile marker, about 13 miles (20 km) south of Kona. You can find world-class snorkeling waters in a tropical bay smack in the middle of the lush Kona Coffee district. Along with Two Step, Captain Monument is considered one of the most beautiful snorkeling spots in Hawaii. Kona Coffee Farm Tour at the Greenwell farm, close to Kealakekua bay. And there are some healthy corals left in slightly deeper waters to see too. Join us aboard our 34 vessel at beautiful Keauhou Bay. Sail to one of the best snorkeling spots on the island past the scenic Kona coastline with a spacious 50 foot trimaran from Keauhou to Kealakekua Bay. This location has it all, fish, some healthy coral, and super clear water. The most accessible part of it is on the north-eastern edge of the bay where you can find Nopoopoo Beach Park with a parking area, a picnic pavilion, restrooms, showers, and a water fountain. Explore our unique snorkeling destination historic Kealakekua Bay and Captain Cook Monument! All of Kealakekua Bay is a protected marine life conservation district, helping to preserve the health of the reef and the populations of fish for snorkeling Captain Cook Monument. Boat ride was not as bad as I had anticipated and this was well worth the money. Kaleiopapa St, We ensure your group has an amazing time regardless of age or skill level. Get your ticket via Travelzoo and save $. Some of the permitted kayak rental companies also do guided trips, but most do not have a landing permit. However, seeking out and trying to interact with the dolphins disturbs their natural behaviors and can interrupt much-needed rest periods. The list of permitted vendors changes often so please make sure to ask whomever you choose if they have a current commercial use permit. Kealakekua Bay is located under the towering heights of a 100-foot lava cliff, where only gentle breezes make their way into this oasis. Cook monument is challenging and not particularly scenic. After you are done snorkeling you have to make up for that elevation again. South of Kona the landscape becomes greener and the skies more cloudy. The coral shelf begins in a couple feet of water right next to shore. Kealakekua Bay hosts unique marine life not found anywhere else in Hawaii. The distance to swim to reach the most interesting snorkeling areas of the spot does not exceed 200 meters.This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. These spots are accessible to anyone with basic snorkeling skills, and feeling comfortable in the water and with his snorkeling gear. Be aware that if you come on a boat tour, they may limit the area you are allowed to snorkel. Gradually, they have allowed more permits, and now you have two options for kayaking to Captain Cook to snorkel. As the only underwater state park on Hawaiis Big Island, with no paved roads leading to its sparkling shore, this marine sanctuary boasts pristine water conditions. We begin in Keauhou Bay, where Hawaiis longest-reigning monarch King Kamehameha III was born, and we will share with you stories of old Hawaii as we travel towards Kealakekua Bay. And surprisingly the land around it is British soil. Source: here by user horspowr1001 under a CC BY-NC 2.0 license. The first five yards from the shore are stony, shallow (2-7ft/0,5-2m), full of light, and teeming with fish. We told Geoff that we would love to see dolphins and he informed us it would be a 50% chance of seeing dolphins. Going north from the Npopoo area (the bays northeastern side), the waters below the pali (cliff) are good for snorkeling during calm water conditions. You can also find the Hikiau Heiau in this park. The center of the bay is deep and you can often find a pod of spinner dolphins that use the bay as resting grounds (read more on how to behave around wild dolphins). In this guide we explain how to get there, what to see and do, and more. You cannot reach the monument by car but it is possible to either hike to the monument or to get there over water (either by kayak or with asnorkeling tour). While effortlessly gliding through the refreshing waters, snorkelers often spot flame angelfish, butterflyfish, lizardfish, and other rarities. The monument was worth seeing and our guide made it so much more interesting! Two 15-Ft. Water Slides and Dive Platform. Sign up for our free monthly email (more info) about everything that is new and happening in Hawaii. Kealakekua Bay is an important historic location because it is where Captain James Cook landed for the first time on the island of Hawaii. It takes 45 minutes to go down, and an hour to go back up again. The dry lava fields change into lush green forests and coffee plantations and there are many great snorkeling and diving spots along the coast, plenty of scenic stops, and also a fantastic national park. New: the Love Oahu website with 40+ pages of planning tips. Only three companies have been issued permits by the Division of State Parks to lead guided commercial kayak tours to the Captain Cook Monument (last verified January 2021, source). The best option is generally to climb up the little ladders that the tour guides set up for their clients. Offshore from these shallows the coral reef gradually drops off again. Enroute to historic Kealakekua Bay and the Captain Cook monument, enjoy Hawaiian spinner dolphins, flying fish, and humpback whales (seasonal). Up in the corner of the bay there is a rocky or sandy bottom in the shallows where we often see big schools of fish. The best parking is before you reach the trailhead on either side of the road. Notoriously difficult to reach over land, this is one of the best snorkeling spots on the island with pristine clear blue waters and a vibrant reef. Fortunately the other couple wanted the same itinerary as us, Captain Cook Monument snorkeling. With its natural wind protection, remote location and designations as an underwater state park, marine sanctuary, and site of the Captain Cook Monument, Kealakekua Bay is earning a reputation as the best snorkeling destination in Hawaii. Only these three companies, listed on the state park website, are allowed to use Napoopoo Pier for launching and can land at Ka'awaloa Flats on the Captain Cook side. Set sail along the Kona You must be logged in to post a comment. The area to explore extends along the shore on either side of the monument. Also known as the place of refuge or city of refuge, this park originally was a safe haven for those that broke the Kapu laws, which, in ancient Hawaii were punishable by death. It is hot and tough coming back up. Public Meeting Place: This is the ideal place to take close-ups of a yellow longnose butterflyfish or a Hawaiian sergeant major (native to the area), even though the sea can be a bit rough due to the waves. Dont touch it and be careful not to break it with your swim fins. For more information click here! Wear some good shoes and take a lot of water with you. The driver we had was marvelous - named Geoff, and lived on the island since 1986. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page. Mantas are attracted by bright lights, so our flashlights attract these gentle giants to us after sunset. We may receive a small part of the sale, at no cost to you. Free cancellation: up to 24 hours before tour. Use the Table of Contents to jump ahead to the topic of your interest: An in-depth description of the (pre-contact) cultural history of Kealakekua Bay is not within the scope of our visitor guide, but if you are interesting in brushing up your your knowledge, you should definitely have a look at this 1992 resource study on historical sites on Hawaii island. We had a fantastic time on this trip!! One year later, on February 14, 1779, the same James Cook was killed here during his 3rd visit to the Hawaiian islands. Sit down on the platform and put on your gear, then jump into the water. In the protective embrace of a dark lava shoreline, an underwater world of magic and mystery is revealed. You can just see the trail in the picture below, cutting from the center top to the left, and back down to the right. Great for first-time visitors! Added bonus: stellar snorkeling at two step, right next door! We are a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. The state has also issued kayak rental companies vessel permits that allow kayaks on the water, but not launching at Napoopoo Pier or landing at Ka'awaloa Flats. By continuing, you consent to our use of Cookies. The state has permitted three tour companies to lead trips across the bay. As of June 2019 it is mandatory for the permitted vessels to have the State Parks issued decals affixed to both sides of kayak bows so please also check for that to ensure that you support only permitted businesses. Big Island Snorkeling Guide eBook available here, Butterflyfish: Forceps, Fourspot, Longnose, Multiband, Ornate, Raccoon - school, Teardrop, Goatfish: Doublebar, Yellowfin - school, Yellowstripe - large school, Sergeant: Blackspot, Hawaiian, Indo-Pacific, Surgeonfish: Goldring, Orangeband, Ringtail, Whitebar, Whitespotted, Tang: Achilles, Chevron, Convict, Lavender, Sailfin, Yellow - schools, Triggerfish: Black, Finescale, Lei, Pinktail, Urchin: Banded, Blue-black, Collector, Long-spined, Pale Rock-boring, Red Slate Pencil, Take a guided kayak tour or rent a kayak to paddle across Kealakekua Bay. Fish are plentiful, colorful and swarm over a well-developed reef that slopes steeply from the shore into the nearby deep water, making it easy to see different kinds of reef in a relatively short time. This is best done with some shoes on your feet. The small beach in the park next to the pavilion is known as Napoopoo Beach and was stripped of its sand by hurricane Iniki (back in 1992). Dolphins are very smart and playful mammals and it can seem like great fun for both parties to play with dolphins. The top of the coral shelf is about 20 feet deep before the drop off, the topography in this area is fantastic, and there are a lot of fish in good variety. 1992 resource study on historical sites on Hawaii island, Puuhonua o Hnaunau National Historical Park, click here to go to our instagram account, BIG LIST of Kona Coffee Tours and Tastings on the Big Island, Important note on how to behave around the. You can use these to climb back up onto the wall. Kealakekua Bay is one of the best places in the entire state for snorkeling. Return to Big Island Snorkelingmain page, Copyright 2006-2022 Galen Piehl & Nicole Atkins The Captain Cook Monument is on the rocky north shore ofKealakekua Baysouth of Kona, inaccessible directly by car. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. In this special place, thousands of ancient Hawaiians gathered for an annual celebration honoring their fertility god, Lono-i-ka-makahiki, during what is referred to as the makahiki festival. This can be done either by joining a guided Kayak tour or by renting a kayak yourself. The water is calm enough to snorkel here most of the time, but it is the most calm in the mornings before the afternoon winds start. Enjoy the luxuries of a custom-designed vessel with the convenience of onboard restrooms, freshwater showers, and a fully equipped galley for healthy lunches and offering of exotic drinks, soft drinks and famous 100% Kona coffee. The monument is the location where Captain Cook was killed by the local Hawaiians. If you are on an organized tour, drinks and snacks are generally included in the price (ask your tour guide for details). Exclusive tour permit to launch and land on both sides of the bay has a limit of 12 guests per guided tour. If you are lucky, you might get a glimpse of a group of spinner dolphins, although there is less likelihood of this here than in Two Step. We were able to find the dolphins and had a wonderful time. Its no wonder Rodales Scuba Diving magazine ranked Hawaiis Big Island number one in the Indo-Pacific as thebest place to snorkel. You can choose from many different types, large comfortable sailing or motorized multihulls, small motor boats, or fast small inflatable speedboats (or rafts as they call them in Hawaii). There are many great coffee farms close to Kealakekua bay, see our BIG list of Kona coffee farms to pick a favorite. It was perfect and fun! The Coffee Shack overlooks Kealakekua Bay and serves great lunch and of course Kona coffee. Parking places are sparse here, which makes finding a spot difficult, especially during the hour before sunset. On the larger boats there is plenty of shade, comfortable seating, music, and great food. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. Affiliate Disclosure: You are supporting our snorkeling habit by buying products or clicking ads on the websites we link to on this page. There is a sign for the Ka'awaloa Trail. To the right of the monument is north and toward the cliff, and to the left of the monument is south and toward the open ocean. This site contains Affiliate Links, which means that we may earn commissions through links you make purchases through. At 3.7 miles (9 minutes by car) from the Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park you can find one of our favorite places on the island to learn about the interesting cultural history of Hawaii: the Puuhonua o Hnaunau National Historical Park. The bay hosts one of the most abundant coral reefs on the island and is located on the lush and tropical Kona coast. The Captain Cook Monument is a 27 ft. tall white obelisk commemorating the explorer on the western shore of Kealakekua Bay. All the way around the little rocky point, under the steep cliffs, the reef gets less healthy and there are less fish. The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. Luckily there are other options. Body Glove cruises (departing from Kailua-Kona) organizes dinner cruises to the bay without the possibility of snorkeling. There are a variety of different boat tour companies that leave from Keauhou Bay, Honokohau Harbor or the Kailua-Kona Pier. 100% Kona coffee grown on our own estate farm, 78-7130 Kaleiopapa Street Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, Cocktails, Beer & Wine available for purchase (during the last hour of the cruise). The most important thing you can do is respecting the resting behaviors of the spinner dolphins during their peak resting period between ~10.00 and ~14.00. If you go to the spot under your own steam, make sure you take enough water and food, particularly because you will have to go back up to your car on foot. Note that there is no lifeguard on duty. Kona Coffee is world-renowned and consistently rated among the very best gourmet coffees in the world. Combine this difficult hike with a couple hours of snorkeling in the middle, and you have two very worn out people. In order to be a responsible snorkeler, be sure to respect the following rules when observing them: If you love snorkeling with sea turtle, Two Step is also an excellent snorkeling spot to encounter them on the Big Island. Kayaking from the boat landing to the statue takes between 15 and 25 minutes (one way). Watch out for other snorkelers, who can be numerous in the water in mid-morning. You can read more about both below: There are 11 Marine Life Conservation Districts (MLCDs) in the state of Hawaii (5 of which are on the Big Island), and the 315 acre Kealakekua Bay MLCD is the largest of them all.
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