We are sitting and watching the surf and the bay. Very peaceful. No rain, Grey skies An hour so far, doing nothing is doing something. read more

Kealakekua Bay - now - Beaches Near Me

I passed by the Bay on my way back to Hilo from Kona. It has a beautiful view. There is free parking but the lot is a bit small so depending when you go it could be full. I didn't snorkel but lots of people were. I was on a time restraint so I didn't stay too long. I just checked out the views and left. Can't wait to come back and see more of this amazing Bay......... read more

Kealakekua Bay - Beaches Near Me

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One of the BEST places to go snorkeling. My husband had come here years ago and loved it so much, we had to come back on this trip. There's only two ways to get here - by hike or by water (boat, kayak, etc). You can't just park here and expect to walk right to the water. That being said, we chose the hike (Captain Cook Monument/Ka'Awaloa Trail) - it's about a 3.7 round trip strenuous hike. It definitely had a good grade to it and a good chunk of it did not have shade cover. But you will get a beautiful view of the water and will probably see a bunch of wild goats. Definitely do this hike as early in the morning as you can because the sun can be brutal. And make sure you bring a good amount of water and some snacks. The snorkeling here was incredible. Beautiful coral and so much different sea life to explore. The water was a little rough to get into (so be careful) but was fine to swim and snorkel in once inside. This is a big stop for the boat tours, so even if there aren't that many people hiking down and on the shore, there's a chance there will still be a lot of people in the water. We were lucky enough to have a good day, and it was pretty empty. You'll have to leave your stuff on the beach when you go in, so definitely recommend bringing a water proof pouch to bring your valuables in with you. You'll also get to see the Captain Cook Monument here (as suggested by the name). The hike to the water is down, so just be prepared for the rough hike back up when you're finished. Overall, if you're looking for great snorkeling, this is the best stop while on the Big Island. read more

Kealakekua Bay - The Water - Beaches Near Me

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It took us 45 minutes to hike down to the beach from the start of the trailhead; but it was totally worth it! Tip: This is a go-to destination for both tour boats and kayakers, so the chances are quite high that you won't be alone when you visit If you want to try and visit when the crowds are smallest, I'd suggest you plan your visit for early in the day - before 10am if possible.  Doing this  will hopefully cause you to miss the bulk of the other visitors. When we went the weather was flawless; a beautiful sunny day and the bay was dazzling and lovely, with crystal clear water.  The snorkeling experience was fabulous, with lots of fish and some beautiful corral formations to be seen :-) If you're planning to hike here, rather than coming via kayak or a tour boat, you'll need to be in pretty good physical condition, especially for the hike back up.  It's a pretty tough climb, with no switch backs and approximately a 2000 foot elevation gain.  Be sure to wear good shoes to project your feet from the lava rocks, and be sure to bring lots of water - it gets very hot due to there being very little shade on the trail. read more

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Ok going down but hot,steep, long and tiring going back up. Bring a bottle of frozen Gatorade wrapped in your pack for the way up. Don't forget to wear a decent hat and sturdy shoes. Flip flops won't work. Stay hydrated. Read up on the area and show respect. Don't wander off the trail at all. read more

Not many fish like back in the day but I still go every time I'm on the island. Beautiful and cool placed to coffee and shop in town. read more

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Make sure to do some research if you are planning on snorkeling in the Bay near the Captain Cook monument as it's not accessible by car. You can either hike (not recommended), join a snorkeling tour, or rent a kayak. We rented a kayak for Ehu and Kai (see other Yelp review for them) and it took about 20-30min to get to the monument. Around mid-day, there were lots of boats and other kayaks in the area. The coral is pretty close to the shoreline and slopes steeply into the nearby deep water Having snorkeled in Maui and Oahu, I had high expectations since a lot of what I read was that this is one of the best places to snorkel in the state. Unfortunately, those expectations weren't met. The coral reef was still well developed, but there weren't too many different types of fish. There weren't any turtles or rays so I'm not sure how prevalent they are in the area. It's a good place to go if you haven't snorkeled in many areas, but those with some experience will be a bit underwhelmed. read more

The view was amazing! However, DO NOT SNORKEL THERE!!! There are bait fish that lure tiger sharks into the bay and they WILL come close!!!! The current can be VERY UNSAFE AND AGGRESSIVE and could push into the jagged rocks at the shore!! I recommend going for the scenic view and amazing photos but don't get your hopes up about this "amazing" snorkeling area. read more

Kealakekua Bay - Breath-taking view of the mountain and ocean! - Beaches Near Me

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Excellent spot for Great views. Surrounded by lava rock on the side. Parking is free and but so easily available. Very limited availability and it's your luck how much crowd goes at same time when you do. Water tides are high here and beach end is not too shallow. Full of black baby crabs everywhere on rock and you might feel creepy to not step into that like us. But still a great spot to visit for some great snaps. read more

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Snorkeled here near the Captain Cook monument and was impressed by the perfectly clear water with a plethora of fish all over the coral reef. Highly recommend renting a kayak to make your way early in the morning before boat tours arrive. read more

Kealakekua Bay - Captain Cook Monument - Beaches Near Me

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Snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, dolphin watching, all in one place. Rent a kayak from one of the local shops up on the main highway. Take route 160 down the hill and launch from the south end of the bay. (I have a friend who says he even swam the entire length of the bay.) Go in the morning when the dolphins are out and about and you can't miss 'em. There was a whole school of 'em, truly an amazing and unforgettable experience. One of them came within 5 feet of me. Too bad in the excitement of trying to get a photo of them my snorkel detached and sank. After reaching the north end of the bay near the Captain Cook Monument, I secured my kayak along the rocky shore and did some snorkeling in the nearby shallow waters where I found an abundance of fish. Not the best place to snorkel given the waves but at least worth taking a peek at what's under the surface there. Check out the pics! read more

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This was the sight of our snorkel sail while aboard the Fair Wind II. While I'm not a snorkeler, I went along with some friends visiting from the Bay Area. This is also home to the Captain Cook Monument, something I've never seen before. The bay is very secluded with difficult access, so it wasn't crowded at all, not even by other boating companies. There is no sandy beach here, its all cliffs and rocky shorelines with just a tiny sliver of a river rock beach at the south end. A bunch of people were hanging out at the Monument, and I believe they hiked down from the cliffs. We docked between the Captain Cook Monument and the high cliffs of the bay. The waters were super clear and calm; so clear that I could see the reef just below my feet, though I'm not sure how deep it actually was because I was just lounging on a tube. According to the boat's captain, there's a known area where reef sharks hang out. Some guests went to look and did actually see them. I've swam with reef sharks in Bora Bora, so I knew they were harmless. As we packed up and left, a school of playful dolphins swam and jumped towards the boat, following us for a bit. Really cool! read more

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We booked the Dolphin Reef and Captain Cook Snorkel Adventure of Kealakekua Bay through Cruise Brothers Shore Excursions Group. It was a great excursion! The guides were knowledgeable and there was lots of time for snorkeling. read more

Loved the hike but liked the snorkeling even more. What a place. Goats are a bit scary. read more

Kealakekua Bay - Beaches Near Me

Kealakekua Bay (not sure if it more difficult to say it or to spell it) is a veritable paradise of the ocean's treasures, a crystal clear cove with some of the best snorkeling in the world. Fish abound here freely, along with hundreds of brightly colored coral colonies. Massive parrotfish, several different kinds of butterfly fish, triggerfish - so much underwater color and life! The water is blessed with some of the most incredible visibility you'll ever experience, and the majority of the bay is calm and sheltered from the current and surf. We kayaked here from a nearby launching point, and even when not snorkeling, just sitting quietly in our kayak and admiring the surrounding vividly blue water and dramatic cliffs was an experience in and of itself. Apparently there are often dozens of spinner dolphins in this area as well, but it must've been their day off as we didn't see any on either our trip out to the bay or back. Unfortunately there are a decent amount of mid-sized tour boats that will come and dock here in late morning, which does ruin the atmosphere. I get that its legal, and I'm glad that people are interested in experiencing this beautiful sliver of the island, but having several there at once does detract from the naturally calming effect of the bay. However, if you come on the earlier side, like before 10:30, you'll probably miss the bulk of them, although that's based on just our one-day experience. Oh, and as you're awkwardly climbing in and out of the kayak - it's super easy to lose your snorkel gear without actually noticing that it's gone until you get back to shore, so make sure you anchor down your equipment immediately on getting into your kayak. read more

There are only three ways to get to Kealakekua Bay: hiking from the main road, taking a boat tour ($100+ per person), or driving down to the bay and renting a kayak. We hiked and it was the hardest hike I've ever done. It will take at least one hour and is a serious hike that is absolutely relentless with endless obstacles. The elevation that you are going up and down is about 3500 feet at a 15-30 degree slope, on volcanic rock. Why do it? The reef at the bottom is perfect for snorkeling and there are dolphins if you make your way further out in the bay! The entrance to the hike is pretty low-key. You'll see some cars parked on the side of the road and one sign that informs you that the hike is serious business. At the entrance is tall grass, then the hike turns to shrubbery and trees, then volcanic rock and shadeless sun, and ending with more humid grass and trees. There are eight markers for every half mile, to keep you on pace. Once you reach the bottom of the hike, Kealakekua Bay is beautiful. If it has rained earlier that week, there will be mosquitos, so be prepared. If you're snorkeling, which you should, the rocks are incredibly sharp and there are sea urchins. Would I do it again? Maybe, but only if it is overcast with no sun in the forecast at all. (The trek up in the late afternoon sun was unbearably hard.) I definitely would come back to Kealakekua Bay but next time, I'm kayaking. read more

NOTE: There are three ways to get here. Either you hike 45 minutes to an hour from the main road, take a boat tour and pay $100+ a person, or rent a kayak and land on Captain cook's landing (which is illegal). We opted for option #1 and hiked our way there. The head of the trail is really easy to miss, basically, from http://www.yelp.com/biz/kayak-central-at-pineapple-park-kealakekua , it is about 2 blocks away to the east. On the main road, keep right at the fork and it's right there. You'll see cars parked along the side of the road. There will be no markers or signs. When you enter, if all you see is tall grass/shrubs, you're golden. The hike will become all rocks as you continue further and you'll be able to see goats grazing away on your right side on your way down. Make sure you're prepared for this hike or you're in for some trouble. Hiking shoes are a must because the path becomes rocky. Add in the intermittent rain and the path becomes quite slippery and rigorous, up or down hill. On a scale of 1-10, 5 being average, this hike ranks as an 8. Once you reach the bottom of the hike, Kealakekua Bay is beautiful. There were people sprinkled around here and there, but the bay seemed to be quite peaceful, except for the occasional Snorkeling Tour Boats passing by. I'm assuming you came here to snorkel so here are a couple of tips. Find a place where you can ease into the water and keep your sand/water shoes on until you need to put on your fins. The rocks are f'in sharp/slippery. My girl slightly stumbled after getting hit by a wave and found a large gash on the bottom of her foot (She didn't listen to me and walked barefoot on the rocks). Even so, getting down the rocks is quite dangerous as I ended up with several cuts on my hand. However, once into the water, you'll experience one of the best snorkeling reefs ever! The most common fish I saw here were Yellow Tang, which there were literally schools of them swimming around. Do be careful of the sea urchins! Also do note that on your way back up the trail splits, as you may not have noticed on the way down. Stick to the right trail that hugs the mountain and you won't get lost. read more

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Experience - 5 STARS Staff (rental equipment, etc.) - 4 STARS This review is written from the standpoint of someone who doesn't know how to swim:-) The boyfriend and I drove from downtown Kona to this bay. We heard so many recommendations to come here. First off, when we reached the entrance, we were approached by a toothless local woman named Regina. Regina: "Where you guys headed? You guys lookin' to snorkel?" Rick: "Yeah we want to check out the place first." Regina: "Well tell ya what...I have the best rates here for $40 to kayak out there. Check the place out first and come back and let me know if ya interested." Actually I was a little bit freaked out. Wtf!?! Who are these people?! We pulled into the parking lot, stepped out and started scoping the area out. It's a docking area for the kayaks. To be honest, it wasn't exactly what I had in mind....I was actually looking for something more touristy. There were about 4 or 5 locals that worked there and a few kayaks on the dock. It was a little ghetto from what I expected. There comes that toothless woman again and asked what we thought about the deal. The boyfriend was concerned of our belongings (we had camera equipment, wallets, etc.) in our Jeep rental. We weren't exactly sure of what to do with our stuff. Then Regina said they have a waterproof bag we can hook onto the kayak. We decided to give it a try. Regina's brother actually gave a quick run-down of what to do, what to expect, etc. We would have to kayak a mile out across to Captain Cook's landing. Then we can snorkel all around there. He told us to stay away from certain areas with strong current and most importantly sea urchins. We were told to urinate the second we are stung by sea urchins....supposedly draws out the poison and ease the pain. So getting back to the fact that I don't swim.....kayak out a mile in the middle of the ocean, watch out for sea urchins and snorkel and kayak back to safety, all in one shot seem a little bit much. We rented snorkel gear at $10 each. Then onwards to Captain Cook on a kayak with only a life jacket to protect me. The waves were super rough the minute we got on (of course). It was a very petrifying experience that lasted 25 mins.....full of hyperventilation and a few screams of terror. But then what helped me calm down was the fact that sharks are only around during calm waters, yay! Oh and paddling was another story...oh my whatta workout! I paddled for 5 mins and the poor bf had to take us there on his own. When we got to Captain Cook's landing....there were a few people who have gotten there already. Some were snorkeling and some just chilling. I was thinking snorkeling would be do-able...I mean you just float in what seem to be shallow water. Well I was wrong. Snorkeling is fucking scary! The bf tried to ease me into the water. But I was petrifried and had a kung-fu grip on his pants! I had my other hand holding onto dear life on the rock. I climbed back up and said, "No fucking way Jose!!!" The bf gave up and snorkeld for like an hour. A lot of people were raving about their experience and all the sea life they saw down there. I was jealous. When you get to Captain Cook's....there is also a trail that goes back for miles. One of the trails will take you to another cove where you can snorkel some more. I'm not sure how many people are aware of this since no one else went when we were there. The bf was not gonna give up on me. He had me put on a life jacket and try snorkeling once again before leaving. Well....I foolheartedly agreed. He said the only way to get in the water is to jump off a small cliff. The water is fucking deep and seem to be about 20 ft. at least. He held my hand and we both jumped in. I did not let go of his hand the entire 10 mins I was in water. The fishes I saw, the coral reef, the calmness I felt....it was breathtaking. A little petrified but I'm glad I jumped in. Oh and the lifejacket helped...no way I would've done it on my own. Now....we will have to kayak back 1-mile to safety. I saw a couple flip their kayak on their way out (very reassuring). Luckily, someone helped us board the kayak. The bf said it will be faster if both of us paddled....so guess what, I paddled all the way back. The only comments I have for the people who worked there: -The snorkel equipment is cheap and does not fit well. A lot of people were complaining. -Someone should be at Captain Cook's Landing to help people load back onto kayaks or to have help available. We were all on our own. Overall an amazing experience! The whole trip took about 4 hours....kayak out 20 mins...snorkeled at Captain Cook landing for a couple of hours...then kayak back for another 20 mins. So plan to spend an entire day here with the drive included. read more

Hikiau Heiau at Kealakekua Bay is a nice state park we went to for snorkeling. I saw a few big crabs but not a whole lot of other creatures. Once you get in the water at the rocks, the ground becomes a gray sand and it was relaxing swimming there. There are a few areas at Kealakekua Bay to snorkel around. read more

I know you're reading this to see if there's any truth to the "Best Snorkeling in All of Hawaii" title that's bestowed upon Kealakekua Bay. Simply put, it's the truth. We kayaked across Kealakekua Bay not once but twice during our trip. We were dead set on swimming with spinner dolphins that when they were absent on the first morning, we chalked it up to some terrible fluke. So we patiently waited on day two... and waited.. and waited.. (Here, dolphin, dolphin dolphin).. but they never came. That's nature for you. Nevertheless, the snorkeling near the Captain Cook Monument is breathtaking. I never knew what a real coral reef looked like until I peeked my face under the water and took in the sight. With coral reef comes all kinds of marine life: a zillion tropical fishes, vana (sea urchins), sea cucumbers.. We over-did it and went home with the nastiest sunburns, so sunscreen is still important, even when you're underwater! Picture's worth a thousand words: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/3BZsD80Ep02NMPPtsLPJqA?select=xjnWUxfsdhgIOkKwtBD-Og There are several kayak outfitters up the road, with most offering kama'aina discount. From Kona Boys, we rented a tandem kayak with all the accessories for ~$40 all day. An absolute bargain for the experience we had. The paddle there isn't too exhausting, especially when the water's calmer. Strong recommendations: - Please kokua and leave this place like you found it. Be careful not to step on the coral, and don't leave any trash behind. - Obtain a DLNR permit from the Division of State Parks (http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/documents/hsp_kaawaloa_vessel_landing_permit1-1.pdf). It allows you to land near the monument, eliminating the need to tow around your clumsy kayak while snorkeling. Ask your outfitter to identify the safe landing area. Only 10 permits are issued per day. You'll definitely see people landing when they shouldn't, but the application process is simple and worth the hassle. - You can't control the weather, the tide, or the dolphins, for that matter, but if you have the option, go at high-tide. It makes getting in and out of the water so much easier. - Go in the early morning for best chance of clear, calm waters and dolphin sighting. Hope your luck is better than mine! read more

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This is a must do in Kona. Great snorkeling by Captain Cook Monument. Rent a kayak with one of the local adventure companies, they're great. There is a very good chance you'll run into a school of dolphins. They usually show up between 8-10 AM. Give yourself 2-3 hours of time touring the Bay. And bring snacks and water, put them in a waterproof bag. It's a moderately easy kayak trip. Also, come early morning prior to the big crowds that usually arrive around 9-10 am. If there is a cruise ship in the Kona Bay that day, try a different day. read more

Kealakekua Bay - Beaches Near Me

Take Highway 11 going south, get on State Highway 160 (Napoopoo Rd). Drive the windy street for ~10-15 minutes until you get to a parking lot. RENTALS: When you get there, there are locals there to rent tandem kayaks for $40-$50 a kayak. According to rental shops like Kona Boys, the locals that rent in the parking lot are doing so illegally. Therefore, they may or may not be there when you get there. However, we took our chances. Even if they're not there, there is a home to the right (past the parking lot) that rents kayaks for $40 and launches you from their dock. If you don't want things to get wet, they usually have dry bags for you. When we kayaked out that morning, I saw a pod of 10-12 dolphins swim near a boat that day. We obtained a permit so that we could dock our kayak. (http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/documents/hsp_kaawaloa_vessel_landing_permit1-1.pdf) It was slippery to get in/out of the rocks so it's good to have booties or water shoes on. There's a trail from the Captain Cook Monument that leads away from the bay. I hear that it's a 2-3 hour hiking trail. We opted to just snorkel which was really nice since there were shallow areas with lots of fish and coral. read more

One of the most scenic and beautiful places in the entire world! Made even better by Moana ocean adventures. Make sure you look these guys up on their .com address Moanaoceanadventures.com read more

It was beautiful, went there hoping to see the dolphins swimming in the bay. The water was pretty rough, but it was a site to behold. read more

Kealakekua Bay - Beaches Near Me

I wanted a working vacation, so while there are boats that will take you to Kealakekua Bay and the Captain Cook monument, as others have mentioned, the best way to experience this is to get in a kayak and paddle! I did what Reena did, which was to rent a kayak right there at the launch spot. It probably costs more than other rental places, but you save yourself the hassle of loading/unloading a kayak on your rental car. Heaven help you if you accidentally ding your rental car or break a window practicing your paddling skills. I was also fortunate enough to see dolphins both on my way there, and on my way back. I have video of the dolphins, but no still pics. At any rate, the water clarity on a sunny day is just amazing and there are fish pretty much everywhere, in all kinds of beautiful colors. If you have a kayak, I'm betting you have a life jacket and if you snorkel while wearing your life jacket, it's SO much easier to stay off the coral! read more

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We didn't spend very much time here at all, particularly because the area is best explored by kayak. Captain Cook landed here in 1779, and there's a monument to him, as well as the ruins of a building where the first Christian service was committed, er, performed, on the island. There are rocks for climbing on and accessing the water, and even if you choose to stay on the concrete viewing area, if you look out to the water, you might get to see spinner dolphins jumping into the air and, well, spinning. Which is damn cool. There's a little park nearby and restrooms. read more

Kealakekua Bay - Hooray! Time to colonize the islanders! - Beaches Near Me

HANDS DOWN this is THE BEST place to snorkel in Hawaii! When I came here it was mid-August and the visibility here is awesome! Just check out my pics! I went snorkeling here with my brother and we didn't even have a fancy digital underwater camera. We just used one of those cheapo disposable underwater cameras and our pictures came out fantastic!! I've been snorkeling many places in Hawaii (Hanauma Bay & Sharks Cove & Ko'olina in Oahu, Blackrock & 'Ahihi Kina'u & Molokini Crater in Maui) but this place is the best by far!!! LOTS and LOTS of fish and the coral here is so colorful!! read more

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Beautiful spot to snorkel! Enter either by the Captain Cook's Monument area, or like we did - by a catamaran cruise hosted by Fair Winds Cruises. The reef is awesome, and there are so many kinds of super cute fish everywhere! We snorkelled around for almost 2 hours and couldn't get enough. Just be sure to not touch a single thing, and certainly don't stand on the reef! Not only for the fact that it'll hurt, but mostly because it's important not to disturb anything from its natural state. The water is a good depth most of the way, but there are some spots that are only 3-5 feet deep. It's really quite amazing all over the bay - I recommend visiting! read more

Kealakekua Bay - Beautiful snorkelling spot - Beaches Near Me

I had more fun on this bay than I have EVER had in a kayak in my life. I recommend loading up your kayaks at the nearby Kayak Central at Pineapple Park and driving them down to the docks where the locals will set them up for you for five bucks. We paddled out and chased spinner dolphins for a good hour (talk about exhausting... they can swim a whole lot faster than you can paddle). It was worth it, though... we were able to get close enough to get some nice pictures and they swam right in front of us! Kealakekua Bay is also home to Captain Cook Monument (I highly recommend googling this monument to read about the history and about how and why Captain Cook was killed by the Hawaiian natives... very interesting!) The monument, itself, sits upon the prettiest reef I've ever seen (granted I haven't seen that many), and the nicest snorkeling I could ever imagine doing. It was an underwater amusement park! So much fun. I can't wait to go back here on my next visit to the Big Island. read more

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Its almost night time so we decided to check out this captain cook memorial. However we did not know we have to kayak to the other side of the place. Embarrassing moment for us HAHAHAHA however we decided to watch sunset then from the bay. It was our first of many sunset we will be seeing while staying on Big island and it is TOTALLY BEAUTIFUL !!!! Beside all of this the water is super clear and we would have snorkel however it is getting late and water is getting colder while we are looking from the edge we can see fish swimming everywhereeee ! One more thing driving down to the place is holy cow crazy ! well i guess i am not used to driving a SUV so be-careful ~~~~ BIG ISLAND IS SO AMAZINGGGG ! read more

Kealakekua Bay - Sunset ~~~ - Beaches Near Me

A wonderful spot to snorkel. Beautiful bay, bright blue water, gorgeous reef, and some very colorful fish. Seeing as there are 3 ways to get here: A long hike, kayak, or a boat tour... we opted for the boat tour using the Fairwind, which turned out great. It was a quick 45 min ride out to the bay, with over an hour in the water which is more than plenty of time to see everything. The tour provides everything you may need or want in the water or after (tubes, floaties, noodles, waterslides, chips, drinks, etc.) One of the prettiest spots I've snorkelled at. There is also a Captain Cook monument on shore since he died in this bay. Who knew that he couldn't swim? Overall this was a really fun way to spend a few hours. Highly recommend. read more

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If you want a nice place to snorkel and see fish this Bay is very good. We were lucky to arrive on a sunny day so we had an easier time seeing the fish in the clear water. You will need water shoes to go into the water and there are some hard to walk areas. If you go on a weekday the crowds are much smaller and it might be easier to find a parking space in the small lot. There is a shelter and tables if you want to enjoy a picnic lunch. read more

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Rent the kayak and swim with the dolphins !!! This was most definitely the highlight of my trip, even more exciting than the manta ray night snorkel !! The snorkeling itself over at the Captain Cook monument was just OK, there weren't nearly as many fish to see as there were at Kahalu'u Beach Park. My boyfriend and I only hung around the reef for about 15 minutes until heading back into the deep with the dolphins. The dolphins were amazing. There were at least 20 of them hanging around the bay, swimming around in small groups. The water was so clear, we could see them diving deep into the water to feed on fish. Several times they would spring out of the water and do tricks for us. I definitely recommend driving down to the bay and renting a kayak ($60) from the locals. How do you find which locals to rent from? Don't worry, they'll find you !! Immediately after parking, a local came up to us and asked if we were interested in renting a kayak for the day. I would recommend everyone to rent the kayak and NOT do the hike ! Having the kayak allowed us to be comfortable going into the deeper water. Yeah it was nice to see the coral and fishes, but it was AMAZING to swim right next to dolphins. And please don't do the silly boat tour, just a waste of money !! You'll want to go in early morning, we got there around 9. Remember to bring sun protection, because the sun was beating down on us hard ! Being out on the kayak in the ocean, there wasn't anywhere to head for shade. read more

We hiked. I hate working out, I hate sweating, I hate being dirty -- I did all of these things and would do it again. For someone who is taking a leisurely pace down and likes to look at pretty flowers and amazing views, it will take 1 hour. If you are horrifically out of shape, it can take 2-3 hours to get back up. It's a mega hike, and it is relentless on the way up. There is no "just over that hill" moment on this hike. You are going up and down about 3500' at a 15-30 degree slope, on volcanic rock. But it was so, so, soooo worth it. The reef is very healthy and you can avoid all the snorkelers from the boats. Pro tips: - bring more water than you think you need, maybe 2 16 ounce bottles per person - wear real shoes. Flip flops ain't gonna cut it - bring booties or water shoes, there's a LOT of urchins - bring fins if you are going to go out snorkeling, the current is a little stronger the further out of the bay you go - be aware of the coral, obviously don't touch it There is no fresh water at the bottom! read more

If you love to snorkel or kayak this is a MUST! My first time on the Big Island my friends and I decided to visit this bay to go to Captain Cook Monument to snorkel. To get to Captain cook monument you can either kayak there or go with a cruise ship. The monument is about a mile off from the bay. The water is so clear that you can clearly see about 10 feet below with ease. Once at captain cook momument you can tie up your kayak on a branch from the trees nearby, but you have to be careful because there are a lot of sea urchins on the sea floor. The monument is covered with live corals and has a very active sea life! From the most brighest yellow fishes to angel fish to eels! If, you're planning to kayak there are people there willing to rent out their kayaks, but some of them are not licensed professionals. So my advice is, to be cautious if you're planning to rent a kayak from one of the locals that are on the bay waiting for tourists. Also, if you are planning to kayak, do bring reef shoes because the sea urchins's spines are dangerous if stepped on. Side note: you can see dolphins at this bay!! While kayaking back to the bay from the monument, my friends and I saw 3-4 dolphins swimming around! It was the most amazing experience! The dolphins came within 2-3 feet from our kayaks! So if you want a great snorkel/ kayak experience with the clearest/cleanest waters this is the place to go!! Highly recommended for any tourist! This is really the beauty of the Big Island. A WORD OF CAUTION: Please be mindful of the wildlife there. While snorkeling near the monument please DO NOT step on the corals! Corals are very delicate and can break easily, so stepping on them can easily kill coral, which affects the marine life that rely on these corals as food and as shelter!! Also if you do see dolphins DO NOT attempt to swim with them or touch them. They are wild animals and should be treated with caution and respect. But otherwise please enjoy yourselves, there's no way you will not fall in love with this place!! read more

This amazing place will blow your mind and make you realize how small you really are in this big beautiful world! It'll take your breath away, with the gorgeous blues, greens, shades of rainbows... all sorts of creatures will show up, your heart will pound so hard from the excitement, and your eyes and mind will feel like they are bursting from the sensory overload of BEAUTY! Life changing experience. Truly something we all need to do. Hint: The braddahs out by the launching spot are very helpful and friendly in unpacking, then packing you and your equipment up if you're planning to kayak out to the monument for snorkeling. Just tell them mahalo with a fiver and they'll be stoked. ^_^ read more

Yes, I am a fan. However, everyone needs to be very respectful of this area. This is where the Fort was for the Village. A very old structure that is still standing. I don't like hiking into the woods that surround it. A very strong energy is here. I think we should respect it and not venture in. Other than that,it is so beautiful! There are a few B&B's surrounding it. As well as some other accommodations. Again not a place I would want to spend the night. Yes, you can call me Superstitious. You should not touch any rocks or shells or anything else that is here. Hopefully we all know that. You can see the monument really far off. Better if you have binoculars. There is a park here to the side,with restrooms and open land for children to play. Beautiful birds are all around. Lots of lovely Black Crabs running in and out of rocks. There is a big sign stating no Launching or Landing from this area. read more

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We went to hawaii for 2 weeks and this was the BEST part of the entire trip. This is what you do. Drive up to the bay in your car. Directions are: Highway 11 going south, get on State Highway 160 (Napoopoo Rd), make a right on Lower Napoopoo Rd to stay on 160. When you get there, there are locals there to rent tandem kayaks for $40-$50 a kayak. Then you can do whatever you want. Make sure you start early around 9-10am. On the way to Cook's monument there are lots of places you can get off and snorkel all along the bay. There were not many people there but just enough kayaking back and forth to make us feel safe. This is the best part, the day we went, about halfway to the monument, there were 15-20 dolphins swimming all around us. Right when we see them swimming close to us, we jumped out of the kayak snorkeling gear on, and started snapping pictures of them underwater. The dolphins swim all around the bay very fast. If you took the charter boats, you're stuck in one place next to the boat and you can only see them from a distance above water. With the kayak you can move around and follow them. There are a ton of fish and coral reef here and kayaking around was so much fun. read more

This review is very similar to my Cpt Cook Monument review. Keylakekua Bay is the bay that you have to traverse in order to get to the monument. We rented a kayak & snorkel gear from a dude on the edge of the bay near the park. We paddled out about 40 minutes, then tied the boat to my ankle (no docking allowed) and snorkeled around for a bit. Holy fishes!!!! This reef was amazing!! We were told there would be dolphins, but sadly didn't see any. Really, really beautiful even without the dolphin sightings. read more

This was my favorite part of the trip. We found our way down to the bay somehow and there were guys hanging around renting out Tandem Kayak with a dry bag. We gave them $50 and was on our way. We got there around 9 am and there were a group of people snorkeling around the bay, chasing dolphins. There were a nice group of them swimming throughout the bay. Good thing we also had our snorkeling gears, and we swam along with them, tugging our kayak behind. I was very excited to see dolphins already. But once I reached Captain Cook Monument, I was so excited to see how beautiful the reefs were. There was a guy at the monument to help us pull in the kayak. Then we were off snorkeling. I didn't want to leave. The water was crystal clear and it was almost as good as diving. This bay was 100x better than the Hanauma Bay in Oahu. I constantly daydream of my day here. read more