Hawaii (Big Island) Sports & Outdoors Tips by 2rs

Kealakekua Bay, the best snorkeling in the Islands

The waters at the Captian Cook monument in Kealakekua Bay, where the great explorer ended his life, is rated as one of the best places for snorkeling in the Hawaiian islands.

Don't miss the magificent coral garden and its abundant marine life. Here you will find lots of colourfull fishes, moray eels, and there's dolphins that frequents the bay in the mornings and afternoon that you may encounter if you're lucky. Depths are ranging from 15 to 100 ft.

There is supposedly whalesharks in the waters outside the bay, but you probably need a boat and scubagear to see them.

The area is also full of history as it's not only the place where Captain James Cook died, but also an ancient village and the caves high up in the bays cliffs was used for burial of high ranking chiefs bones.

Have a look at my Snorkeling on the Big Island travelogue for more pictures of the marine life.

Equipment: Mask, snorkel and finns and a underwater camera are a must, remember to bring a longsleeve t-shirt to protect yourself against the sun as you probably will spend hours in the water.

Kayaks and the other stuff you need such as snorkeling equipment, drybags etc. can be rented at various operations along the highway. The local boys at the wharf will help you with getting the kayak on the water, just remeber that this is their opportunity to get a pice of the tourism cake and they may charge a few dollars for their services.

Eddie's fruit stall on the way to the wharf has a variety of local organic grown fruits which is nice to bring along for lunch.

Address: About 10 miles south of Kailua-Kona

Directions: Go on a snorkeling or diving cruise with one of the many boats that departs from Kona, take a 40 min hike or a horseback ride down the trail from the begining of Napoopoo Road or set out from the wharf in a kayak and padle across the bay.

Theme: Beach Activities

Snorkeling at Kahalu'u, plenty of fish n' turtles

Kahaluu Beach Park is one of the places where you are guaranteed to see plenty of fish and the green turtles are common here. This place is perfect for snorkelers of all ages and experiences as it is a shallow well protected bay behind a reef and there are lifeguards posted that mostly are making sure nobody messes with the turtles.

Have a look at my Snorkeling on the Big Island travelogue for more pictures of the marine life.

Equipment: Mask, snorkel and finns and a underwater camera are a must and a longsleeve t-shirt to protect yourself against the sun as you probably will spend hours in the water.

Directions: A few miles south of Kailua-Kona, at the five mile marker.

Theme: Beach Activities