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Kealakekua Bay is easily on of the most popular destinations on the Big Island. Most tourists visiting on the Kona side will visit this special place. The scenery, and history make for a potent, and hard-to-reach spot.
Captain Cook Snorkeling Tour Tips
Hats – hats are also a good item for protection from the sun but can easily get blown off in the ocean wind or boat speed wind. So be prepared to either be holding on to your heads while on the boat or maybe bring a hat you don’t mind losing if it does end up yeeting itself to sea. This is the ultimate party boat with slides (so fun!), diving, water toys and two full meals. While there’s technically no “best time” for snorkeling, we prefer to head out in the morning, before the trade winds start to pick up and cause the water to get more choppy. This is also a better time to be outside in terms of sun exposure and gives you a chance to beat the heavier afternoon crowds. Another element that some visitors might not consider is state landing permits which are provided by most kayak companies.
Fair Wind Cruises Morning Kealakekua Snorkel Tour
Get all the details on our itinerary and download it for a memorable and easily planned trip to Hawai’i (Big Island). Prices are $99 per person (at time of publishing), regardless of age. Aside from the bay itself, Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park wraps around the bay, encompassing the land and rocky shoreline and includes the Captain Cook Monument. The driver we had was marvelous and lived on the island since 1986. He was informative, helpful, and had wonderful stories to tell.
What is So Special about Kealakekua Bay?
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. 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. Morning is the best time to get out on the water in Hawaii. The sea is calmest and gets progressively choppier as the wind picks up in the afternoon. While Kealakekua Bay offers a decent amount of protection from swell it’s best to go early. That being said going on a smaller boat is better early in the day so we’ve chosen Hawaii’s highest rated and most reviewed snorkeling company Kona Snorkel Trips.
Ready to plan the rest of your Big Island getaway?
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You’ll get six carefully planned excursion days to help you see the can’t miss stops no matter how limited your time is. Aside from snorkeling, you’ll also get a nice little geology lesson and a sneak peek inside sea caves and lava tubes on your ride back to the harbor. This additional sightseeing is thanks to the power rafts nimble ability to explore the nooks and crannies of the coast, something that larger boats simply can’t do.
Deluxe Sail & Snorkel to Captain Cook with Sea Paradise
A human sacrifice heiau, or temple, resides on the south end of the Bay. Also, this is where Captain James Cook first landed on the Big Island in 1779. Choosing a Captain Cook snorkel tour can be daunting because there are so many companies that offer this activity. I’ll show you what to expect on each tour so you can make an informed decision and explain what the heck makes Kealakekua Bay so special anyway.
Deluxe Captain Cook Snorkeling Tour at Kealakekua Bay - Fair Wind Cruises
GoPro – I wore a waterproof GoPro to video record my swimming adventure. It was nice to be able to just turn it on and forget about it as I swam around the bay. There are different ways of attaching it to your body like headband, chest strap, or hand floaty. Light sweatshirt – it can get a little chilly on the water some days, especially on overcast or rainy days.
You saved us tons of time energy and money while ensuring we had an awesome trip. We have in-depth reviews of each of these tours in the link in the descriptions below. If you know exactly what you want and you’re ready to book, use the buttons below to book directly with the tour operators. Various boat tours are available to book, each with something different to offer whether they’re small groups or large catamarans. Boat tours are a great option because they take the planning out of the equation, offering meals and equipment without the hassle of trying to figure it all out on your own.
Ehu and Kai Guided Outrigger Canoe Tour
One year later, on February 14, 1779, the same James Cook was killed here during his 3rd visit to the Hawaiian islands. This happened in a conflict that could probably have easily been avoided with more knowledge of the Hawaiian culture. You can find a well-written account of these faithful events in an article on the Coffeetimes website called “the demise of Captain Cook“. The Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park spans the shoreline of almost all of Kealakekua Bay (except the south-eastern shoreline). The most accessible part of it is on the north-eastern edge of the bay where you can find Nopoʻopoʻo Beach Park with a parking area, a picnic pavilion, restrooms, showers, and a water fountain. Journey to three different snorkeling locations, explore sea caves, and see the Kona Coast as few do.
Clear waters and abundant wildlife make Kealakekua bay a great place to go diving. Waters here can get rough with high surf though, and you should only enter the waters here when the ocean conditions are calm. Encrusting coral, caves, crevices and ledges, all can be found in these waters down to about 30 feet deep.
Their smaller passenger count means you’ll get a more personalized experience with more attention from the staff and the ability to maneuver in close where the action is. The combination of crystal clear, calm waters with extensive coral reefs and sea life bring people from all over the world for some of the best snorkeling and diving in Hawaii. Boat tours often supply guests with everything from towels to sunscreen and meals, including drinks. At the bare minimum, you should bring along mineral-based sunscreen (to protect the delicate reefs!), sunglasses, protective sun clothing, and a beach towel, just in case. If you’ll be snorkeling or hiking you’ll want to add plenty of water and maybe a few snacks to your bag. Kealakekua Bay is home to the Captain Cook Monument and is a famed snorkeling destination for its crystal clear waters and pristine marine environment.
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Prices do vary slightly depending on what time of year you book and were accurate at the time of booking. A fully plant-based (vegan) menu ensures that they stay true to their eco-friendly offerings with breakfast and lunch provided on the morning tour, while on the afternoon tour you’ll enjoy snacks and a full bar. Hop on board the spacious 50’ catamaran for a cruise with Sea Paradise down the Kona Coast to the idyllic Kealakekua Bay. You’ll get a little history lesson about the area’s storied past while gliding comfortably along the water for 45 minutes before you reach your destination. Keep your eyes peeled for spinner dolphins along the bow or whales off in the distance in the winter months. During a Kona coffee tour you are typically shown around the plantation to see the growing coffee in the field.
There are numerous ways to snorkel around Kealakekua Bay including hopping on a boat tour, renting kayaks, or simply by hiking in. There are many great coffee farms close to Kealakekua bay, see our BIG list of Kona coffee farms to pick a favorite. The small rocky beach (no sand) is located in front of Napo’opo’o park at the end of Manini Beach Rd, 0.4 miles from the Kealakekua Bay State Park.
The hike down into Kealakekua bay to the Capt. Cook monument is challenging and not particularly scenic. The main reason people make this hike is to reach the Ka’awaloa Flats area without having to pay for renting a kayak a boat tour. 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 a snorkeling tour). The small beach in the park next to the pavilion is known as “Napoʻopoʻo Beach” and was stripped of its sand by hurricane Iniki back in ’92.
