The underwater preserve at the Captain Cook monument is across the bay from where the road ends at Kealakekua Bay. The only way to get there is by kayak or catamaran. Most people see the preserve and monument by taking a commercial snorkeling tour of the bay on one of the two catamarans that are allowed in the pristine bay each day.
To fully experience the bay, kayak across it. It only takes about a half an hour of paddling and resting to make it across the beautiful bay. If you are very lucky, dolphins will escort your kayak. What a thrill to have a school of dolphins jumping and frolicking around.
Once on the other side of the bay find a secluded spot away from the monument where most people congregate. There are inlets to pull up the kayaks. The shore is mostly smooth lava with rocky coral sand (bring beach shoes) and a few trees. A perfect place to picnic, explore, snorkel and enjoy paradise at its best!
The snorkeling is truly amazing at this site. A rainbow of colors spread before you. There is such a diversity of fish and other sea life. Butterfly fish, parrotfish, yellow tang, achilles tang, orangespine unicorn fish, trunkfish, and wrasse abound.
Keep an eye out for the moray eel, triggerfish,
trumpet fish,
flounder,
& moorish idol.
If you are wondering why there aren't any photos on this page of the
tall white obelisk monument to Captain Cook its really quite simple...there
was a photo which never got developed. That was because when
the kayak tipped over, the camera got submerged. The film and camera
was ruined. Usually we stick with the disposable underwater cameras
but this time we brought our good one along. The moral of the story,
only take items on a kayak that can get wet, tipping them is rare but
a real possibility.
If you don't have the time or desire to kayak across the bay consider
snorkeling right at the end of the road at Kealakekua Bay, off the cement
pier. Another beautiful site, although the fish are not quite as abundant.
This is where we saw the spotted eagle ray and very large green sea
turtles. The turtles are fairly far out, near the breakwater.
Driving Directions: Take Highway 11 south from Kailua-Kona for about
18 miles to the Kealakekua
Bay turnoff. Drive to the shoreline and park in area at the end
of the road by the old cement pier. Captain
Cook Monument will be visible off in the distance to the right.
Renting a Kayak: Sometimes kayaks are available for rental at the bay
but you cannot count on it. It is advisable to rent a kayak in the town
of Captain Cook on Highway 11. They are light and easy to attach to
the top of a car.
WebMaster: Patrice Miller
© copyright 2005