Kealakekua Bay snorkeling: boat tour, hike or kayak
Take a boat tour to snorkel at Kealakekua Bay. Coral Reef Snorkel Adventures runs a Kealakekua Bay / Captain Cook Monument Snorkel that lasts 3.5 hours.
Take a boat tour to snorkel at Kealakekua Bay. Coral Reef Snorkel Adventures runs a Kealakekua Bay / Captain Cook Monument Snorkel that lasts 3.5 hours. The bay is also reached on foot by the Ka'awaloa Trail, or by a guided kayak tour with a permitted vendor. Pick the route by how much you want included and how far you want to walk.
Kealakekua Bay / Captain Cook Monument Snorkel
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Can you snorkel at Kealakekua Bay?
Yes. Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park lists snorkeling and wildlife viewing among its activities. Coral Reef Snorkel Adventures lists tropical fruit, snacks, bottled water, nonalcoholic drinks, snorkeling gear, flotation devices and a professional snorkel guide. Know the bay's history before you go. It was the place of the first extensive contact between Hawaiians and Westerners, with the arrival of Captain Cook. A monument to Captain Cook stands near where he was killed, and the ruins of the village of Ka'awaloa lie on the lava flats behind it.
Can you snorkel Kealakekua Bay without a tour?
Yes. Bring your own kayak to paddle in, or walk in along the Ka'awaloa Trail. Every vessel, including kayaks, needs a State Parks permit before it crosses the waters of Kealakekua Bay. That trail has no restrooms. Restrooms at the park are only in the Napoopoo section. The other route is a guided kayak tour with one of the permitted commercial vendors.
How long is the hike to Captain Cook snorkeling?
No hiking time to the flats is given, so allow extra time for the walk down and back. The Coral Reef Snorkel Adventures tour runs 3.5 hours from start to finish. Plan for the walk down and back as part of your time at the bay, and bring water for the trail, since it has no restrooms. If the walk matters to your plans, budget that time before you commit.
How to choose a bay snorkeling on Kealakekua
For a guide and gear in the price, choose the boat tour. If you want to walk to the monument, take the Ka'awaloa Trail, but know it has no restrooms. If you have a kayak and want to paddle in, get the State Parks permit first. If you do not want to own a kayak, the guided kayak tour is the other way to reach the flats.
What to check before you book a bay snorkeling on Kealakekua
Pick a start time that leaves room for the bay's opening hours. Land access to the park runs from 7 AM to 8 PM daily, so plan your visit within those hours. Keep the rest of your day inside that window. Plan for the bay to be the main stop of your morning, not a quick add-on.
What to avoid when snorkeling?
Know the hazards before you enter the water. State Parks lists falling rocks, dangerous shorebreak and strong current as hazards at the bay. The beach at Napoopoo has boulders from storm surf that now cover the sandy shore. Hikiau Heiau, on the shore of Napoopoo, is a sacred site to Hawaiians, and visitors are asked not to go onto the heiau. Camping is not allowed.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an entrance fee for Kealakekua Bay?
No, there is no entrance fee for the park.
What are the hours at Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park?
The park is open daily from 7 AM to 8 PM.
Can you camp at Kealakekua Bay?
No, camping is not allowed at the park.
