Snorkel· Hawaii (Big Island)· Hawaii
Captain Cook Monument (Ka'awaloa)
19° 28.9′ N · 155° 56.0′ W
A white obelisk erected in 1878 on the shore of Ka'awaloa Cove marks where Cook died in February 1779, and the reef in front of it is arguably the best snorkel in Hawaii: coral slopes from a few feet to about 120 ft, with exceptionally tame fish and visibility that Fair Wind puts at up to 100 ft.
Practical
Coordinate from Wikipedia (the monument). Inside MLCD Subzone A: no anchoring and no taking of marine life. With a State Parks permit you may drift or be dropped off while crew snorkel (Noodle's Notes), but permitted vessels may not land at Ka'awaloa Flat. The Coast Pilot notes a concrete landing with about 6 ft alongside. Best in the morning before tour boats arrive (the Fair Wind catamaran picks up the commercial mooring at about 10am). Walking in via the Ka'awaloa Trail is steep and has no facilities. Spinner dolphins often rest in the bay; stay 50 yards away (federal rule).
Best for
World-class reef snorkel with deep history
Season
Year round; calmest mornings
Nearby
- Ka'awaloa (Captain Cook Monument) Trail0.4 NM away
- Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins (50-yard rule)0.5 NM away
- Kealakekua Bay Anchorage0.7 NM away
- Napo'opo'o Beach Park and Hikiau Heiau0.8 NM away
- Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park0.9 NM away
- Kona Coffee Living History Farm1.2 NM away
- Manago Hotel Restaurant (Captain Cook)1.4 NM away
- South Kona Green Market (Captain Cook)1.4 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).