Anchorage· Hawaii (Big Island)· Hawaii
Honaunau Bay Anchorage
19° 25.4′ N · 155° 54.8′ W · approximate
A small, 500-yard bay between two flat lava points, with the Place of Refuge on one side and the Two Step reef on the other; a lovely lunch or overnight stop on calm days and no permit is needed, unlike Kealakekua 3 miles north.
Practical
Coordinate is approximate: placed about 100 m off the south shore as the Coast Pilot describes and checked to be in water on OpenStreetMap coastline data. Coast Pilot (October 2026): the bay indents the coast about 500 yards and is about 500 yards wide; vessels anchor in 4 to 8 fathoms (24-48 ft) 150 yards from the south shore; small boats can easily land on the beach in normal weather. Drop on sand clear of the coral the snorkelers come to see, and keep the ramp approach clear. No ocean landing within the national park (Keone'ele Cove). Spinner dolphins: stay 50 yards away. Open to the west and to kona storms.
Best for
Permit-free anchorage beside the Place of Refuge
Season
Calm summer conditions
Nearby
- Two Step (Honaunau Bay)0.1 NM away
- Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park0.2 NM away
- Ho'okena (Kauhako Bay) Anchorage2.6 NM away
- Ka'aloa's Super J's (Honaunau)2.6 NM away
- Ho'okena Beach Park2.7 NM away
- Kealakekua Bay Anchorage3.1 NM away
- Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park3.2 NM away
- Napo'opo'o Beach Park and Hikiau Heiau3.2 NM away