Snorkel· Hawaii (Big Island)· Hawaii
Kahaluu Beach Park
19° 34.8′ N · 155° 58.0′ W
Kona's 'Snorkel Beach': a shallow cove sheltered by a partly submerged ancient breakwater, where more than 100 species of fish and resident green sea turtles live in water mostly neck-deep, about 10 ft at the deepest. It is the easiest good snorkel on the coast.
Practical
Coordinate is the OpenStreetMap park outline (To-Hawaii.com pin 19.57922, -155.96689). About 1 mile north of Keauhou Bay. Lifeguard tower, restrooms, showers, covered picnic area and gear rentals. Enter over the sandy patches; the rocks are slippery. A strong rip current can form in big swell along the rocks north of Ku'emanu Heiau, and surfers use the outer reef edge in high surf. The Kohala Center and ReefTeach volunteers at Kahalu'u promote reef-safe sun protection; Hawaii banned the sale of sunscreens with chemicals harmful to coral from January 1, 2021 (NPS).
Best for
Easy turtle and reef-fish snorkel near Keauhou
Season
Best in calm conditions; avoid big swell
Nearby
- White Sands Beach Park (Magic Sands)0.9 NM away
- Keauhou Bay Small Boat Harbor1.1 NM away
- Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel1.2 NM away
- Da Poke Shack (Kailua-Kona)1.8 NM away
- Don the Beachcomber Mai Tai Bar (Royal Kona Resort)3.4 NM away
- Huggo's on the Rocks3.5 NM away
- Humpy's Big Island Alehouse3.5 NM away
- Island Lava Java (Kailua-Kona)3.6 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).