Permit· Hawaii (Big Island)· Hawaii

Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park

19° 28.5′ N · 155° 55.2′ W

The bay where Captain Cook landed in January 1779 and was killed a month later is a State Historical Park and Marine Life Conservation District, and every vessel, including kayaks, paddleboards and dinghies, needs a State Parks permit just to transit it. Apply well ahead; it is the gateway to the best snorkeling on the coast.

Practical

Coordinate is Hikiau Heiau at Napo'opo'o (OpenStreetMap), at the south end of the park. Hawaii State Parks: all vessels must obtain a State Parks permit before transiting the bay; download the commercial or non-commercial application, complete it, and submit it to State Parks (the page says email in one place and mail in another), allowing up to 14 days, processed in order received. Permits cover transit only, not business activity. No permitted vessel may land at Ka'awaloa Flat (the Cook Monument) or launch from the Napo'opo'o wharf. Commercial kayaks need State Parks decals on both bows (since June 1, 2019); the page lists Kona Boys and Adventures in Paradise as permitted kayak tour vendors. Park hours 7am to 8pm daily; no entrance fee. Ka'awaloa can also be reached on foot by the steep Ka'awaloa Trail (no restrooms; pack out trash). Noodle's Notes: the bay is regulated by DOBOR, DAR and State Parks, rules are confusing, and a 2007 visit ended with a DLNR officer asking him to leave Zone B despite the written rules; the special permit regime followed a 2012 kayaker fatality. MLCD rules: no anchoring in Subzone A (north of the Cook Point to north-end-of-Napo'opo'o-Beach line); in Subzone B anchors may only be dropped on sand or so as to avoid coral damage; no taking of marine life except hook-and-line and thrownet finfishing in Subzone B; no fish feeding; no taking sand or coral.

Best for

Getting the permit that unlocks the Captain Cook Monument snorkel

Nearby