Anchorage· Hawaii (Big Island)· Hawaii

Kiholo Bay Anchorage

19° 51.1′ N · 155° 56.3′ W · approximate

A mile-wide bight cut into the 1859 Mauna Loa lava flow, ringed by black lava, a coconut grove and turquoise brackish lagoons. It is the only real stopping place on the 27 nm of exposed lava coast between Kawaihae and Honokohau besides Kua Bay, and the turtles of Wainanali'i Pond are a dinghy ride away.

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Coordinate is approximate: placed close off the black lava shore on the south side of the bay, as the Coast Pilot describes, and checked to be in water against OpenStreetMap coastline data; sound your way in. Coast Pilot (October 2026): the bay indents the coast 0.5 mile and is 1 mile wide; the head of the bay is foul, but local vessels have anchored close to the black lava shore on the south side; a southwest current of about 0.5 kt has been observed in the bay. Between Keahole and Upolu Points the trades draw over the mountains and can cause very strong offshore winds; the Coast Pilot advises boats anchoring along this stretch to be prepared to use both anchors, because the prevailing north current stops them lying to the wind. Noodle's Notes adds that the trades typically spill through the Mauna Kea-Kohala saddle in mid to late afternoon and last until well after dark. The bay is the Kiholo Bay Fisheries Management Area (HAR 13-60): gill nets and fish feeding are prohibited. Wainanali'i Pond and Luahinewai are on private land; do not land there. Observe the 72-hour anchoring limit.

Kiholo Bay Anchorage

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