Epic Travel → North America → Hawaii → The Big Island → Kealakekua Bay

♦ Intrepid Top Pick!

Location: Kailua-Kona Area, Hawaii

Approach Distance: 2 miles (if hiking), 1 mile (if kayaking or swimming)

Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,300 feet

Time Required: 4 hours

Red Tape/Notes: 1 hour swim, 30 minute kayak, or 20 minute hike to reach the monument; pack a lunch and have a picnic!

What’s Nearby?: Manta Ray Night Dave, Kona Diving

This bay has some of the finest snorkeling in Hawaii – and you have to work a little bit for it. This is no Hanauma Bay, where you just roll up in your car and practically fall in the water. The prime snorkeling spot is at the Captain Cook Monument – an obelisk erected near the spot where Cook was killed by the Hawaiians (make sure you’re on the monument side of the bay and not the Nopo’opo’o Beach side, which has the temple that Cook was first worshipped in). I don’t know why they didn’t put the monument on the actual spot of Cook’s death, but they did put a plaque on that spot, which is to the left of the monument. Fun fact, this small bit of land was given to the United Kingdom by Princess Likelike, so technically you’re on holiday in the UK while you’re at the monument. Anyway, you have to swim, kayak, or hike to the site (or I guess you could hope on a boat trip that goes here, but that’s basically cheating). We opted for the hiking option, because it seemed the most straightforward, which it was, especially considering it’s downhill to get to the bay. And once you’re there, it’s pretty amazing. Highly recommended.

Epic Travel → North America → Hawaii → The Big Island → Kealakekua Bay