Kealakekua Bay Marine Preserve
Kealakekua Bay Marine Preserve
Kealakekua Bay Marine Preserve
5
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A big island off Hawaii's isolated reef.
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24 within 5 kms
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42 within 10 kms
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
5.0
15 reviews
Excellent
15
Very good
0
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
tamarah3
Bella Vista, AR128 contributions
Dec. 2018 • Couples
Clear waters and stunning views for snorkeling. Well worth the short drive. We kayaked across the bay. Amazing experience.
Written December 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mikael Kjellström
Barriere, Canada119 contributions
Nov. 2018 • Family
This is our sixth year visiting and staying by Kealakekua Bay, and we genuinely love this bay. The snorkelling by Captain Cook is phenomenal, if not the best, and the rest of the bay could potentially swim and see the dolphins, sea turtles, Bluefin tuna etc. We hope to come back more times.
Written November 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jayS6408YA
Bangkok, Thailand13 contributions
Mar. 2018 • Friends
we enjoyed snorkeling there very much but keep in mind that there will be some current too so stay safe
Written October 2, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
theloreli
Washington DC, DC25 contributions
Oct. 2014 • Couples
All you have to do is rent a 1 or 2 person kayak for about $40 a day. The kayak place will strap it to your rental car and for a nice tip (or 6 pack of beer) a local will help you set it up and launch into the bay. Take your mask, fins, snorkel, under water camera and sunblock. You will be treated to an all day dolphin experience. I asked the locals about the dolphins and they told me that they can't remember a single day when dolphins weren't swimming around the bay. It's only a mile long and very easy to kayak. You aren't allowed to moor the boat at Captain Cook's monument, but you can tether the kayak to your wrist and freely snorkel the MOST PRISTINE reef in all the Hawaiian Islands right here!
Written April 21, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JayaSatish
San Ramon, CA1 contribution
Nov. 2013 • Family
Thanks to Susan & Chris, myself, my husband & 2 kids had a blast during our recent Thanksgiving trip to Kona. The speed-boat ride to-fro added lot of information about the flora-fauna-marine life of the Hawaiin islands due to the knowledge of Chris-Susan. They were always there to help with our 1st time snorkelling naive questions. Susan prepared delicious veg wraps for my vegetarian family. We saw pod of 4-6 dolphins on our way. Beautiful coral reefs, variety of sea life while snorkelling. Susan-Chris took us to the right spots. Their rates were good too. Highly recommend them.
Written December 5, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian S
24 contributions
Nov. 2013 • Family
We choose to walk to thos bay in order to be able to snorkel with out the hassel of towing a kayak around while we were there. Launching or mooring any vessel there is prohibated. But as one reviewer wrote, there is no law against hiking. However, the logistics of the hike might be a bit prohibated to some. We walked down early afternoon - took about an hour. Sun was out and in the 80's. The way back took an hour and a half - Sun out and still warm. The trail for most of the way is straight down hill. There are no leveling off spots. The disance we tracked going up was 1.8 miles. However, I bet the elevation at the top of the trail is 1000ft above sea level. The trail goes from 30 degrees to 45 degrees , mostly lava rock, and loose. Howver, the snorkeling was great!. So many fish. Got a bit crowed when the tour boats showed. The bay is home to Spinner Dolhins who are active in the mornings. There are several guied Kayak tous that will take you there as well. Also found a few locals willing to rent kayaks at arounf $60 for the day. But you can not moore these rentals.
Written November 20, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aphoenician
Denver138 contributions
Mar. 2012
This is my fourth time the Big Island and, somehow,I had completely missed this piece of MARINE PARADISE during my last three visits. The Marine Preserve can only be accessed by hiking, Kayaking or by boat. We drove to the Kealakekua kayak launching and car parking spot and rented a couple of two seats kayaks for $40 each. From there we kayaked for 20-30 mn (moderate effort) to the marine preserve where we attached our kayaks to tree branches on the shore and joined the many other snorkelers already in the water ... Expect to have your breath taken away from you once you put your head under water (even with a tuba in your mouth): It is one of the most pristine and spectacular corrals and fish snorkeling experience you'll ever have!! On many days, one can even see spinner dolphins in the bay (we did not see any during our afternoon there).
Written March 29, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marilyn E
Fair Oaks, California, United States11 contributions
Feb. 2012
Setting out from Kailua-Kona pier we watched whales, enjoyed the coastline in the Zodiac while Captain Chad told us stories, talked geology and made us feel at home. Both he and Captain Kris were warm, enthusiastic and hospitable. Kealakelua Bay is teeming with fish; yep, 300 species. Water was clear, warm and inviting. We snorkeled, snacked and breathed in the views, enjoying the ride back north with stops at lava tubes, caves. A don't miss experience, a calming crew.
Written March 4, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennafermac
San Mateo, CA3 contributions
HANDS DOWN this is THE BEST place to snorkel in Hawaii! When I came here it was mid-August and the visibility here is awesome! I went snorkeling here with my brother and we didn't even have a fancy digital underwater camera. We just used one of those cheapo disposable underwater cameras and our pictures came out fantastic!!
I've been snorkeling many places in Hawaii (Hanauma Bay & Sharks Cove & Ko'olina in Oahu, Blackrock & 'Ahihi Kina'u & Molokini Crater in Maui) but this place is the best by far!!! LOTS and LOTS of fish and the coral here is so colorful!!
I've been snorkeling many places in Hawaii (Hanauma Bay & Sharks Cove & Ko'olina in Oahu, Blackrock & 'Ahihi Kina'u & Molokini Crater in Maui) but this place is the best by far!!! LOTS and LOTS of fish and the coral here is so colorful!!
Written November 3, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
suzsays
Oregon1 contribution
My husband and I just returned from a wonderful 3 weeks in Hawaii. One of our most favorite places to visit is Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island. Renting a kayak to paddle in the bay and over to Capt. Cook monument to snorkel is simply the best Hawaii has to offer. We have a concern regarding kayak rental. Many times we have been here and this last time we saw a more agressive approach from locals going from helping us in and out with our kayaks expecting tips to now pushing their kayaks to rent. I have learned that (and they do only accept cash) they are not legal, pay no taxes and use old kayaks that have been sold from the reputable rental shops. The law abiding rentals; Kayak Central (our favorite) and Kona Boys for example are loosing much business due to this problem. Some may even close down. The law enforcement seems to ignore this for whatever reason. My suggestion is for anyone planning to visit and kayak in the bay, avoid these law breaking locals and rent before you travel down to the bay; keeping them in business and putting the cash only locals out of business. Trust me it is no bargain with them either.
suzanne
Roseburg, Oregon
suzanne
Roseburg, Oregon
Written April 17, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingKEALAKEKUA BAY MARINE PRESERVE - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Kealakekua Bay Marine Preserve
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Kealakekua Bay Marine Preserve:
- Afternoon Sail & Snorkel to the Captain Cook Monument (From C$184.57)
- Deluxe Sail & Snorkel to the Captain Cook Monument (From C$243.63)
- Afternoon Kealakekua Snorkel Tour (From C$174.54)
- Kealakekua Bay Snorkeling Tour - 4 hour Kona Zodiac Adventure (From C$176.33)
- Morning Kealakekua Snorkel Tour (From C$241.31)
- Hotels near Kealakekua Bay Marine Preserve:
- (0.04 km) Oceanfront 4 BR for 12! Weddings/Receptions!
- (0.04 km) Oceanfront Home - Kealakekua Bay - KAYAKS INCLUDED
- (0.08 km) Lawai'a Sea Lodge Downstairs - Ocean Front - Hosted - KAYAKS INCLUDED
- (0.08 km) Lawai'a Sea Lodge Cottage - Ocean Front - Hosted - KAYAKS INCLUDED
- (0.12 km) Oceanfront*Hot Tub*Kayaks*Snorkeling*Dolphins*Gorgeous Location
- Restaurants near Kealakekua Bay Marine Preserve:
- (1.78 km) Shaka Tacoz
- (2.85 km) The Coffee Shack
- (1.79 km) Manago Hotel & Restaurant
- (4.78 km) Ka'aloa's Super J's
- (5.70 km) Gypsea Gelato