Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
While we cannot say for sure, we expect the moratorium to be lifted by the time
you read this topic. The state seems likely to allow tourism watercraft back in the
bay, but companies will have to be licensed. In the meantime, you may still swim
and snorkel in Kealakekua Bay (and you should!), but getting there requires hiking
the Captain Cook Monument Trail (
Click here
)
.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park
Kealakekua Bay is one of Hawaiʻi's seminal sites, a location that manages to blend in-
credible natural beauty with supreme historical importance. Besides being one of the ma-
jor religious sites of Native Hawaiians, the bay marks the spot where Captain Cook, and
by extension the outside world, first set foot in the archipelago, irrevocably altering the
fate of the islands and their residents.
A wide, calm bay shouldered by a low lava point to the north, tall reddish
pali
(cliffs)
in the center and miles of green mountain slopes to the south, the bay is both a
state
park
and a marine-life conservation district, and is famous for its rich variety of sea life,
including spinner dolphins. This entire area is considered sacred, and deserves your re-
spect.
Napo'opo'o Rd, off Hwy 11, winds 4.5 miles down to the bay, leaving behind the lush
foliage of the rainier uplands for the perpetually sunny coast; never assume that rain on
the highway means rain in the bay. The road ends at the parking lot for Napoʻopoʻo
Beach and Wharf.
Beaches
Manini Beach
BEACH
MAP
On its southern shoreline, Kealakekua Bay is rocky and exposed to regular northwest
swells, making for poor swimming and snorkeling conditions. On the other hand, Manini
Beach makes a highly scenic, shady picnic spot. That said, there's scattered coral and
ʻaʻa
(rough, jagged type of lava), so this isn't a great spot for a swim. If you're confident
in the water, use a small break in the lava (to the right) to access the bay.
