Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
crustaceans, morays - even Spanish dancers. Outside are countless lava formations shel-
tering conger eels, triton's trumpet shells and schooling squirrelfish.
Other Activities
Captain Cook Monument Trail
HIKING
MAP
As of this writing, the only way to snorkel Ka'awaloa Cove without renting a kayak or
taking a boat tour was via hiking the Captain Cook Monument Trail. And that's frankly
OK with us - Kealakekua Bay is so beautiful, but simultaneously fragile, we feel like
visiting it needs to be earned.
Admittedly, the trail can be hot and buggy, but there's nice lookouts on the way down
and it leads right to the snorkeling cove. The way down is an easy hour, but after a morn-
ing of snorkeling the uphill return seems twice as steep (in reality it's a 1300ft elevation
gain in 1.8 miles); allow two hours to return.
To get to the trailhead, turn
makai
(seaward) off Hwy 11/Mamalahoa Hwy onto Na-
poʻopoʻo Rd; within the first tenth of a mile, park along the narrow road in one of the
pullouts, wherever it's safe to do so. To find the trail entrance, count four telephone poles
from the start of the road, and it's
makai
across from three tall palm trees. The trail is
clear and easy to follow going down; when in doubt at a confusing spur, stay to the left.
The trail ends at the place where kayakers with permits pull up on the rocks. There are no
facilities at the bottom, so bring lots of water.
Returning uphill, stay right at the fork (back onto the lava ledge); left is a 4WD road
that continues north along the coast for miles.
Kings' Trail Rides
HORSE RIDING, TOUR
MAP
(
345-0661, 323-2388;
www.konacowboy.com
;
81-6420 Mamalahoa Hwy; rides $135;
9am-4pm Mon-Fri)
Kings' leads two-hour horseback trips to the coastline just north of
Kealakekua Bay. Trips include lunch and snorkeling if waters are calm.
Sleeping
Luana Inn
B&B $$$
MAP
