Kayak Links

Hawaii Kayak Guide
Kayak Tips
Kayak Keauhou
Kayak Honaunau
Kealakekua Bay

Captain Cook

Virtual Tours

Hapuna Beach
Kahaluu Beach
Kikaua Point Beach
Kua Bay Beach
Kukio Beach
Mauna Kea Beach
Kailua Bay Panorama
Kailua Pier Panorama
Coral Reef Panorama
Halema'uma'u Crater
Kilauea Crater

Kona Hawaii

KONA
Kailua-Kona
Kohala Coast

OCEAN
Snorkeling
SCUBA Diving
Hapuna Beach
Kealakekua Bay

Captain Cook
Honaunau

HIKING + SCENIC
Pololu Valley

Petroglyphs
Waipio Valley
Waimea

NATIONAL PARKS
Hawaii Volcano
Place of Refuge

Hawaii Souvenirs

Hawaiian Shirts
Macadamia Nuts
Hawaiian Flowers
Kona Coffee
Hilo Hattie Store
Hawaiian Surfwear


Hawaiian Shirts

Hawaiian Guide Books
Guide Books


Macadamia Nuts

You are here: Big Island > OceanCaptain Cook > Kayak

Kayak to Captain Cook

Kayak Guide | Snorkeling | Snorkeling Tips | SCUBA Diving | Diving Tips

Kayak to Captain Cook, Kealakekua Bay

 

Kayak at the Wharf, Kealakekua Bay

Kealakekua Bay, Captain Cook Monument

clear waters at Captain Cook


Kayak to Captain Cook
view of Kealakekua BayWe recommend two people rent a two-person (tandem) kayak rather than two individual kayaks.  With your rental, you get a soft rack that fits any vehicle, paddles, a dry bag (for cameras, wallets, etc.), a soft cooler (for lunch), and tie down straps Kayaking across Kealakekua Bay
for your gear.  If you have not used a kayak before, make sure you ask for instructions.  Feel free to ask the shopkeeper for directions to the best kayaking and snorkeling locations as well - or even join their guided kayak tours.  You can also rent snorkeling Steep cliffs surround Kealakekua Bayequipment from one of these stores.  However, if you are planning to SCUBA dive at Captain Cook, you must get your tanks from one of the dive shops in Kailua beforehand - there are no SCUBA rentals near Kealakekua Bay.  Check out our detailed how-to-kayak section for more details and tips on kayaking.

When you get to Kealakekua (view online map), offload all of your equipment from your vehicle.  Be courteous and mindful of others and do not leave your car on the wharf.  Park it in the adjacent parking lot.  Pack up the kayak with your equipment before lowering it into the water on the left side of the Kealakekua wharf.  Make sure you hang on to a strap when you place the kayak in the water so it does not float away.  Have one person hold the kayak steady while the second person gets in.  Kayak across the bay towards the white obelisk monument.  Enjoy the scenery!  If you are early enough, you may see the Spinner Dolphins swimming in the waters.

Captain Cook Snorkel Map
courtesy of google maps

Kayak Kealakekua BayBeach the kayak underneath the trees in the small cove to the south of the monument.  Enter the cove on the right side to avoid the lava rocks.  Be careful when you get out of the kayak, you can easily lose your footing.  Be sure to put on sandals, booties, or Lizard Fish, Kealakekua Baywater shoes before stepping out onto the sharp lava rocks.  Make sure you pull your kayak far enough out of the water so that it does not drift away with the tide.  Leave your equipment in the shade of a tree.  When you have your snorkeling gear on, walk down the lava ramp into the warm clear water.  You can also walk down the trail from the cove, which leads to Captain Cook Monument.  You can enter the water by dropping down off of the wall, but be sure you jump out so you do not hit the rocks immediately below.

Make sure you bring everything you think you will need, there are is no food or water or any facilities at Captain Cook.  We recommend you bring: sunscreen, hat, enough water for the day, food/snacks, shirt or rash guard to avoid the hot sun, and your snorkeling or SCUBA diving gear.  We highly recommend buying or renting an underwater camera -- even a disposable one -- to capture the vast array of fish and coral.

Next page: Snorkeling at Captain Cook


More Captain Cook Articles

Kayak to Captain Cook
The best way to access the Captain Cook Monument and the sea life of the marine sanctuary is by kayak.

Snorkeling Captain Cook
Read our Capt. Cook snorkel guide with maps and photos

SCUBA Diving Captain Cook
Read our Capt. Cook SCUBA diving guide with maps and photos

Kayak Tips and Advice
Hot-to-kayak information, safety tips, gear guide

Hawaii Kayak Guide
Guide to kayaking on the Big Island, kayak snorkeling, sea caves

Kealakekua Bay Kealakekua Bay, Captain Cook Monument

Captain Cook Monument

Goat Fish at Capt. Cook

Crown O' Thorns

Abundant reef life in the clear waters

Snorkeling Tours of the Big Island
We offer a variety of guided snorkel tours for all ages and abilities.  Designed for beginners and adventurers alike, you’ll paddle along the scenic Kohala Coast and enjoy excellent snorkeling in warm, clear Hawaiian waters.  Discover the Big Islands most remote snorkeling spots along the pristine Kohala Coast, Pawai Bay, Kealakekua Bay, and more.  Check out our large sail and snorkel tours and our exciting zodiac tours for smaller groups.

Fair Winds Snorkel Cruise to Kealakekua
The award-winning Fair Wind Cruises has been providing exclusive Hawaii snorkeling excursions to Kealakekua Bay for 31 years.  Everything you'll need for snorkeling is provided: masks, snorkels, fins, etc. The friendly crew of the Fair Wind II will cater to your every need. The spacious boat offers plenty of room for relaxing in the sun or shade, and the water slide is sure to please the kids and kids at heart!

Sea Quest Ocean Rafting Adventure
Sea Quest Ocean Rafting AdventureJoin Sea Quest for a rafting adventure along the Kona Coast! Explore lava tubes and sea caves, and enjoy snorkeling at the Place of Refuge and Captain Cooks Landing!  After snorkeling, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking cruise along the Kona Coast taking in the spectacular coastline and exploring ancient lava tubes and sea caves.

©2008 Let's Go Hawaii.  All Rights Reserved.
Home | About |
Contact | Links | Blog | Search

Big Island Hawaii

Big Island Hawaii Kona

BEACHES
Hawaii Beach Guide

OCEAN
Snorkeling
SCUBA Diving
Kayak Hawaii

SIGHTSEEING
Big Island Sights
Hawaii Hiking

HAWAII VOLCANO
Active Lava Flow
Volcano Hiking

KONA
Kailua-Kona
Kohala Coast

HILO
Liliuokalani Gardens
Farmer's Market

Travel Resources

Discount Hawaii Airfare
Big Island Hawaii Hotel
Hilo Hawaii Hotels
Kona Hawaii Hotels
Kona Vacation Rentals
Kona Rental Cars

Tours and Activities
Hawaii Vacation Deals
Big Island Weather

Hawaii Books

Maps of Big Island
Travel Guides
Hawaiian Islands
Diving and Snorkeling

Photo Galleries

Hawaii Photos
Hawaiian Sea Turtle
Volcano Photos

Sunset Photos
Diving Photos
Send an e-Postcard


Kona Hotels
From $78


Discount SCUBA
& Snorkel Gear

Underwater Cameras
Underwater Camera