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Kayak to Captain Cook

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

Kayak to Captain Cook
We 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 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 equipment 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.

courtesy of google maps

Beach 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 water 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

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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.

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