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Kayak to Captain Cook
Kayak Guide
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Snorkeling | Snorkeling Tips
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Diving Tips
Captain Cook Monument, Kealakekua Bay
Permits Required to Beach
Kayaks on Shore or at Captain Cook
As of 2/23/2010, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is
requiring permits for anyone seeking to land vessels (kayaks) along the
Ka‘awaloa shoreline or moor at the wharf adjacent to the Captain Cook Monument
in Kealakekua bay. Find out details on how to apply for the permit in our
Captain Cook Kayak Permit blog post. Download the Permit Application
online here. For more information, contact the State Parks office in
Hilo at (808) 974-6200.
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.
Read about our adventure
Kayaking to Captain Cook with Kids on our Big Island Blog.
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.
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Beached kayak near the Capt Cook monument |
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Lizard Fish
underwater in Kealakekua Bay |
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View of Kealakekua
Bay from the descending winding road |
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View across the bay
while paddling across |
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The edge of the
Captain Cook monument |
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School of Goat Fish
underwater while SCUBA Diving |
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The Crown 'o' Thorns
"eating" the coral reef |
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Beautiful, vibrant
coral reef at Kealakekua Bay |
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
Rich Coral Reef at Captain Cook, Kealakekua Bay
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 to 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
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
 Join
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.
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