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You are here: Big Island > Snorkeling > Hilo > Kapoho

Kapoho Tide Pools

Big Island Beaches | Kona Snorkeling | Kona Diving

Kapoho Tidal Pools

Video at Kapoho Tidal Pools
Kapoho Coral Video

 


Kapoho Fish Video

Attractions: tidal pools
Activities: swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, picnic 

In Kapoho small tide pools dot the entire coastline.  These pools are filled to the brim with sea creatures, making them an excellent place for exploration.  The Kapoho tide pools boast many different types of fish and a multicolored coral bed.  In Kapoho you will find crystal clear water and calm surf conditions which are excellent for children and weaker swimmers.  Regardless of the ocean conditions, these tidal pools are protected from the surf.  The calm conditions also allow easy entry into the water.  However, make sure you bring sandals / water shoes for the short walk over lava rocks.   You will also find lava shelves for sunbathing.  Many of the pools here are interconnected and allow you to snorkel from pool to pool.  These tide pools are so close together, that when they are not interconnected, you can simply climb out of one and drop down into the next one.  This is a nice trip even if you do not have snorkeling gear.  The clear tidal pools and warm sun offer a true taste of paradise.

 

Kapoho Tide Pools

Coral at the Kapoho Tide PoolsTide pools are mini-ecosystems, water communities teeming with a fascinating amount of colorful sea life.  We enjoy the snorkeling in these protected tide pools.  The coral life is vibrant and you will routinely encounter large schools of fish and even a Moray Eel or two.  The pools are relatively Eel at Kapoho Tide Poolsshallow - from just a few feet deep to as much as ten feet deep - it is almost like swimming in a swimming pool!  The calm, clear waters make it a perfect place for families, young kids, and everyone.

Kapoho Tidal Pools Scene from Parking AreaDirections - From Hilo, head South on Rte 11.  At Keau, turn left onto Rte 130 (Pahoa Rd).  Follow the signs for Kalapana.  Once you pass the town of Pahoa, look for signs for Kapoho.  You will take a left towards Kapoho on Rte 132 after passing Lava Tree State Park.  Follow Rte 132 until it Perfect Place for a Bar-B-Que!ends at a four-way intersection.  Do not go down the dirt road straight ahead.  Turn right onto Rte 137 (paved road) and follow it until you reach Kapoho Kai Rd.  Turn left on Kapoho Kai Rd into the Vacationland subdivision.  Continue down the road and turn right on Ho'ola'i Rd.  This road curves left and takes you to the Kapoho Coast.  Park on the side of the road when you reach the large open area to the right.  You should see the ocean and tidal pools here.  Parking is limited.  View map.

Nearby Attractions - Hilo, Rainbow Falls State Park, Hilo Farmer's Market, Queen Liliuokalani Gardens, Coconut Island, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
 
Fish Dominate the Shallow Waters

Tangs feeding at Kapoho 

Close-up of coral head View from Shore of the Interconnected Tidal Pools

 
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