Big Island (Hawaii) snorkling pics and videos

BrianD

BrianD

Sir Brian The Lenient
Staff member
RC Mod
Forgive the clarity of the pictures. I was using a cheap underwater camera and the water was fairly turbulent, so between the camera, the bubbles from the waves pounding on the reef, and the motion of the ocean it was hard to take good pics. The spinner dolphins were cool. I will zoom in on them in the original picture and post a clearer shot later. I kayaked about a mile or so across a bay to get to this snorkling spot. In the pic above, that pod of dolphins surfaced right by my kayak.

The pics don't even begin to do justice to the beauty of this reef. The camera doesn't show the vibrant colors of the coral reef.


A sample:

10_04_25_00_46_49.jpg


10_04_25_03_21_34.jpg


10_04_25_03_33_08.jpg


10_04_25_03_41_50.jpg


10_04_25_04_13_49.jpg


Videos (excuse the constant motion, the surf was pretty rough and tossed me around while filming:

<embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid988.photobucket.com/albums/af5/briandaniell/Hawaii/Kealakekua%20Bay/DSCF0060.flv">

<embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid988.photobucket.com/albums/af5/briandaniell/Hawaii/Big%20Island%20fish%20ponds%20and%20hotel%20grounds/MVI_2287.flv">

See more here:

http://s988.photobucket.com/albums/af5/briandaniell/Hawaii/Kealakekua Bay/
 
Hey,

We are going to the Big Island in June.
Where was this spot?
What camera were you using?
Any tips on snorkeling spots that you liked?

We are staying on the Kona side, but are planning on seeing the whole island.
 
Larz_1 said:
Hey,

We are going to the Big Island in June.
Where was this spot?
What camera were you using?
Any tips on snorkeling spots that you liked?

We are staying on the Kona side, but are planning on seeing the whole island.
Click to expand...

It is called Kealakekua Bay and is the site of a monument to Captain Cook (see this entry. The best way to get across the bay to the monument (the best snorkling is at the reef by the monument) is by kayaking across. There are several kayak rental locations in the area. You rent a kayak, they strap it on your car, and off you go. It will take 30 minutes or so to kayak across. The view is wonderful. I STRONGLY recommend you buy the book "Big Island Revealed" for some tips. It is a great book. I rented my kayak from Aloha Kayak rentals, and highly recommend them. There is also a place right on the bay that rents kayaks, but I can't remember the name of the place. It is mentioned in the "Big Island Revealed" book. Be aware that when you arrive at the boat launch/parking area, a local will probably offer to help you unload your kayak and launch it for you. I was more than happy to let the guy do it and tipped him $10.

The pics of the spinner dolphins were taken at a bay about 3 miles down the coast from Kealakekua Bay called Honaunau Bay . It is a smaller bay, and you are much more likely to see the dolphins in this bay (since it is smaller, it is easier to spot the dolpins). The snorkling here is wonderful as well, but the dolphins were the real attraction for me.

None of the pictures were taken with an expensive camera. The pictures at the bay were taken with a Fuji FinePix Z33WP I purchased for $150 at the local Wal-Mart.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. If you haven't already booked a hotel, I highly recommend you try Priceline. I obtained a resort hotel for $110 a night.
 
BrianD said:
It is called Kealakekua Bay and is the site of a monument to Captain Cook (see this entry. The best way to get across the bay to the monument (the best snorkling is at the reef by the monument) is by kayaking across. There are several kayak rental locations in the area. You rent a kayak, they strap it on your car, and off you go. It will take 30 minutes or so to kayak across. The view is wonderful. I STRONGLY recommend you buy the book "Big Island Revealed" for some tips. It is a great book. I rented my kayak from Aloha Kayak rentals, and highly recommend them. There is also a place right on the bay that rents kayaks, but I can't remember the name of the place. It is mentioned in the "Big Island Revealed" book. Be aware that when you arrive at the boat launch/parking area, a local will probably offer to help you unload your kayak and launch it for you. I was more than happy to let the guy do it and tipped him $10.

The pics of the spinner dolphins were taken at a bay about 3 miles down the coast from Kealakekua Bay called Honaunau Bay . It is a smaller bay, and you are much more likely to see the dolphins in this bay (since it is smaller, it is easier to spot the dolpins). The snorkling here is wonderful as well, but the dolphins were the real attraction for me.

None of the pictures were taken with an expensive camera. The pictures at the bay were taken with a Fuji FinePix Z33WP I purchased for $150 at the local Wal-Mart.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. If you haven't already booked a hotel, I highly recommend you try Priceline. I obtained a resort hotel for $110 a night.
Click to expand...

Yep, we already have "Big Island Revealed" (also have Maui & Kauai) so, we are familiar with the books ... good books.

Already have our trip booked.
We are staying at the Outrigger Keauhou on the Kona side.
Just looking for "real life" experiences from people who have recently returned.
My wife already has some prime spots picked to explore.

The camera I'm looking at for snorkeling is the Olympus Stylus Tough series ... they range from $230-400. Not looking for anything outrageous, just something to take some underwater snapshots. In the past we've tried the cheap disposable film cameras with absolutely no luck ... point and pray.

O.K. ... Now, I'm starting to get excited :bigeyes:.... can't wait for June!!!!!
 
Nice! A couple years ago i went to visit some family that lived in Kona, and they took us to capt cooks bay too. We saw some spinner dolphins on the paddle over.
Pretty cool area, but it was super crowded, and we went in the middle of the week.
Everyone did seem to respect teh reef, and i didnt see much carelessness to the corals.
I did get some great pics of some eels and other sweet stuff. but its on a old school film underwater camera.

But anyway, great pics and vids. makes me want to go back
 
Im reporting this thread to a moderator. They cause too much jealousy and frustration for me. Commencing hatred.

Nice pics.
 
I have been there as well. It is just about the best snorkeling experience I have ever had. It sort of spoils you for anything else. I recall "schools" of yellow tangs of over fifty fish (probably more like 100). Saw humus of course, and naso and convict tangs, pencil urchins, some really sharp pointed (read dangerous) urchins as well.
Captain Cook monument is a MUST for any snorkeling reefer!

Bruce
 
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