Snorkeling Suggestions Around Kona?

[racrumrine]

We have the opportunity to go to a hotel about 20 miles North of the Kona Airport in a few weeks.

Can we snorkel from the shore? Are there any places you could recommend that we check out?

Thanks in advance for your prompt responses.

Roy

 

[yamaha racer]

yes hawaii is one of the best snorkling places ive ever been to. all the reefs are about 3 feet from the shore. i forgot the name but theres some really nice ones on the right side of the road one is called i think its captain cooks and i forgot the other one but there both state beaches. the one i forgot the name is down a long road on the right hand side that when u get to the end it looks like theres a neighborhood down there. i hope that helps but i just cant remenber the names but there near south point

 

[racrumrine]

Thanks for the tip.

We're going to be staying at the Hilton in Kohala.

Regards,

Roy

 

[blu0honu]

captain cook and the close by "Place of Refuge" are both great snorkeling sites, the latter having easier access, but they are about 20mi south of Kona. Still well worth the visit. That whole area is lush and beautiful.
20 miles north of Kona Airport is getting into the Kohala Coast, which can have stronger currents than the Kona Coast. I've heard there's some cool sights off of Anaehoomalu Bay... but haven't been. Puako Bay further north is also good.
Might want to check out "Hawaii, The Big Island Revealed" ... the best guidebook I've seen.
ps: not snorkel related but...ignore the car rental company warnings and drive the "saddle road"... it's amazing, and close to the Hilton in Waikaloa.

 

[racrumrine]

Thanks for the tips. How long ago did you drive the saddle road?

Is it paved all the way through? If so, why do the car rental agencies have a problem with it?

Regards,

Roy

 

[blu0honu]

I last drove Saddle road a year and a half ago... and have driven it many times before--as a way to get to Hilo, to Mauna Kea for the stargazer tour, to the weather observatory on Mauna Loa as a set off point for the hike to the summit (not recommended without training). Saddle Road itself is no longer dangerous. It's been paved for years. At worst, there are a few potholes, and a handful of narrow stretches that makes opposing traffic have to slow down. Really, no more impressive in its own way than Tioga Pass or the Hwy 1 south of Big Sur... If you like grand moonscapes at 6500 ft elevation, then it's worth the drive, otherwise there's much else to see on the Big Island.

 

[racrumrine]

Thanks for the info. I thought it might be fun to go exploring in that area.

Would you consider it faster than driving over to Hilo via the Northern Route?

Regards,

Roy

 

[blu0honu]

Saddle road to Hilo is shorter than the northern route over the coast, but you can't go as fast, so doesn't end up being any faster. Both roads are beautiful in their own way. That coast is lush, the complete opposite of the dry landscapes of the kohala/north-kona sides.

 

[yamaha racer]

ya but u dont really want to stop. thats where the locals grow there weed, and if u stop and they see u ur in trouble

 

[blu0honu]

... sure if you follow a little goat trail to some plantation off the beaten path, you may come across angry pot farmers, but otherwise 19 is fine, with many places to stop, waterfall lookouts, botanical gardens, state maintained parks, and other tourists taking pictures.