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Kealakekua Bay Review

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Kealakekua Bay

Member Rating: ***** 4.6 | Rate It

Address: Bottom of Napoopoo Rd., HI | Map It

Category: Parks
Location: South Kona

Fodor's Review:

This is one of the most beautiful spots on the island. Dramatic cliffs surround crystal clear, turquoise water chock-full of stunning coral and tropical fish. Before the arrival of Captain Cook in the late 18th century, this now tranquil state marine park and sanctuary lay at the center of Hawaiian life. Historians consider Kealakekua Bay to be the birthplace of the post-contact era.

The term "beach" is used a bit liberally for Napoopoo Beach, on the south side of the bay. There's no real beach to speak of, but there are easy ways to enter the water. To the left of the parking lot is an old cement pier that serves as a great ladder for swimmers going into or coming out of the bay. This is a nice place to swim as it's well protected from weather or currents, so the water is almost always calm and clear. At this writing a portion of the bay remained closed to water activites and hiking as a safety zone established after the 2006 earthquake. Excellent snorkel cruises can still be booked through Fair Wind Cruises, the only company allowed to dock in Kealakekua.

Member Reviews & Ratings:

Snorkeling Sensation

Posted by Golnarsarge from Orange County, CA on 5/8/07
Snorkeling here will spoil you for every other snorkeling experience. You have to get there by either Kayak or one of the licensed tour operators who take their boat out there. We were surrounded by dolphins on the way there. We had to kayak because although we booked the Fair Winds tour, their boat broke down so we had to cancel. It took us an hour and half on the kayek to get there.

Experience: 5.0 Ease: 3.0 Value: 5.0 Don't Miss: 5.0 RATING: 4.6

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