The Big Island - Where are the best area(s) to stay for snorkeling etc.
Oct 18th, 2010, 11:16 PM
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The Big Island - Where are the best area(s) to stay for snorkeling etc.
We are traveling with two other active couples and love to snorkel, hike, kayak, enjoy the beach, golf etc. We are thinking about renting a Vacation House and would like to know what area(s) are best for the activities we enjoy. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Oct 19th, 2010, 05:13 AM
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There is a small problem with your request and that is the layout of the island. Most of the good snorkel spots are rather remote. So to stay there you give up a lot of comforts without considerable driving. You either drive to the snorkeling and stay closer to restaurants, stores, golf, etc or commute to the comforts and stay close to snorkeling. I've done it both ways and neither is superior to the other.
The snorkel and housing spots are as follows:
1. Two-step and Kbay - Napoopoo. Some really nice rentals down here. Somewhat remote. Two-step is the best car snorkeling on the island and it's about five minutes away. Everything else is about 12 minutes away up a steep pali. Beaches are an hour away.
2. Kapoho Tidepools - Kapoho, Vacationland, Kapoho Beach Lots. I like Kapoho Beach Lots, many nice rentals but REALLY remote. No real beach on the eastside. There are question about the tidepools water quality, but the outer reef is beautiful.
3. Kahalu'u. - Keauhou surrounds Kahalu'u. Many nice houses on Ali'i and above Keauhou. It's close to everything you want be it's the Kailua-Kona Metro Area, so very congested.
This may be the best compromise. It's the medium point of the beaches of north kona and kohala and the snorkeling at two step. Snorkeling is good but very crowded. The water clarity is so-so but LOTS of fish. Sadly the coral is abused.
Also from Keauhou the Fairwinds snorkel cruises leave. This is a real consideration.
4. Puako and Beach 69 - nice are but not the best snorkeling. Many houses or you could stay in the Muan Lani complex. This area is the longest commute to great snorkeling. Ground zero for great beaches (i.e. easy commute).
It's a very personal decision. There are many excellent rentals along the coast, but few are near the prime water.
The snorkel and housing spots are as follows:
1. Two-step and Kbay - Napoopoo. Some really nice rentals down here. Somewhat remote. Two-step is the best car snorkeling on the island and it's about five minutes away. Everything else is about 12 minutes away up a steep pali. Beaches are an hour away.
2. Kapoho Tidepools - Kapoho, Vacationland, Kapoho Beach Lots. I like Kapoho Beach Lots, many nice rentals but REALLY remote. No real beach on the eastside. There are question about the tidepools water quality, but the outer reef is beautiful.
3. Kahalu'u. - Keauhou surrounds Kahalu'u. Many nice houses on Ali'i and above Keauhou. It's close to everything you want be it's the Kailua-Kona Metro Area, so very congested.
This may be the best compromise. It's the medium point of the beaches of north kona and kohala and the snorkeling at two step. Snorkeling is good but very crowded. The water clarity is so-so but LOTS of fish. Sadly the coral is abused.
Also from Keauhou the Fairwinds snorkel cruises leave. This is a real consideration.
4. Puako and Beach 69 - nice are but not the best snorkeling. Many houses or you could stay in the Muan Lani complex. This area is the longest commute to great snorkeling. Ground zero for great beaches (i.e. easy commute).
It's a very personal decision. There are many excellent rentals along the coast, but few are near the prime water.
Oct 20th, 2010, 01:10 AM
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Kona will probably be the most central. But I would split the trip in two and stay near Hilo for the volcano.
Diving with the Manta Rays at Kona was by far one of the best things we have ever done.
http://www.jacksdivinglocker.com/cha...mantanight.htm
Kona coffee is fabulus, but expensive. This one is arguably the best.
http://www.greenwellfarms.com/
The painted Church near Kona is great and it is not far from Honaunau (place of refuge), which also has good snorkelling/diving.
Captain cook Memorial is a nice kayak trip and snorkel/dive.
The Petroglyphs near Kona a worth a look. If you want to see the one of Captain Cook's ship. It is about 15 metres off the track near the first tree on the right as you walk out of the marina into the park.
The beach at the park also had turtles.
The Volcano is terrific. The volcano man will take you on atour to the lava if it is possible. The crater is fantastic. Go there at night and look at the glow. They also have telescopes to look at the stars.
We loved the Chain of Craters road and the road that heads off into the desert.
Pu'u Huluhulu is a great walk and you can download a information booklet form the website or buy one for about a dollar at the park. Kilaua Iki likewise has a booklet.
http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/hike.htm
The green sand beeach is another highlight as well as the rest of the coast there. It is rough track but very clear.It takes and hour or so each way to walk there, but is well worth it.
Take plenty of water on all the walks. The combination of wind and sun is awesome!
For a taste of what you can see, have a look here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/petersa...7624839368466/
Diving with the Manta Rays at Kona was by far one of the best things we have ever done.
http://www.jacksdivinglocker.com/cha...mantanight.htm
Kona coffee is fabulus, but expensive. This one is arguably the best.
http://www.greenwellfarms.com/
The painted Church near Kona is great and it is not far from Honaunau (place of refuge), which also has good snorkelling/diving.
Captain cook Memorial is a nice kayak trip and snorkel/dive.
The Petroglyphs near Kona a worth a look. If you want to see the one of Captain Cook's ship. It is about 15 metres off the track near the first tree on the right as you walk out of the marina into the park.
The beach at the park also had turtles.
The Volcano is terrific. The volcano man will take you on atour to the lava if it is possible. The crater is fantastic. Go there at night and look at the glow. They also have telescopes to look at the stars.
We loved the Chain of Craters road and the road that heads off into the desert.
Pu'u Huluhulu is a great walk and you can download a information booklet form the website or buy one for about a dollar at the park. Kilaua Iki likewise has a booklet.
http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/hike.htm
The green sand beeach is another highlight as well as the rest of the coast there. It is rough track but very clear.It takes and hour or so each way to walk there, but is well worth it.
Take plenty of water on all the walks. The combination of wind and sun is awesome!
For a taste of what you can see, have a look here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/petersa...7624839368466/
Oct 29th, 2010, 06:25 AM
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Agree Kahalu`u Beach Park has great easy access snorkeling if staying in the Kona area (http://www.hawaiisnorkelingguide.com...norkeling.html). Nearby, Sea Quest snorkel tours (www.seaquesthawaii.com) stop in more than one location than does the Fair Wind II (www.fair-wind.com), both depart from Keauhou Bay.
Oct 29th, 2010, 07:14 AM
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Kona Village Resort has fabulous, easy access snorkeling. If you're going before the end of January 2011, there is a TZOO special for $430/night per couple (enter TZOO on KVR's web site booking page). Considering each couple will have their own hale, 3 wonderful meals per day, luau included, snorkel gear & kayaks included as well as daily housekeeping and a lovely lei and rum punch greeting, it is well worth it. Turtle viewing while snorkeling or relaxing on the beach also included!
Oct 29th, 2010, 07:51 AM
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I second turtlegirl! If you want details on Kona Village snorkeling, go here: http://www.davidskvr.net/Life_in_the..._at_KVR__.html
David
David
