Waterfalls, beaches, volcanoes . . . Hawaii really has it all. You’ve driven along the coast and have seen Humpback Whales breaching, the stunning ocean surf, and watched the green flash as the sun set over the horizon. Now it’s time to explore what’s under those crashing waves. The Big Island of Hawaii has some of the best snorkeling in the world and they go to great lengths to protect the surrounding reef so the aquatic life is abundant and plentiful.
One of the best places to snorkel on the island is the Marine Sanctuary located in Kealakekua Bay. This location is popular with both visitors and locals alike and is home to the World Famous Captain Cook Monument. In addition to the vibrant reef and sea life, Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins are also often spotted playing in the bay.
We love all the adventures Hawaii has to offer but when it gets dark we have to admit our favorite part of the island is night snorkeling with manta rays at Keauhou Bay. This tour is an incredible experience unique to the Big Island.
Your Sailing and Snorkeling Adventure Begins Here!
KEAUHOU BAY
Keauhou Bay is located in beautiful South Kona on the Island of Hawaii, fronting the Sheraton Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay. Sea Paradise is located just north of Keauhou Bay at the Keauhou Shopping Center. This historic area was the birthplace of King Kamehameha III in 1814. He was the second son of Kamehameha the Great, who united the Hawaiian Islands in 1810.
KEALAKEKUA BAY
Snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay has always been one of the top things to do in Kona, Hawaii. Located on the Kona Coast on Hawaii Island, a dozen miles south of Kailua-Kona, Kealakekua Bay area is home to many historical sites, like the ancient village of Ka‘awaloa and the Captain Cook Monument. In 1973, it was put on the National Register of Historic Places and was also named a Marine Life Conservation District
CAPTAIN COOK MONUMENT
Although there are theories that Spanish or Dutch sailors might have stopped here much earlier, the first documented European to arrive was Captain James Cook. He and his crew on the HMS Resolution and HMS Discovery sighted Kealakekua Bay on the morning of January 17, 1779. He estimated several thousand people lived in the two villages. On January 28, he performed the first Christian service on the islands at a funeral of a crew member.
HUMPBACK WHALES
During the winter months from about December to April, humpback whales can be spotted in the waters as you sail to your snorkel site.
North Pacific Humpback whales migrate from the Gulf of Alaska to the warm waters of Hawaii every winter. Called “Kohala” in Hawaiian, humpback whales have great cultural significance to Native Hawaiians and should be treated with respect.
MANTA RAYS
A manta ray night snorkel is an exhilarating experience, but you may ask, “What are manta rays and are they safe?” Called “Hahalua” in Hawaiian, manta rays are one of the largest animals in the ocean, ranging from 2 to 20 feet wide.
SPINNER DOLPHINS
The spinner dolphin is a small cetacean with a slim build. Adults are typically 129-235 cm long and reach a body mass of 23-79 kg. This species has an elongated rostrum and a triangular or sub-triangular dorsal fin. Spinner dolphins generally have tripartite color patterns.
MARINE SANCTUARY
Habitat conservation is a land management practice that seeks to conserve, protect and restore habitat areas for wild plants and animals, especially conservation reliant species, and prevent their extinction, fragmentation or reduction in range. It is a priority of many groups that cannot be easily characterized in terms of any one ideology.