The Place of Refuge (Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park) is not only known for its cultural history but also as a great snorkeling spot. It is home to the iconic Captain Cook Monument and a wide variety of marine wildlife including dolphins and sea turtles.
Float over the reefs off of this black sand beach and watch for yellow tang, saddleback wrasse, manini, and Moorish idol. You might even see a sea turtle, but give them 30 feet of space.
Place of Refuge
This National Historical Park is an essential stop for those interested in Hawaiian history and culture. Pu’uhonua o Honaunau, also known as Place of Refuge (poo-hon-u-a-o-nuh-oh-nah-uu) is located in South Kona and is a must for anyone visiting Hawaii’s Big Island.
The highlight of the park is the thatched structure with carvings, which was originally a mausoleum and contained the bones of more than two dozen chiefs. The grounds of the park also feature a massive stone wall that was built without dressed stones and mortar, and is one of the best examples of Hawaiian architecture you’ll find in the region.
Visitors are encouraged to explore the park on foot, as there are plenty of trails throughout. The most popular trail is the 1871 path, a 2-mile backcountry hike that winds through the park and features a number of different attractions including a Hawaiian Heiau, agricultural areas, Holua sled courses, and Keanae’s Cliffs, says konasnorkeling.tours.
Those seeking to experience the park in a more active manner can snorkel or SCUBA dive on a nearby bay. Colloquially called Two Step, the bay is adjacent to the park and offers some of the best snorkeling in the state when conditions are right. Snorkelers can expect to see a variety of marine life and some sleepy sea turtles who often rest here.
If you’re not an experienced snorkeler, opt for a guided tour from a local snorkeling company that will take you through the area and provide you with the proper safety equipment. Alternatively, you can join an early morning snorkeling and sightseeing cruise from Keauhou Bay that includes a visit to the Captain Cook Monument and Place of Refuge.
Explore pristine reefs, a world-famous sea cave, and the stunning South Kona coastline on this tour that departs from Keauhou Bay. Sailing along the coast, you’ll spot spinner dolphins and seasonal humpback whales while also snorkeling in the crystal clear waters of Kealakekua Bay and the legendary Place of Refuge. Plus, you’ll get the chance to swim with manta rays in their natural habitat during a magical nighttime manta ray encounter.
Kealakekua Bay
The marine sanctuary of Kealakekua Bay, popularly known as Captain Cook’s Monument Park, is a must-see destination for ocean explorers. Whether you arrive in a traditional outrigger canoe, or explore the shoreline on your own paddleboard or kayak, this protected marine area is one of the most spectacular places for snorkeling on the Big Island. Besides the monument put up to honor one of the most famous explorers in history, it’s also home to healthy coral reefs and a large variety of sea life.
A popular attraction for snorkelers is the chance to see Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles in their natural habitat. While it’s important to not touch them, be sure to maintain a distance of 20 ft from the animals so they can go about their business undisturbed. This marine reserve is also home to a wide range of tropical fish such as Yellow Tang, Saddleback Wrasse, Spotted Tobies and Moorish Idol.
This beautiful spot is a great place for beginners to get accustomed to snorkeling, with sandy bottoms and shallow water close to the beach. As you swim further away from the beach, the ocean floor slopes down to varying depths where thriving coral and abundant sealife are found.
If you’re lucky, you may even catch sight of a school of dancing spinner dolphins or seasonal humpback whales while enjoying your time in the water at this world-class snorkeling site. The park is easily accessible by car, with parking at Napo’opo’o Beach along the bay’s eastern shoreline.
If you’re traveling in a tour group, your snorkeling adventure will include transportation to and from the Napo’opo’o Beach parking lot. From there, you can either enter the water right from the pier or walk in feet first. The water is a bit warmer in summer and can be a little rougher, but you’ll find that the crystalline waters are well worth the extra effort to enjoy this gorgeous Big Island marine park. Once you’re in the water, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for spotted Tobies, Moorish Idol and other native fish species not often seen at other snorkeling sites.
Kahalu’u Beach Park
Located south of Kailua-Kona along Ali’i Drive is Kahalu’u Beach Park, a favorite swimming and snorkeling spot with a large, sheltered cove protected from ocean surf. The water here is calm and teeming with marine life. The fish in this area are very comfortable around snorkelers, and it is not uncommon to see green sea turtles sunning themselves on the reef.
The name Kahalu’u means “diving place” and it lives up to its name as one of the top snorkeling spots in Kona. This beach is famous for its tame tropical fish population that rivals the number of marine life seen at dedicated marine sanctuaries. There is also a good variety of coral heads to explore here. You are likely to see schools of yellow tang, a mixture of black triggerfish and pinktail triggerfish, rainbow parrotfish, ornate butterflyfish, and raccoon butterflyfish here. If you’re lucky, you might spot a moray eel lurking amongst the rocks.
This is a great spot for beginner snorkelers as the waters are calm and the fish are very tame. Some of the best snorkeling areas are the coves directly out from the first lifeguard tower and in the channel in front of it. The lava rock can be rough on the feet, so many snorkelers choose to wear water shoes or neoprene surf socks or tabis when exploring Kahalu’u.
Parking is available at the parking lot and there are bathrooms nearby for convenience. The water here is a bit cloudy near the shoreline due to fresh groundwater seeping through the sandy soil. However, the water gets much clearer further out and is crystal clear when you get out to the reef. As the tide goes out, you’ll find a few shallow tide pools to enjoy in between the rocks and lava formations. Lifeguards are on duty here during specified hours, providing reassurance and assistance to snorkelers of all experience levels.
Pawai Bay
When it comes to snorkeling in Hawaii, the Big Island of the Kona stands out as one of the best places to visit. The area is full of gorgeous reefs, tropical marine life, and historic sights that have important cultural connections to Hawaiian history. The place that holds the most interest for many visitors, however, is the world-famous Captain Cook Monument and the Place of Refuge.
This is a top spot for ocean explorers because it offers a wide range of marine life, is easily accessible from shore, and has a sheltered area for sea turtles and manta rays to swim in during high-swell days. It is also home to a variety of interesting underwater lava features, including a number of caves, arches, and tunnels that are perfect for exploring by snorkeling.
The most popular way to experience this site is on a day-time cruise along the stunning South Kona coastline. You can watch dancing spinner dolphins, seasonal humpback whales, or just soak in the sunshine on our spacious catamaran while taking in the gorgeous vistas of Kona’s dramatic and rugged coastline.
If you want to get in the water and explore the pristine coral reefs, we can provide you with all of the equipment needed for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Simply strap on your mask and snorkel and venture around the vibrant reefs teaming with exotic tropical endemic fish. We can also take you to explore a number of carved out sea caves and remnants of old, existing lava tubes that will add an extra level of excitement to your tour.
If you have never snorkeled before, we suggest booking a private charter with us so that you can have an experienced guide to show you the ropes. Depending on the time of year, we can also offer you an opportunity to see some of the rarer species that call Hawaii home. This includes the beautiful frogfish, indigenous butterfly fishes, and a large variety of other exotic marine life that you won’t see anywhere else on the planet. So, why not book your Big Island sailing and snorkeling adventure today?