Best snorkeling beach near or in kohala

Greetings,

We are spending 7 nights at the Hilton with our Amex points. We love snorkeling and kayaking and I have research different beaches but I haven%26#39;t really discovered which snorkeling site would be closest to the Hilton and which site would be the best and how long it will take to drive to it.

Any clarity would really be helpful!

Until then...celebrate life!

Laurie

Best snorkeling beach near or in kohala

Mauna Kea beach is about 15 minutes north of the Waikoloa resort entry. You need to get a parking pass for beach access, so go early. Good snorkleing at either end (by rocks), south is better imho.

Alternative route is 20 minute hike from Hapuna, nice beach but not a snorkeling beach.

Waialea Beach (aka 69) has good snorkeling at south end and around the %26#39;rock island.'; That is about 15 minutes from entry also. It is closed Wed. so you would have to walk in thru the lota and park on the road, OK to do if you pull off.

Kiholo lagoon is lovely, maybe 20 minutes south, trail is at mm 81.

For other ideas, see the inside page on ';Snorkeling';

Best snorkeling beach near or in kohala

For other ideas, see the inside page on ';Snorkeling';

Thanks for the info. I%26#39;ve seen people mention that page but how do you access it.

thanx for all the info.

Does anyone know how far the kona sites are from the hilton or captain cook by drive time?

Warmly,

Laurie

The Big Island snorkleing page is

tripadvisor.com/Travel-g29217-c7522/Island-O…

You can get there by clicking on ';Island of Hawaii Overview'; on the left column and looking under ';Things to Do.'; I think if you search the forum it might also turn up.

Traffic: rush hour south is roughly from 2-6 PM and everything takes twice as long because it is bumper to bumper after the harbor.

Other times, Kahaluu Beach Park is maybe 60 minutes south of Waikoloa Resort, Two Step maybe 90 minutes. We got to Keauhou (where the Kealakekua boat trips leave from) in 60 minutes this morning, leaving at 7 am, passing Waikoloa Resort at 7:05, getting to Keauhou at the foot of Kam III by 8 am.

You cannot drive to the Capt. Cook munument. As of 1-15-07, you CAN walk down a trail that starts on the top of Napoopoo Road--it is 1400 feet down (about 60-75 minutes) and up (about 75-90 min). Take water and be sure you have the right trail.

You CAN drive to Napoopoo (the place) and look across the bay to the monument. That is also where kayakers launch from. I think it%26#39;s probably a 90 min drive but am not certain. We go thru there coming from Honaunau and have never timed it.

';You CAN drive to Napoopoo (the place) and look across the bay to the monument. That is also where kayakers launch from. I think it%26#39;s probably a 90 min drive but am not certain. We go thru there coming from Honaunau and have never timed it.';

Yes I realize that what I was wondering how long is the drive to where you would launch a kayak to snorkel captain cooks. Also how long does it take to kayak to the monument from the launch site and does anyone know if this area would be calm enough for an inflatable kayak?

Warmly,

Laurie

From Hilton to launch point is probably 90-120 minutes. Plus the stop to rent the kayak. (Inflatable a bad idea per the other posting.) The distance is about a mile to kayak across. Depends how long that takes you.

Great info thanks!

So inflatable is out and renting a kayak is in. So where would be the best place to rent the kayak for both service and price.

Thanks,

Laurie

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