Capturing the Moment

  3 MIN READ 436 WORDS There are a lot of good snorkeling sites in Hawaii. Oahu has Hanauma Bay, Maui has Molokini Crater, and the Big Island has Kealakekua Bay. Today we visited Kealakekua Bay, the Big Island's premier snorkel destination. The orientation of the bay, and the lava rock peninsula create a very protected bay for a super developed coral reef. It is possible to feel like a part of the school when snorkeling around the shallows. There are just so many different kinds of beautiful fish here. Just offshore the reef slopes away into the blue abyss, sometimes visited by Hawaiian spinner dolphins. Kealakekua was a very sacred place to the ancient Hawaiians. Its name translates to 'Pathway to the Gods.' Bones of ancient Hawaiians are buried in the many lava tubes that dot the giant cliffs forming the southern wall of the bay. Is is also the historical site where the first western captain, Captain James Cook, landed in the Hawaiian Islands. Unfortunately for Cook, that...

Goatfish galore at Kealakekua Bay Capt. Cook Monument   I've been snorkeling and scuba diving all over the Hawaiian Islands in my time living and working here. I have also taught hundreds of people how to snorkel here in different spots around the island. After all of this experience I would rate the snorkel experience at the Big Island's Kealakekua Bay as one the best in the islands for all around snorkeling greatness. The conditions are almost always flat calm here. The reef takes advantage of the geological protection and the political protection by growing into massive coral heads. And the fish are not just plentiful, but also not quite as shy as fish on other reefs. It is almost as if the fish know that no one is going to try and catch them. Lau wiliwili nukunuku oi'oi ele'ele Sea of Yellow, Hawaii   The calmness of the bay makes the conditions great for beginner snorkelers. But the clarity of the water makes conditions great for the most experien...

  The big island of Hawaii is perfectly set up for snorkeling and scuba diving. Massive volcanoes rise up to nearly 14,000ft, blocking all of the trade winds coming in from the northeast. This creates a huge lee, or protected zone around Kona. Flat calm waters, sunny skies, and great visibility make for some healthy coral reefs and happy marine critters. Not wanting to miss out on my quick visit I made sure to book a snorkel trip to one of my favorite big island spot, Kealakekua Bay. This bay was made famous as the spot where Captain Cook first came and there is a monument to him at the bay. This is also the spot where Capt. Cook returned later only to be killed.   We booked a trip on the Fair Winds catamaran. Breakfast and lunch included for wonderful day, although after running a similar trip in Maui with Pacific Whale Foundation for years I would have to say Maui is by far a better deal. 2 spots instead of 1, open bar, for about 2/3 of the price. But the day was beauti...