Big Island Snorkeling Tour
Lapakahi State Historical Park
Our next step on the Big Island Snorkeling Tour is within Lapakahi State Historical Park. And for us it is kind of iffy on whether or not to snorkel here, not because of the quality of the water, but because it just does not feel right. Read more about this below.
This park is over 250 acres and was once a historical Hawaiian fishing settlement. You can take a walking tour of this old village. Pick up a free walking guide at the park office.
Site Snorkeling Details - Lapakahi State Historical Park
Big Island Snorkeling
So here is the deal. The waters offshore are part of the Lapakahi Marine Life Conservation Preserve. But you access those waters through a historical Hawaiian fish village that the park officials consider "sacred".
There is no beach, and snorkeling is allowed, but with some interesting restrictions. You cannot leave anything on shore. You cannot use sun tan lotion. You get the picture. Although snorkeling is allowed, and many people do it, it is a weird place to do it.
That said, we did not get in the water. We felt like there are so many other great places on this island that we did not feel the need to push the boundaries of the local's beliefs. After all, this is not a beach hangout. It is a historical sacred site.
But maybe we are being silly.
So why mention the site at all? The snorkeling is reportedly fantastic here, and the water was super clear from shore, with lots of fish visible from shore (a bunch of Yellow Tangs).
If you have snorkeled here maybe you can give us some insights into your experience
here.
If you do wish to snorkel here you want to enter the water in Koai'e Cove. Straight across the parking lot from the office door is a trail that heads directly to the water. The snorkeling area is between site 7 and 11 on the walking tour brochure.
You enter the water over some coral rubble. There are supposed to be tons of fish and good coral formations to the northern area of the bay. There may be currents outside the bay, so stay within.
There are bathrooms and drinking water available.
Driving Directions - Lapakahi State Historical Park
Big Island Snorkeling
Take highway 19 (Queen Kaahumanu Hwy) north out of Kona. Follow it through all of the resort areas until you come to the junction with highway 270 (Akoni Pule Hwy) and veer left onto 270 continuing to head basically north. Follow 270 past the 13 mile marker (if you pass the 14 mile marker, you've gone too far) until you come to the Lapakahi State Historical Park entrance on the left.
Go to the next Big Island Snorkeling spot - Spencer Beach
Return from Lapakahi State Historical Park to the Big Island Snorkeling Guide
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