Snorkeling Kealakekua by Kayak - Big Island Hawaii

by Chuck B
(Phoenix AZ)

We just got back from the Big Island, and I had to respond to the erroneous feedback that the kayaking deal was a raw one. We experienced none of the bad scenes described in this blog site. It was the best snorkeling day of our trip and doing our own boating was the highlight of the week.

Ehu and Kai rented my wife and I a two-man kayak, helped load the boat on the car, had very friendly guys at the dock to unload the boat for us, gave a decent safety and orientation briefing and sent us on our way. No tips requested. Cool people. Smooth as silk.

We were paddling before 8 a.m. and had a very pleasant 30-minute paddle across the bay. We beat the tour boats and flocks of snorklers by at least an hour and so had the bay to ourselves and a handful of other paddlers.

We had applied for and gotten a landing permit in advance and so were able to hang out on the shore whenever we needed a break. True that it is slippery at the shore, and I have a couple of scuffed knuckles to prove it, whoopee! An easy paddle back to the mainland and the terrific day was over; I WILL do that again!

It was the best reef and the most variety of fish we saw anywhere else on our trip. However you go, this bay is a great spot to visit.