ALOHA!
The Captain Cook hike is worth it whether you want to do the best Big Island hikes or the best Big Island snorkeling!
The Captain Cook Monument Trail will give you amazing views of the ocean as you hike.
The end of the trail also leads to one of the best snorkeling spots on the Kona coast
The Captain Cook hike is located on the Kona coast.
This can make for a perfect day in Kona with a DIY hike and snorkel day! (This could even be just a morning activity or an afternoon activity.)
Aside from the convenience of the location when you’re staying in Kona with a car, what’s a good reason to make the Captain Cook Monument Trail a part of your short time on the Big Island?!
The views!
And also…
This trail leads to Kealakekua Bay!
And what’s noteworthy about this bay?!
Kealakekua Bay is a state historical park.
According to the State of Hawaii, it’s said to be:
Site of the first extensive contact between Hawaiians and Westerners with the arrival of Captain Cook in 1779.
You can read more about the history of the bay here (pdf from the State of Hawaii).
And, as far as Big Island activities go…
Kealakekua Bay is also a marine life conservation district in Hawaii.
Hawaii has marine life conservation districts.
And there are several marine life conservation districts on the Big Island!
Kealakekua Bay is one of them.
The Kaawaloa Cove area of Kealakekua Bay is also considered one of the best snorkeling spots on the Big Island.
There’s no road access to the snorkeling part of the bay. (You can drive down to the bay on the other side if you just want to go for the views, though!)
The 3 main ways to get to the snorkeling spot at Kealakekua Bay are:
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Boat tour
And if you can’t remember the name Kealakekua Bay, more easily remembered names can be the captain cook hike or the captain cook snorkeling spot!
So…
Why hike to Kealakekua Bay if you can kayak or take a boat?!
Because again…
The views!
But you know, if you don’t want to work so hard to go snorkeling 😉 a kayaking and snorkeling tour is sure to be fun, and so is a boat tour that can take you to a few different top snorkeling spots along the Kona coast in one day.
But, if the idea of a hike and snorkel DIY day sounds good to you, that is sure to turn out to be a GREAT Big Island day too!
Or even half a day, actually.
If you want to do the Captain Cook Monument trail hike and Kealakekua Bay snorkeling in the morning, that can leave you to do another great Big Island activity in the afternoon.
Maybe some more snorkeling along with a trip to a national historical park!
Two Step Beach is another one of the top snorkeling spots on the Big Island, and this is located just down the road on the Kona coast to the south, about a 20 minute drive from the Captain Cook trailhead.
And even if you want to skip the snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay, this trail can be worth it as one of the best Big Island hikes because it comes with those ocean views!
How long does the Captain Cook hike take?
The official recommendation is to give yourself 2-4 hours in total to go down and come back up. (Not including the snorkeling time.)
It seems that many people can get down in around 45 minutes, and then taking longer on the way back up since it’s basically all uphill.
I took over an hour to get down though! I generally walk at a leisurely pace and I also stop a lot to take pictures.
More below about doing the Captain Cook hike to Kealakekua Bay!
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Top Big Island experiences
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- Small Group Big Island Twilight Volcano and Stargazing Tour
- Manta ray night snorkeling tour
- Mauna Kea summit and stargazing tour
- Captain Cook deluxe sail and snorkel tour
- Big Island Volcanoes Day Tour with Dinner
Things you might want to pack for your Big Island vacation
Read the reviews on Amazon! I'm an Amazon Associate.*
- For women: Search for a rash guard for swimming and you won't have to worry as much about putting on sunscreen!
- Search for a rash guard for men
- Water shoes for snorkeling if you won't be wearing fins, or just generally for the beach!
- Cheapo waterproof phone case so you can capture pictures of colorful fishies swimming underwater!
- I always have a camera float attached to my phone case that I put around my wrist
- Snorkeling set: mask and fins
- Fins allow you to propel further faster (aka see more in less time and energy!)
- Go cheap if you accept that you need to come up for air frequently: regular swimming googles. They are not as fashionable but if you get swimming goggles, make them the clear kind so you won't be seeing dimmed colors of the colorful fishies!
- If you are able, I recommend trying out the mask at your local lake (in summer) or pool so you will be good to go in Hawaii when there's actually stuff to see!
- For women: Merrell hiking shoes (one of the best outdoor shoe brands, perfect for walking over rugged terrain like lava fields!)
- For men: Merrell hiking shoes
- Travel-friendly turkish towel for the beach (lightweight compared to regular beach towels)
- For women: Teva walking sandals (one of the best sandal brands for the outdoors, perfect for lots of walking around outside - that's not a lava field!)
- For men: Teva sandals
- Moisture-wicking tech t-shirt for women perfect for hiking and hot days when you'll be outside a lot sweating
- tech-t-shirt for men
- For more ideas, do a search for hiking clothes or swimming clothes!
*As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission.
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Now…
Hiking the Captain Cook Monument Trail aka Kaawaloa Trail
So this trail is more commonly called the Captain Cook Monument Trail.
But it’s also called (officially called?) the Kaawaloa Trail, likely because it takes you down to the Kaawaloa Cove.
So first…
How to get started with this hike!
Parking at Captain Cook Monument Trail + map
There’s no official parking lot, but there is some limited designated parking near the start of the trail on the shoulder of the road, on gravel.
Side note!
Things to buy on Amazon for your adventures!
I am an Amazon Associate. I may earn a commission.
- Lightweight quick-dry hiking shorts (comfortable shorts that are good for movement!)
- for women: hiking shorts | for men: hiking shorts
- Lightweight quick-dry hiking pants
- for women: hiking pants | for men: hiking pants
- capris for women
- Some of the best outdoor travel brands:
- When you fly: If you have an iphone, you can put an airtag tracker in your luggage so you can better keep track of it! Buy just one, or buy a pack of 4. (Read the reviews!) This also makes a good travel gift!
This shoulder parking is on the side of the road opposite to the trailhead.
Google Maps lists the Captain Cook Monument Trail and it is accurate.
Explore the map.
If you stay at the Pineapple Park Hostel (shared dorm rooms and private rooms available with common areas that come with views of a Kona sunset!), you can walk to the trailhead without having to deal with parking. It’s about a 10 minute walk.
If you haven’t decided on where you’re staying in Kona yet, staying at the Sheraton or hotels near the Sheraton can be a good base to explore some south Kona coast activities, including this Captain Cook hike and snorkeling! The trailhead is a 10 minute drive from the Sheraton.
So once you’ve parked…
Start the hike!!
Coming from the parking area, you’ll see a trail that leads down right in front of the bamboo trees.
You’ll see a sign here for the Kaawaloa Trail warning you to be ready for this hike before you start!
What the County of Hawaii wants you to know:
The Kaawaloa Trail is physically demanding.
Many hikers have suffered injuries and required rescue here.
A 3.8 mile hike, the return is uphill, nearly 1,400 feet in elevation, during the hottest part of the day.
There is no shade along the trail.
Strenuous terrain ahead.
So yes.
Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks… just in case!
Walking uphill in the sun with no water and no snacks when you’re lacking energy is NOT GOOD!
So make sure to do what you can to avoid that kind of situation!
Now…
Once you’re good to go with everything you need in your Hawaii daypack, or more specifically what you need to pack for hiking in Hawaii…
Start hiking!!
Then…
Enjoy the hike down to Kealakekua Bay!
So there’s a good chance you’ll start off walking through a bunch of tall grass. This is how it was for me anyway.
Apparently though sometimes there are volunteers that come through with a weed whacker to clear the path.
But just assume that you’ll be walking through grass!
Then soon you’ll come to an opening where you’ll get those grand views of the ocean!
And then at some point, the trail will head off to the left, and then you’ll continue to make your way down towards Kealakekua Bay.
You’ll start to better see the “bay” formation too.
And then finally…
You’re really almost there!
You’ll start to see Kealakekua Bay from sea level!
So this will be your first real glimpse of the bay from up close.
But this isn’t the main snorkeling entry point.
When I was there, there were some kayaks being launched into the water.
So instead of setting up here to go snorkeling, you’ll keep on walking to the left, continuing to follow the path.
And then you’ll start to see the Captain Cook Monument Trail (for which the hiking trail is named after!) and the Kealakekua Bay again!
Arrival to the Captain Cook Monument and Kealakekua snorkeling spot!
And when you get here, there’s a good chance you’ll find some people there!
There is no real proper beach entry here.
And that’s a bit about the Captain Cook hike and snorkeling spot!
Know before you go! Know what it is when you see it!
- humuhumunukunukuapua’a (Hawaii state fish… it’s not as hard to pronounce as you might think!)
- Hawaiian white-spotted toby (cute little Hawaiian pufferfish!)
For another great Big Island snorkeling spot, be sure to consider snorkeling at Two Step too. Also see some more hikes on the Big Island with amazing ocean views!
If you’re interested in snorkeling on the Big Island, you may also be interested in these marine life in Hawaii!
- Punaluu black sand beach turtles on the Big Island
- Hookipa Beach turtles in Maui
- Waikiki turtles in Oahu
- Hookipa Beach seals in Maui
Headed to other islands in Hawaii? Also see:
HAPPY HIKING THE CAPTAIN COOK TRAIL AND SNORKELING AT KEALAKEKUA BAY!
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Where to stay near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Read the reviews at partner website!
- Volcano House (book sooner rather than later! This is THE lodging of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and it's in demand!)
- Lava Lodge at Hale Kilauea
- More budget-friendly option: Aloha Crater Lodge
Here are some ideas for your time on the Big Island!
Among the most popular things to do on the Big Island are Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Akaka Falls State Park, and Waipio Valley!
For Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the main road to drive is Chain of Craters Road and it will take you to see the best lava fields in Hawaii! Before that though (or after!) you will want to make a stop for the Thurston lava tube. You can also hike into a former lava lake by doing the Kilauea Iki Trail!
Other Big Island activities you may want to make time for are the best black sand beaches in Hawaii (including Punaluu black sand beach to see turtles maybe!) and the Papakolea green sand beach of Hawaii.
👇 Explore the Big Island map on google maps!
See the list:
- Things to do on the Big Island (for VIEWS!)
- Things to do in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- Things to do in Kona