The top 12 dive and snorkel sites in Kailua-Kona, ranked by diver reviews, with maps and photos. Read the Kailua-Kona guide
Mile Marker 4 is small beach with easy entry. Several lava tubes may be found a short swim to the left. Directions: Mile Marker 4 is, as the name implies, found right at the 4 mile marker of Ali'i Drive just south of Kailua.
Kailua Bay, although right on the main drag through the Kailua coast, is a much overlooked diving spot. Access is very easy, and the sights are worthwhile. Directions: You can't miss the harbor right in the heart of Kailua.
Alua Beach is a pleasant little cove that has easy access to a popular boat diving site. Take water and a snack with you. There are facilities nearby (water, restrooms) in the harbor proper, but not at the beach. Watch for the boat traffic, as they may not be watching for you. It is not recommended to snorkel here for that reason. Directions: On Highway19, coming North from Kailua-Kona, the turn off will be 2.4 miles from the junction of 19 and 190
Pahoehoe Beach Park is a well-groomed park with all the necessary facilities. Parking and dive entry are very convenient. Directions: You'll find Pahoehoe Beach Park at mile 3.7 on Ali'I Drive, just South of Kailua.
The zone in front of the Kona Surf Hotel, in Keauhou on the west coast of the Big Island, was the first manta ray viewing site. The official name is Kaukalaelae Point, but most people know it as “Manta Village”. In May 2000, the Kona Surf Hotel was closed and the lights were turned off. As the plankton stopped accumulating, the manta rays stopped frequenting the area. It's not recommended to snorkel here as there is a lot of boat traffic because the channel drops off quickly. In October 2004, the resort reopened as the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay. James teamed up with the resort re-creating a favorable manta ray venue. A short time later, manta rays returned and many new mantas have been identified and named since.
Start the Pelagic Dive in Kona, Hawaii just after dusk, floating tethered offshore in the deep dark sea. Just wait to see what goes by, usually not descending any lower than 50 feet. The mesmerizing jellies put on a colorful display that can only be described as breathtaking. Some zooplankton, that only rises to the surface to feed when the lights go out, are now visible to us. Our lights are but small twinkles in the vast blackness of the sea.
The Old Kona Airport beach is a popular weekend relaxation spot for the locals. But not to worry! There is plenty of parking on the old asphalt runway that stretches the length of the beach. Directions: The entrance is a very short drive, just North of Kailua. Drive to the North end of Kuakini Road just a mile or so out of town, take a left and follow the road toward the ocean until you reach the entrance.
Great dive for lava tubes&occasional Manta Ray . Good viz. Should be carefull of swell. Boat or shore dive.
Large rock arch with a nice sandy area. Taken there by Torpedo Tours Kona South Golden Arches is also known as Kona South.
Snorkel out of the cove following the reef on the left. Start the dive at 25 feetand continue the dive keeping the shoreline on the left. There is a ledge of pahoehoe lava with crevasses, a large archway cavern and sandy chutes. The sandy area is at 50 feet. 4 mile marker of Ali'i Drive just south of Kailua La'-a-loa Bay is also known as Mile Marker 4.
Nce dive site; good for both Scuba and Snorkeling. Just take care of boat traffic comming from Honokohau Harbor! On Highway19, go to the north from Kailua-Kona. After the junction of 19 and 190, drive 2.4 miles and turn off to Alua Beach.
By day, garden eels can be viewed in a sandy arena at about 70-80 feet, protruding from the sand like weeds in a garden. But approach slowly, because at the slightest sign of intrusion, these shy eels retract quickly back into the sand! The surrounding reef is abundant with beautiful staghorn and finger coral heads. This site has also become the "hangout of choice" for the famous Kona manta rays. Over 60 different rays, distinguished by unique spots on their under bellies, have been named and cataloged. For divers, it is a shallow dive requiring little more than an easy descent under the boat and a short swim over to a designated area to rest against a rock on your knees and enjoy the show while directing your light toward the surface to attract plankton! Garden Eel Cove, located north of Honokohau Harbor about 20 minutes by boat, lies just offshore from Kona International Airport.
Based on Zentacle reviews, the top-rated sites in Kailua-Kona are Mile Marker 4 (4.4 from 40 reviews), Kailua Bay (4.4 from 7 reviews) and 'Alula Beach (Kona Dog Beach) (4.1 from 28 reviews).
The top-rated beginner sites are Mile Marker 4 (4.4 from 40 reviews), Kailua Bay (4.4 from 7 reviews) and Pahoehoe Beach Park (4.3 from 7 reviews).
Mile Marker 4, Kailua Bay, 'Alula Beach (Kona Dog Beach) and Pahoehoe Beach Park are the top-rated sites you can enter from shore.
Pelagic Blackwater Night Dive (4.5 from 2 reviews), with a maximum depth of 4000 ft.
Zentacle lists 9 dive shops in Kailua-Kona. The top-rated are Kona Honu Divers, Inc. (5.0 from 3000 reviews) and Kona Diving Company (5.0 from 154 reviews).
