Kealakekua Bay, meaning Pathway of the God, is on the western coast of the Big Island, the Kona Coast where so much of the famous Kona coffee is grown and produced. It is about 12 miles, or about a 30-minute drive, south of Kailua Kona, and about 22 miles, or approximately a 50-minute drive, north of Puuhonua (Place of Refuge) Honaunau National Historic Park. While there is a small town named Kealakekua Hawaii the bay is most often associated with the nearby larger town of Captain Cook. You can discover some of the history of both Kona coffee and the island's Japanese immigrants during your Kealakekua vacation by touring the Uchida Coffee Farm in the town of Captain Cook. This is a six-acre living history museum set on the grounds of a former Japanese family coffee farm, and it showcases Japanese immigrant life in the early part of the twentieth century.

In January of 1779, Captain James Cook, with his ships Resolution and Discovery, entered Kealakekua Bay during a religious festival. The native Hawaiians mistook him for a god and welcomed him. This friendliness did not last, and less than a month later Captain Cook was killed on the beautiful beaches in the sheltered bay of Kealakekua Hawaii that he had claimed for England. Today, a monument to the captain marks the spot of his death. By land, you can only reach the monument via a fairly rugged hiking trail. It is accessible by boat, and the waters off the monument provide some of the best snorkeling on the island. After the 2006 earthquake, certain parts of the bay were closed, and boats had to maintain a distance of 100 feet from the cliffs. These areas have since been reopened, and boats can now approach quite close to shore.

The main attractions in Kealakekua are, in fact, the waters because Kealakekua Bay is a marine life conservation district. As such, there is no fishing allowed, and rigorous steps are taken to protect the fragile ecosystem. There are numerous outfitters that specialize in the snorkeling and diving trips that make the bay so popular. Dramatic cliffs ring the calm and sheltered crystal-clear waters, which have visibility of up to 100 feet and are full of beautiful coral and colorful tropical fish. If your Kealakekua vacation includes snorkeling or diving, you will get sure value by booking one of the cruises or dive trips that are available. You can also rent one or two-person canoes and kayaks for a more personal snorkeling adventure. While most of the outfitters are located in Kailua Kona, the majority of the dive trips and cruises depart from Keauhou Bay near the town of Holualoa.

Big Island Map

The Kealakekua Hawaii Bay Marine Sanctuary encompasses 315 acres and is the largest sheltered bay on the Big Island. A pod of acrobatic spinner dolphins often visits the bay, and if you get out early enough in the morning, you can indulge in dolphin swims. Other diverse marine life includes green sea turtles, endangered hawksbill turtles, rare and endangered monk seals, and rays. This is also a great whale watching site from November through April. If you are launching yourself on the waters, you will find parking at Napoopoo Beach, farthest south in the bay. There are no boat rental outlets here, so you will need to bring your own.

Your Kealakekua vacation doesn't all have to be in or on the water. Other attractions in Kealakekua include the Greenwell Store in nearby Kalukalu. This is another of the island's living history museums, and it is based in what was once the general mercantile store run by Henry Greenwell, who arrived on the Kona Coast in the 1850s. The store was built in 1870 and is one of the oldest structures on the island. He passed his cattle ranch and other holdings down through generations, and today there is a Greenwell Coffee Company and the Amy Greenwell Botanical Gardens. If you really want to learn about Kona coffee (just about the most expensive coffee on the market), you can take tours of the Koa Coffee Plantation located in Captain Cook.