Kahaluʻu Bay is a protected cove about five miles south of Kailua-Kona, and one of the more reliable spots on the Kona coast to snorkel with green sea turtles. The bay stays sheltered from open-ocean swells most of the year, which keeps conditions manageable for first-time snorkelers and beginners learning to surf. Snorkel gear rental and surf lessons are both available across the street at Kahaluʻu Bay Surf and Sea.
Table of contents
- Introduction
- Snorkeling: gear rental, safety tips, and best snorkeling spots
- Surfing: gear rental, surf classes and surf tips
- Beach facilities and directions
A small reef shelters Kahaluʻu Bay from high surf, and the snorkeling area sits inside it.
Kahaluʻu Beach Park: History and Setting
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Kahaluʻu Bay has significant Hawaiian cultural history. The bay has been populated for at least the last 500 years with records of royal residences in the 18th and 19th centuries and several heiau (Hawaiian temples) in the area. The heiau on the northern side of Kahaluʻu Bay, Kuʻemanu Heiau, overlooks a surf break, popular in ancient times and still to this day.
Bird’s-eye view of Kahaluʻu Beach Park, close to Kona just off Aliʻi Drive. Image credit: Google Maps
Most people come here to snorkel or surf rather than to sunbathe.
Snorkeling at Kahaluʻu Bay
Kahaluʻu Bay ranks among the more reliable snorkeling beaches on the Kona coast. It is accessible, calm most of the year, and one of the more consistent spots on the island for turtle sightings. The entry is rocky but manageable.
The reef supports a dense range of marine life, from sea turtles and octopus to dozens of reef-fish species. As you venture beneath the surface, watch for sea turtles, octopus, sea urchins, eels, and dozens of fish species including Yellow Tang, Bullethead Parrotfish, Raccoon Butterflyfish, Moorish Idol, Orangespine Unicornfish, Hawaiian Spotted Boxfish, and more.
Where to Enter the Water
Depending on the tide and ocean conditions, getting in the water at Kahaluʻu can be challenging. The channel in front of the lifeguard tower is the best place to get in the water to snorkel. You’ll need to navigate over some lava rock, which can be slippery and tough on your feet so some snorkelers choose to wear water shoes, neoprene surf socks, or tabis (a local style water slipper) to protect their feet.
To make entering the water easier, wait to put on your mask, snorkel, and fins and carry them in one hand, leaving the other hand free to prevent a fall as you walk slowly over the rocky entrance area. On the other side of the rocks is a sandy bottom area that is shallow enough to stand in and put on your snorkeling gear. When exiting the water, use this same pathway.
This 90-second video shows where and how to enter the water safely.
If you are a decent swimmer, head toward the middle of Kahaluʻu Bay where some of the larger coral heads can be found. Go slowly as you swim over the coral heads, or simply stop and float. This will give you a chance to spot some of the shy critters living inside. You will see a second lifeguard tower as you approach the center of the bay. Don’t go beyond this tower, as you will be entering into the surf zone.
The best place to get into the water for snorkeling is from the south end of the bay.
Snorkel Gear Rental at Kahaluʻu Bay
If you did not bring your own snorkel equipment you can rent it just across the road from Kahaluʻu Bay at Kahaluʻu Bay Surf and Sea ($18/day or $40 for the week).
Snorkeling Safety
There is a current in Kahaluʻu Bay that flows north and out to sea. Usually, it’s mild in the snorkeling area, however, it can pick up with big swell. As you snorkel, periodically lift your head above water to check your surroundings and adjust your position.
Always pay attention to the lifeguards’ announcements about surf conditions. If you are in distress, raising one hand above your head is a signal for help which the lifeguards will understand. If lifeguards are not on duty, call 911 in an emergency and give your location as Kahaluʻu Beach Park snorkel beach.
Reef Etiquette
The ocean life in Kahaluʻu bay is already suffering under the popularity of the beach so please be mindful of the following tips that help preserve the corals.
- Coral is alive and touching or stepping on coral can damage or kill it. When snorkeling, do not chase or touch any living creatures, including the coral with your body or fins. While the water is relatively shallow, do not put your feet down or walk on the reef.
- Another way you can help protect the reef is to use reef-safe sunscreen. Most major sunscreen brands contain chemicals that are known to cause coral bleaching and are harmful to the reef. Reef-safe sunscreens are made with the active ingredients Zinc oxide or Titanium dioxide. Two reef-safe sunscreen dispensers are available at the pavilion. For a list of reef-safe sunscreen brands and local retailers where they can be purchased, visit the Kahaluʻu Bay Education Center website.
You can find more information on all local snorkeling and surfing spots in our “Big Island snorkeling” and “Big Island surfing” guides.
Surfing at Kahaluʻu Bay
The north end of the bay is also a surf break. It is primarily a right-hand wave that stays small most of the year, with occasional outside sets reaching 4 to 6 feet when there is swell. Group surf lessons at Kahaluʻu Bay Surf and Sea start at $139 for a two-hour session. Board rentals are available if you want to surf on your own.
Kahaluʻu bay is one of the more popular (and easy) Big Island surf spots.
Surf Lessons and Board Rentals
If you’re interested in learning to surf, Kahaluʻu Bay is one of the better places on the island for a first surf lesson. Several different surf schools operate out of the bay but the one operating here for the longest is Kahaluʻu Bay Surf and Sea. They are the place to go for classes and board rentals:
Surf Lessons in Kona at Kahaluʻu Bay
Two-hour surf lessons at Kahaluʻu Bay, one of the more forgiving breaks on the Kona coast. CPR-certified instructors work in the water alongside you, timing waves and helping you catch them
from:
$139
What is a suggested tour?Our suggested tours are hand-picked tours that receive consistent good reviews, give back to the community, and work hard to minimize their impact on the environment. Read more about these tours on our website.If you don’t want to rent your gear at the bay you can visit Miller’s Surf in downtown Kailua-Kona for surfboard and boogie board rentals.
Surfing Safety
The current at Kahaluʻu Bay can be quite strong in the surfing area, especially when there is big surf. The current pulls you north and out to sea. When surfing at Kahaluʻu Bay, be sure to pick out landmarks on shore and periodically check your alignment with them. Those who are not experienced surfers are advised to stay on the inside, and not paddle out to the outside break, especially in high surf conditions.
Take care entering and exiting the water. The common entrance point for surfing the bay is next to the little blue church, St. Peter’s by the Sea, which dates to 1880. This entrance point served as an ancient canoe landing site, and provides a relatively flat rock surface to gradually ease into the water. Take your time and walk slowly as the rocks can be slippery. Once out in the bay, avoid touching your feet to the reef, as it can damage the corals and/or cut you.
Surfing Etiquette
Please be respectful of locals who surf at Kahaluʻu every day. A simple friendly good morning can go a long way. Be courteous and take turns on waves. Never ‘drop in’ on a wave another surfer is already riding, or cut them off. Always keep a firm hold on your board, so you don’t hit another surfer with it.
Kahaluʻu Beach Park Facilities
For surfers, bathrooms and an outdoor shower sit next door to the surfing area on the other side of the small black sand beach and lifeguard stand. There are some picnic tables on this side of the bay with a good view of the surf break.
For snorkelers, bathrooms and outdoor showers sit right next to the snorkeling beach and first lifeguard tower. There is a large covered picnic pavilion with a BBQ adjacent to the bathrooms which can be rented for special events. Additional picnic tables and BBQs are available on the far side of the beach in a palm grove.
Getting there
Kahaluʻu Bay is about 5 miles south of Kailua-Kona town center. Most people access it by car, but it can also be reached by the Kona Trolley, by bike, or on foot along Aliʻi Drive, depending on how far away you are staying.
You can find the current ocean conditions at the Kahaluʻu beach park on the Hawaii Beach Safety website.
Parking
Nonresident visitors are asked to pay a small ($12 / 4 hours) parking fee in four-hour intervals from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. All net income from the parking fees will be used solely for the benefit of the maintenance, enhancement and protection of Kahaluʻu Bay’s natural resources. Hawaiʻi residents and disabled individuals will register with the attendant on duty for a free parking pass.
- For snorkeling, the best place to park is in the parking lot on the south side of the bay, next to the bathrooms.
- For surfing, parking is generally along the makai (ocean) side of the road on the northern end of the bay. Overflow parking on busy days can be found up Makolea St. directly across from the parking lot entrance, or along the mauka (mountain) side of the road.