A monument dedicated to Captain James Cook, who was the first European explorer to establish western contact with the Hawaiian Islands.
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4.5/5 · 604 reviews
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Oct 6, 2024
This review covers hiking and snorkeling. The hike is 1400 ft down and back up. It is just under 2 mi each direction to the monument. There is about a 1 mile stretch that is very exposed with no sha… Full review by schwung
Oct 3, 2024
We went there as part of a Sea Quest excursion. Good snorkeling with lots of colorful fish. Since many snorkelers were there as part of an excursion, it was rather crowded with people and boats. The … Full review by islandlovingtwosome
Jun 5, 2024
The monument itself is lovely just sat on the shoreline of the bay. The walk down was lovely the walk up was extremely challenging due to its 400m change in elevation over 2 miles- all up!! Stopping… Full review by juliamE1441XR
where is the nearest place to rent a kayak that is the closest to captain cook?
A:
I believe Ehu & Kai adventures is the closest, with direct access to the water without having to transport your kayak yourself. They are super friendly and by far one of the cheapest …
I believe Ehu & Kai adventures is the closest, with direct access to the water without having to transport your kayak yourself. They are super friendly and by far one of the cheapest rentals. From their launch point it’s about a 20 minute paddle to the Capt. Cook monument area. They are also permitted to send kayaks there. We showed up around 10am and rented without booking ahead of time and were fine. But we rented a 2 person kayak.
Are there any private boats that would take a group of 10 for a relaxed morning of snorkeling to Captain Cooks Monument?
A:
We hired boats via the Sheraton Kona Hotel's snorkel shop which worked out well for our group of 12. The boats are docked down the street from the Sheraton and the staff was …
We hired boats via the Sheraton Kona Hotel's snorkel shop which worked out well for our group of 12. The boats are docked down the street from the Sheraton and the staff was extremely professional.
Hi I have kids would they be able to do the hike? Can you be specific as to where you parked and where you entered the water? Was there a place to eat nearby?
A:
I agree with depends on the age of your kids. Mine were super hikers and durable for long hikes at an early age. It's a solid 2mi in and 2mi out. Down wasn't awful (though NO RUNNING- …
I agree with depends on the age of your kids. Mine were super hikers and durable for long hikes at an early age. It's a solid 2mi in and 2mi out. Down wasn't awful (though NO RUNNING--slipping on the rocks would destroy your skin). Up was challenging but certainly not the hardest hike I've taken my family on. It will be hot and dusty and you will need to stop and catch your breath along the way because it is a relentless climb up that doesn't really flatten out. You MUST bring water for the return when you'll need it. You MUST have sunscreen so you don't fry. We parked right on the road, right at the trial head but we got there early before it was filling up. If you go early, the hike down isn't as hot but the return will likely be mid-day so hot. There was a lot of parking when we got there but when we were leaving, there wasn't much of anywhere to park. All along the Mamalohoa Hwy there are places to eat. We stopped at Gypsea Gelato and it was a great end to the day. There is a burger place next door to the Gelato place that we loved (a little expensive) and a pizza place that we didn't eat at.
I made the poor mistake of watching shark week! three weeks prior to my Big Island visit. Scared to death of snorkeling ANYWHERE...#R# I'm laughing a bit. seriously though, Captain Cook Monument Excursion planned....any issues, concerns, discussions with tour guides on trip re: sharks? Going on Fair-Winns AM tour.#R# #R# Thanks!
A:
I have been to the islands 14 times and have never seen a shark , I did in Vancouver 40 years ago. I snorkle every day I am in Hawaii and have been to Cooks monument many times …
I have been to the islands 14 times and have never seen a shark , I did in Vancouver 40 years ago. I snorkle every day I am in Hawaii and have been to Cooks monument many times , it is an extinct volcano caldera and is quite deep in the centre , but there are no fish in the deep area so sticking to the shallows offers great views if all kinds of fish , including eels and octopus and the dolphins drive off the sharks so sharks pretty much stay away from that side of the islands , I have never seen turtles there . there is a bay 5 miles from downtown with change rooms and a natural volcanic reef to keep the waves down and the locals call it turtle bay as there is always turtles there and no way for sharks to get in and it is FREE , we have been there hundreds of times and just love it .
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