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Map of Kealakekua Bay (Ka'awaloa Cove / Captain Cook Monument)
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IntermediateBoat entry

Kealakekua Bay (Ka'awaloa Cove / Captain Cook Monument)

Hawaii, United States
Open Water suggested2–30 m (5–98 ft) depthBoat entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Kealakekua Bay (Ka'awaloa Cove / Captain Cook Monument) at a glance

Kealakekua Bay (Ka'awaloa Cove / Captain Cook Monument) is an intermediate boat dive site in Hawaii, United States with depths of 1.5–30 m (5–98 ft). Typically most favorable Jun–Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Spinner dolphin, Longnose butterflyfish, and Surgeonfish. Recent reports put the water around 28°C (82°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Favorable window now· until 18:00 · sunset 17:52

Forecast for this hour · 12:00 · run 5 h ago
1.0 m (3.3 ft)waves — about a meter expected (waves — about three feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 28°C · seasonal avg 27°C ( · Forecast 82°F · seasonal avg 81°F)

Site hazards: Protected-area restrictions, boat/kayak traffic, coral contact, sun exposure on surface intervals, depth creep on the slope, and dolphin/reef-wildlife approach rules.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Smallest waves: Sun
Mon8:00–18:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 3 kn wind (3.4 ft waves · 3 kn wind)

Tue7:00–18:00 favorable

1.1 m waves · 2 kn wind (3.7 ft waves · 2 kn wind)

Wed7:00–18:00 favorable

1.1 m waves · 4 kn wind (3.7 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

Thu7:00–18:00 favorable

1.2 m waves · 3 kn wind (4.0 ft waves · 3 kn wind)

Fri7:00–18:00 favorable

1.1 m waves · 3 kn wind (3.7 ft waves · 3 kn wind)

Sat7:00–18:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 2 kn wind (3.1 ft waves · 2 kn wind)

Sun7:00–18:00 favorable

0.9 m waves · 2 kn wind (2.9 ft waves · 2 kn wind)

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wave and wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 5:59 · Sunrise 6:22 · Sunset 17:52 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 6.6 km from site · updated 26 Oct, 07:26 GMT-10

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Kealakekua Bay (Ka'awaloa Cove / Captain Cook Monument)

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

Loading tide predictions

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Spinner dolphin, Longnose butterflyfish, Surgeonfish
Best time: Morning is usually best for calm water, visibility, and chance of surface dolphin sightings; May through September often has calmer Kona conditions.

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. January, 65% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (78°F), waves have typically been 1.6 m (5.2 ft), wind has typically been 6 knots
  2. February, 91% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (78°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.3 ft), wind has typically been 5 knots
  3. March, 95% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (78°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.9 ft), wind has typically been 5 knots
  4. April, 99% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (78°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.4 ft), wind has typically been 5 knots
  5. May, 99% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (79°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.4 ft), wind has typically been 5 knots
  6. June, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (80°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.3 ft), wind has typically been 5 knots, historically most favorable
  7. July, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.1 ft), wind has typically been 5 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 96% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.3 ft), wind has typically been 5 knots
  9. September, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.1 ft), wind has typically been 5 knots, historically most favorable
  10. October, 99% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.3 ft), wind has typically been 5 knots
  11. November, 94% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (80°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.7 ft), wind has typically been 5 knots
  12. December, 84% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (79°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.3 ft), wind has typically been 5 knots

June, July, and September have typically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

The underwater calendar

When these animals are most recorded around Hawaiʻi — from open sighting data, not a promise.

Watch the whole year animate on the Migrations map

Fills & rentals nearby

Facts from OpenStreetMap, corrected by the community — listed by distance only. Details change; confirm with the shop.

Shop facts come from OpenStreetMap and community corrections, shown nearest first. PickADive lists facts and contacts only — no listing is sponsored or ranked.

Data updated July 2026

Site details

Kealakekua Bay is a protected South Kona MLCD centered for divers and snorkelers around Kaʻawaloa Cove near the Captain Cook Monument. The site has clear water, a gently sloping reef, abundant protected reef fish, and frequent morning spinner-dolphin presence at the surface. Access is controlled by permitted boat/kayak operations and conservation rules rather than casual self-guided motorboat access.

boatreefwall

Protected-area restrictions, boat/kayak traffic, coral contact, sun exposure on surface intervals, depth creep on the slope, and dolphin/reef-wildlife approach rules.

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