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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 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 a 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 Hawaiian green sea turtle, Parrotfish, and Surgeonfish. Recent reports put the water around 28°C (82°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 13h ago
1.0 mwaves — about a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 28°C · seasonal avg 27°C

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

Best: Sat
Mon6:00–20:00
Tue6:00–20:00
Wed6:00–20:00
Thu6:00–20:00
Fri6:00–19:00
Sat7:00–19:00
Sun—

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:34 · Sunrise 5:58 · Sunset 19:02

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 6.6 km from site · graded 13h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

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.

What Divers Say

Known for: Parrotfish, Surgeonfish, Triggerfish
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. Jan65%26°C1.6 m
  2. Feb91%25°C1.3 m
  3. Mar95%25°C1.2 m
  4. Apr99%26°C1.0 m
  5. May99%26°C1.0 m
  6. Jun100%27°C1.0 m
  7. Jul100%27°C0.9 m
  8. Aug96%27°C1.0 m
  9. Sep100%27°C0.9 m
  10. Oct99%27°C1.0 m
  11. Nov94%27°C1.1 m
  12. Dec84%26°C1.3 m

June, July, and September havetypically 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

  • Hawaiian green sea turtleOccasionally seen
  • ParrotfishCommonly seen
  • SurgeonfishCommonly seen
  • TriggerfishCommonly seen
  • Spinner dolphinCommonly seen
  • Yellow tangCommonly seen
  • Moorish idolCommonly seen
  • Green sea turtleCommonly seen
  • Manta rayRarely seen
  • Longnose butterflyfishCommonly seen

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.

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.

Reviews

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