Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park
Historic bay where Captain Cook landed in 1779; snorkeling at Kaʻawaloa and a sacred heiau at Nāpōʻopoʻo.
Know before you go
- Parking
Unknown – check locally
- Fees
No entrance fee.
Verified · Hawaii DLNR Division of State Parks · checked Oct 25, 2026
- Reservations
All vessels (kayaks, SUPs, canoes, inflatables, boats) need a State Parks permit before entering the bay.
Verified · Hawaii DLNR Division of State Parks · checked Oct 25, 2026
- Paying
Unknown – check locally
- Getting there
By car, only Nāpōʻopoʻo Beach on the east shore is reachable. Kaʻawaloa (Cook monument) is reached on foot by the historic Kaʻawaloa Trail or by water.
Verified · Hawaii DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources · checked Oct 25, 2026
- Tide & surf
Dangerous during high surf and southern (kona) storms; Kaʻawaloa Cove is almost always calm.
Verified · Hawaii DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources · checked Oct 25, 2026
- Hours
Daily 7:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
Verified · Hawaii DLNR Division of State Parks · checked Oct 25, 2026
- Dogs
Unknown – check locally
- Restrooms
Restrooms at the Nāpōʻopoʻo section only; none on the Kaʻawaloa Trail.
Verified · Hawaii DLNR Division of State Parks · checked Oct 25, 2026
- Showers
Unknown – check locally
- Accessibility
Unknown – check locally
- Lifeguards
No lifeguards at Nāpōʻopoʻo Beach.
Verified · Hawaii DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources · checked Oct 25, 2026
- Rules
Marine Life Conservation District: no fish feeding; no taking marine life except as allowed; no anchoring in Subzone A.
Verified · Hawaii DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources · checked Oct 25, 2026
- Protected area
Kealakekua Bay Marine Life Conservation District.
Verified · Hawaii DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources · checked Oct 25, 2026
- Reef-safe sunscreen
Hawaiʻi law bans selling sunscreen containing oxybenzone or octinoxate without a prescription (since Jan 1, 2021). Bring a mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide).
Verified · Hawaii State Legislature · checked Oct 25, 2026
The law covers sale and distribution. On Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi the county also bans using non-mineral sunscreen.
- Wildlife distance
Stay at least 10 ft from sea turtles and 50 ft from Hawaiian monk seals (or behind any signs or barriers), on land and in the water; 50 yd from dolphins; 100 yd from humpback whales.
Verified · Hawaii DLNR Division of Boating & Ocean Recreation · checked Oct 25, 2026
NOAA recommends 150 ft from a mother monk seal and pup.
- Culture & respect
Hikiau Heiau at Nāpōʻopoʻo remains a sacred site; visitors are asked not to go onto the heiau.
Verified · Hawaii DLNR Division of State Parks · checked Oct 25, 2026
Information only, not safety advice. Hawaiʻi surf and currents change fast. Always follow lifeguards and posted signs; if in doubt, don't go out.
Tides & daylight · next 3 days
Information only, not safety advice. Hawaiʻi surf and currents change fast. Always follow lifeguards and posted signs; if in doubt, don't go out. Facts checked against Hawaiʻi DLNR (State Parks, Aquatic Resources), Hawaii Ocean Safety, county park pages and NOAA on Oct 25, 2026. Times are Hawaiʻi time (HST). Map © OpenFreeMap © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors.