Snorkeling at the Kailua Pier

Kailua Pier and the King Kamehameha Hotel

  The pier in Kailua is just across from the King Kamehameha Hotel at the corner of Alii Drive and Palani.  The pier has been off limits for public parking for years, so one is obligated to park in the free lot behind the shops.   The lot is best accessed from the Kuakini Hwy opposite  the gas station.  there is also an entrance at the triangle on Alii Drive in the village.  From there it is a short walk through the shops down to King Kam.  If you happen to arrive  by cruise ship, this is the place where you disembark from the little orange water taxis.

The Moorish Idol , Paul Allen's Reef, 2011

   There is a short strand of fine sand at the south foot of the pier which provides an easy entry into the sea.  There is very little current.  Frequently in the afternoon you will see some kids flopping about in the shallows.  Because of the easy entry and  swimming conditions, this is a good spot to take novice snorkelers.   If you stay on the shore side of the line of swim buoys., you will be free from  boat traffic.  Beware of  board paddlers, who use this area for learning.

   This is the beginning spot for the Ironman swim and you may well encounter training triatheletes and other fast swimmers by the swim buoys.                                                                                              
 
    Not only is King Kam the place I take novice snorkelers, it is often the place I take myself.  Locals swim here every day.  There is a good variety of fish and coral.  If you swim as far as Hulihee’s Palace, the water deepens to 20 feet and the coral is remarkable.  You can swim as far as the Kona Inn, but the reef shallows unless you swim further out.   There is an outstanding variety of reef fish here.  King Kam provides a safe and memorable fish watching experience for both the novice and the experienced snorkeler.

The Hawaiian Filefish, common on seaward reefs

   For intermediate snorkelers, I also recommend the Paul Allen side of the pier, right in front of the hotel.   

    This is the best place in Kona to take a non- Snorkeler for instruction.  The area is completely protected with minimal current.  You can stand on a benign sand bottom in two feet of water.  It is a bit colder than the open ocean, due to underwater springs, and the water here is frequently cloudy, but the flat sand bottom and no current trump everything else.  This Inner Harbour area has a few fish to whet the novices appetite for more.

   We enter the lagoon right in front of the hotel.  There is soft sand and no current at all.  This is an area where children and non-swimmers can play safely!  The water is a little colder than other spots as it does not circulate freely with the ocean. There are a surprising number of fish in this enclosed area, so an enthusiastic  non-swimmer could have a safe snorkeling experience. 

   Swim out between the heiau and the line of swim buoys, which marks the area used by boat rentals and the parasailer boats. The water will become quite shallow over the rip rap and there may be a bit of a current,   but squeeze through the deeper gap by the last big buoy and you will make it. Once clear, the water is more stable.  I often swim out about 2-300 yards further.  The underwater topography is unrivaled.  Fish species include those of the open shore, like Five Stripe Wrasse.

Paul Allen's Boat with Helicopter.

   As you swim here, over the rolling lava and among the colorful fish, you might notice the estate ashore.  This is the Thurston Estate, now owned by Paul Allen. He also owns the Trail Blazers, the Seahawks and three large yachts.  Over Christmas, he comes to Kona and ferries between his yacht and the estate on a small helicopter.  In his honor, I call this swim "Paul Allen's Reef."  Enjoy.

    This swim is like Kona Makai without the tricky lava rock entry.  If you are a confident swimmer, you can do Paul Allen's Reef on days when Kona Makai would be suicide by snorkeling.  Still, use discretion.

A nice pair of Oval Butterflyfish at King Kam, 2011

    There are restrooms and a shower associated with the building behind the guardhouse at the foot of the pier.  The park at the hotel is of historical interest...the Heiau was actually occupied by King Kamehameha I.  If you are lucky in the afternoon you can watch the high school kids practice canoe paddling.  This is the Hawai’i State Sport. Its really fun to watch clean cut high school age boys and girls participating in such a unique activity.  And its a really serious team sport, too!

    When the cruise ships are in, you can take in some excellent people watching as you dry off from your afternoon swim.  You may find a few species more exotic thatn what yu saw in the water!

    A word of caution.  Homeless kids hang around the pier and may steal your stuff.  I take the minimal amount of my least valuable belongings when I swim at the Kailua pier.  In high surf conditions, the water here becomes very cloudy with the fine sand.

The Kailua Pier.   The King Kam Hotel, heiau and Paul Allen's Reef to the left of the pier.  Note the broad sand beach in front of the hotel and the Inner Harbour for beginner swimmers!  The Ironman swim is on the right  (south side of the pier.  In this view you cannot see the swim buoys on either the Ironman or Paul Allen sides.  For safety, watch for them and keep clear!

Kona Makai on Dwellable

the pier.  Bird's Eye Map courtesy of Bling.

                                                                                           
©  Jeffrey Hill 2011