Kealakekua Bay, Hawai'i

Kealakekua Bay is located on the Kona coast of the island of Hawai'i about 12 miles south of Kailua-Kona. An historic location well known for the death of Captain James Cook, the European who made first contact with Native Hawaiians in 1778, Kealakekua Bay is also one of Hawai'i's most spectacular coral reefs. Because it is a Marine Life Conservation District fish are plentiful and swarm over the well developed reef that slopes steeply from the shore into the nearby deep water. Spinner dolphins are also commonly seen resting in the Bay. Kealakekua Bay is best reached either by chartering a tour boat out of nearby Keauhou Bay or swimming or kayaking from Napo'opo'o, 0.5 miles to the south.