Honokohau Marina & Small Boat Harbor
Honokohau Marina & Small Boat Harbor
Honokohau Marina & Small Boat Harbor
4.5
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4.5
319 reviews
Excellent
154
Very good
133
Average
29
Poor
2
Terrible
1
DOColtun
Los Angeles, CA21 contributions
Sept 2021
Thought I drove through the Marina on my way from the airport to ascertain where I'd need to be, with dive gear the next morning. Missed their shop though got a good look at private boats and the commercial part of the marina. Good for boats, bring your stuff, know where you're going.
Written 19 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark
Aubrey, TX47 contributions
Honokohau is a well-kept secret probably because most people view it as a marina and not a beach. But the snorkeling here is fantastic. Not the variety of tropical fishes you'd see just south at Kahalu'u, or even at Hanauma Bay on Oahu. But definitely crystal clear and uncrowded.
This is also the sanctuary of the basking green sea turtle, known by the locals as "honu". There are lots of signs warning that you must keep at least 20 feet away from the honu or risk heavy financial penalties and possibly even jail time!
But you can't help it if they swim right up to you, which is not uncommon. It's not unusual to see 6-12 honu either swimming or basking on the beach, at any given time.
On top of the wildlife, Honokohau is just plain relaxing, with its azure blue water and clear blue skies. Make sure you pack a picnic lunch with that snorkeling gear and get there early enough to spend some quality time at one of the Big Island's last great refuges from the tourist crush.
This is also the sanctuary of the basking green sea turtle, known by the locals as "honu". There are lots of signs warning that you must keep at least 20 feet away from the honu or risk heavy financial penalties and possibly even jail time!
But you can't help it if they swim right up to you, which is not uncommon. It's not unusual to see 6-12 honu either swimming or basking on the beach, at any given time.
On top of the wildlife, Honokohau is just plain relaxing, with its azure blue water and clear blue skies. Make sure you pack a picnic lunch with that snorkeling gear and get there early enough to spend some quality time at one of the Big Island's last great refuges from the tourist crush.
Written 5 December 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RamonBenavides
Vero Beach, FL4 contributions
July 2015 • Couples
Shore Diving at its best!!! This location is just outside Honokohau harbor to the immediate south of the entrance. For Divers and Snorkelers this very good location to view the abundant marine life of Hawaii. Expect to see the following; Giant eels, Fish Galore, Rays of many variety, Tiger and White Tip Reef sharks, Dolphins and occasional turtles. This area is heavily travelled by boats of all sizes.
For Snorkelers, it is important to stay within 100-150 ft of the shore line and it is a very good idea to have a marker buoy with you. Avoid headings of 330 to 20 degrees as this will lead you into boat traffic.
Divers, this is a grunt walk in. First and foremost, don all gear at the parking lot. Trust me on this. Otherwise you will burn a significant amount of energy hauling your gear over the 150yd lava walk to the beach entry. However, if you are interested in loosing 5lbs in 5 minutes, then go for the hauling equipment. Take a Marker Buoy with you.
Once at the beach, get wet and take your time with a slow surface swim on snorkel. Once you exit the beachhead mouth take a heading to the green buoy. Should be around 274-275. Descend and swim to first mooring buoy. Depth is about 25-30. If you want stay this heading and descend to 50-90ft....Enjoy the view. Swim to 50% tank psi. Watch above, below and around. Listen for dolphins. Return heading is 95ish.
Now, for the skilled diver and real the fun part! Exit the beach entrance and travel heading of 274-Descend and swim this heading until circa first mooring buoy. Estimated range is 274ft. Then take heading 330 and swim course and estimated range is 650 ft. Depth ranges to 86ft. Keep safe ceiling at 35ft.
Boats are above you and you will hear them. They won't hear you.
This heading will take you opposite the beach entrance and across the boating channel to Turtle Haven. We swim 50ft and Dolphins, if present, will join you. Watch for Tiger Sharks at all levels. There were five at the time of this reco.
Reverse Heading is 160 to beach entrance. Keep low!! 30ft ceiling is good safe zone. Marker Buoys are highly recommended. Watch for a boat light boom...Dragon Wrasse/Rock Movers hang out there and they are tiny!
Eagle Rays are abundant as this is a cleaning station....Occasionally, barracuda will meander through too!
For Snorkelers, it is important to stay within 100-150 ft of the shore line and it is a very good idea to have a marker buoy with you. Avoid headings of 330 to 20 degrees as this will lead you into boat traffic.
Divers, this is a grunt walk in. First and foremost, don all gear at the parking lot. Trust me on this. Otherwise you will burn a significant amount of energy hauling your gear over the 150yd lava walk to the beach entry. However, if you are interested in loosing 5lbs in 5 minutes, then go for the hauling equipment. Take a Marker Buoy with you.
Once at the beach, get wet and take your time with a slow surface swim on snorkel. Once you exit the beachhead mouth take a heading to the green buoy. Should be around 274-275. Descend and swim to first mooring buoy. Depth is about 25-30. If you want stay this heading and descend to 50-90ft....Enjoy the view. Swim to 50% tank psi. Watch above, below and around. Listen for dolphins. Return heading is 95ish.
Now, for the skilled diver and real the fun part! Exit the beach entrance and travel heading of 274-Descend and swim this heading until circa first mooring buoy. Estimated range is 274ft. Then take heading 330 and swim course and estimated range is 650 ft. Depth ranges to 86ft. Keep safe ceiling at 35ft.
Boats are above you and you will hear them. They won't hear you.
This heading will take you opposite the beach entrance and across the boating channel to Turtle Haven. We swim 50ft and Dolphins, if present, will join you. Watch for Tiger Sharks at all levels. There were five at the time of this reco.
Reverse Heading is 160 to beach entrance. Keep low!! 30ft ceiling is good safe zone. Marker Buoys are highly recommended. Watch for a boat light boom...Dragon Wrasse/Rock Movers hang out there and they are tiny!
Eagle Rays are abundant as this is a cleaning station....Occasionally, barracuda will meander through too!
Written 16 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KURT S
Kailua-Kona, HI4 contributions
Oct 2015 • Family
This tour was unbelievably bad!!!!!!
The diesel engine almost smoked us out on the shore.
This was only a sign of things to come.
The first mate dropped the rope on the boey. Not so bad. The captain yelled at him.
We get out almost to our destination and the boat had to turn around. Get this !!
The captain forgot the manifest. He not only forgot the manifest but left a customer on shore. This is after he did t answer the calls from office.
I told the captain my wife was nervous he did nothing to help her feel more comfortable. Nothing!!!
We then went out and seen a glimpse of one manta ray. There were three lights on the surf board to attract the rays. One burnt out the other almost and one left working. He (captain)had to start the boat
From down under the engine.
This is what really tops it all.
The captain says "you have been a really fun group please tip us " . Tips are for people that do a good job.
Wow this company needs to get it together.
I am demanding my money back.
The diesel engine almost smoked us out on the shore.
This was only a sign of things to come.
The first mate dropped the rope on the boey. Not so bad. The captain yelled at him.
We get out almost to our destination and the boat had to turn around. Get this !!
The captain forgot the manifest. He not only forgot the manifest but left a customer on shore. This is after he did t answer the calls from office.
I told the captain my wife was nervous he did nothing to help her feel more comfortable. Nothing!!!
We then went out and seen a glimpse of one manta ray. There were three lights on the surf board to attract the rays. One burnt out the other almost and one left working. He (captain)had to start the boat
From down under the engine.
This is what really tops it all.
The captain says "you have been a really fun group please tip us " . Tips are for people that do a good job.
Wow this company needs to get it together.
I am demanding my money back.
Written 31 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
geminigemini
Victoria, BC180 contributions
Nov 2014 • Couples
We made a special trip to see the Marina and if that is all you intend to do there really isn't much to see. Since we had already eaten we didn't try any of the restaurants. What we did like was the beach that was through a park to the right of the marina. It was one of the nicest beaches that we saw on our trip. Apparently there are normally turtles around but there weren't any when we were there. Beach is a short walk through a forest and is very clean. If you want a longer walk you can take a different route that will take you to a beach further up the coast.
Written 29 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
robbo978
Gili Air, Indonesia75 contributions
Nice sized, clean harbour with plenty of small fishing and tour boats, a couple bars and some shops. If you are lucky you will see some fishing boats coming in - best to just hang out at one of the 2 bars / restaurants and wait for that - watch for the ones with the flags up which indicate what they've caught. Also if go through main parking lot there is another parking lot - park there and walk down the path for a small national park and beach and will see turtles sleeping in day if you are lucky
Written 24 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kona19661948
Kailua-Kona, HI62 contributions
June 2013 • Friends
The harbor bar overlooks a canal where charter boats pull in and you can see the local catch of the day. A tropical breeze cools the air, and the ambiance is very Hawaiian and laid back.
Written 12 June 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kdsims0410
Texas83 contributions
July 2019 • Couples
On both sides of the harbor there are sea turtles and some great snorkeling. Lots of beautiful coral and colorful fish. Also saw a few eels. You have to climb over some lava to get to it but it is very much worth it.
Written 28 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dory W
Clayton, CA219 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
Terrific place to be when the cruise ships are in town. And on both sides of the pier, it's a perfect place to snorkel and swim from the beach - protected little cove
Written 3 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Terri D
Central PA10 contributions
Dec 2018 • Family
If your family has every gone fishing, don't miss the chance to get the latest fishing news and the freshest seafood at the best prices. Also, my husband craved their hamburgers from the local beef. Something for everyone and very casual!
Written 12 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
are the fish weigh-ins at 10am and 6pm daily? we love to see the catches of the day.
Written 7 November 2018
I don't know about derby weigh ins as they are set individually by closing time. Generally, look at the times 4 hour fishing trips return and later ones as they are done only if there are really big fish caught. Not done at any time specifically.
Written 8 November 2018
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