| For many visitors to Hawaii a trip to the neighbor | | | | The only way to fish the Kona waters is to go on a |
| islands is often their second time to visit Hawaii. For | | | | fishing charter. Shared charters, most of which leave |
| good or bad, many people first visit the Waikiki area | | | | out of Honokohau Harbor (between the airtport and |
| of Oahu island for their first vacation, and then and | | | | Kailua-Kona), are the most affordable way to spend |
| subsequent vacations, visit the main neighbor islands: | | | | a half or full day on the water. |
| Kauai, Maui and Hawaii Island (the Big Island). Each | | | | Kailua-Kona, which is where most people end up |
| island has its own flavor and range of activities. This | | | | staying, is also home to several snorkeling and sunset |
| article focuses on the things to on or in the water in | | | | cruise operations. The snorkeling boats will typically go |
| the Kona region of Hawaii Island. | | | | to Pawaii Bay, about a mile north of the harbor, or to |
| The Kona area of the Hawaii Island is the area on | | | | Kealakekua Bay, which is a few miles down the coast |
| the leeward (western) part of Hawaii Island that | | | | from Keauhou Bay. Most of these boats are |
| stretches from the southern end of the island to | | | | all-inclusive, which means you just need to bring your |
| about three-quarters the western coastline to the | | | | sunscreen, towel and swimsuit. Masks, fins, snacks |
| north. Almost all of the people in the Kona area live | | | | and drinks are provided. For those who don't need |
| within a handful of miles from the ocean, as the | | | | shade and are OK with a bumpy ride, there are |
| inland area is dominated by the Mauna Loa and | | | | zodiacs that go up and down the coast on snorkeling |
| Hualalai volcanoes. | | | | tours, as well. |
| The best place to start for travel ideas for Kona, | | | | Kona is a scuba diving paradise. With over 400 |
| Hawaii is the ocean. With a fifty or so mile coastline | | | | endemic fish and visibility often up to 100 feet, the |
| and nearly all the visitors to the island staying within a | | | | waters are Kona are some of world's best for diving. |
| few miles of the ocean, Kona, Hawaii is an | | | | Unlike the newer islands in Hawaii, the coast of the |
| ocean-lovers paradise. | | | | Big Island is mostly lava, which means there is not a |
| For those who prefer to stay on the water (as | | | | lot of sand or sediment to cloud the water. Most of |
| opposed to in), Kona is know worldwide for some of | | | | the scuba charters do offer introductory dives for |
| the world's best bill fishing. These include the many | | | | non-certified guests, which will is a great way to |
| species of marlin and what are commonly known as | | | | experience scuba diving in Hawaii without the |
| sailfish. The largest catches are often in the thousand | | | | obtaining a license. These are very controlled dives |
| pound range. Other smaller fish commonly caught in | | | | and you will never find yourself very far from the |
| the Kona waters include tunas, mahi mahi and ono. | | | | divemaster. |