Hiking the Captain Cook Monument Trail

Hiking to the Captain Cook Monument offers some of the best snorkeling on the Big Island. This hike has become my favorite hike on the Big Island, for two reasons.

First, this hike is adventurous and stunning. Second, it has a historical component related to the location of the hike and the explorer, Captain James Cook. Located in the small town of Captain Cook, this hike provides stunning views of the Kona coast, Pacific Ocean, and Mauna Loa volcano. If you’re only going to do one hike on the Big Island, don’t miss this one!

Hiking The Captain Cook Monument Trail

This post covers the out-and-back hike my family of four took to the Captain Cook Monument in Hawaii. You can also reach the monument by renting a kayak or boat tour.

Captain Cook Monument Hiking Stats

Here’s the most important information you should know about the hike:

• Elevation gain: 1,256 feet
• Length: 3.7 miles
• Duration: ~ 3-6 hours (depending on how long you want to snorkel)
• Route type: Out & back
• Difficulty: Moderate to hard level (traveling with young kids and carrying snorkeling gear also make the hike more challenging). The return hike is all uphill.
• Weather: Current weather conditions
• Must haves: Abundant water and snorkel equipment
• More information: Allow at least 1.5 hours to snorkel at the end of the hike (this was our family’s favorite part – what a refreshing treat at the halfway point!)
• Best month to go: March (fewer bugs and the trails aren’t as muddy)
• Features: A partially shady trail starting as dirt leads to a lava rock substrate (in full sun) before reaching sea level. It is a world-class snorkeling spot in a marine life conservation district.
• Not dog-friendly: No dogs or pets allowed
• Cost: Free

Trail accessibility

• Parking: Limited (arrive early to increase your chances for a spot)
• Best parking spot: The best location is just to the right of the trailhead on the west side of Napoopoo Road. We started our hike on a Thursday morning and did not have trouble finding a premium spot.

Getting to the trailhead

• To reach the trailhead: Park off Napoopoo Road in Captain Cook, HI, United States. The Capt. Cook Monument hike is open year-round.
• The trail is 20.4 miles (31-minute drive) from Kona International Airport. Take HI-19 to HI-11 (Hawai’i Belt Road) to Napoopoo Road.

Captain Cook Monument trail sections

The Captain Cook Memorial trail has three distinct landscapes.

1. The first third comprises lush grass and bamboo forests and a dirt (sometimes muddy) path.
2. The second third of the trail is mostly lava rock with little to no canopy (full sun). There’s an occasional tree to offer some shade, but they’re few and far between. Here, you’ll see Mauna Loa to the left, the largest active volcano in the world.
3. The last third of the trail is lava rock leading to a dirt trail. At sea level, there are lava rock walls and a lot of shade with an expansive tree canopy. The lava rock walls are remnants from the ancient village of Kaʻawaloa.

Important: Trail markers are placed about every 400 meters. The trail is easy to follow, but you should follow the markers to avoid getting lost

The halfway point

The Captain James Cook Monument on Big Island is the halfway point of the hike. There are two things to do here. You can study the incredible 27-foot-tall obelisk marking Captain Cook’s landing site. Plus, you can snorkel one of the most impressive coral reefs on the Big Island.

If you’re lucky, you’ll see a lot of marine life, including green sea turtles, colorful fish, and spinner dolphins, which frequent Ka’awaloa Cove in Kealakekua Bay. Kealakekua Bay is the largest Marine Life Conservation District in Hawaii. It’s arguably the most stunning coral reef in the Hawaiian Islands.

Important: This body of water is very popular for snorkeling. You’ll see a lot of guided boats bringing snorkelers. Stay clear of the boats.

Animal sightings on the trail

There’s another unique feature on this trail, which is animal sightings! Along our family’s hike, we saw numerous goats and heard a lot of feral pigs. The pigs caught us off guard. You could only hear them as they lay disguised in the thick cover of the tall grass, but we never saw one.

I mention the pigs because they root up a lot of dirt, which becomes a tripping hazard on the trail. In addition, if you add a little rain, things get pretty slippery, and you’ll need to watch your step.

The highlight of our trip was the sea life. There are over 252 fish species in Kealakekua Bay.

Here’s a list of the marine animals we saw:

• Parrot fish
• School master
• Snapper
• Manta rays
• Black trigger fish
• Eels
• Spinner dolphins
• Sea urchins
• Rainbow grouper
• Butterflyfish
• Yellow tang

Essential gear to hike the captain cook monument trail

I’ve divided the equipment we took into two categories since there are two parts to this trip, a hiking and snorkeling component.

Hiking gear

• Hiking boots or tennis shoes (make sure they’re closed-toe shoes)
• Long clothing (for sun protection)
• A light jacket depending on weather (i.e. rain, high winds, etc.)
• Backup phone battery (important for photos and if you took a taxi or Uber and will need cell service after your hike)
• Hiking sticks or a walking staff if you have bad knees

Snorkeling gear for Kealakekua Bay

• Snorkel mask
• Snorkel tube
• Bathing suit
• Towel
• Diving flippers

Supplies

• Water (about a gallon per person)
• Snacks or possible lunch (keep a close eye on your food so a mongoose doesn’t steal it)
• Reef-safe sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Backpack

Note: You should take water with you. However, there is often water in a cooler behind the trailhead sign. There’s a box for donations.

Hazards, Risks and precautions

There are three main risks associated with this hike. First, there can be high winds in the open terrain along the hike. Second, if you’re snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay, you should be careful of anything related to water. This includes not stepping on sea urchins and practicing safe swimming habits.

Swimming safety

Swim with a friend and if you’re not a good swimmer wear a life jacket. If you don’t want to carry a normal, more heavy life jacket on the hike, you could bring inflatable floaties or PFD.

If you do not feel comfortable swimming or hiking, consider taking a professional guide.

Marine life in Kealakekua Bay

Don’t touch marine life. You could see sharks or sting rays on your trip but these typically keep their distance. A real threat is sea urchins which can sting if you touch them. They are plentiful on the concrete wall that you enter to snorkel Kealakekua Bay.

Coral reef Etiquette

• Avoid touching or standing on coral to prevent physical damage to these delicate organisms.
• Wear reef-safe sunscreen to avoid introducing harmful chemicals into the marine environment in Kealakekua Bay.
• It is highly recommended that you do not disturb spinner dolphins or other marine life. Keeping a safe distance ensures their natural behavior is not altered.
• Refrain from feeding fish or other marine creatures, disrupting natural feeding patterns and leading to ecological imbalances.
• Participate in and support coral reef conservation efforts, such as clean-up dives and educational programs.
• Choose eco-friendly tour operators who advocate for and practice sustainable tourism to minimize human impact on marine ecosystems.

Leave no trace

Remember to practice the seven principles of leave no trace when hiking.

• Plan and prepare: Understand the regulations and unique concerns of the area. Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
• Travel and camp on durable surfaces: Stick to designated trails and camp at established sites to minimize damage to the land.
• Dispose of caste properly: Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter. Use bathrooms or catholes (6-8 inches deep) at least 200 feet from water sources, trails, and camps.
• Leave what you find: Preserve the past without touching cultural or historic structures and artifacts. Leave rocks, plants, and other natural objects like lava rock as you find them.
• Minimize campfire impacts: Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, keep fires small, and burn all wood to ash. Put out fires completely and scatter cool ashes. Campfires are not permitted on this trail.
• Respect wildlife: Observe wildlife from a distance and do not follow or approach them. Never feed animals, as it damages their health and alters natural behaviors. Stay away from the feral goats and pigs along the Captain Cook Memorial trail.
• Be considerate of other visitors: Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience. Be courteous on trails and when camping, keep noise levels down, and yield to others on the trail.

tips to have the best experience

1. Bring plenty of sunblock: There’s initially a lot of shade, but then after you lose tree canopy most of the hike is out in the open. Protect yourself from the sun by applying reef-safe sunscreen.
2. Captain Cook trail for kids and families: If you’re traveling with kids like we were, make sure to bring snacks! You’ll need to refuel with food for energy. Consider taking frequent breaks and make the hike a fun experience.
3. Start in the morning: One reason to start in the morning is to increase your chances of getting a parking spot on Napoopoo Road. Second, the temperatures are cooler in the morning which will make your hike more enjoyable. Lastly, you’ll have less people to share the reef with if you can get to the monument early.
4. Check for trail closures: Check for any trail closures with the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park information page. Mudslides and wildfires are possible, so it’s always best to check before you go.
5. Bring lots of water: 4 liters or about 1 gallon of water per person is ideal, especially during the warmer months (August and September).

Should you Hike the Captain Cook Monument Trail?

Absolutely! I think this hike can best be described in the words of Captain Cook himself who said:

It is not enough to have great dreams; one must also have the courage to pursue them.

Captain Cook

Just like Captain James Cook, make your adventure happen instead of just thinking about it. The Captain Cook Monument hike is one of my favorites because it combines a little bit of history and curiosity with adventure. And, if you love great snorkeling, Kealakekua Bay is simply hard to beat.

What other hikes in the world have you been to where you have to bring snorkel gear? If you know of any others, let me know in the comments section below!

When you visit the Captain Cook Monument, don’t forget what a sacred place it is to Hawaiians, and the fact men lost their lives there. It’s surreal to snorkel at a spot where a battle took place and a Hawaiian King was kidnapped.

I wonder how many people snorkeling or hiking even know the story. At least with the monument, the story of both sides will not be lost, as it’s a story that should be told. Right or wrong, the story of Captain Cook happened. Sometimes it is the curiosity of understanding these stories that makes as pursue traveling, hiking, and exploring new places, as it did for me.