Mahukona

Shore Diving and Snorkeling Site

Mahukona

Mahukona Beach Park, named for the County Beach Park there

 Dive Site Maps:

    

Mahukona Dive Site Map, Big Island Hawaii 

Site Briefing: 

  • Accessibility:  Follow the signs off of the highway (Hwy. 270), down to the beach and park in lot. Contrary to its name, there is no beach.  It is a cement laden park along the waterfront, which is where you will park and gear-up.

  • Nearby Facilities:  Porta-Potty and hot water shower are available. There is NO POTABLE WATER at this site, so bring your own.

  • Features:  A formerly busy port that was abandoned by a Sugar Company, there's lots of old historical mill equipment, as well as boat parts scattered along the seabed from the SS Kauai which hit the reef and was declared a total loss in December of 1913. The SS Kauai was a wooden steamboat used for inter-island shipping for the Kingdom of Hawaii.  It was 154’ long, 32’ wide, weighed 340 tons with 28 cabins, carried 145 passengers and transported sugar cane off the Island of Hawaii.  Definitely look for Nudibranchs.

  • Entry/Exit:  Entry is a ladder leading down the boat ramp.  Climbing up the ladder can be more difficult at low tide.

  • Depths:  0-40’: Difficult to get deep here.  This is a shallow shelf with a large sandy area.

  • Special Concerns:

    • North and West swells:  This site is exposed to occasional large north and north west swells (typically in the winter months).  Due to the shallow swim from the entry/exit area, it doesn't take much swell to make getting to the site difficult.

    • Strong Winds:  As with much of the Northern Kona and Kohala Coast (Waikaloa to Hawi), strong winds tend to prevail later in the day, which can create lots of surface chop.

Site Photos:

Mahukona Shore Dive Site aerial photoMahaukona Shore Diving Site photosMahukona Shore Dive site entry photo

General Info:

  • Check the weather, surf, and tide reports:  Plan ahead for safety

  • Know your limits: Diving and snorkeling from shore means you have minimal help if something goes wrong.  Know your limits, and consider taking a snorkel lesson, a scuba refresher, or book a guided trip to increase you experience before considering diving and snorkeling from shore.

  • Use a Dive Flag:  These are required by law for both scuba and snorkeling and we have them available for rent.

  • Rent gearWe have a full line of rental snorkel and scuba gear, and air and nitrox tank fills.

  • Check Your Gear and Bring Spares:  Whether you rent or own your own gear, inspect it thoroughly before heading to the dive site.  Many are in remote locations, so save yourself the long trip if you forget something.  Jack's Diving Locker is the best dive shop on the island to help restock your save-a-dive kit with spare o-rings, mouthpieces, and tools.

  • Use the Buddy System:  Dive and Snorkel with someone capable of assisting you in an emergency

  • Be Reef Friendly:  Please use reef safe sunscreens, don't stand on the reef, don't touch marine life, and don't feed the fish.

  • Be Respectful of Our Community:  Act with aloha, pick up litter if you find it, and be helpful to others.