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Old Kona Airport beach
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The Old Kona Airport beach is a popular weekend relaxation spot for the locals. But not to worry! There is plenty of parking on the old asphalt runway that stretches the length of the beach.
Directions: The entrance is a very short drive, just North of Kailua. Drive to the North end of Kuakini Road just a mile or so out of town, take a left and follow the road toward the ocean until you reach the entrance.
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Diver
Reviews: (Please share your
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01/13/2006 Brian Xavier (Avg: 4.77 Review) - Dove the Old Kona Airport North End three times a week ago and it was truly a great dive. Lots of fish life and a nice underwater bridge. I also found a nice tunnel between two reefs filled with fish. Viz. to 80-100 feet. Very easy dive but watch out for the urchins. I ended up going a little ways around the end of the beach near the big lava bank and found good spots to enter. Excellent dive. Man, I loved Hawaii!!
01/21/2005 Chase Mizelle (Avg: 4.05 Review) - Good site. But you should try diving the old airport at the south end. There is an access right next to the hockey rink, off a lava shelf that is much better.
12/28/2003 Binyamin and Shulamit Koretz (Avg: 3.89 Review) - We did 6 dives here in Feb. 2003. Twice to the north (out to next cove and beyond) and 4 times south and east. Out to the north we saw eagle rays, a whale shark (briefly but got a photo), to the south turtles etc, etc. Lava formations are fun, the entry is easier than any other Kona site when the NW swell is up in the winter, and it's so close to town.
11/21/2003 Itziar Aretxaga (Avg: 3.96 Review) - This is a great site: best in the morning, with high tide with no swell. I have seen great marine life on the four occasions we have dived here, turtles included. It remains one of my favorite sites on the island. A warning though: this time we got a rucksack robbed from the boot of our car, which was parked in the north side. There were many other cars and people in the site at the time (12:00-13:00). The thieves smashed the lock of the front door and opened the boot from inside. The locals say it is increasingly common, and most people tend not to lock their cars and leave no valuables inside. Just be cautious.
06/25/2003 Mark Noble (Avg: 3.00 Review) - If there is any kind of swell at the entry and the exit will be especially tough. Gloves are highly recommended since every available hole has urchins in them. Pass this spot up and go to Place of Refuge.
03/01/2003 Margaret Joppa (Avg: 4.59 Review) - I dove here several times during my week visit to Hawaii. You can't beat it for accessibility. The entry can be a bit of a bitch- some slippery rocks in the shallow areas. There's a cool swim through arch, many approachable fish, and on a low tide, the tide pooling is awesome.
08/04/2002 Bill Stohler (Avg: 3.31 Review) - This is a great site that's less than 5 minutes from Kona town. The park's just off the Old Airport runway, so there's always ample parking unless the fair is in town (they cover the runway with the rides, etc.). One of my first introductions to the site was two local divers exiting amidst high surf, one with a bloodied hand that he shredded on the rocks. They told me to go elsewhere, and I took their advice. If it's calm, the rocky entry is a bit slippery, but only moderately difficult. Great drop-off, and interesting reef and marine life.
07/11/2001 Roger Johnson (Avg: 2.95 Review) - Best to dive when flat. Entry can be rough if there is surf and low tide. Lava arches to the left, deep dive with garden eels if you go straight out.
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Site Photos
Maps
(what is GPS?) |
Photo
(click photo for a larger version) |
Comments |
| Entrance
Map
Sat
GPS: TB0701
N19°38.5614'
W156°00.4180'
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The entrance to the runway is well marked.
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| Parking
Map
Sat
GPS: TB0702
N19°38.8166'
W156°00.9291'
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(click photo for details)
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Drive SLOWLY to the very end of the runway, and park close to the signs at the right of the picture-- this is the trail head for a short 50 yard hike. Gear up and head out!
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| Overview
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This is the area you'll be diving.
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| Entry
Map
Sat
GPS: TB0704
N19°38.8606'
W156°00.9928'
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After your short hike, you'll find a nice beach with obvious entry points just beyond the lava in the picture. Plan your dive, and walk easily into the water!
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| Aerial
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(click photo for details)
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The lava shelf to the left is very dramatic, but there is also fine diving to the right.
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Last Verification: September, 2000
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4.25
3.25