Name: Mile 4.9
Rating: 4.0

Hawaii

Mile 4.9 is another excellent site just up the road from Mile 6.3.  This is also a popular site for boat divers.  The road is pretty much impossible to drive, so be prepared for a two hundred yard hike.  Carry a bottle water in with you.

Found at Mile mark 4.9 North of the junction of 270 and 19.

Mile 4.9

Isaac Hale is boating, camping, sunning and diving all-in-one! You will find view of a rugged underwater environment here that you will never find on the West side of the Island.

The boat ramp to the left offers a very easy entry. Only attempt this dive after talking to a dive shop about the local conditions. It is best to dive with a guide if you have never dived here before.

Directions: Starting from Hilo Bay, head South on Highway 11 (Kanoelehua Ave) for 7.4 miles to Kea'au. Head South on Highway 130 for 7.5 miles. Make a left on Pahoa Pohoiki Road (132) and travel for 7.3 miles. You will enter the park at the end of the road.

Isaac Hale Beach Park (Pohoiki)

Puako is considered by some to be the heaven of the Kohala Coast with lava tubes, garden eels, fish and turtles. What more could you ask for?! After making the turn off to Puako, travel 2.1 miles until you see the Church of Ascension on your left. Water shoes are highly recommended.

Directions: The turn off to Puako is on Highway19 about 3.4 miles South of the junction of 270 and 19. Continue down Puako Road for 2.1 miles.

Puako Church

The Place of Refuge (also known as Two Steps) is a 'must-do' site. The drive to get there is wonderful, the entry is easy, and the diving is great. Turtles abound! The facilities are a little sparse. Take some water and a picnic lunch. There are porta-potties on the site.

Directions: From Kealakekua Bay, you can continue to travel South on Highway 160 for 3.2 miles to find the turn off. If this is your first destination of the day, you can take a faster route: from Kailua, drive south on Highway 11 for about 19 miles, well past Captain Cook. Take a right on Highway 160, Ke Ala o Keawe Road, (about mile mark 104) to Kealakekua Bay, and wind your way about 3.5 miles down to the ocean.

Place of Refuge (Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park)

Mile 6.3 is one of those dirt roads that heads from the main road toward the sea.  The spot is unspoiled and very beautiful, mainly because it is so hard to get to.  Don't try to head down the road unless you have a reliable 4 wheel drive.  Take plenty of water with you, since it can get quite hot there.

Found at Mile mark 6.3 North of the junction of 270 and 19.

Mile 6.3

The dive site “Manta Heaven” is located in Makako Bay that is just around the corner of Keahole Point, the most western tip of the Big Island. It’s offshore of the Kona International Airport. During daylight hours, the dive site is called “Garden Eel Cove”. 

In the summer of 1999, the manta rays essentially abandoned the Kona Surf Hotel as a feeding area. There were no sightings for many weeks. James knew that he could find the manta rays somewhere along the coastline and had heard from local boat captains that manta rays were being seen during the day at Garden Eel Cove. His friends Mike Ho and Mike & Nicki Milligan had done night dives in the bay and a manta swam by.

Garden Eel Cove / Manta Ray Heaven

For Gorilla Diving only! When the weather is cooperating, this is a great site to explore the raw, underwater lava formations and the marine life within. Never dive this spot unless the surf is low. We recommend a guided dive to begin with, if you have never dived this side of the island.

Directions: Starting from Hilo Bay, head South on Highway 11 (Kanoelehua Ave) for 7.4 miles to Kea'au. Head South on Highway 130 for 7.5 miles. Make a left on Pahoa Pohoiki Road (132) and travel for 7.3 miles, and turn right on Highway 137. Take this scenic road South for 8 miles until you see the parking below.

Kehena

Kahauloa Bay is in the midst of a quiet residential area. Be respectful of the locals' privacy and parking areas.

Directions: Less than a quarter mile South from Kealakekua Bay.

Kahauloa Bay

We never tire of visiting Ke'ei. The quiet village, the wonderful ocean views, and the excellent diving make for a pleasant afternoon. On this dive, you may be greeted by garden eels, and a rare daylight sighting of a manta ray. The people of Ke'ei have always been nice to us, so be respectful of their property and privacy so we may continue to be welcomed.

Parking is the right, and the dive entry is from the small boat ramp on the left. Kick out until you're in about 20 feet of water, drop down, and continue out until you see the sandy bottom, home to the garden eels.

Directions: Less than a quarter mile South from Kahauloa Bay, take your first right just before refuse transfer station to your left.

Ke'ei Beach

Kahalu'u Beach Park is a wonderfully popular park for sunbathers, snorkelers, and beginner divers. The fish are plentiful, and the turtles are abundant. Facilities are excellent.

Directions: You'll find Kahalu'u Beach Park at mile 4.8 on Ali'I Drive, just South of Kailua.

Kahalu'u Beach Park

Access here may be no longer.  There was a sign at the road, No Trespassing, Government Property.

Mile 4.9

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Mile 4.9