Overview of Miloli'i Bay

Miloli'i Bay

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Miloli'I Bay is a great dive for a day's outing. Take a couple of tanks, water and a lunch and be prepared to be overwhelmed with relaxation. The small village is fairly isolated and children abound, so be very careful and respectful when driving and parking in this area. Remember that you are guests in their community.

Directions: Miloli'I Bay can be found after mile mark 90 on Highway 11, about 30 miles South of Kailua. Now the adventure begins: take a right on the Miloli'I intersection and wind your way several miles of lava fields, through residential area (watch for kids!) to the bay. Drive slowly and carefully, as you will not want to make a mistake on this road.

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11/05/2012 Sarah M (Avg: 3.71 Review) - Beautiful shore dive! Donned gear in the water and went right out. What beautiful coral formations, large pinnacles, gorgeous healthy reefs, wow. Couldn't ask for anything better. Did find some trash and fishing line, so collected it. Also, boats overhead, so stay low and/or carry a reel+SMB. Super local spot, it's out of the way but incredibly worth it when the water is calm. I can see how it could be unsafe when the swells pick up.

08/05/2012 Richard Dansereau (Avg: 3.83 Review) - My son (12 years old) and I could not believe the beauty of this site. We started our trip taking dive boats in Kona. Why spend all that extra money when you can have the best Big Island dive in Miloli'i. Our dive boat took us to a spot called 'Aquarium', I assume due to the fact that it is supposed to have tons of fish. Yeah, right - NO COMPARISON TO THIS SITE. Easy entry at the crane, you can even jump off the wall for fun during high tide. Went to the south side first, could not believe the large schools of soldier fish hiding in the caves. Saw huge puffer fish, lots of Morays, scorpion fish, was told there were sharks there but did not see one, unfortunately. We got the best pictures of the whole 3 week tour. The fish look at you like they have never seen a scuba diver before. My son wants to keep going back, and so do I for that matter!!!

03/08/2012 Jim Olinger (Avg: 3.84 Review) - This is a fantastic dive site! My wife and I started diving multiple shore sites in early Oct. of 2011. Our last dive south of Kailua-Kona was this one and after diving it, I sure wished we could have planned differently to spend more time here. When you get into the little village, look for the concrete 'pier' with a crane on it (I assume the crane is used for unloading big fish!). You can park just above the water and there are stairs to carry your gear down to the water. Just one giant-stride and you're in! We followed the cliffs around to the north and then they gradually turn to the west. There is much to see in the way of topography with the cliffs, pinnacles and basalt rock fields. There are areas with abundant soft corals, and lots of typical Hawaiian fish species abound. The visibility was 80-100'. Our deepest point was around 70'. When you get back to the pier, the locals have built a pvc ladder to get out. The best idea is to slip out of your gear while in the water, have your buddy hold it while you climb out and then hoist it out and help them with theirs. There were several local folks swimming and snorkeling next to the pier and we found them to be most helpful and very friendly. In fact, when we first started transferring gear, a young man offered to help us hand it down from the parking area to the pier platform. Before I could even get turned around, he had my wife's BC set up with the tank and regulator. I of course checked everything over and he set it up perfectly! (Thanks Kyle!)These are really good people, so do be respectful of their beautiful village! My only regret is that I didn't allow more time for this site...we'll be back!

01/06/2012 Kaimi Kaupiko (Avg: 4.00 Review) - The last Hawaiian Fishing Village. I grew up right across the beach which I swam all my days growing up in Miloli'i. I want to say this is the most beautiful place in the world. Memories in my heart, mind and soul. Please appreciate this place for it is written in the skies that Miloli'I is the true authentic Hawaiian Culture.

02/07/2008 Mike Dooley (Avg: 3.40 Review) - Miloli'i…. Breathtaking. I came to Big Island for 10 days to explore the different dive sites, and after dropping into many of the sites in the Kailua-Kona area, I decided to drive to South Kona and Miloli'i. I dive solo and shoot digital underwater and could not have found a better site. The Coral alone was the best I've ever seen. The locals are great. Keep the speed down on the roads as there are lot's of kids and dogs. The best access I thought was from the beach, a little tricky, but very do-able, even dragging a camera system with you. Bring heavy, hard soled booties. It's an incredible area. I ended up doing two tank dives a day here for seven days in a row. And STILL didn't see everything. Great formations U/W. Fishwise..pretty much your typical smaller types. But the Coral is what you come for, and the relaxed feel of the area. Would be a great place to spearfish in the summer, I think. The water in Jan 2008 was 75 degrees. Thank you, to all of the Miloli'i Locals, for such a beautiful place. I was the guy down there parked next to the Monk Seal sign at the beach in the rental clown car, the blue PT Cruiser :-) I look forward to coming back soon with more heavy duty camera equipment. Stunning is all I can say :-)

09/05/2003 Leivallyn Kaupu (Avg: 4.59 Review) - I have not gone diving through this company but I am a long time resident of Miloli'i. Born and raised in the fishing village. Now I take resident in Omaha, Nebraska. While growing up, I learned how to free dive during the day and night. Let me tell you, it's the best place to go. For commercial, excitement, whatever it is, it's the best place. I love it and miss it a lot!

06/27/2003 Bill Stohler (Avg: 3.24 Review) - A narrow winding road meanders some five miles down from the highway to an old Hawaiian fishing village at Miloli`I Bay. Here, most of the houses are modest, two-story structures with corrugated steel roofs, a water catchment system (water from the houses' roofs is caught in gutters and transferred to a tank), a satellite dish, and an old fishing boat. It looks as if at one time, nearly every one of the owners of some 50-plus houses made their living by fishing; during our dive, only four boats were out to sea. A sign at the local park (a covered picnic area with a volleyball court/basketball court) says that beginning in 1998, all pigs not on a leash will be confiscated. The area is over fished, leaving a paucity of game fish, but eels and reef fish abound in the pukas in the walls and arches that abound here. Great site!

01/22/2003 Sam Utah (Avg: 3.98 Review) - This is the best place I have ever dove. The visibility is great and the spear fishing is wonderful. You will see all kinds of fish, lobsters and eels. You can't ask for an easier entry. If you want a beautiful relaxing dive, this is the place. Enjoy!

09/16/2001 Jim Goodenough (Avg: 3.94 Review) - A nice site. No crowds, but I get more and more concerned when I am at such a remote site in the event of any emergency. The pier is an each giant stride, and there is a ladder for your exit. Swan through a couple of archways that were to the right after the entry. Was impressed with some of the land highlights. Interesting water systems that catch the rainfall into storage tanks. Liked the sign declaring wild pigs were to be captured after 1998.

06/03/2001 Roger Johnson (Avg: 3.08 Review) - From the pier, I suggest snorkeling out a ways. The farther you go the better it gets. Lots of lava tubes, good chance to see a shark. I've found many lobsters even during the day. It's real dark in the area at night, suggest a shore marker strobe.


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Site Photos

Maps
(what is GPS?)
Photo
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Comments
Parking

 Map     Sat
GPS: TB1601
N19°10.9509'
W155°54.4206'

 

Parking at Miloli'i Bay 

Toward the end of the harbor area, you'll see a small park and shelter to your right. You may park here if there is not parking available at the dive site. If you are not sure you are parking in a correct area, ask someone!

Entry

 Map     Sat
GPS: TB1602
N19°11.0966'
W155°54.4136'

 

Entry at Miloli'i Bay 

Here, the entry is quite easy: just walk down the shore and ease your way into the water. You'll find the best diving around the point to your right. Be aware of small boat traffic.

Informational

 Map     Sat
GPS: TB1603
N19°28.4040'
W155°55.1620'

 

Informational at Miloli'i Bay 

You can grab some snacks at the General Store, 50 yards from the entry.

Last Verification: September, 2000  

 

Diver Averages for  Miloli'i Bay  (1=worst, 5=best)


Average Site Condition

Ease of Shore Entry:  4.00
Bottom Conditions:  4.50
Reef Conditions:  4.30
Animal Life:  4.00
Plant Life:  2.90
Facilities:  2.40
Solitude 3.30
Roads:  3.30
*Site Average:  3.76
   

Average Enjoyment Level

Snorkel:  3.90
Beginner Scuba:  3.90
Intermediate Scuba:  4.20
Advanced Scuba:  4.10
Night diving Scuba:  3.80

Number of reviews for this site: 10

75-1-2-16


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