| Date |
Distance |
Time |
Elevation Gain |
Average Moving Time |
Year to Date Miles |
| 4/19/2026 |
3.2 miles |
2 hours 16 minutes |
1,130' |
1.4 |
107.6 |
Parking: - Napo'opo Road. Parking is streetside and can be challenging. It's a busy place.
Map:- Take the Captain Cook Monument Trail downhill to the ocean. Return the same way
Dian and I went to hike down to the Captain Cook Monument, where Dian wanted to snorkel. Phyllis took a rest day. This is a 4-mile round trip, with 1,300' elevation gain. We read to leave early. We did, but it really wasn't early enough. This hike has a lot of sun exposure and rocky terrain. I definitely didn't bring enough water for it, forgetting one of my bottles back in my room. I brought a bathing suit, but I didn't make it all of the way down to the ocean. The hike goes downhill for 2 miles. I made it 1.6 miles. The last 0.4 miles flattens out. But I was overheating - and that was just while descending. I knew I'd get even hotter climbing back out. Dian continued to the ocean, and I found a tiny bit of shade & rested a bit. I climbed out. So, so hot, and I had to take rest breaks whenever I found a little bit of shade. I'm bummed I didn't make it all the way down, but glad I recognized I shouldn't be doing this hike without enough water. I did see many people going down with just a small bottle, but for me the heat was too much.
In the evening, we went for a nighttime snorkel with the manta rays. This was one of my top 2 favorite experiences in Hawaii! Manta rays are huge!!! I was originally scared about swimming in the middle of the ocean at night, but once I watched videos, I realized it was very safe. You don't have to swim far, and there are lights on the boat, so it isn't pitch black. They gave us wet suit tops and ankle floaty things, and we gently stepped from the boat into the ocean, trying always to keep our bodies as flat as possible. You swim out to a long board, and everyone holds on, lying flat. Lights on the board attract plankton, and then the manta rays swim up to eat the plankton. They do backflips right under you - probably 6" from our bodies. They open their mouths and they look big enough to swallow you. But they are very gentle, and I didn't actually feel one (you are supposed to avoid touching them). We saw around 6 of them (several times each). They weigh around 1,000 lbs. and I think are around 10-15 feet wide. So, so amazing! Just do it if you have a chance! In Kona, they say 90% of the time you will see the manta rays on their trips. I have no photos though - you can rent a GoPro for extra money.
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| Sitting in the shade along the street, waiting for Dian to return. |
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| No, we don't know how to tie sarongs. |
