Ocean:

In view from the guesthouse and just a few minutes away, you can explore Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park or Kealakekua Bay.

We do rent kayaks ( $30 for a single and $45 for a double kayak ) here at the B&B. These are the simple sit on top and paddle kayaks common to rental shops in the area. Rental includes life vest(s), paddles, seatback cushion(s) and means of attaching the kayak(s) to your car.

If you are an experienced kayaker and interested in paddling around the island rather than bobbing in the flat calm waters of Kealakekua Bay, Plenty Pupule offers less casual equipment as well as tours.

Please note the new rules below for kayaking or snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay. YOU personally must apply for and submit the application for a landing permit if you wish to visit the Captain Cook Monument. We can not do this for you.

Landing Permits are available online at www.hawaiistateparks.org under the heading “Announcements”. Online applications, once filled out and signed, may be either 1) emailed to Dean.H.Takebayashi@hawaii.gov, 2) mailed to the State Parks Hawai’i District Office, 3) faxed to (808) 974-6222. Call the Hilo office at (808) 974-6206 for information. Permit applications will be reviewed and upon approval, can be either emailed as a PDF, mailed or faxed back to the respective applicant. The Division of Conservation and Enforcement will be sent copies of the noncommercial permits upon approval.

Any person beaching or launching a kayak or other vessel along the Ka’awaloa shoreline or mooring at the wharf adjacent to the Cook Monument, without a permit from the DLNR will be subject to civil penalty, and the kayak or vessel may be subject to confiscation."

Here is a link to download the permits: http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/documents/hsp_kaawaloa_vessel_landing_permit1.pdf

Volcanoes

For a better view of Mauna Loa and the Kilauea Crater, most of our guests visit Volcanoes National Park as a day trip and occasionally luck out with a spectacular volcanic event during their stay .

Alternative Hawaii - a great source for local gallery openings, farm festivals, dance, concerts and other eco-cultural happenings.

The Hawaii Visitors Bureau - a friendly searchable calendar to plan your vacation.

KonaWeb - Great site listing eclectic events like food festivals, theatre performances, slack key concerts and the local rodeos

Experience coffee from many of Kona's best farms such as Kena Coffee.

For our botanically inclined guests, we highly recommend visiting the Amy Greenwell Ethno-botanical Garden right here in Captain Cook. This garden offers the opportunity to examine many rare native plants as well as many of those introduced by the Polynesians when they settled Hawaii.