SHORE DIVING THE OLD KONA AIRPORT BEACH
Marinelife Conservation district
Site I
OLD KONA AIRPORT STATE PARK is a marine life conservation district. All plant and animal life are protected by law. Just look; do not disturb any of the flora or fauna.
DIRECTIONS:
OLD AIRPORT SCUBA & SNORKELING BEACH: 1.5 miles from KCD. From KCD, turn right (south) on hwy 19. Go to Palani* Rd and make a right. Take a right at the stop light onto Kuakini* Rd., stay on Kuakini to the end. Then make a left, go about 75 yards, and make a right onto the runway. Follow it to the end.
This secluded little pocket of white sand and lava rock is located at the west end of the runway of the Old Kona Airport Recreational Park. The water near shore is excellent for snorkeling and scuba diving during periods of calm seas. Do not attempt to d ive this area when surf is high, particularly in the afternoon.
During strong northwest and north winds, this protected area is host to numerous off shore charter diving and snorkeling boats. We call this divesite, Old Airport.
OLD KONA AIRPORT BEACH is a short walk from the parking area along a gravel path. Generally, the best point at which to enter the water is directly in the middle of the beach area. Always checkout the area. If you are a scuba diver, snorkel the area firs t. That is the optimal way to find the best entrance and exit. The make up of the beach goes through seasonal changes. There also could be some off shore currents in the area. If you want shallow water, stay near the coastline. If you prefer deeper wate r, the drop off is not far from shore and to the right. A small stand of kiawe* and koa* trees in the background provide some shade and will help you find your exit at the conclusion of your dive.
1. TYPE OF ACTIVITY: Scuba and Snorkeling
2. POTENTIAL HAZARDS:
- A. Surf: The water entrance at the beach is shallow, about 1-2 feet deep. (Abundance of Black Urchins just off the beach entrances) Waves breaking across the bay entrance are long when the surf is up; much white water. Don't dive here durin g periods of high surf.
- B. Reef and Shoreline: Heavy surf breaks on the lava shoreline east and west of the beach when there is a high surf from the south, southwest and west. These conditions could cause problems when exiting along the shoreline. Best advice is do no t scuba or snorkel this area when the waves or surf break is more than 2 feet or winds are blowing more then 10 miles per hour.
- C. Winds: South, southwest and west winds will cause high surf, making the area unsafe. (CAUTION! DO NOT DIVE or SNORKEL THIS SITE AFTER 1:00 PM BECAUSE OF UNPREDICABLE AFTERNOON WINDS.)
- D. Currents: Usually no currents, but strong westerly winds that generate high surf will cause an eastward current. Best advice is do not scuba or snorkel this area during strong winds.
- E. Road: All roads are paved.
- F. Seasonal Weather: Can be good any time, but always be on alert for Kona Winds (southerly) and surf action from the south, southwest and west. These strong waves usually arrive during the winter months. ALWAYS CHECK THE SURF CONDITION FIRST; it's a very short drive to KCD for more information.
4. SCUBA AND SNORKELING: Snorkeling is best along the right and left side of the entrance from the beach within the bay. Scuba Divers Ü just follow the arrows on the map. Keep your dives within the recreational scuba tables; the deeper you go the less time you have to enjoy your dive.
5. WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE SITE: Along the route on the southeast side of the bay there are many pukas*, an interesting sea arch and numerous lava fingers may be found at 30 feet and 60 feet. To the north is a wall dive, made up of finger coral, san d and rubble that drops to a sandy bottom at 100 feet plus. For more bottom time with the colorful reef fish, stay in about 30 to 50 feet. Marine life common to the area are stonefish, flounders, nudibranchs, convict tang, orangespine unicornfish and scho ols of tropicals that will dazzle even the most experienced diver.
6. WATER DEPTHS: Two feet to one hundred feet.
7. TYPE OF TRANSPORT TO THE SITE:Any automobile will get you to the the parking area. No public transportation other than taxicabs.
8. SITE FACILITIES: showers, restrooms, water, and picnic tables and covered halua with picnic tables. A short walk east from the path to the beach. See map. No drinking water or restrooms on the beach. The only public phones are located at the so utheast end of the runway near the ballpark.
*Hawaiian Dictionary
Palani: A surgeonfish.
Kuakini: Innumerable.
Kiawe: Algaroba tree, first planted in 1828 in Hawaii from Peru.
Koa: Common road side shrub, the small brown seeds are strung for leis.
Pukas: Holes
Hahau: Long house, meeting house.
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Police, Ambulance & Fire........... 911
Coast Guard: seach/rescue (toll free).......... 1+800.552.6458; 1+800.331.6176
Hyperbaric Center: bends treatment (Honolulu).......... 1+808.587.3425
DAN (Emergency)... 1+919.684.8111
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |