Difficulty
beginner
Viz (last reported 2056h ago)
Max Depth
70ft
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Place of Refuge (Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park)
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.
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shore
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Dean
Oct 10, 2012, 12:00 AM
scuba
This was our first dive when we arrived in Jan 2010. We read about it here and had high expectations...which were met. Do this dive. It can be popular - busy, but limited scuba - lots of snorkelers which are on top anyway. Access is to the right of the national park - confusing so do yourself a favor avoid the gate - turn around and tuck yourself down the tight residential road and look to park on the side - respect locals property. It is also called two step for the 'two rock steps' in on the far centre point of entry. Be careful dumping your gear on the top of the rocks - it may get washed off due to surge. This actual two step entry is somewhat dangerous - all in or you will be smashed into the rocks. Step in push out - period. Stick you face in the water and we saw life everywhere - amazing for such a busy residential area. 10 sec later - a moray greeted us, then a ray...lots of fish life too. I did not find the cinderblocks ALOHA to be that unfriendly - they are a refuge as well and a picture opp for sure. It is shallow approx 10 meters for about 50-60m out, then it drops off at 45deg….went down to about 80 feet but the corals thinned right out fast, plus it was more sandy as well.
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