Ocean
Manta Ray Night Snorkel
Float above lit ocean water after dark as Kona's resident manta rays somersault inches beneath you, the Big Island's single most unforgettable hour.
Ocean
Stand-Up Paddleboarding at A-Bay
Glide across the calm, protected water of Anaeho'omalu Bay, turtles below and Mauna Kea behind you, all a short walk from your suite.
Anaeho’omalu Bay is made for paddleboarding: a wide, protected crescent where the water goes glassy at first light and the only traffic is a turtle surfacing beside your board. It is a five-minute walk from your suite, so you can be on the water before coffee.
Rent a board by the hour, or let our concierge set up a guided sunrise paddle with someone who knows where the honu gather and how to read the morning wind.
Good to know
Do I need experience or good balance?
No. A-Bay's flat, protected water is where people learn. Kneel first, then stand when you are ready. A guide can come along for your first time out.
When is the best time to paddle?
Early morning is best, when the bay goes glassy before the trade winds build. A sunrise paddle is worth setting the alarm for, and our concierge can book one a day ahead.
What should I bring?
Wear a swimsuit and bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and water. The board, paddle, and ankle leash come with your rental, so there is little to carry for a five-minute walk from your suite.
Is it good for kids and families?
Very. The calm, shallow water is forgiving for first-timers, and younger children can ride along kneeling on the front of a parent's board. A guided paddle adds an extra set of eyes for the group.
Will I see turtles?
Often. Green sea turtles, or honu, feed and rest around the bay, and paddlers frequently glide right over them. Give them a respectful distance of roughly ten feet and never touch or chase, as they are protected.
More ways to spend the day
Culture
Pu'uhonua o Honaunau (Place of Refuge)
A sacred place of forgiveness on a lava point of carved ki'i, royal fishponds, and swaying palms. One of Hawaii's most powerful cultural sites, and its best preserved.
Ocean
Kealakekua Bay Kayak & Snorkel
Paddle a glassy marine sanctuary to the Captain Cook Monument, where spinner dolphins pass and the reef drops into some of Hawaii's clearest water.