Day 73: Big Island - Dolphins & Pu'u Wa'awa'a

Swimming with Dolphins

Nicole was really excited when she first read that it’s sometimes possible to snorkel with wild dolphins. There are different Bays in which they sometimes can be seen, the first we checked out was Honaunau Bay, but it was crowded and there were no dolphins. So we decided to skip this one and move to Ho‘okena Beach Park.

This was a great decision, it’s a lovely beach, not too touristic and we even saw dolphins!

It was hard to capture them by Camera and we didn’t have a GoPro or other waterproof camera. So we decided to go in the water and try to see them a bit more up close. So impressive to see these beautiful animals close up, just swimming around in the Bay. We tried to keep a solid distance, but they were sometimes so fast and changed direction that we found us once in the middle of the Pod. Once in a lifetime I guess :)

Pu’u Wa’awa’a

After the swimming we gave the Pu’u Wa’awa’a hike another try, after we had to back out yesterday because of the rain. Today was nearly the opposite, it was hot and the sun mostly shining. But from far we already could see our goal for the day, which helped with the motivation.

The trail looked clearly more friendly compared to yesterday.

After a longer stretch on the paved road, a shorter stretch on an unpaved road followed. Then for some time the trail was on grass.

The last part was really step, and the sun was still out most of the time, so we got up pretty sweaty. But the views were more than worth it!

Pool & Sunset

After the heat we decided to head back to the Banyan Tree Sanctuary and enjoy the Pool and relax a bit. For sunset we went back to the old Airport beach, where we were on our first day on the Kona side.

And then the sunset followed shortly after.

And with that, we conclude Big Island and fly tomorrow early morning to Kaua’i.

Pictures

Activities

Hike: Pu’u Wa’awa’a ☑️