Captain Cook Monument Trail Napoopoo Road, Captain Cook, HI 96704

"This is everything I could’ve dreamed for in a hike!! About 2 miles down to a cove that has unreal snorkeling. Highly recommend bringing snorkel gear for you to explore - you’ll see so much wildlife!! The trek up was tougher, but if you’re moderately fit you’ll be alright. Saw lots of kids doing this hike as well. It was AWESOME"

"We did the hike today, was the second time for my husband. He had done it six years ago. It is 2 miles down and 2000 feet down and then of course back up. Fabulous place to snorkel, recommend taking a minimum of 1 Litre or quart of water per person, wearing hats and sunscreen or sun shirts Appropriate footwear, not flip-flops or sandals, and also bring water shoes as it’s very rocky at the bottom to get into the water. We started down about 8:30 AM, I would go earlier next time Great snorkelling in the water was exceptionally clear We are in our 60s and it took us just over an hour to get down and about an hour 40 to get back as we often stopped and rested and drank lots of water. The trail is pretty good for the first half, but the second half does have more loose rocks and slipping is possible If you enjoy hiking, this is totally worth it, not recommended for small children, or people with mobility issues. I have also posted the sign which it seems seems many people don’t read, there are no washrooms, and there is no drinking water available anywhere on the trail or at the bottom"

"It was about 10 minutes before sunrise when we got to the trailhead and there was only one other car there. About two minutes after starting, we ran into a family of feral pigs that looked like a mom and her older piglets (almost full-sized). After we got past that, the hike down was filled with goats! We probably passed 100 goats in total of all ages. The hike starts in the woods, but quickly switches to an open lava field with little to no shade. It was fine on the way down, but hot on the way up! We took so many goat pictures that it took us well over an hour to hike down. The bay itself is beautiful and peaceful early in the morning before your boats arrive. We were sitting, getting our snorkeling gear, looked to the side and saw a seal swim up less than 10 feet from us! It didn't even look our way, and then swam off. The snorkeling here is amazing - totally worth the trip. There are beautiful fish everywhere you look! But the tour boats do fill the entire bay and kind of ruin the peaceful snorkeling vibes. Bring lots of water and snacks for the trek back up. My husband and I hike a lot and were surprised at how many times we had to stop for breaks on the way up. I decided it was because we weren't used to snorkeling for an hour and a half in the middle of our hikes, but it could have also just been the sun or the very steady incline up."

"This is a strenuous hike so take plenty of water, sunscreen and a sun hat. It takes about an hour to get to the bottom of you don’t take any breaks. It is beautiful to see the yellow fish in the sea. Definitely wear hiking boots and allow for plenty of time for this hike, especially for the way back which is just uphill. There are many goats and some wild pigs even crossed the path. It’s not an easy hike but it’s worth it."