Is Walk 3 minutes to Kealakekua Bay to see dolphins pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

Walk 3 minutes to Kealakekua Bay to see dolphins Reviews, Deals & Photos 2025

Q: Where is Walk 3 minutes to Kealakekua Bay to see dolphins located?

Situated on the waterfront, this vacation home is within a 5-minute walk of Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park, Hikiau Heiau State Monument, and Kealakekua Bay. Kapahukapu Manini Beach and Kona Pacific Farmers Cooperative are also within 1 mi (2 km).

10/10 Excellent

Rod G.

Dec 25, 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay

We enjoyed our stay here quite a lot. It’s very down to earth, and the hostess Alice is very eco-conscious which lined up well with our priorities. The papayas were in season while we were there, and Alice encouraged us to pick our own, right from the tree. The location is awesome and there is a fair amount of water gear (for snorkeling, etc.) available at the house. We really enjoyed our stay there and hope to be back again some day!!

Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ramona R.

Mar 21, 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful trip

We really enjoyed our stay here. It’s a lovely neighborhood and it is quiet. If you are looking for a different experience than a resort stay, I highly recommend it. We had amazing snorkeling at Two Step down the street, sea kayaked to Captain Cook across the bay with Hawaiian outfitters Aloha Kayak, and hiked a lava tube near Kileaua (which is a drive but worth it). Alice is a kind and attentive host. Aloha!

Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Gayle M.

Jan 4, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Vacation Spot

We enjoyed our stay at Alice's property. The location is great, just a short stroll to the beach. You can lock the door without needing keys, allowing you to go to the beach with only beach stuff. The area is very quiet and peaceful. It is close enough to grocery stores by car. Alice is a great host and her cat Lula is the best. We saw dolphins on our first day. Both Alice and her neighbours shared fresh fruit and vegetables with us, which was amazing.

Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tara K.

Feb 14, 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect location

Property location was great. We wanted to do a lot of diving near hunounou and this made it possible. We had 3 adults and it was more than enough room. Our only complaint was the shower. The shower curtain needs to be replaced with something that can dry out more easily (with humidity it never dried). The drain catch moves too easily so it doesn't catch hair ( I had to clean out the drain). Otherwise, it's just as advertised. Great location and the rooms were very clean! I loved the window slats. Alice was always friendly and easy to talk to during the whole trip! Would definitely book again!

Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2023

2/10 Terrible

Steven C., Santa Fe, NM

Feb 10, 2022

Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Extremely disappointing; p

This property falls far short of the standards to which we have become accustomed for VRBO properties. The grounds look like Tobacco Road. The interior is not particularly clean or well maintained. The kitchen has no sink and no running water, let alone a dishwasher. To wash dishes you have to take them to the laundry room and wash them in the laundry room sink. There is no stove only two hot plates not usable simultaneously as you will blow a circuit. The living space is on the ground floor with no view other than the cluttered exterior of the house. The location is unfortunate to say the least. It requires a thirty minute drive to get to Kailua-Kona where you can find decent restaurants, shops and food stores. Coming home from dinner requires a long descent down a narrow, dark, switch-back road to get to the house. We stayed one night and then left. I would recommend you not book this property at all

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Beth G.

Jul 30, 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing location - close to Kealakekua Bay and just a short drive to Honaunau (Two Step). We saw an incredible variety of marine life, including turtles, mantas, octopus, dolphins, eagle rays, eels, and more.The accommodations were simple, comfortable and thoughtfully stocked with everything we needed. We cooked meals using the toaster oven and induction burner, and loved picking up local goodies: coffee, fresh fruit, banana bread, and poke from nearby farmstands and shops.The bed was medium-firm, and the sheets and coverlet were especially soft and cozy. The sounds of tropical nightlife (especially the Coqui frogs) can be loud, so if you're a light sleeper, white noise or earplugs help and I slept very well. Even on warmer nights, the fans and louvered windows kept the space cool and private. We never needed to use the AC. If you're seeking luxury or vibrant nightlife, this might not be the right fit. But if your ideal trip includes snorkeling, kayaking, and the occasional drive to volcanoes or up north, this is a fantastic place to stay. Thanks again, Alice!

Stayed 9 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Eric V.

Jan 6, 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great getaway

A no frills great location getaway from the bustle of the Kona area. Easy walking distance to various snorkeling locations around Captain Cook and a short drive to others. Alice and her cat Om were very welcoming and an absolute pleasure to be around. Would definitely stay there again.

Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Catherine J.

Dec 16, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

True Hawaiian experience!

If you want to experience a true Hawaiian vacation away from the hustle of Kona, this is the place to come. The best bay on the island for snorkeling is only steps away. And yes...there are dolphins who swim into the bay while you are snorkeling! We had a wonderful vacation! Thank you Alice for sharing your homegrown fruit with us!

Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Anthony M.

Apr 3, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing stay

Amazing location for snorkeling; simple, lovely accomodations with everything we needed, and a really sweet, super helpful host. An absolutely wonderful week; not nearly enough time; will definitely come back some day!

Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Steve F.

Mar 19, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Sweet spot

Simple lodging but comfortable. Great location with ready access to Manini Park and the bay. Alice is welcoming and delightful.

Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Corrie K.

Nov 3, 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Delightful stay

This is a great off-the-beaten path place. It’s rustic but comfortable with 2 beaches in walking distance. Alice, the host, is delightful and readily available if there are any issues. She even invites guests to pick ripe papaya from her trees. Everything was nicely clean and well stocked. As a bonus there’s a great snorkeling beach about a 10 minute drive away. Bring water shoes! Everything is rocky. Make sure you stop at a market before you arrive because there are very few grocery options in Captain Cook. Overall, a great stay and experience.

Stayed 8 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Katherine K.

Oct 18, 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Great Visit

My sister and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay. We loved having fresh fruit from the garden and local information from our hostess. We loved the location so close to Two Step and Manini beaches. It was nice to have the good snorkeling so close. We would love to come back again.

Stayed 9 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laura H.

Jul 3, 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful experience in the Ohana

I arrived in the Ohana about 10 at night. The beautiful night sounds of the bay were incredibly peaceful and remained this way throughout my stay. The Ohana is comfortable, intimate, clean, large and peaceful. It was clear to me Alice was committed to my comfort and needs. Alice is a wonderful hostess; I appreciated this a great deal. Highly recommend and hope I am able to return!

Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

joann t.

May 23, 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

paradise

this was the best rental experience ever- our host was perfect in every way-so helpful and kind- the home had everything we needed and more- we were minutes by foot to amazing beaches - fresh papaya and bananas and dolphins- can't wait until we can come again- don't miss this wonderful place

Stayed 10 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jess G.

May 2, 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Anchorage snow escape

Wonderful location with great snorkeling only steps away in magical Kealakekua Bay. Alice is a wonderful host, gracious and generous with information about the area as well as with fruit and flowers from her garden. Her space is a true example of home away from home, offering both a private accommodation and an opportunity for delightful interactions with a local resident in a very peaceful setting.

Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tom M., Whitehorse, Canada

Nov 18, 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Little Slice of Heaven

This rental is really about two things: the location and the host. It is like staying with your favourite aunt. Alice lives upstairs and therefore you will bump into her. While not intrusive in the least, she will insure you have everything you need, offer you fresh fruit from her trees (the bananas and avocados were great), and offer to take you for a morning swim with the dolphins (while obeying all the rules of course). The location is beautiful we kayaked the bay twice, once with a tour and once by ourselves. As good as the tour was, going by ourselves was even better since we could snorkel as long as we wanted. Speaking of which, it is a short drive to Two-Step (we went to the right and down the shore a klick or so). Even the dive from Manini Beach around the point to Grandma's Beach where the kayak rental is set up was pretty good. The sunsets from Manini were spectacular, we even saw the green flash once. A hidden treasure was Ke'ei beach. Getting there in our small SUV was no problem. Special shout out to Fred - gardener and raconteur extraordinaire. Be sure you read the listing and look at the pictures. There is a outdoor barbeque, but it often rains in the evening. There is an induction hot plate, rather than a full stove, but I still made great meals with it. There is no dishwasher and the sink is a laundry tub in the laundry room, but it was not a big deal. There are great restaurants and grocery stores with delis 11 minutes up the highway. The road is narrow and windy, but two lane and perfectly safe. Finally, because it is a screened ground floor unit in the tropics there will inevitably be a few bugs. The evenings it didn't rain little gnats or midges would get in attracted to the light. They don't bite but they do die during the night so they had to be swept up in the mornings. There were some tiny ants which could be dealt with by the vinegar spray provided. There was only 1 other bug observed. In all it was a very special time and I cannot thank Alice enough for her hospitality. PS we did see dolphins every day.

Stayed 8 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michelle D.

Apr 22, 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy stay near Captain Cook's Monument

We enjoyed our stay and loved being able to walk just a couple of minutes down the road to the water where we enjoyed the beautiful views and our son played on the rocks, exploring tide pools. We especially loved the resident cats who were very friendly. Alice had lots of good tips and it was a treat to eat papayas from her yard. It's just a short drive to Honaunau Bay where the snorkeling is fabulous. Kayaks can be rented nearby for a trip to Captain Cook's Monument. There are also many coffee plantations to explore within a few minutes drive. The rental is small and nicely ventilated with many levered windows. We found the bed to be very comfortable and our son slept well on the futon. It was pleasant to hear the frogs at night and the birds in the morning. Because there isn't a full kitchen, we had simple meals for breakfast and lunch and then drove to town (only about 15 minutes) for dinner. We don't care for resort vacations and find it fun to see how the locals live so this rental was a good fit for us.

Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Edward M.

Jan 16, 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Kealakekua Bay Vacation

This is an awesome property right across the street from Kealakekua Bay. The ideal location to relax and enjoy the spectacular ocean life in the Bay. Alice is an outstanding host who is very responsive to any requests. She is full of information on local beaches and the best places to see dolphins and whales. Manini Beach is less than a 10 minute walk from the house and is a quiet secluded area to relax and watch the waves and the sunset. Several remote beaches ideal for sunbathing and snorkeling are within a 10 minute drive. The Big Island is our favorite place to vacation and this house is the best place to relax and rewind in the constant Hawaiian sun. Definitely coming back to see Alice and the bay.

Stayed 9 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sondra L.

Jan 1, 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The relaxation we were looking for!

We swam and searched for dolphins every morning. No luck this time, but we will be back! Thank you, Alice - wonderful experience for our holidays!

Stayed 9 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

John S.

Dec 3, 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay by the bay!

We couldn't be happier with our VRBO choice for our stay on the Big Island. The unit was spacious and comfortable and well-equipped, and just steps away from Kealakekua Bay. Hard to beat for snorkeling, and host Alice has a special relationship with the dolphins. Our first morning there she introduced us to a large pod of them plus a manta ray! (We were lucky with our timing.) Another great snorkeling spot, Honaunau Bay or 2-Step, is a very short drive to the south. Highly recommended for a quiet getaway to enjoy the Hawaiian waters!

Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen F.

Aug 20, 2020

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great base camp for paddling, snorkeling, relaxing

I felt very safe and relaxed under the current coronavirus crisis because the place was very clean, very ventilated, and the owner could tell me exactly who had been there and how long ago. In general, this is a great, practical location for paddling and snorkeling in Kealakekua - I wish I had been able to stay longer to explore the neighborhood.

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Lavant W.

Feb 3, 2019

Everything just fine......

All was great here, and very close to manini beach!

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2019

8/10 Good

Elizabeth F.

Jan 9, 2019

Swim with the dolphins

We chose this location due to a desire to swim with the spinner dolphins that frequent Captain Cook Bay. The owner is a dolphin lover and had many helpful tips on how to be successful and respectful of the dolphins. She also gave great advice for other snorkeling and dining locations. She was very nice, helpful and prompt with the needs. The wifi turns off at night which made my young 20s daughters chafe. But frankly that helped me get them up and out earlier the next day. You must have a car to stay here. It's too remote to walk anywhere except the water. The owner has some swim fins you can borrow, but you'll need your own masks. It's a peaceful, positive environment. There is one cooking surface/burner, a toaster oven and a microwave. Also an outdoor grill. But you'll eat many of your meals out; you're on vacation!

Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2018

8/10 Good

Debby D.

Dec 31, 2018

We love the area, much quieter and slower pace than Kailua-Kona

I grew up in Hawaii and Kealakekua reminds me of the town I grew up in. Alice is a positive, happy person. I travel a lot and have rented a lot through VRBO and AirBnB, I will try to help you make a decision you won't regret. This rental does not have: a full kitchen, an ocean view, air conditioning, night life; if you are looking for those things, this is not your place. It does have quiet, space, and relaxation.

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2018

10/10 Excellent

Stefania P.

Aug 30, 2018

Perfect situation close to Kealakekua Bay and dolphins

Alice apartment is situated a few minutes walk from the small Manini beach and the beach from which you can observe dolphins and swim with them practically every day. The "village" is very calm with splendid scenary and sunsets. The weather on the seaside has been much better than inland. Shops are just 10 minutes up the hill. The flat is simple but has everything you need to pass a perfect holiday. The beds are confortable and you have all you need to prepare your meals. Alice has been very helpful giving us many tips about great things to see off the beaten track. We also went to her Gong Bath and we found it a very special and relaxing experience. I would not hesitate to go back to Alice place!!

Stayed 9 nights in Jul 2018

Walk 3 minutes to Kealakekua Bay to see dolphins

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