Rowing ashore
Our first stop on the west side of the Big Island is Honomalino Bay. This shallow crescent-shaped indentation is about 20 miles northwest after rounding Ka’lae, and it is spectacular in every way. The shoreline is mostly lava-lined, and the break in the lava is filled with a beautiful beach with a mix of black, white, and yellow sand. The bay is protected by a palm tree covered point, and most of the bottom is sandy for good anchor holding.
At anchor in Honomalino Bay
Close to shore, the sandy bottom gives way to coral. We dropped anchor in about 20’ of water in the sand, and then let out enough chain so that the back of the boat was just at the edge of the coral. From the bow, the water was clear enough to still see the anchor ~100’ away, and from the stern we could see reef fish eating amongst the coral heads.
Enjoying a walk along the sand and lava
Honomalino Bay is also home to a pod of spinner dolphins. These small dolphins feed at night, and they return to the bay to rest during the day. Their resting involves swimming slowly around the bay, while every once in a while leaping out of the water in a spinning motion. They calmly swam to within 20’ or so of our boat.
Fantastic in every way!
Spinner dolphin showing off his stuff
