We saw 6 sea turtles!
Kaneohe Bay is located on the northeastern coast of the island of Oahu in Hawaii. The bay is known for its clear, turquoise waters and its abundance of marine life. One popular activity in Kaneohe Bay is kayaking out to the sandbar, a shallow area where the water becomes only a few feet deep. My wife, Jill, and I kayaked out to the sandbar one morning trying to catch the lowest tide possible.
The sandbar is located about a mile offshore, and can be reached in about 45 minutes by kayak (or 25 if you are Jill and I). The journey out to the sandbar is a beautiful one, as the bay is surrounded by lush, green mountains and lined with sandy beaches. Along the way, you may spot a variety of marine life, including dolphins, sea turtles, and colorful tropical fish. We saw about 6 sea turtles during our day of kayaking. They were all swimming close to the surface which made them easy to spot as we kayaked on by.
Kapapa Island
Once we had made it out to the sandbar, we were able to get out and explore. The water varied from about one foot deep to three feet deep depending on where you were on the sandbar. From here you had a 360 degree view of Kaneohe Bay. The lush, green mountains that you see in the center of this photo are on the northern end of the Koʻolau range. These mountains were once shield volcanoes and now make up the mountainous stretch of land on the eastern half of Oahu.
Turning to the northwest from where we were standing, you could see Kapapa Island. It’s also known as the Kapapa Island Seabird Sanctuary, and it is a small island located on the northern edge of Kaneohe Bay. The island is home to a variety of seabirds, as well as the endangered Hawaiian monk seal and the threatened green sea turtle. The sanctuary was established to protect these animals and their habitat, and visitors are not allowed to land on the island. However, kayakers can paddle around the island and observe the wildlife from a distance. I wouldn’t recommend going north of the island, as the island acts as a barrier from the Pacific Ocean currents and waves. Going north of the island puts you directly in the path of those waves.
Kapapa Island Seabird Sanctuary is at the far edge of Kaneohe Bay
Kayaking out to the sandbar at Kaneohe Bay is a unique and enjoyable experience
In addition to Kapapa Island, there are several other small islands located within Kaneohe Bay. These include Kekepa Island, Moku O Loe, and Coral Island, which are all in the bay. You may be familiar with Moku O Loe’s other name, Coconut Island which was featured in the TV show, Gilligan’s Island!
Kayaking out to the sandbar at Kaneohe Bay is a unique and enjoyable experience that offers the chance to see some of the island's amazing marine life and natural beauty. Whether you are an experienced kayaker or a beginner, this is an activity that is suitable for people of all skill levels. Just make sure you bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Especially when the wind is blowing, this can be a strenuous paddle!
Several species of seabirds nest on Kapapa Island. These include:
- The Hawaiian petrel: This is a medium-sized, seabird with a wingspan of about 3 feet. Hawaiian petrels are mostly dark brown or black in color, with white underparts and a distinctive white patch on their wings. They are endangered and are found only in Hawaii.
- The red-footed booby: This is a large, tropical seabird with distinctive red feet and a long, pointed beak. Red-footed boobies are mostly white, with a brown face and wingtips. They are found throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including Hawaii.
- The great frigatebird: This is a large, seabird with a wingspan of up to 7.5 feet. Frigatebirds have long, pointed wings and a distinctive forked tail. They are mostly black in color, with a white breast and a red throat pouch. Frigatebirds are found throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including Hawaii.
- The Wedge-tailed shearwater: This is a medium-large shearwater seabird. It can be found in the Pacific and Indian Oceans in tropical waters. It is the largest of the tropical shearwater birds. In Hawai’I you will likely see the dark color morph of this species that has most brown bodies with white on its neck and under body.
0 Comments