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Kua Bay, Big Island: dive & snorkel conditions
Kua Bay, Tuesday, November 3: visibility Good, 15–25 ft (4.5–7.5 m), and Caution from shore (68/100) to dive or snorkel, best 06:00–18:00 HST.
Updated ; the forecast refreshes every 6 hours. Confidence 90%.
Open Kua Bay in the appNo Hawaii DOH Brown Water Advisory near Kua Bay today.
Today by how you get in
Shore
– Caution 68
Surf ~3 ft at the entry (N swell, 10 s)
Best 06:00–18:00 HST
Ledge (100 ft) 0.4 km out
Kayak
– Caution 68
Surf ~3 ft at the launch (N swell, 10 s)
Best 06:00–18:00 HST
Ledge (100 ft) 0.4 km out
Next 7 days at Kua Bay
| Day | Divability | Visibility | Wind | Swell | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| – Caution 68 from shore | Good 15–25 ft | 3 kt SE | 3.9 ft @ 10s | 90% | |
| ✓ Go 72 from shore | Good 15–25 ft | 4 kt SE | 3 ft @ 10s | 90% | |
| – Caution 69 from shore | Good 15–25 ft | 5 kt SSE | 3 ft @ 11s | 86% | |
| – Caution 63 from shore | Good 15–25 ft | 3 kt SW | 3.6 ft @ 12s | 81% | |
| – Caution 64 from shore | Good 15–25 ft | 3 kt SSW | 3.6 ft @ 10s | 74% | |
| ✓ Go 71 from shore | Good 15–25 ft | 4 kt SSE | 3 ft @ 10s | 68% | |
| ✓ Go 78 from shore | Good 15–25 ft | 3 kt SSE | 3 ft @ 10s | 61% |
About Kua Bay
- Kua Bay faces west (270°): swell from that side arrives head-on.
- Swim or kayak in from shore.
- Water 100 ft (30 m) deep starts about 0.4 km out.
- Blue water (300 ft / 100 m and deeper) is about 3.2 km out.
What spoils the visibility here
- North and northwest swells, mostly October to April, hit it head-on and stir up the bottom.
- It is sheltered from the usual trade winds; Kona (southerly) winds and swells are its weak spot.
- Heavy rain sends brown runoff into the water for a few days; Hawaii DOH posts Brown Water Advisories when it does.
Questions about Kua Bay
- Is it good to snorkel or dive at Kua Bay today?
- On Tuesday, November 3 DiveVis rates Kua Bay Caution from shore (68/100) (Surf ~3 ft at the entry (N swell, 10 s)). Possible, but check conditions on site before going in.
- What is the water visibility at Kua Bay today?
- Good, 15–25 ft (4.5–7.5 m) expected on Tuesday, November 3, with 90% confidence. It is an estimate from wind, swell, rain, runoff and ocean conditions, not a measurement.
- What's the best time to get in the water at Kua Bay today?
- Between 06:00 and 18:00 HST on Tuesday, November 3, from shore.
- How do you get in the water at Kua Bay?
- Swim or kayak in from shore.
Other Big Island spots today
- Beach 69 (Waialea Bay) · Go
- Old Kona Airport · Go
- Puako · Go
- Pine Trees (Kohanaiki) · Go
- Milolii · Go
- Kailua Pier · Go
- Keauhou (manta site) · Go
- Kealakekua Bay · Go
Estimates from wind, swell, rain, runoff, tides and ocean conditions; check conditions on site before going in. How the forecast works.