Manini Beach – Captain Cook

Dogs must remain on leash at all times.

Manini Beach is a beautiful, secluded beach on Kealakekua Bay located directly across from the Captain Cook Monument.  Dogs must be kept on leash.  While the beach is made up of lava rock and and coral, there is a sandy shoreline area that provides easy ocean access, great for snorkeling, launching a standup paddleboard, and SCUBA diving when the ocean is calm.  Ocean entry is chilly due to the natural springs, but warms up a bit once you swim out.  Enjoy a picnic there at one of the picnic tables in the shade.

Directions: Manini Park is close to both Kealakekua Bay and Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park (City of Refuge).  Just a few hundred yards south of Napo’opo’o Beach Park and the Kealakekua Bay boat launch on Pu’uhonua Road (Hwy 160), turn onto Manini Road.

Parking: Parking is limited, so we suggest going early and avoiding the weekends.  Please respect that this is a residential area and obey the No Parking signs.

Beach Etiquette for Dog Owners

• Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
• Take your dog home at the first sign of unfriendly behavior.
• Puppies and dogs should be vaccinated and healthy.
• Keep close supervision of your dog and do not let them near honu (sea turtles) that frequently sunbathe on the rocks and beach.
• Dogs in estrus/heat should be left at home.
• Pick up and dispose of your dog’s waste.

How to keep your dog safe at the beach

• When taking your dog to the beach, make sure there is plenty of fresh water and shade. Dogs can get sunburned just like humans, so limit your dog’s exposure to the hot sun and apply a zinc-free sunblock to his ears and nose 30 minutes before going outside.
• Be careful not to let your dog spend too much time on hot sand or asphalt. Dogs can burn their feet just as easily as we can.
• Cool ocean water is very tempting to a dog. Don’t allow your dog to drink too much seawater. This can cause diarrhea or vomiting and quickly dehydrate them.
• Swimming is a great form of exercise for dogs, but don’t let them overdo it. They will be using new muscles and may tire quickly.
• Running on a beach is strenuous exercise and a dog that is out of shape can easily pull a tendon or ligament. If your dog is out of shape, don’t encourage him to run on the sand.
• The beach can present many hazards for your dog. Things to watch out for include boats, fishhooks, dead fish, honu (sea turtle), Keawe tree thorns, wana (sea urchin), garbage, and broken glass. Lava rock can be very sharp and can easily cut your dog’s feet.