Kona Bali Kai site plan or alternate property

Does anyone know where to find a sight plan or detailed map marking unit numbers for Kona Bali Kai? We are considering staying there to watch the surfers at Banyans from the privacy of our lanai and it looks like a long building with varying views.

Also, but for the lanai view, we wouldn%26#39;t really consider staying at Bali Kai. If anyone knows any other properties with excellent with opportunities to ';dry snorkle'; from the lanai, please let me know.

Thanks!

Kona Bali Kai site plan or alternate property

I suggest you do a search for Kona Bali Kai on these forums.. lots of candid info has been reported.

Kona Bali Kai site plan or alternate property

E-mail me privately and I will e-mail you the map of the complex. However, I strongly recommend you to do more research on this complex before you decide to stay there.

truth be told there are no places wher you can ';dry snorkel';... seeing tropical fish and coral from your lanai.......none. I would suggest Bora Bora in Tahiti... with an over water room....figure 1500 to 1800 a night is what your looking for.

The reef has an area that is a an ok surfing spot but not much. No reef view or fish

Magic Sands...is a congo where you cna walk next door and sit on a body surf beach... but not from your condo

Thank you for your responses. Perhaps further explanation would help point me to an alternate accommodation.

First let me say, that I believe myself to be a gracious traveler who understands how many would be upset that haoles are being rented some of the best spots on Hawaii while scores among us do irreparable damage to the waters and land of Hawaii.

On a previous visit at Ho’okipa, we were observed by some of the surfer types described in many of the posts about Bali Kai. It was slightly intimidating, but we maintained a respectful distance and observed only for a brief time. That said, we love to watch! We are coming to Hawaii for our first “winter” trip in mid-November. (yes I know it’s early, but it was the only thing available for FF miles) We do not feel entitled to watch, but we are just in awe. So, viewing Banyans from a balcony rather than the beach seems like the less intrusive thing to do even if it is a property I would normally rule out in short order. Bali Kai is ONLY an option if we will have a decent view of Banyans. My biggest concern is that our rental car would be parked first level and I found a surfer’s website that some property damage occurred (the site has not been updated in a year.) The part I do not get is why the property has been there 30 – 40 years and the problem seems to have gotten worse a year or two ago.

That said, we are not committed to Kona Bali Kai. We have 1.5 days from VNP departure till our flight from Kona. So, we want to check things out between VNP and Kona day one. Then snorkel a couple sites, yet to be determined, between Kahalu%26#39;u and Honaunau before leaving on a 4pm flight.

Dan’s point about what you can actually view from lanai are taken; however, I have a couple pictures from the Bahamas where the water is so clear that it looks like a picture of sand with small bait fish looking like debris. If someone had not snapped a shot of me standing in the water taking pictures, I still would not know where these photos came from. I hear that this side of Hawaii has some of the most pristine waters left in Hawaii, so I am hopeful.

So, if the hotel reviews claiming to watch turtles, mantas, and dolphins breaching from lanais are inaccurate, I will let it go. But if it’s true, it’s something I would gladly exchange for Banyans. We were leaning Bali Kai because surfers seem more likely to show up than wildlife.

We only have the one night stay, but generally prefer nice condos over resorts. We believe we are willing to do older less upscale properties to be on the makai side of Alii. Thank you all for trying to help. Really. Mahalo.

Hi Msshuffler,

In August, we visited the BI and were able to ';dry snorkel'; from two spots in Kailua-Kona. At the Sheraton Keauhou, the manta rays come to feed on the plankton, after dark. We saw four of these magnificent creatures from the overlook at the Crystal Blue Bar. I’m not sure if the mantas can be seen from the room lanais—my guess is that the rooms are too far away from the water.

We loved the view from Hale Kona Kai, located directly on the ocean. From our fourth floor lanai (unit 412), we were able to see the resident eels (we counted four), crabs, and a number of honu and small thin fish. Undoubtedly, a second floor would afford an even better “dry snorkeling” experience, being that you’re closer to the water. At the pool level, my son was able to view a few colored fish swimming in the water. A returning guest told me that spinner dolphins frequently are observed, however, we didn’t see any. The rooms ending in 13 are located adjacent to a lagoon, where you%26#39;d perhaps see additional sea life. Here’s a link for Hale Kona Kai where you will find a site plan of the complex. www.halekonakai-hkk.com/pages/plans.htm Hope this helps. Please pm me if you have any questions.

Have fun planning and dry snorkeling.