South of the cove the bottom again consists mostly of boulders and lava fingers, but coral growth in some areas is particularly dense. The bottom gives way to sandy areas farther out, and depths within this part of the district range up to about 80 feet. There is a remarkable diversity of fish species within the MLCD, as nearly all nearshore species typical of the North Kohala coast are represented. During the winter, humpback whales are frequently spotted just offshore. Safety considerations Strong longshore currents exist outside of Koai'e Cove, so swimmers and snorkelers should stay within the cove.
High surf occurs during winter months.