Aquatic Life Divers

We got onto the boat at 8 am. It's a large two story open air boat. The staff is very nice and…read morehelpful. We headed towards Captain cook's monument and snorkeled in famous Kealakekua Bay. It's the BEST SNORKELING in all Hawaii's islands. It has a diversity of thousands of colorful fish and coral. It's the inspiration for the movie finding Nemo. After 1-2 hours of snorkeling, we boarded the boat to try the water slide and second floor diving board. It was super fun. The crew provided sandwiches, chips, fruit and soda/water. On the way back we hugged the coastline for great pictures. We stopped and watched a pod of dolphins who came to the boat. It was a magical tour for any snorkeling lover. The crew and boat were outstanding. We loved it.

We did the "Big Island: Captain Cook Snorkel on a Power Catamaran with Lunch" 4 hour snorkel trip…read morethrough Hang Loose Boat Tours while in Hawaii, and it was one of our highlights, if not the highlight. From start to finish, the crew at Hang Loose took great care of us: friendly check-in, clear directions getting on the boat, and guided tour or beautiful music the whole ride. Once at Captain Cook's Cove, the crew helped us get setup with our gear and snorkeling tips. They provided small floaty noodles to folks so they felt comfortable staying afloat. I did not use this, but almost everyone else did, so don't worry about wanting one in advance: you'll be in good company. Once in the water, that's when the magic happened. Everywhere we looked was stunning and full of life. We saw all the tropical fish imaginable and coral. Sea urchins were everywhere as well, so don't step down...stay afloat! Some highlights included an eel, a green crown of thorns of starfish, and a giant needlefish. We had such a blast and had at least 2 hours to snorkel, if not more. Some folks headed back early to the boat and they setup a slide on the top deck for folks to use to slide into the ocean. Once back on the boat, they set us up with refreshing sandwiches, fruit, chips, and drinks. After so much swimming, this was a much needed nourishment break. The boat tour back we have a few more scenic stops for photo shoots. It was stunning and we learned a lot about lava tubes, the coastal scenery, and some island history. The four hours flew by. Once back, the crew let us know where to go near the dock to find sea turtles. Such a great tip! They were correct and we saw three! This tour was well worth the money. We'd recommend it for all visitors as it truly was a magical experience!

Hang Loose Boat Tours - Manta ray night snorkeling - you swim out to an area where everyone hangs onto a floating pod together; very straightforward and easy!

Manta ray night snorkeling - you swim out to an area where everyone hangs onto a floating pod together; very straightforward and easy!

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Manta Ray Night Swim

Sunlight On Water

4.7(302 reviews)

Locally owned & operated

Kid friendly

We had the most amazing time! Patrick, Preston and the captain provided the best experience! We not…read moreonly saw several manta rays but also some sharks amazing! This is a must when visiting Kona!!!

Captain Taylor. Preston and Patrick were phenomenal!! They did EVERYTHING within their control to…read morehelp find a Manta Ray!! Patient kind and everything you want for a crew to make you feel comfortable and at ease in the water!!!!! Perfect!

Sunset manta snorkeling

White up sharks

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Swim with green sea turtles and hawksbill sea turtles

Wahine Charters

4.8(315 reviews)

Locally owned & operated

Kid friendly

Amazing time. Crew was very expressive on the trip and was very professional. Showed us dolphins…read morewhen they didn't have to. Made sure everyone on the trip enjoyed and experienced something wonderful. Offered insight on anything, let us enjoy the water before showing us the manta rays. 10/10 experience and highly recommend!

We had a wonderful time with Tyler and Captain Alan. Really nice, down to earth people. We got…read moretwo swims at lovely coves and a spin To Kona. Highly recommended. A memorable day.

Mantas!

Sea Turtle

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Swim responsibly with Wild Dolphins.

Captain Zodiac

4.9(462 reviews)

0.3 mi

Everything was great! Big shout out to Gabe & Michelle! They were both knowledgeable, kind,…read moreconsiderate and funny! Kept all on their toes on safety! We got to see Tiger shark, several sandbar sharks, lots of spinner dolphins and several bottlenose dolphins! The place we snorkeled at had a great abundance if different fish! We had an amazing time!

This was such an amazing experience. The captain and crew are not only knowledgeable but work to…read morebetter their environment and share this knowledge. Highly recommend for people looking for a fun adventure and an ethical, local company. My group did the 10 AM mid day tour and it was the best! Colin knows how to safely work with the animals and approach in a manner that is not stressful or disturbing to them/ the environment. Thank you Colin and Amy for such an amazing experience.

Breaching Humpback whales during our whale watch tour

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Breaching Humpback whales during our whale watch tour

Hawaiian Adventures Kona

5.0(17 reviews)

Great and fun! We did the "newer" tour (2/26) that's faster and more adventurous. I searched Yelp…read morefor this and couldn't find so wanted to post. Since it's a smaller boat u can go faster and get maybe closer to the action. The drawbacks compared to a more traditional "ferry" type wld be ferry has bathrooms and comfy seats and shade. This one we did had saddle seats which were ok but comparable to a padded bike seat. Not so comfy for males especially perhaps. If u go, u can bring your own waterbottle, make sure to wear copious amounts of sunscreen and bring more to reapply. I (female) was happy I wore a long sleeved rash guard and long light colored leggings. Can wear any shoe that cld get wet, tho we did not get wet. Could wear sneakers if ur ok if they get somewhat messy. Wish I wore water shoes for the grip and the sun protection bc my feet got so much sun exposure in flip flops and not much grip. We left most of our stuff in the hotel room safe and just brought keys and drivers license. Wish I had brought cash for a tip for the driver and tour guide. Can bring phone for photos. If u are the first to arrive to the dock, you may be able to snag the seats right in front of the driver, which would be the way to get any sort of shade. Wear a hat, preferably with a chin strap or affix a baseball hat to your ponytail (ladies) or flip cap backwards as a guy when the boat goes fast so not lose hat. Wish I had had some more neck protection. Drink water. Reapply sunscreen. You'll be fast then will stop to look around so there's time to stand up, reapply etc. Great and informative narration by Dennis. Captain driver was also great. Wld recommend but again consider your needs for shade, seating, and can't go to the bathroom for three hours. Nice bathrooms at the harbor tho, flushable booklets, water and soap. Hope this helps!

We signed up for both whale watching and the night manta ray snorkel with Hawaiian Adventures Kona;…read moreboth experiences were phenomenal and a MUST-DO if visiting the Big Island! Captain Andrew and Olivia were excellent guides, they had great energy and humor while sharing information about the wildlife. Their boat, the Artemis, is the "Rolls Royce" of whale-watching boats that I've been on; clearly designed for optimal wildlife viewing and passenger comfort. We saw multiple humpback whales, three species of dolphin, and many manta rays during our trips with them. The crew is clearly very knowledgeable about the local wildlife and did a fabulous job finding animals, as well as positioning the boat for viewing them. On the manta ray night snorkel... DO IT! It exceeded my expectations tenfold and I would reckon it's one of the most unique ocean experiences anyone could have. You get to float effortlessly (with a board and pool noodle) while watching these majestic animals feed all around you! The boat is a great platform for this too, as there is a hot water rinse available to you when you get out of the water. I will book trips with this company EVERY TIME I visit Kona in the future! Both experiences were completely awesome and I can't wait to be back.

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Humpback whale breach

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Sun rise

C. Hawk Hawaii

5.0(43 reviews)

We booked a 5 hour fishing excursion with Cpt. Craig, with three of us in attendance. The boat was…read moreroomy enough for us without tripping over each other. We enjoyed our trip tremendously and Cpt. Craig was very informative about local history if inclined to ask. All equipment and bait was provided, and included in the overall cost. Although there are no guarantees you would catch fish, when fishing, we were fortunate enough to do so. We each landed a yellow fin tuna. We had never used the gear necessary to hook up and land these delectable fish, but Cpt. Craig was patient and informative on how to do so. At the tail end of our trip he filleted our catch and bagged it up for us. We were provided beverages and snacks, if interested. There was great communication before and up to our charter. I/we highly recommend this charter! Should we ever return to the Big Island we will do this charter again, no doubt. I may, if the others were inclined, charter it for the whole day. Thank you, Cpt. Craig, for an outstanding adventure. For me, personally, it was the funnest part of our week stay on the island. Here are a couple of tips. (1) Keep in mind - there is not a restroom on this boat. So, you should plan to flush the pipes before launching unless you want to waste valuable time returning to the launch ramp. (2) You can get some of your catch through the TSA and Ag checkpoints at the airport if desired. We froze some of our fillets and had them in zip bags, placed within our carry-on luggage.

My husband and I visited Kona for the first time and.went.out.with the C Hawk to fish. Craig was…read morevery knowledgeable and friendly. He works hard for his guests. He made sure we were comfortable on the boat. My husband and I were a little rusty and he explained everything to us. We laughed when my husband and I caught tuna but by the time we reeled them in the dolphins surrounding us got to the fish before we did. We relocated and ended our day each catching Wahoo. I was able to catch some sun lounging in front of his boat. We made a friend and the next time we visit we will definitely be on Craig's boat again. Highly recommend. I wish I could give him a 10 star!!! Craig, thank you for making our visit that much prefer special. Alpha!

Family Fun!

The captain holding a large yellow fin tuna.

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Manta Adventures

4.4(84 reviews)

Wonderful experience. The crew was super awesome. Tanner and Shawna were very kind and informative…read moreand helpful. They had homemade cookies, pineapple and water for us. Captain Bill knew his stuff but wasn't as easy going. They were kind enough to wait bc construction was horrible going south to get there. They provided wet suits and snorkels. The boat is nice. Bigger. The ride out was about 25 Mins. The sunset gorgeous. We departed around 430. Got there little around 5. Sat around til almost 645 before we entered water. I felt like he sitting a round was a bit long. The dive itself was PHENOMENAL!!! AmaZing views of 3-4 mantas swimming right below me; mouth open eating. Incredible. Must do!! Took 6,7,9 year old kids. I wouldn't recommend kids under 10. My 9 and 7 did pretty well. Lasted about 15 Mins jn the water; my 6 year old cried and refused (she swam in a cage with sharks 2 weeks ago) i think the darkness and open rough waters scared her. She could still see some swimming from boat. But parents save your money; leave them with grandparents and go without them. Holding on to the board with the waves was a bit challenging. I'm pretty strong and the waves beat ya a bit. I could only last 20-25 Mins and i had to get out bc i was freezing. Nice hot showers and a ride back. Bring dry clothes to change into. Bathroom is large enough and 2 towels. One to dry off. One to cover up with. Highly recommend

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see giant manta rays in their natural habitat!…read more Manta Adventures is a top notch tour company and I would recommend them to anyone that wants to experience this rare opportunity. It's a little creepy being out in the ocean at night, but you get used to it fairly quick. There are tons of other boats out there with people in the water. The Rays we saw I'm guessing had about a 6ft wingspan and they literally get within inches of you while feeding on plankton. One thing to note. If you are susceptible to motion sickness I would recommend Dramamine or the bracelet. My wife threw up along with a couple of other passengers.

Sunset. Almost time for mantas!

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Kona Ocean Adventures

4.9(208 reviews)

What an amazing experience! We were a group of scuba divers and a snorkeler. We had 2 dive/snorkel…read morespots. This first dive we saw a shark, fish, and an eel. The 2nd dive was incredible!! We sat at the bottom of the ocean with lights and HUGE manta rays swam all around us! Kate was our dive guide and I can't remember the snorkel guides name but they were both great! I hadn't dove in about 2 years and Kate was so patient with me. I was a little nervous but she made me feel at ease. My husband even saw a baby tiger shark when he was snorkeling! They provided fruit, hummus sandwiches and drinks. If you're on the Big Island this is a must! They even took go pro videos and sent them to us!!

We've done the night manta ray snorkel with Kona Ocean Adventures many times, and there's a reason…read morewe keep coming back! This was my 5th trip, my parents' 9th, and my kids' 3rd--and we wouldn't choose anyone else. The crew is consistently professional, knowledgeable, and focused on both safety and making sure everyone has an unforgettable experience. They genuinely care about the mantas and the guests, and you can tell they love what they do. Every trip has been incredible, and Kona Ocean Adventures has continued to deliver a first-class experience! If you're trying to decide which company to book with, stop looking--Kona Ocean Adventures is the one. We'll be back again and again. Mahalo for another amazing night!

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Kona Manta Diving

5.0(3 reviews)

Took family on the Manta Ray night dive. The experience was amazing. Saw up to 6 Manta Rays inches…read morefrom me. You a tell the difference from there spot on their under belly''s. The crew was also mazing and explained in detail what we would be experiencing from how to enter the water, how to float and relax, how the Manta Ray encounter experience would be, and most importantly how to protect the Mantas by not touching them. My wife was hesitant to get in the water having never snorkeled. She decided to remain on boat. Captain John cautiously maneuvered boat so she could see them yet not risking swimmer in the water. They run smaller boats to allow them the do that. A lot of the bigger boats out there would never have been able to do that for my wife. Definitely would go again with the Kona Manta Diving.

Many had recommended this activity, so we had to give it a try. I had some trepidation about…read morenight-time diving, length of activity, and getting cold. I didn't need to. The team (especially Mads, our guide) made this easy. We held onto a surfboard which had a light to attract the plankton, and the mantas came to us to feed. It was easy, and it was spectacular! My husband and I had debated whether to scuba or snorkel the adventure. I'm not sure how the scuba experience could have been better as the mantas came within inches of us over he course of the dive, putting on their own show. Truly wonderful experience. Kudos to the entire team (including the boat captain) who made this such a wonderful experience!

Dolphin Journeys

4.6(33 reviews)

OMFG!!! LIFE CHANGING!!…read more I'm still in awe about this truly amazing experience! We did the half day dolphin excursion with Rich as our captain and Rusty as our right hand man. Even Sailor(their dog) joined in on the ride. Since nobody else booked the tour for that day, we had the boat all to ourselves! Before we started, Rusty fitted us with snorkeling gear and fins. Gear was top of the line and well maintained. As we started out, Rusty explained in detail what to expect and the do's and don't of swimming with dolphins. Our first stop had no dolphins, but no worries, Rich took us to a Manta Ray "wash" station. There we were able to get in and watch these majestic animals get "cleaned". Unreal! After watching them for about 20 min or so we were off to find dolphins, and find them we did! Rich positioned us about 100 yards in front of the pod and Rusty helped us get geared up and into the water. Once in you could here the dolphins communicating in the water before you see them. The all of the sudden BAM they are all around you!! Dolphins of all shapes and sizes and even babies were just casually swimming by checking us out. So EPIC! Once the pod past, we swam back to the boat and were off again to find more. After a couple of hrs we had lunch on the bow of the boat while the dolphins put on a show for us. Sadly, Rich informed us that it was time to say Aloha and we headed back to the harbor. Man time went too fast. I could have stayed watching the dolphins all day. Overall the trip, staff, and food was first class all the way. Great family owned local business. If you are ever on the Big Island, DO THIS!!! They also offer a great kama'aina rate as well! Thanks Dolphin Journeys for this once in a lifetime treat!!

First of all, anyone leaving a bad review for this place must have not gone to the right place…read more.. this woman and her crew are amazing! We had the pleasure of not meeting her just once, but twice. She is super knowledgeable and their love for the ocean and taking care of it was so nice, we even stopped to remove trash from the ocean. They bring everything you need, supply you with everything, and when your on their boat it feels like family. We have had the privilege to be in Hawaii and live amongst the locals the last few times here and their sense of ohana and just overall life gets me every time. And being with Nancy and her helper Cody brought it all back. This is not the kind of tour where you sit on a boat with 30 other tourists and listen to facts, if you want to actually be in it and , and experience the ocean, take this tour. Their knowledge will come through in casual conversation and you will learn so much more. They do though know the limits of the ocean, and if something is dangerous, they won't do it.. Now on to the dolphin part...within 15 mins of getting out of the harbor.. Nancy took us to a spot where dolphins came to us and began playing with the boat. In another 5.. we were in the water, and within 5 mins, I was surrounded , this happened for the next few hours, at one point.. 35 of them around us. At another one came up under me, surfaced just under my body, and turned around and looked at me and motioned with his nose for me to follow. It honestly didn't feel real.. and I still can't believe it happened. We then for the last part went to a reef and did some snorkeling. This was amazing, Nancy was amazing, and I will return... if I could give it ten stars I would.

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Whale

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Here we come - swimming in the sea looking to see you!

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Charles B.

2 years ago

My wife and I both had a wonderful experience with Aquatic Life Divers in Kona this holiday season. We each came to the dive shop with different needs (my wife, being a novice swimmer with an ambition of earning an open water certification, and me, being a rescue diver, hoping for some recreational dives), yet both of our expectations were not only fully met, but wholeheartedly surpassed. We found Aquatic Life Divers to be incredibly service-oriented, conservation-oriented, as well as incredibly willing to work with clients by meeting them at their respective scuba-diving skill-level. Service Oriented: Though the crew meets close to 50 new divers on a weekly basis, upon our first meeting, I was immediately remembered by name, as well as for the remainder of the trip. Other examples of their service-orientated attitude include how we once returned to the boat dock in between dives, so that a snorkeler who grew seasick, and two DSD divers who couldn't equalize their ears, could get off the boat. Another example was when Frank (the captain) noticed how a portion of my mouthpiece had been damaged, so he immediately replaced it with a new one without me even having to ask. Conservation Oriented: Another aspect I really enjoyed was the conservation-orientation of the company. Before each day of diving, Mark (the divemaster) provided us with an overview of the fish we were potentially about to see, but also the risks that Hawaii's sea life continually face from the tropical fish trade. His encyclopedic knowledge of Kona's fish and ocean life helped when it came to pointing out sea life that I wouldn't have known to look for (such as viper moray eels; devils scorpionfish; octopi; ghost shrimp; fellows nudibranch; etc.), fish behavior that I may not have noticed (such as the symbiotic relationship between cleaner wrasse and common predators in specific areas), as well certain fish, that were it not for his knowledge, I wouldn't have even known were quite rare to see (saddleback butterflyfish) Meeting clients at their level: I also commend Aquatic Life Divers for meeting their clients at their respective scuba-diving skill levels. My wife came to Aquatic Life Divers as a novice swimmer, but Mary (the dive instructor) worked with her, and made sure she was safe in open water (my wife's first time ever in the open ocean), and confident and comfortable enough to demonstrate the necessary skills required to pass the PADI open water dive course. Mary's commitment to service was demonstrated clearly by one example, where she - unprompted - jumped off the boat to test the strength of the current before my wife entered for her last skills test. The rigor of the course tested my wife's abilities as a novice swimmer, but Mary's constant encouragement and enthusiasm helped her achieve her goal of becoming scuba certified. I encourage anybody interested in scuba diving near Kona to reach out to Aquatic Life Divers, and can say, based on our experiences, you will not be disappointed with your decision. read more

Leahna A.

1 year ago

I recently got certified with Aquatic Life Divers in Kona, Hawaii, and I couldn't have asked for a better experience! From start to finish, the team was professional, welcoming, and incredibly knowledgeable. My instructor, Mary, was amazing--she explained everything clearly, made me feel completely comfortable in the water, and ensured I was confident with each skill before moving forward. She truly made learning to dive a fun and stress-free experience. Tara, our boat driver, was equally fantastic. She kept everything running smoothly, and her positive energy made the whole trip even better. The dive sites were stunning, with crystal-clear waters and an abundance of marine life. I felt safe, well-prepared, and completely in awe of the underwater world. If you're looking for a top-notch dive shop in Kona, I highly recommend Aquatic Life Divers. Whether you're getting certified or just looking for an unforgettable dive, this team will make sure you have an incredible experience! read more

Daniel N.

3 years ago

Best day ever! went diving with these guys today with my son (10 years old) and had an amazing time!!! We are locals here on the Big Island and I wanted to find the best company for kids and I found them. The crew was so patient with him. We went on what's called a "discovery dive" which doesn't require a certification. just a short online tutorial and a briefing on the boat regarding safety and the equipment. then two boat dives. my son had his own instructor. this means I didn't have to drag him through a three day Padi certification course just to see if he was into it. Turns out he's into it! if you're like me, an avid diver, and want to turn your kids on to scuba this company is the place. They're a 10 minute drive from Kona. we'll be back to take their Padi certification course this summer. I highly recommend Aquatic Life Divers!! true story! read more

Travis B.

7 years ago

I was referred to AQL for scuba certification and chose to stick with them for two manta ray dives. I know next to nothing about scuba diving and very little about ocean critters, divemaster Evans is a confidence inspiring instructor and loaded with knowledge of ocean life, and even the subtle dig about the specifics of manta ray mating habits was an endearing touch(nice job Evans's mom)The crew is hilarious and fun, and Cody is ok I guess too, that haircut is ridiculous and I just can't handle that kind of competition, but he did score us the best seat in the house for the manta ray dive and made it an exceptional experience, so he gets a pass.(nice job Cody's mom) I haven't been on any other dive boats in Kona yet to compare, but they all have to measure up to the gold standard of Aquatic Life Divers and their awesome crew read more

Dawn W.

7 years ago

Aquatic Life Divers is the best! Their boats and equipment are top notch matched by their great crew. We had the pleasure of meeting Manny (dive master) and Captains Colby and Zane on our two day, 4 dive experience. We could not have been happier. They set the bar very high with their attention to their customers and to the environment. On each dive, they gave us a summary of where we were and it's history along with explaining what types of fish we should expect to see before jumping in. Only one of travelled with their gear and I think he was a bit envious of the great equipment that Aquatic Life Divers supplied for the rest of us. It was all perfectly fitting and practically new. Our only wish is that we could give them 100 stars - they really deserve it and we cannot recommend them enough!!!! read more

Debbie K.

11 months ago

A HUGE shout out to Captains Tara and Collin, dive master Gordon and dive master in training Dillon for giving my family an experience we will never forget! It was an amazing day discovering the beauty of the underwater world off the coast of The Big Island. We had two morning dives, a late afternoon dive and a twilight dive with the beloved Manta Rays. Aquatic Life Divers are professional, provide equipment in excellent condition, intentional, courteous, safety conscience and FUN! From the front office to the boat, the staff was exceptional! My family made memories this day that we will never forget...we will most definitely book with them when we return to The Big Island. read more

Rob G.

15 days ago

The Valkyries Crew!! What an amazing crew and experience! First class all the way. The weather was surging a bit due to the pending hurricane so we did the Manta dive briefing at the doc. Boat was fully stocked, they took care of our gear, even personal gear, and were very thorough in their explanations and information. On the boat ride out they found us about 30 spinner dolphins so we had to race them for about 10 mins. Manta dive!! I mean - wow! This is a great boat to do any diving in and the night Manta dive is no exception. I'd dive with this group again in a heartbeat!! read more

Armando G.

1 year ago

It all began with a phone call. Honey answered with warmth and expertise, addressing all my questions with such clarity that I felt confident booking right away. The staff was exceptional--friendly, attentive, and professional. Dive masters Carlos, Colin, Mary, and Tara were outstanding, ensuring every dive was safe, seamless, and unforgettable. The captain (whose name escapes me) played a key role in our incredible experience. I'm already looking forward to my next adventure with this amazing team! Thank you for a memorable dives. read more

Sean L.

1 year ago

My girlfriend and I had an unforgettable night snorkel/dive with the mantas of Kona. Our captain Carlos had seen a whale shark that same day, so we spent the first leg of the trip scouring the waves for any signs. Jimmy was an excellent and fun dive guide, who assisted with any questions and made any diver feel totally safe in the water. Emma likewise was an awesome and positive snorkel guide. Whether snorkeling or diving, the night mantas are a must if visiting the big island. Couldn't recommend Aquatic Life Divers enough!! read more

Joel H.

4 years ago

Always love diving with Aquatic Life! Skipper Kyle is from my home town and actually born in the same hospital as I! Divemaster Frank has so much aloha and knowledge of not only diving the Kona Coast, but amazing knowledge of Hawaiian history and how it's inextricably intertwined with the ocean and Island of Hawaii. Smaller boats mean smaller groups which means you're never climbing on top of one another, and makes diving way more relaxing and enjoyable. Shout out to Captain to be Becca who also did an amazing job! Aloha! read more

Dean C.

26 days ago

Came over to the big island to do my Patty certification for Open water. Had an amazing experience with these guys Jamie. My instructor was awesome I had her for the first 2 days of my training. I feel bad because I don't remember the second instructor for the other two days, but she also was amazing. The two captains, Garrett and Colin were great. Lots of fun. I also did the manta ray dive at night with them. So if you're looking to get certified or just to have a wonderful time diving I would give them a shot read more

Alisha B.

3 years ago

Lionfish and tiger-sharks and octopi, oh my! I couldn't have asked for a better crew to take me on my first dive! In fact, Tara et all were so awesome I ended up staying on the Big Island an extra week (oh darn) to do my full Open Water PADI Cert with her and Taylor. I swear these folks have a sixth sense for finding all the best sea critters (e.g. spotting an octopus hidden in a tiny rock cave from 30 ft away!?) I will absolutely use Aquatic Life Divers for all my future underwater adventures in Hawaii! read more

Peggy V.

1 year ago

Fantastic crew, super helpful and very experienced. They made my dream of swimming with a sea turtle come true! They know all about the local sea life and took us to the most amazing snorkeling spots. No rushing whilst in the water or after returning to the harbour. Even got restaurant recommendations which turned out exactly how I was told. Many thanks for the fabulous experience! Kind regards, Peggy read more

Elliott M.

3 years ago

Aquatic life divers made for such an amazing dive experience for me and my family. They found amazingly clear spots even in some incredibly difficult surges. I did an open water Cert with Tara and she was exceptional! Very knowledgeable and keen on rare fish and octopi! My family scuba'd with Suzie and she was an excellent dive master for them! We could not recommend Aquatic Life more. read more

Alexis J.

7 years ago

Such a great company. Our crew Cody, Evans and Manny were all amazing guides and we would easily come back to dive with them again in a heart beat. We did the reef and manta night dive. Cody had a great picture presentation that was so fun to learn from. They were all very focused on marine life conservation which sat well with us. Bets experience of my life with a fun and lively crew!! read more

Lindsey R.

3 months ago

Such an amazing experience, even for beginner divers. The staff was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. They provided nice rental equipment and great safety procedures. I could tell how much the staff loved diving (and snorkeling) and they cared a lot about protecting the animals and plants. I did a twilight reef and night manta ray dive and it was amazing, I would do it again! read more

Carrie B.

5 years ago

I had a wonderful two-tank dive experience with this group. Dani, Frank, Rob and Andrew were excellent guides and made the dive extra special and enjoyable. Though a certified diver, I had not had much chance to dive very recently. ALL of this group were patient, professional, VERY safety conscious, knowledgeable and fun! Boat was excellent; I highly recommend this dive operator. read more

Michelle P.

9 months ago

Excellent boats, staff and shade. We did a two tank morning dive and an evening Manta one tank dive. Both amazing weather. Nice to have safe, focused and peaceful Captains and crew/DMs. The covered Space was nice for wind and sun. We are experienced divers, but always appreciate the additional layer of safety a good team brings. This group was Good. read more

Carmen T.

1 year ago

As seasoned divers we've had many experiences with dive crews and we had a very positive one with Aquatic Life. Mary was fun, attentive and made every effort to be thorough with her briefings, and she found lots of cool sea life for us to see. Carlos was our Captain he was helpful and did a great job selecting the dive sites for our morning dives. read more

Brendon A.

3 years ago

My wife and I came out to Kona for one week and had many excursions booked. after this experience, I can safely say this was one of our favorites! Captain Kyle was excellent and his crewman Mark we're both very professional, knowledgeable, and friendly to us both. I highly recommend to anyone looking for a whale watch tour or snorkeling adventure. read more

Aquatic Life Divers - scuba - Updated September 2026

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4.8

(176 reviews)

Our group had a fantastic experience with Manta Ray Dives of Hawaii. The directions were accurate,…read moreeverything was well organized, and the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful from start to finish. Our crew included Mike, Justin, Eric, and another Mike (I think!). I wish they had introduced themselves a little more clearly because every one of them deserved recognition--they were all fantastic. The instructions were clear and easy to follow, but what stood out most was how genuinely respectful and non-judgmental the entire crew was. At many popular tourist attractions, it's understandable that after giving the same presentation countless times, things can start to feel rushed or impersonal. That was absolutely not the case here. Every crew member seemed genuinely happy to be there. They welcomed every question with patience and respect, and if the answer to something was "no," they took the time to explain why instead of simply dismissing it. As a parent, I especially appreciated this because it's just as valuable for children as it is for adults. Justin did an amazing job teaching us about manta rays before we got in the water. He took the time to show everyone charts and photos, explain their behavior, and answer questions. It made the experience much more meaningful than simply showing up and jumping in the water. Once we were in the water, one of my kids became a little overwhelmed by all the gear and new variables. Mike handled it beautifully. He stayed calm, encouraged them to sit on top of the float board until they felt comfortable, and made sure they were doing okay before moving the board farther from the boat. That patience and reassurance made a huge difference. I have two suggestions that aren't complaints at all--just ideas that I think would make an already excellent experience even better. First, it would be helpful to give guests a quick overview of the evening at the very beginning. Something like: "We'll have about a __-minute boat ride out, anchor at the site, pass out and fit gear, wait for sunset, then enter the water one at a time and hold onto the floating boards for about 45 minutes before returning to the boat and heading back to the harbor." Having that roadmap would have helped both my kids and me know exactly what to expect. Second, I would recommend letting guests know to bring an extra towel to sit on during the boat ride. The ridged metal benches became a little uncomfortable after a while, and a folded towel would have made a big difference (we were allowed to move around the boat which was also awesome- just for those who didn't want to). Overall, this was an incredible experience. We came for the manta rays, but what we'll remember just as much is the crew. They were knowledgeable, professional, patient, and genuinely passionate about what they do. We felt welcomed as people--not just another group of tourists--and that made all the difference. I would absolutely recommend Manta Ray Dives of Hawaii.

Had a great night snorkel run. The crew was outstanding. The meet up spot was a bit hit or…read moremiss as to signage so just know you're in the right spot when you see the little bathroom house with the super bright light blinding you from actually seeing the people or cars driving at you for that matter. Great snorkel adventure!!!

Kona Diving Company

4.9

(331 reviews)

Easy to arrange, good communication before dive date…read more Daniel was great on all briefings, great spots, really good debriefs. Everyone was great!

I can't say enough good things about Kona Diving Company. We have dove with them on three separate…read moretrips to the Big Island and absolutely love them. We've done morning dives, the manta dive, as well as the twilight and night dive and every experience has been incredible. The staff is fantastic and always takes such great care of us. I would recommend this shop to both new divers and seasoned divers alike. We've met some really amazing people through these trips and every outing has been organized, safe, and genuinely fun. The boat is spacious, they provide snacks and drinks during the surface interval, and they handle all of your gear setup which makes everything so easy and stress free. The team is super knowledgeable and does a great job grouping divers based on experience level so everyone has a good time. I'd also love to give a big shout out to Daniel and Cody who are always a blast and so much fun to dive with. Maxine is an awesome boat captain and Ashley was incredible dive master as well. She led our manta dive a year ago, gave such a great pre dive presentation, and was super thoughtful and fun to dive with on two separate occasions. Honestly, because of this dive shop we keep coming back to the Big Island and continue rebooking with them every trip. Highly recommend and I wouldn't look anywhere else for diving in Kona!

Big Island Divers

(563 reviews)

Hubby went on a pelagic black water dive the night before and was very impressed with the…read moreprofessionalism of Fernando and Ashton. We've been on several black water dives before and day are part of our top list. The next day we took apart in the two tank afternoon dive and manta dive. Again, Fernando and Ashton were very thorough with the dive briefing and safety. I particularly liked how he emphasized not standing or touching the reef as well as not harassing the wildlife. I've witnessed many dive masters, who don't do this perhaps fearing unsatisfied or offended guests? I also really liked how Hawaiian culture was integrated into the dive briefings. Under the water, he helped spot various endemic creatures. Another thing we really liked for the manta dive was the small group. On past excursions we've been with larger groups and were later to the site. Whereas this time we were first to the site and we were treated to a spectacular showing of mantas. Overall, we had an amazing experience with Big Island Divers.

Myself, in a party of three, booked the nighttime manta ray snorkel and dive instructor Kona. One…read moreparty member is a diver, and myself and the other member are snorkelers. Our diver, Bradly, said that Hannah did a great job as his dive instructor, and she was great at helping the newest diver of the group who was heavily struggling during his dive. Myself and Lisa were snorkeling with Laura and she was very helpful! She was great at finding mantas for us even when they wanted to hang out by the campfire. Chad, our captain, was super friendly and talkative. I get extremely motion sickness very easily. The waters were extremely rough during our visit, and I did get sick during the last five minutes of the snorkel, as well as the boat ride back. All members of the staff were very understanding and kind, and made it very clear that if I had to return to the boat during the snorkel or did have to hurl during the ride, they wouldn't be upset or judge, and wanted to help me in any way possible. A super nice and interactive crew, and they shared lots of stories about the rays that frequent the area we explored! We were lucky enough to see two bottlenose dolphins (a mother and child), a Galapagos shark, 4-8 rays for the snorkelers and 11 rays for the divers. I highly recommend booking through Big Island divers! They provided all of the equipment needed, and we were welcome to wear/use our own if it made us more comfortable. The only request I would make is that the snorkel instructor be more adamant about keeping our feet up straight in the water, as the two snorkelers across from me on the board constantly had their feet in the water as if they were doggy paddling, which over rated our view of the marine life and caused the board to shake (increasing my motion sickness). I chose not to wear fins because I had gotten anxious while wearing them earlier in the day, but I kept my feet up the whole time because of my previous snorkel experience . It would have been really helpful to have our snorkel guide get those guests to keep their legs up, but otherwise every staff member did amazing! Chad let a young girl steer the boat for a while which was really kind.

Torpedo Tours

(85 reviews)

Diving with Torpedo Tours was such a great experience. The crew was excellent Rachel and Mike My…read moredaughter and I are new divers and my husband seasoned.... I can hardly tell you it words what a great time we had... I look forward to coming back and diving with them again! We went on a two tank dive. We dove Crescent bay to 85ft and Eel cove to 60ft! Rachel made sure I was comfortable as I had a bit of a mask issue and they loaned me another mask which made my next dive even better and more enjoyable!! I use to snorkel but diving is where it all happens right there in front of you! Thank you for a beautiful day When we come back we will only dive with them Best Dives ever

Of all the dive shops I used on the trip they were the best! Most accommodating, fun and…read moreprofessional! Snacks and drinks were the best, went to the best places to see what everyone asked to see. And best price even.

Sunlight On Water

4.7

(302 reviews)

Jack's Diving Locker

(585 reviews)

If you plan on diving in Kona be sure you book your trip with Jack's Dive Locker! The dive masters…read moreput safety first and were all very knowledgeable and fun. This was my first night dive and they made it comfortable and enjoyable. The night dive was the Manta ray dive. Incredible! 12 rays that fed right over our heads for an hour. Just MAJESTIC! Book with Jack's and have the time of your life on one of the greatest dives around! Thank you to Keller, George, L, Presley and Captain Joe.

My wife, Kallie, and I had not done a full open-water dive since 2017, so when we planned our Kona…read moretrip, we decided to return to Jack's Diving Locker--the same company we had dived with back in 2008, according to our dive logs. The booking process was extremely easy. I called with several questions, and the staff was helpful, informative, and reassuring. Because it had been so long since our last actual dive, we chose to book a private divemaster for the two of us. We had completed a refresher in June 2025 for a planned dive weekend that unfortunately never happened, so we knew we would probably be a little rusty. Jack's also saved the day before we even got in the water. My personal Atomic prescription mask unexpectedly failed when the strap attachment tore out of the mask itself. I was worried I would either have to cancel or spend the dives as "Mr. Magoo," but the shop had prescription masks available and fitted me with one that worked perfectly. That level of preparedness and customer service made the entire dive day possible for me. Our divemaster, Sabrina, was absolutely fantastic. She was pleasant, friendly, social, knowledgeable, and incredibly patient throughout the entire experience. During our first dive, I had some difficulty clearing my ears. Sabrina stayed calm and helped me work through it, reminding me of techniques I had used years ago when I was diving more regularly and occasionally had "bad ear days." Both Kallie and I were a little rusty on that first dive, but Sabrina never rushed us or made us feel uncomfortable. By the second dive, my ear issues had resolved, we were both much more relaxed, and the old muscle memory started coming back--including some of what I learned during my Peak Performance Buoyancy certification. The difference between the first and second dives was huge, and Sabrina's patience and guidance were a major reason why. Sabrina also went above and beyond outside the dives themselves. While chatting with us about the rest of our trip, she recommended the Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm as a "must visit." We had somehow missed it in our planning, immediately looked it up, and booked the VIP experience, where Kallie and I each get to hold a seahorse twice. That recommendation made our trip even better. I would recommend Jack's Diving Locker--and Sabrina as a private divemaster--**100,000% and without hesitation** to anyone, especially divers returning after a long break. The entire experience was professional, safe, relaxed, accommodating, and genuinely fun. Sabrina also took all of the underwater photos from our dive day, which gave us some fantastic memories of the experience: https://arroyo.smugmug.com/2026-Photos-and-Pics/HI-Vacation-Big-Island/Day-3-Kona-Diving

Kona Honu Divers

4.8

(417 reviews)

Went on a two-tank morning dive with Kona Honu Divers on 07/17/2026. From the time I signed up…read moreuntil I was shaking hands with Captain John, their communication and customer service were excellent. No problems finding the boat at the Marina, and the dive staff that day were beyond outstanding. Anna, Sara, and Captain John made these dives the best dive trip I have ever taken. I was placed with dive pro Anna, and from the very start she exuded confidence and experience you always hope for when going on a dive with a dive group you have never been with before. Safety was paramount, and nothing was left to chance before we set off into the deep blue. When your dive master and dive pros are just as excited to see marine life as the divers are, you know you are on the right boat. It made the dives so much more fulfilling for me, seeing Anna so excited to find us and point out different marine life during our dives. Anna is a true "Ocean Whisperer," and I will absolutely seek her out and Kona Honu Divers in the future when I return to Kona, HI. Thank you, Anna, for the great dives you took us on and your passion for diving, the ocean, and all that is in it! Thank you, Kona Honu divers, for providing the absolutely best diving experience anyone can ask for.....til next time! Mahalo!!

Crew was very nice and helpful. Enjoyed the smaller boat /…read moreparty size. We went to more remote dive sites off the beaten path

Pacific Rim Divers

4.9

(45 reviews)

Just getting back into diving. This was my third trip to HI in 3 months and this was my first with…read morePacific Rim Divers. Where to start? As their website says, "Small groups and a relaxed atmosphere." We hadn't even left the harbor and it felt like I'd known them forever. While very easy going, the all female (clearly very experienced and professional) crew is right on top of the smallest detail, catching gotchas before you make a splash. After each dive, if they noticed something that might prove beneficial (weight, trim, danglies, etc) they were right there offering a solution if you want it. What an outstanding operation! Then there's the Kona coast diving. From mantas and eels and turtles, down to the tiniest nudies, This gang knew and found them all. I was new to underwater photography for this trip and was pleasantly surprised that a few of the crew were into it big time.,They helped a ton, from camera buoyancy and balance to setting up shots underwater and then rinsing/handling my gear after I handed it up. I did get some amazing shots! Kudos to the owner Kai, for putting together an outstanding crew of captains/divemasters. This will absolutely be my go to boat for Kona diving!

Kai and her crew are wonderful. We left the boat wishing we had scheduled more dives with them!…read more They took us to two different spots and showed us some wonderful fish. Their joyful glee in sharing their scuba world was contagious and made the dives far more enjoyable. They had that kid in a candy store joy when seeing fish underwater and were quite knowledgeable in identifying every fish in the reef. They start earlier then the other shops so you get to the dive spots before those boats arrive and don't have to spend time bouncing around trying to find room along the shoreline. I didn't realize until a few days later how beneficial it was to be the early bird in that ocean. I rented all my gear from them and the quality of the wetsuit and BCD was the best of the three dive shops I used while in Hawaii. I am typically first to return and enjoyed my time getting to know the captain while waiting on the other divers. It felt like talking to an old friend. The snacks provided were a mix of anything one might desire, they had cheese, apples, trail mix, and homemade brownies! The only boat I want to use for future dives in Kona!!

Hawaii Marine Life Charters