We always have a great experience with Fair Wind Cruises. My family goes on this snorkel trip every year during our annual Hawaii vacation, and it has become such a fun tradition for us. I usually suffer from sea sickness but I never feel ill on the Fair Winds boats. The staff is always so nice and friendly, which makes the whole experience even more enjoyable. We do miss the BBQ burgers they used to cook for lunch on the boat, but the vegetarian menu they offer now is still pretty good. We also really appreciate their efforts to be environmentally friendly, which makes us feel even better about supporting them. Overall, it is always a memorable and enjoyable trip, and we look forward to it every year! read more

Went on the fair wind with my family, and we had a blast. There was some good vegan food ( the sliders weren't my favorite) and free root beer. The scenery around was really pretty and I saw lot of coral reef and mountainous views from the water. The staff there was awesome and they attended to everyone needs well. I love snorkeling now. read more

Fair Wind Cruises - Brother about to look underwater - Boating Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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A Snorkeling Dream!   you HAVE to take this tour! i've gone on several boat/snorkel tours again but this was the best one i've ever done! everyone who works here is funny, friendly, and hospitable. they make the experience so much more enjoyable. big shout out to dante! he's the best and super knowledgeable of the island so definitely go chat it up with him!   the food was INSANE. it's so fresh, tasty, and healthy. i have a ton of food allergies and the staff went above and beyond to accommodate me and feed me :) thank you!   because we snorkel in a protected space, there's a ton of fish and it's so pretty! the boat is fun and there's 2 slides, a diving board, and inner tubes! absolutely recommend! read more

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Thank you Captain Chris and crew for a memorable time in Kona. My boys truly enjoyed the Manta Ray Night snorkel. They saw many of these glorious creatures doing circle 8's , dining on Plankton. The crew was top notch and made sure all on board were comfortable and safe and accounted for. Also I noticed Fair winds was in the water a little longer than other outfits. The vegetarian soup and hot cocoa was delicious afterwards . Mahalo ! read more

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Super Fun Snorkel Trip with Fair Wind! Had an awesome time snorkeling with Fair Wind in Kona! The crew was super friendly and made everything easy from the start. The boat was really comfortable, and the slide and jump deck were such a fun bonus. We went to Kealakekua Bay, and the water was so clear tons of colorful fish and coral, and we even saw an octopus. The gear was solid, and clean. Definitely one of the best parts of our trip to the Big Island. Would totally recommend it to anyone looking to get in the water and see some amazing marine life! read more

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We went out on the afternoon snorkel to the caption cook memorial. I wish we would have been told the water conditions ahead of time as we went out before a storm was coming in which created a very rough and choppy ride to our location. It should have only taken us 30 minutes to get us to where we were to snorkel instead it took us 45 minutes. My youngest threw up 3x and my husband got very sea sick. I haven't ever got sea sick before but got a bit queasy on this ride. Besides that the crew were great the Captain had a great sense of humor. On our way back we saw 3 spinner dolphins and 2 bottle necks. They swam right next to our boat and enjoyed watching them jump. The Captain got a call for a distressed swimmer and had to turn around the boat to assist in the rescue. They did such a great job at keeping their composure during a stressful situation with a boat full of concerned passengers. They were able to get the patient onboard and got all the necessary equipment to attempt to revive the patient. Once we got to our dock they got the patient to the ambulance and helped us all get off. read more

Superb snorkeling experience! Our family of four went today, and the staff - Captain Dante, Emma, and others from all over Hawai'i and the mainland - made sure we were safe and had a gala time. Pick up was at 8:30 am at Keauhou Harbor. We arrived about 15 minutes before and found some street parking. We then checked in, slathered on reef-safe sunscreen, got our snorkeling masks, and used the restrooms before boarding the Fair Winds Catamaran for the 45 minute shore-hugging cruise to our snorkeling spot - the coral reef in Kealakekua Bay (which also houses the Captain Cook monument). We were served breakfast - muesli and banana bread - on the ride over, and then got outfitted with snorkeling fins and any additional safety equipment we needed (like a life vest or rubber tube). Then it was into the water - for 3 glorious hours, with a short break for lunch - jackfruit and chickpea sliders, salad and taro chips, with coffee. I started out quite nervous, and the staff members were kind enough to advise me to snorkel close by, holding onto a rope strung under the catamaran, till I got comfortable. Once I learned how to float and swim and readjust my equipment (when I accidentally swallowed sea water, or when water seeped into my mask), I was good to go. The crowd was friendly. There were probably 80 passengers, and folks were helpful, giving us snorkeling tips and pointing out the best spots - like a school of brilliant yellow tang, slow-moving iridescent parrotfish, octopuses, or the Hawaiian state fish - humuhumunukunukuapua'a - which stands for triggerfish with a snout like a pig! They also warned me which areas to stay away from - such as those with a proliferation of painful long-spined porcupine-like sea urchins! I enjoyed myself thoroughly, especially on my post-lunch snorkel when the water was warmer and I'd figured which spots I liked the best. I blissfully lost track of time, and barely heard the warning conch shell that summoned us back to the boat at 12:30 pm. The ride back was fun! We were given delicious cookies - macadamia chocolate nut and ginger molasses - and swung out over the Pacific farther out from shore than the route we'd taken on our way south. The ocean was choppy, and our tween and I thoroughly enjoyed the roller coaster ride, whooping and hollering as we spotted humpback whales breaching and spouting, dolphins frolicking underneath our catamaran, and hundreds of Malolo flying fish scrambling to get out of our path! Her older sister and their mother were more subdued. We were back at the harbor by 1:30 pm. Areas for improvement. -- A lot of people were not happy with the food options, but we didn't mind that as much. -- A much bigger pain point for us was that the snorkels were low quality and kept coming apart. Both our daughters had trouble, which took away from an otherwise stellar experience. We expected more, given this cost our family almost $700. Otherwise, this was a spectacular experience - highly recommended. read more

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Fair Wind Snorkel Cruises was absolutely the best choice for our night snorkel manta ray excursion! Customer service was above and beyond with Chris, Derek, and the rest of the staff. I found the educational piece as we were leaving dock and anchoring to be super interesting and intriguing, adding value to the trip with these special creatures. We were told on a typical "good evening," you would expect to see four manta rays. We lucked out so much and saw NINE!! This was such a special experience as they swam right up to us, belly up, doing flips and turns the whole time. Fair Wind also provides soup after you get out of the water, and offers adult beverages for purchase. We are still raving about this excursion to family and friends, and will be for quite some time! read more

It's a lovely day on and in the water. The Hula Kai is our favorite boat to go snorkeling, usually in two different spots each with its unique conditions to see fish. We have had this experience many times. The people who work here are a great group. Friendly and caring. The breakfast and lunch are enjoyable. read more

Fair Wind Cruises - I don't like getting my face wet! The view box is an ideal alternative to see the fish and ocean bottom. - Boating Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

We recently were on the Big Island for vacation, and took the Fair Winds Crusies snorkeling cruise. We did a lot of research in picking the company to go with, and we didn't regret our choice in the slightest. The cruise over and back were relatively smooth; the Captain did a good job of reading the seas and riding the sweels as smoothly as possible. The crew was on the younger side, but that wasn't any type of issue at all - they all knew what they were doing. Plus, they all were very personable and all had a great sense of humor. The atmosphere on the way to the snorkeling site (Kealakekua Bay), during the snorkeling event itself, and on the way back was upbeat, lighthearted and fun. Both the boat and the snorkeling equipment was in great condition. Basically, there was nothing about this adventure that wasn't first rate, and we highly recommend it to anyone looking for a half day adventure while on the Big Island. read more

5 stars for the experience (snorkel, slides) but zero stars for forcing everyone on a vegan lunch. Bring back the hamburgers and give people an option. read more

Great trip on a larger boat, the crew and process was smooth and easy. If you want a larger more stable boat to go snorkeling on this is a great boat to choose. read more

We recently took our 6th Fair Wind cruise last month. The ride was beautiful both ways and we were able to see whales and spinner dolphins. The boat was nice with clean restrooms. The staff as always were personable and knowledgeable. The only negative was the main meal, it was awful. The jackfruit fillings lacked both taste and appearance. The barbecue like filling was ok. The faux fish salad was a real stinker. Perhaps offer one non vegan option? I seem to remember grilled fish or chicken. We will continue to recommend your snorkeling trips to friends but caution them to bring their own lunch or consider another charter. read more

What went well? EVERYTHING!!! Have done both the morning snorkel and Manta Ray adventure. The crew really makes this company great. Smart, caring, patient, and filled with fun. The accommodations are top notch, the equipment the same. It's always the first thing I sign up to do when visiting the Big Island. read more

This was my first time with Fair Wind. I've used other vessels this year and Fair Wind definitely has some major pluses. They offer a significantly larger vessel so they've got a water slide and high platform dive option which was a fun treat for all. The double decker boat has plenty of shade below and elevated views from the top deck. Food service was very attentive and we appreciated the vegetarian farm to table options. With the larger boat comes some extra flotation options and for the members in the crew (my 85 yr old mother) can also swim with a view finder in lieu of a snorkel . Grandma loved it BTW! They used multiple life guards perched high above. There was not much interaction once in the water but that was not expected. Love the free street parking option and launch point south of city center making it a great option for those staying in Captain Cook area. read more

Fair Wind Cruises - Says it all! - Boating Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

My coworker recommended Fair Wind Snorkel Cruises and we had a spectacular time. We chose the Morning Kealakekua Snorkel Tour (It was about a 4.5 hour cruise). We made reservations online a few days (we realized that it was getting booked up quickly so just make sure the spots don't sell out). We checked in at 8:30 AM and the staff were really helpful and communicative. Our family were welcomed aboard and they gave us the safety lessons and talked us through what to expect. While our boat was heading to Captain Cook Monument, we even spotted spinner dolphins! Food options: Guests are served a light, plant-based tropical breakfast with a fresh island fruit bowl, traditional muesli, homemade banana bread, herbal tea, and 100% Kona Coffee. For lunch - a BBQ jackfruit sandwich and a chickpea sandwich (tuna salad style). Sides include Ulu (breadfruit) & purple sweet potato salad and a mixed green salad with an array of homemade dressings. Everything was plant based! The overall experience while snorkeling was so memorable, probably our favorite part of the trip! Kids loved the slides and dive decks. I loved seeing all the sea life and my husband had a fabulous time! Thank you Fair Wind Snorkel Cruises for an experience that would last a lifetime. Did i mention that we even saw humpback whales on the way back?! read more

All of our expectations were exceeded with our snorkel experience! We rode on the Hula Kai boat. Staff was exceptional, and the breakfast and lunch were surprisingly delicious. Great time on the water, both on the boat just cruising and snorkeling. Relaxing overall. It was my husbands first time snorkeling - he felt safe the whole time and had an incredible experience. Definitely recommend the Hula Kai experience for adult groups or couples! read more

My partner and I did the cruise to Capt Cook monument and loved it! The bay is great for snorkeling and the crew is awesome. I particularly love their dedication to sustainability. They provide plenty of reef safe sunscreen, plant based snacks and take other precautions to protect the breathtaking nature we travel to enjoy. Mahalo, Fair Wind- We will be back! read more

Great and fun experience! Crew were all great and friendly. I would recommend to residents and visitors. We got to see a lot of spinning dolphins. read more

Fair Wind Cruises - Dolphin escorting us out of the bay - Boating Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

The manta ray snorkel was amazing. We're so Glad we did it and Fair Wind did it really well. It was very organized and they had hot cocoa and soup to warm up with when we got out of the water. Highly recommend. read more

The Fair Wind Snorkel cruise was very well put together. We felt safe with the crew for our first time snorkeling with our kids. They offer flotation devices and buggy boards with a view port for my daughter that didn't want to put her head in the water. The food was plant based but surprisingly tasty. read more

Fair Wind Cruises - Captain Cook Monument - Boating Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

We took the afternoon snorkel tour. It was great! We left the harbor in Kona at 1:30 and motored out to Captain Cook's Monument. The captain pointed out interesting sights along the way. We spent about 1.5 hours in the bay by the monument. We saw so many colorful fish and lots of coral. All the equipment was provided. The crew was wonderful. I would gladly take this tour again if I am visiting the area! read more

TOP NOTCH! We went on the Hula Kai tour and were beyond happy. THANK YOU for offering somewhat of an adult only tour, it was a wonderful, fun, and relaxing day on the water. The food was FENOMINAL, I cant say enough about the food. The crew and captain were great, warm, and friendly. Highly recommend. read more

Wasn't sure about trying a larger group, family oriented snorkeling tour. However, my opinion changed quickly. This is a great snorkel cruise with great amenities, guided, and perfect for families. My only recommendation is a better variety of food options instead of the plant based meals especially lunch which my family and I were not fond of. Would repeat. read more

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Great snorkeling tour. Yummy breakfast and lunch. The purple potato chips were my favorite. Lots of fish to see. Totally recommend.

The whole experience with this business was smooth... from booking our trips, to checking in, the crew was amazing, the Hula Kai boat was very nice, the food was good, and the snorkeling was great! We did a day snorkel trip and we also did the evening snorkeling with the mantas. Both were awesome! read more

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Over the past 12 years, my opinion of them has declined somewhat. I understand that they were recently sold to new owners, and I felt a different vibe during my recent experience. The boat and the snorkeling trip near the Captain Cook monument remain largely the same. However, what used to be a reliable meal and snack offering has shifted dramatically, focusing now on foods that many people simply don't eat. Back in 2012, the lunch options were typical and most people finished what was served. Fast forward to 2024, and the offerings have changed significantly. Breakfast consisted only of cold oatmeal with papaya, banana, pineapple, and dried cranberries. Coffee, water, and sodas were available, but that was it. For lunch, there were two sliders per person, each about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, filled with some sort of unappetizing mystery meat (there were two flavors of this mystery meat). These sliders were accompanied by vegan coleslaw and taro chips. I am writing this because it was disheartening to see how much food was wasted. The solution seems simple: serve more traditional or familiar foods that the average snorkeler would enjoy, such as deli meat and cheese sandwiches with chips, rather than focusing exclusively on vegan or vegetarian options, especially when much of what was prepared went uneaten. Additionally, it would be helpful to inform guests in advance about the menu so they can bring their own food if they prefer something more palatable, especially for children who might have been satisfied with a simple PB&J. read more

I cannot say enough amazing things about this experience & this crew. We booked via Viator for a day snorkeling adventure in captain cook Bay Area (can't spell the Hawaiian name lol). The staff was so friendly and chill. Other than going over some safety tips, they would super hands off and let us enough the day. The food was so good and I appreciated their dedication to reduce their footprint and protect the sea by providing mineral based sun screen & composting leftovers. So thankful we found them - look no further and book them!! read more

Fair Wind Cruises - Boating Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Fun trip. Small kids welcomed. Great captain and team on the boat. Highly recommend. Well worth the cost. read more

Fair Wind Cruises - The boat - Boating Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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Afternoon Snorkel A super fun trip for all! There are so many options for this type of activity in Kona but I'm so glad we went with Fair Winds. We have tried other big boats but the glove didn't quite fit. The bay provides the real stars, and this particular crew makes sure you enjoy every bit of it. Their knowledge of the bay and apparent love for the island comes through. If you are comfortable in the water this a super fun group to book. The diving board, and slides were a hit. One of the crew mates is particularly engaging w teens and all young kids. My group has strong, experienced swimmers who've snorkeled before but I injured my back a year ago, my teen son had surgery a month ago, and our youngest is 8. I booked this boat based on the stairs alone. I had zero issue getting in and out. People of all ages were in and out. They have every tool available for ALL ages to enjoy the water. They are super helpful. Kids will be hungry so plan accordingly. We were served fresh pineapple and homemade veggie chips. Delicious and light. Perfect for many, but not all. We cannot say enough good things about this team and the boat. We interacted w almost everyone and they were all fantastic. Special thanks to our fellow CO peeps. We were super impressed w their work ethic, team work, and disinfecting process. Captain Tim runs a tight ship. Well done! read more

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The two of us had an amazing time on the Hula Kai. It was a great way to spend my birthday. The crew was amazing. With tons of knowledge and expertise. We got lucky on the way out and saw a pod of spinner dolphins. And also. Humpback whales. We stopped at two different snorkeling spots. Both being amazing but the captain Cook snorkeling spot was incredible. So clear. We had an awesome lunch that was plant-based. Going out on their smaller boat was an incredible experience. Very clean and comfortable. And on our way back, we were fortunate to see humpback whales again. They gave us a lot of history of Hawaii on the way out and the way back. read more

Fun for the whole family- lovely experience, great staff and yummy vegan foods. Mahalo!

Great boats . Easy entry. Experienced and very professional crew. A first class experience. Highly recommended.

Hard between 4-5 star I could type a book but Will try and make it easy to help fellow helpers decide if this is the right cruise for you Pros / super professional, helpful , good vibes all around. The boat was nice and had slides and high dive to enjoy. The crew was friendly with my little kids as much myself. I really think they made it a great trip Cons/ I needed some real protein during the trip and the vegan only options didn't go over well with myself or kids. I would bring some snacks. I also wish when I called the lady told me to bring my own snorkel gear since it is good stuff. They cater to the beginner and for people that have good gear that fits - I would bring it Lastly is the price - it is expensive but again paying for great help and customer service. They do give a AAA and or veteran discount but u have to call. They should make this more obvious read more

Fair Wind Cruises - The front of the boat - Boating Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

This was a great experience! I the down side, I would have liked to see bigger fish and have help taking some underwater pics . The crew was great, we saw a few on our way back and the crew jumped in to get a closer look . This will be an awesome memory and story to tell for a lifetime read more

My third time with Fair Winds, and the first afternoon cruise, not as many fish as the last two morning cruises but incredible fun anyways. Hoping to see some dolphins on the way/back but no more dakine! read more

We went on the Fair Wind last week. We all agreed that it was the best part of our trip. I've been on maybe 4-5 snorkel boats in the state and this was by far the best one. The staff was super friendly (they usually are on these boats though). The boat was well equipped. The bathroom was actually spacious. Seating was plenty and there was plenty of shaded spots which is a huge plus. The food was great even though it's all vegan. The slides and the diving platform are a nice extra touch. Boat was super smooth--when we were stopped at K Bay, you could barely even feel it move. I get sea sick easily and had no problems on this boat. It was also nice that it left at a reasonable time in the morning. We stayed at the Fairmont so it was a bit of a drive, but we didn't have to wake up obnoxiously early to get to the harbor in time. We definitely would do this trip again. read more

I like a lot of things about this Snorkel trip and I have done a lot of snorkeling in my time in different places. I did the afternoon trip to the Monument. Thank you for going out at a normal hour! It's the reason I booked it. Most other trips go out at 7 or 8 AM OMG! My legs don't start coordinating until after noon. This boat leaves from a port right next door to the Sheraton Hotel--if you are staying there--you can walk over. If you are driving like I did, then easy free parking on the street leading up to the port and you walk it over. This is largest Snorkeling vessel you will find--it's the Carnival Cruise Line of Snorkel Boats. Well..not that big. I have never seen one larger for snorkeling though. This is also one of the safest snorkeling trips as you end up snorkeling a few feet from the shore in shallow water near the Monument. The area they take you to snorkel is one some people hike to and then snorkel. There are fish there--and lots of other snorkelers from other boats so you have to be careful and alert so someone's fin's don't wack you in the head like what happened to me a couple of times. The Captain of this ship (wish I could recall his name) was the best personality you will have operating such a tour. He said he has been doing this for 15 years--he is on automatic pilot. Great guy--best in the business. But the crew changes often it seems and he has to re-train. On my boat there were a lot of crew from my area: California--spending the summer in Hawaii working on the boat. Lot's of children--tons of children on this boat. More than I have ever seen on any boat. You have to like children to take this tour. Children love the water slides. And they have a non stop diving board too! And on the afternoon trip they serve you Pineapple from the owner's farm in Hawaii--it was the best!! And they have 2 hoses to give yourself a fresh water shower after--little did they know that I take a 30 minute shower...But I was clean after this trip... Pro-tip: You are spending 1000's of dollars to vacation in Hawaii--before you leave home, go to the sporting goods store (Dick's or Big 5--what ever your favorite is) and buy your own Snorkel Mask and Tube that has a device on it that prevents salt water from coming down the tube--most do. This can't cost more than $30 to $40 dollars I saw in Dicks--the best set was $50. Get in a pool and practice swimming with the mask and the tube over and over. If it fogs up, rinse it and keep going. You need this experience in order to have a valuable time snorkeling in the ocean. Yes, I know they give you a mask and tube--but you don't have any time to learn how to use it properly while treading water in the ocean. Practice in the pool. I travel with my own Fins too, they make great compact ones now for travel--but you can use theirs--but get your own mask and tube--does not take up a lot of room. On my boat 50%-60% of people had their own equipment. You can also practice in your Hotel Pool I saw a lot of people doing. Practice the breathing though the tube while floating. You want to be comfortable with your equipment ready to jump in the water and snorkel when they give you the go--not wasting valuable time trying to get it to fit right or with a tube that you will be sucking in salt water. I saw that too many people using the borrowed equipment did not last long in the ocean--invest $40-$50 in a great experience. (Another $30 for compact fins that fit your feet.) Plus you can use it again and again in Hawaii off the shore at many beaches and other trips. They give you 1.5 hours to snorkel which is enough time because your mouth gets tired of gripping the Tube mouthpiece after 1 hour. Unless you are someone that talks a lot and you built up some strong muscles from Jaw-Boning all day--then you can go 1.5 hours. Go and do this trip--it's one of my best memories of the trip to the Big Island. read more

Fair Wind Cruises - Prior to boarding. - Boating Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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Greet customer service, team was very personable and made the experience great. Food was provided, it's all vegan and the beef chips were great. read more

Today was our second time in five years we've gone snorkeling with Fair Wind. It's a family owned business. The snorkeling equipment is plentiful; the life preserver belts; the inner tubes; the view boxes (for non snorkeling person like myself); the water slides, all make for a great outing. We took in the morning excursion. It includes breakfast & lunch, coffee, sodas, and cookies for dessert. The last hour is alcohol for sale. The food is plant based. They switched over from burgers and hot dogs. And they are very eco conscious. Trying to reduce garbage. I'm a carnivore myself but plant based food made with the right ingredients and spices makes for a great meal. We prefer morning cuz the water is calmer. Snorkeling location is by the Captain Cook monument. It's a great cove. As a result there are other vessels and kayaks too. The music playlist is wonderful. It's from the 60's. My generation. The staff is great. They do a wonderful job of keeping everyone safe and comfortable. The husband and wife team who own the business were on deck as was their son. They're very hands on. It was difficult to wear a mask during these COVID times but we felt relatively safe as you're outdoors and breezy. This outing was the candle on top of the cake as we're going back home tomorrow. read more

Fair Wind Cruises - Plant based lunch - Boating Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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