Sunlight On Water

The best experience ever! Our original trip got canceled,…read morethey explained it to is ahead and even helped reschedule within our travel constraints and made it super fun. Some of us were experienced swimmers and some super scared of water. Overall it was the absolute highlight of our trip. Jordan and Ula were our guides and they were super funny, kept us safe and comfortable the whole time.

I am not a strong swimmer but having visited big island, I really wanted to try snorkeling. After a…read morequick Yelp search, I found this tour and decided to give it a shot. First off, they provide all types of floatation devices - life jackets, noodles etc. This was the deal breaker for us and that's why we chose them. Making a reservation was fairly easy. Once we arrived, parking was super easy, they have a big lot and parking was free. We were given all the floatation devices, snorkel masks etc to help us get started. The boat itself was big. It was loaded with snacks, soft drinks and water. We took the boat out to the captain cook bay. The ride itself was super fun. We saw dolphins, grotto and interesting birds on the way to the bay. Once we were at the bay, we quickly changed into our swimsuit, put on the snorkeling gear and jumped into the water. The boat also had a slide. The water itself was perfect temperature. We saw plenty of fish - zebra, trumpet, urchins etc. It was truly spectacular. The fish were swimming all around me and the experience was amazing. Right after the snorkeling experience, the tour guide served sandwiches for lunch. Being a vegetarian, I was happy to find out that they had made some vegetarian sandwiches too. They also had pickles, garlic ranch and chips as sides. The lunch was not too heavy and not too light. It was the right amount. They also had pleasant background music throughout the trip. The ride back was equally fun and smooth. If you are looking for a snorkeling experience, I highly recommend this tour!

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 Swim

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Wet Suits

Wahine Charters

4.8

(306 reviews)

Locally owned & operated

Kid friendly

We had a great day out searching for Whales! The staff was great with communication and answering…read morequestions before the trip.

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.

Swim responsibly with Wild Dolphins.

Mantas!

Sea Turtle

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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

Paradise Sailing Hawaii

5.0

(75 reviews)

0.2 mi

What a fantastic way to start our trip. We saw dolphins, snorkeled in some beautiful areas and had…read morea peaceful sail. Julia and Mike were awesome guides. So knowledgeable about the island waters. They were pleasant and nice. They took us out to areas they were not crowded which was awesome. We loved having a private catamaran, such a treat. This was the best water tour we have ever been on. Highly recommended over and over!!

Yumi and Eric are a fun and personable couple who run private chartered catamaran tours on their…read moreboat Kolea. Knowledgeable, efficient, well organized, they relate well to their guests. They're professional and friendly which makes for a fun and relaxing sailing experience. You can customize your tour for just sailing, snorkeling, or whale watching during the right months. They are familar with the good snorkeling spots and oriented us with the reef using Google Maps before we jumped in so we could visualize where we would be heading. The boat is very clean and they work hard to keep it that way. It has a couple of cool nets where you can lie down and take a nap spread eagle if you want facing the heavens. There is also a "head" you can hit if you need to or you can go in the ocean. Non alcoholic drinks and snacks are provided and you can BYOB and cooler if you want. You can order lunches (sandwiches and wraps ) ahead of time with them or bring your own food. They have snorkeling gear and noodles aboard for your use. One nice feature is hand held shower to wash down after you swim. Thanks for a great Kona sailing experience!

Napping on the nets

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Dolphin

Alii Ocean Tours

(167 reviews)

Had a great day snorkeling with Erin and McKenzie. We saw several dolphins and group of 3 whales…read morevery close by the boat. The snorkeling was amazing; so many fish, a turtle, and perfect weather. Lovely lunch and a lot of great information.

Everything was perfect. Cindy and Erin were great with making our morning fun. They were organized,…read morehelpful, fun and the food was delicious !

Whale time!

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Captain Zodiac

(458 reviews)

0.2 mi

Rick and Davonte were amazing!!!! Their knowledge and humor kept the group entertained all…read moreafternoon. Highly recommend this Kona experience.

We just did a tour with Captain Zodiac in Kona and it was honestly such a special experience. Our…read moreguides, Ashley and Alec, were incredible. They were so knowledgeable and friendly, and they really took the time to answer every single question we had. Both Ashely and Alec have researched whales in Alaska and Hawaii, so hearing specific researcher knowledge was really cool. Ashley was also just so enthusiastic. She really made us understand how special it was to be out there witnessing these animals. The water was a little rocky at times, but we still saw so many whales, including one that got within 30 yards of our boat. The best part was actually on the way back. We were already at time for the tour, but Ashley noticed a group of boats congregating and went to investigate. It ended up being a whale shark that came right up by the boat, which the guides told us is an incredibly rare event. It was just an awesome thing to see. You can really tell they have so much reverence and respect for the whales. If you have any interest in seeing these animals up close and hearing from specialists who work with them full time, this is the company to go with. We have so much respect for the work Ashley and Alec do.

Breaching Humpback whales during our whale watch tour

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Breaching Humpback whales during our whale watch tour

Hawaii Marine Life Charters

4.3

(12 reviews)

This was hands down one of the most incredible experiences of our Hawaii trip. Mitch and Riley made…read moreit absolutely perfect from start to finish. From the moment we arrived, they made sure our wetsuits and equipment fit properly and that everything was clean and well-maintained. We were one of two family groups on our boat. Mitch and Riley were incredibly patient and supportive with the group that included some not-so-strong swimmers. They took extra time to explain everything and provided everyone with clear instruction and attentive support throughout the swim. That level of professionalism truly set them apart. The little details made a big difference too; snacks and drinks were provided. When one of our members started feeling sick, they even had ginger ale ready, which was such a thoughtful touch. We also loved that this was a smaller boat, which made the experience feel more intimate and personalized rather than crowded or rushed. On top of that, they took amazing photos and videos of our experience and AirDropped everything to us afterward, so we could just focus on enjoying the magic of swimming with the mantas without worrying about capturing it ourselves. If you're considering a manta ray night swim, do not hesitate to book with this team. Mitch and Riley went above and beyond, and we'll remember this experience forever.

I booked this snorkel for my family. Brian was their tour guide. He was not very hospitable or…read morefriendly. He was very negative to my brother with Down Syndrome which crushed his spirit which therefore he ended up not even getting into the water. My brother has gone on many other snorkel tours with us and the tour guides have gone above and beyond for him. This is my first experience with someone being so unkind to him. Also, my mom was getting back into the boat and Brian just sat there and didn't even offer a hand to help her back on the boat. Every dive and snorkel tour I have been on my guide has always stuck a hand out or offered to help if needed. I have gone snorkeling and diving with Manta Rays on the Big Island with other companies and have never had this experience. I will NEVER book with this company again.

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Sea Quest Hawaii

(1k reviews)

8.5 mi

B & Brooke were fantastic guides! They knew everything about the ocean. I'd book them again in a…read moreheartbeat!

We did a Captain Cook snorkeling tour with Sea Quest Hawaii today and were very impressed. Erin,…read morethe phone representative, was friendly, patient, and answered all my questions, which made me choose this company. Captain Natalie and Assistant Anna were fantastic, knowledgeable, funny, and very attentive throughout the trip. Captain Natalie shared interesting stories about Captain Cook and the surrounding lava caves, and she even helped me with my snorkeling gear and inflating the vest. The snorkeling spot near Captain Cook Monument was incredible, and we saw so many fish. They also provided fresh fruit, chips, cookies, and soft drinks. Thanks to Captain Natalie and Anna, all six of us had a great time and would highly recommend this company.

Exploring Sea Caves and Lava Tubes

Up Close & Personal with the Manta Rays on the Night Manta Experience

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Expedition South Kona

Kona Style

(320 reviews)

2.6 mi

The owner Alika, a Veteran, is an awesome man, always supporting Veteran events…read more The boat Captain and crew are very knowledgeable about the area and the Hawaiian culture. They all have and show much Aloha. Mahalo guys

We were blessed to go out for an afternoon private charter Saturday afternoon as part of a…read morefundraiser for Mental Restorations Foundation. Smooth sailing all the way to Kealakekua Bay, a primo snorkel spot. Loved the cultural extras--the Oli Kāhea to show respect before entering this sacred space and Taps to honor those who sacrificed all in service to our country. Great lunch courtesy of Christine's Deli. Mahalo for the Aloha shown by you and your staff, both in the office & on the boat. A hui hou!

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Veiw from the bow

C. Hawk Hawaii

5.0

(43 reviews)

0.0 mi

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!

The captain holding a large yellow fin tuna.

Family Fun!

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Kahalu'u Beach Park

4.4

(396 reviews)

7.3 mi

Great beach! It has shade and some good views. Definitely a good place to bring the family as it is…read moresomewhat protected. Parking is expensive kind of a bummer. The area itself didn't have much amenities, but definitely have palm trees and shade, which was nice in the afternoon. Happy to make it on our first day

We swim here regularly, year-round. IMHO this is the best all-around snorkeling beach on the…read moreisland, but as with any ocean activity the surf and tide will affect your experience, so ask the lifeguards or the volunteers for advice. This protected bay has over 120 species of resident fish, and usually has clear water. Other than urchins (7 species) there is no marine life to worry about. Turtle sitings are more likely at high tide when their salad bar (the algae on the rocks) is available. Typically from 9 to 3 daily the Reef Teach volunteers have photo guide books and other reference materials available, along with free advice, defog spray, and reef-safe sunscreen. Water access is the narrow and shallow rocky channel in front of the lifeguard station by the parking and pavilion. Swim fins or sand shoes are recommended. The locals value their feet and swim through it even at low tide when it is only a foot deep. Coming back in you can actually swim all the way back to the sandy channel. The water is usually noticeably warmer and clearer away from the entry. The bay is shallow with only a few places that are even 8' deep at high tide. Unless you really need to, don't stand on the bottom or coral - fins and feet damage it.

| #intenselypassionatephotography

Locals

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Water is way more blue. Pic not doing justice.

Makalawena Beach

4.6

(50 reviews)

8.4 mi

This was a nice clean beach to settle into for the day. The water was clear and had a lot of see…read morelife to see snorkeling. I hung out for a long time following a squid watching it change to its surroundings.

As some travel experts have pointed out, Makalawena Beach is arguably the best beach on the Big…read moreIsland that cannot be reached by road. That's right, there are two ways to reach this beautiful white sand beach and gem by hiking, and the path I took was via the Kekaha Kai State Park's main parking lot, and first that is a rough 20-minute drive with 4x4 vehicles like Jeeps from Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway to that trailhead. Then it's about another 30-minute hike in each direction and you go on lots of loose lava rocks and it can get hot, so make sure you have sunscreen, a good bucket hat, and plenty of water. I don't know about the second way in, so I could not speak to that method. But in any case, it is so worth the time and effort when it was all said and done. There were a few crowds when getting to Makalawena Beach but not super busy at all. You'll find other tide pools, palm trees, and other native plants. Waves are rather rough at times, but it is still swimmable for the most part.

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Magic Sands Beach

4.0

(67 reviews)

6.2 mi

The view was epic, the rocks not so conducive to snorkeling or swimming. Lots of visitors, not the…read moresolitude I need when visiting such a stunning place. Historical area, lots to learn about the fishing folks and how they treating their fishing grounds with such respect, much for us to learn from.

Come back after a month. Still beautiful but no luck with the sunset. Free parking across the…read morestreet, velvety white sands, amenity and lifeguards, restaurants and quick food next door. Always has music( you might not want though plenty of rock to sit on to watch the beautiful sunset.