
From there you will hold onto our premium floatation device that lights up in order to attract phytoplankton to the water’s surface– therefore attracting the large, prehistoric looking Manta Rays as well. Sea Quest Hawaii has been providing personal and exciting rafting and snorkeling adventures with an emphasis on exceptional customer service along the South Kona Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii since 1987. Cancellations within 48 hours of departure are non-refundable. If you have very specific schedule requirements and are not flexible, please book sooner. Yes, there are prescription snorkeling masks for those who need them. Sunglasses – sunglasses are important for protecting your eyes from the sun but if you don’t have a case to put them in they will most likely be thrown in your bag and risk getting scratched up or broken.
Planning a Trip to Hawaii in 2024: 15 essential details
If you’re looking for a more luxurious experience that pulls out all the stops, this twice-daily tour with Fair Winds is it! Leaving Keauhou Bay, guests will set sail on board a large boat with two waterslides and a high dive to enjoy once they reach their destination. The boat makes its way to Kealakekua Bay where it puts down anchor for over an hour of beautiful snorkeling.
What’s the best time of day to go on a Captain Cook Snorkeling Tour?
It now consists of a collection of rocks and, while not great for hanging out, it is reasonable for a quick swim and a good place for snorkeling. We are conveniently located within a 30-minute drive from Captain Cook, Kealakekua Bay, Honaunau Bay and Keauhou Bay, Hawaii. The morning snorkel includes all snorkeling equipment and snorkeling instruction for beginners.
Explore Kona Coast on Sea Quest Hawaii
There is a large lawn and a ‘point’ that extends into the bay from which you have a great view of the setting sun. You can either bring your own gear or to join a diving tour that handles all logistics for you, see our scuba diving guide for more information. The bay’s best diving however is on the (more protected) other side of the bay, in Ka‘awaloa Cove (near the monument). Water depths here range from about 5 to 120 feet and the diversity of coral and fish is exceptional. Tours operators that follow the Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawai’i (more info) guidelines are e.g. Sea Paradise and Fair-Wind (both departing from Keauhou Bay).
Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park (and Napoʻopoʻo Beach Park)
Whether that is venturing to the most popular snorkel spots on Kona Coast or exploring hidden lava tubes, sea caves, and reefs. That is the luxury that a smaller boat and guest list provides for our valued customers. We provide a memorable experience during your time with us– both aboard the boat and in the water.
To get to the bay you need to get to take the Nāpō‘opo‘o turn off onto Nāpō’opo’o Road, which intersects with Highway 11 near the 111 mile marker, about 13 miles (20 km) south of Kona. Interactions between wild animals (dolphins) and humans are almost always disadvantageous for the animals but there are ways to mitigate our impact. The most important thing you can do is respecting the resting behaviors of the spinner dolphins during their peak resting period between ~10.00 and ~14.00. Experience the tour the Travel Channel named one of the top ten things to do in your lifetime. The only type of storage available is the space around your seating area.

If you don’t happen to have these, you’ll have to re-enter your kayak from deep water or pull it behind you while you’re snorkeling. You can look forward to spotting Hawaii’s state fish, the humuhumunukunukuapua’a, and keep your eyes peeled for pods of spinner dolphins, Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, and humpback whales (seasonally). Boat tours are the easiest way to go snorkeling at Kealakekua bay. This is the Hoku Nui catamaran from Sea Paradise in front of Kealakekua Bay, read more about snorkeling tours to Kealakekua Bay by Sea Paradise.
Get The Big Island Itinerary
Join us for a private charter around the beautiful coast of Kona, HI. We ensure your group has an amazing time regardless of age or skill level. In a 30-minute call we help you set up the trip of your dreams. Also known as the ‘place of refuge’ or ‘city of refuge’, this park originally was a safe haven for those that broke the Kapu laws, which, in ancient Hawaii were punishable by death. If you reached the Puʻuhonua, you would be pardoned and given a second chance at life.
Big Island Wayfinder Itinerary
Of the two, we generally prefer the morning tour because it’s longer and there’s a better chance for good visibility before the tradewinds kick up. South of Kona the landscape becomes greener and the skies more cloudy. The dry lava fields change into lush green forests and coffee plantations and there are many great snorkeling and diving spots along the coast, plenty of scenic stops, and also a fantastic national park. The easiest way to visit Kealakekua Bay for snorkeling or diving is as part of one of the many snorkel tours to the Captain Cook Monument. The morning cruise includes breakfast and lunch and gives you an extra 1-hour of snorkel time.
There will always be one crew member on board at all times, so it is advised that you keep your belongings with you rather then leaving them in your car. The best opportunity to see whales is between late December and late March when the Humpback Whales migrate to Hawaii from Alaska. You may have the chance to see whales during your cruise if you are coming to Hawaii during wintertime. PROBABLY — Most, if not all, cell providers work on the Big Island. However, be prepared for some dead spots in the more remote parts of the island.
Some of the best snorkeling footage we’ve ever gotten was at Kealakekua Bay. So, what should you pack for a Captain Cook snorkeling tour? Two different tours are offered on a daily basis, the “Beat the Crowd Tour” and the “Morning Tour”. We prefer the “Beat the Crowd Tour” because it includes a deli lunch and is a bit longer at five hours versus four hours. The timing of both tours is great as it ensures that guests make it back just after lunch for more exploring or right before dinner. Small group size, awesome history, and a wonderful price point make this tour with Hawaii Oceanic a no-brainer if you aren’t worried about frills but still want a great experience.
Snorkel conditions are very similar, however, it is more likely to have clear skies in the morning. Afternoons in Kealakekua Bay are generally absent from other tour boat operators, proving a less crowded experience. The Fair Wind II is perfect for snorkeling, sightseeing, and enjoying the calm, cerulean blue waters of historic Kealakekua Bay, where the Captain Cook Monument is located. The boat has fun water activities including boogie boards with windows, custom view-boxes, and inner tubes. The step-by-step itinerary takes you to all the best beaches, snorkeling spots, restaurants, and sights.
Add to the beauty, the fact that it has some of the most sordid, history in all of Hawaii, this makes for one of the most epic spots on the big island of Hawaii and in the entire state of Hawaii. By Taking a Captain Cook snorkel cruise you are able to see the bay and learn about it’s history in comfort while getting up-close and personal with Hawaii’s majestic Kealakukua Bay. This Captain Cook snorkel cruise is suitable for ages 3+ and can be private chartered to take a group of friends, family, or just you and your significant other for a proposal cruise etc.
You'll also be given breakfast in the morning and lunch after your snorkel. Some boat rides are not recommended for pregnant women who are advanced in their pregnancy. While snorkeling is a pretty easy water activity, there are still precautions some people should make before booking a tour.
Captain Cook Cruises Expands - Fiji Sun Online
Captain Cook Cruises Expands.
Posted: Sat, 31 Oct 2020 07:00:00 GMT [source]
You’ll depart Honokohau Marina in the morning and cruise along the coast in search of marine life. Along the way you’ll stop to check out some historical sights and some geologic features unique to the Kona coastline. The best snorkeling spot, however, is on the opposite side of the bay from the parking area, in front of the Ka’awaloa Flats (where the Captain Cook monument is located). There is no parking anywhere near the best snorkeling waters though, so you have to jump through some proverbial hoops to get to where you want to be.

No “drive time” from Kona, start your tour at Kealakekua Bay and be one of the first people in the Bay. Ehu and Kai provides the muscle (no paddling for you) and history narration while you enjoy riding in a traditional outrigger canoe. I wanted to let you know that we just returned from 17 days is Hawaii and your information was our go to. We read your newsletters, watched your videos and ordered itineraries for the two islands we spent the most time on. This helped us plan our days and ensured we saw great sights we otherwise would never have known to stop. We referred to the guides often so saving it in files on my phone was perfect.
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