Best Kealakekua Bay Snorkeling Tours 2024
Ready to book a snorkeling tour at Kealakekua Bay? You’ve come to the right article.
Kealakekua Bay is arguably the best snorkeling spot on the Big Island. It’s also one of the most historically significant sites, being home to the Captain Cook Monument.
The best way to get to the bay is to go on a snorkeling tour, since kayak rentals are not permitted to land on the bay, and the hike can be very strenuous.
The hike is around 4 miles, with an elevation gain of 1000 ft, so it can be especially difficult if you’re hauling snorkeling gear up the mountain!
Thankfully, there are a variety of guided tours available.
To help you choose which tour suit your needs, I’ve vetted the top Kealakekua Bay snorkeling tours, and only recommend highly-rated ones.
From guided canoe tours to high-speed raft adventures, there’s something on this list for everyone!
Here are the top Kealakekua Bay Snorkeling Tours, including morning and afternoon options.
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Don’t have time to read the article? Opt for the 4 Hour Captain Cook Cruise – the highest rated morning boat tour with free lunch, all snorkeling gear provided, and 1000+ stellar reviews.
Best Kealakekua Bay Tours (Morning)
Hang Loose Boat Tours 4 Hour Captain Cook Boat Tour
- Starting time: 8am or 12:30pm
- Duration: 4 hours
- Vessel type: Boat
- Includes: Snorkel gear, lunch, drinks
- Cost: $116 + tax per person
Ready to get up early to go snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay? Look no further than the 4 hour Captain Cook boat tour.
You’ll cruise to the bay in a comfortable medium sized boat, and get to spot tons of wildlife along the way. With a jumping platform and waterslide on the boat, this is the ideal tour for families.
Didn’t bring snorkeling gear? No worries, they provide all snorkeling equipment, as well as lunch and refreshments. You’ll have around an hour of snorkeling time, followed by a lunch of sandwiches and fresh fruit.
This is the highest-rated Kealakekua Bay tour. Additionally, the tour starts at $116 + tax per person, which is the second cheapest tour on this list!
Dolphin Discoveries Kealakekua Bay Snorkeling Tour
- Starting time: 7am, 10:30am, 11:30am
- Duration: 4 hours
- Vessel type: Inflatable boat
- Includes: Snorkel gear, snacks, drinks
- Cost: $110 + tax per person
Looking for the cheapest tour? Opt for Dolphin Discoveries snorkeling tour.
Not only is their tour the cheapest on this list, but they offer 7am tours, so you can be the first to arrive at the bay. If you want to beat crowds early in the morning, this is a great option.
You’ll cruise to the bay in an inflatable boat with a small group, and have 2 hours of snorkeling time. They provide all snorkeling equipment, as well as snacks and refreshments.
With entertaining local guides, you’ll get to learn all about the local culture and history of the area.
Captain Zodiac High Speed Raft Snorkeling Tour
- Starting time: 8am or 12:45pm
- Duration: 4 hours
- Vessel type: High speed raft
- Includes: Snacks, drinks, snorkel gear
- Cost: $130-150 + tax per person
Seeking an adventure? If so, Captain Zodiac’s snorkeling tour is for you.
You’ll cruise to the bay on a high-speed Zodiac raft with a small group, and professional guides.
Since you’ll be traveling at high speeds, you’ll have a great chance of spotting everything from humpback whales to spinner dolphins. They provide all snorkeling gear, snacks, and drinks.
This tour company has been operating for over 40 years, and are known for their whale watching tours.
From the guides, you’ll get to learn lots of interesting information on the environment and history of Kealakekua Bay.
Dolphin Discoveries Deluxe Snorkel Tour
- Starting time: 7am
- Duration: 5 hours
- Vessel type: Inflatable boat
- Includes: Snacks, drinks, snorkel gear
- Cost: $140 + tax per person
Wanting to spend half the day snorkeling? Opt for the Dolphin Discoveries Deluxe Snorkel Tour.
You’ll get to stop by Kona’s top two snorkeling destinations – Kealakekua Bay & Two Step Beach (Honaunau Bay), for a dream day of snorkeling.
The tours start at 7am, so you’ll get to beat crowds by arriving early in the morning. They provide snorkeling gear, snacks, fresh fruit, and refreshments.
With expert snorkeling guides, you’ll get to spot a variety of tropical fish, and learn about the environment of the area.
Kona Coast Cruises Small Group Snorkeling Tour
- Starting time: 8am or 11am
- Duration: 3 hours
- Vessel type: Small boat
- Includes: Snorkel gear, bottled water, snacks, drinks
- Cost: $110 + tax per person
Prefer a small group tour? Opt for the Kona Coast Cruises Snorkeling Tour. This is a small group boat tour, with a maximum of 12 passengers.
Enjoy a more personalized experience in a small group to learn about the local culture, environment, and history of the area.
You’ll have around an hour of snorkeling time, and they provide all snorkeling gear. This is one of the cheapest tours on this list, starting at $110 + tax per person.
Ehu And Kai Adventures Guided Canoe Tour
- Starting time: 8am
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Vessel type: Canoe
- Includes: Snorkel gear
- Cost: $125 + tax per person
Want to explore the waters of Kealakekua Bay on a canoe? Go with Ehu and Kai adventures guided snorkeling tour. You’ll get to paddle to the bay in a small group, and enjoy plenty of time snorkeling at the bay.
With a local guide, this is a great way to learn about Hawaiian culture and history in a small group setting. They provide all snorkeling gear, and offer complimentary snacks and drinks.
This tour company also offers canoe, kayak, and paddleboard rentals. But, you can only legally snorkel there if you’re on a guided tour, since kayak rentals are permitted from landing on the bay.
Best Kealakekua Bay Tours (Afternoon)
Hoku Nui Afternoon Sail & Snorkel Tour
- Starting time: 1:45pm
- Duration: 3 hours
- Vessel type: Sailboat
- Includes: Snacks, drinks, snorkel gear, sunscreen
- Cost: $135 + tax per person
Seeking a small group afternoon snorkeling tour? Opt for Hoku Nui’s Afternoon Sail & Snorkel Tour.
This is the highest-rated evening tour, in a small group setting, with a maximum of 15 guests per boat.
You’ll sail to the bay in a comfortable boat, and learn about Hawaiian culture, history, and marine life from helpful guides.
They provide all snorkeling gear, as well as light snacks, refreshments, and reef safe sunscreen.
Fair Wind Afternoon Kealakekua Snorkel Tour
- Starting time: 1:30pm
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Vessel type: Cruise boat with waterslides and a bathroom
- Includes: Snacks, drinks, snorkel gear
- Cost: $130 + tax per person
Traveling with kids? Opt for Fair Wind’s Afternoon Snorkeling Tour. You’ll cruise to Kealakekua Bay on a large boat with a waterslide and jumping platform.
They provide all snorkeling gear, snacks, fresh pineapple, and refreshments.
This is one of the only tours that has a bathroom on board, which is a huge benefit as there are no bathrooms at Kealakekua Bay.
FAQs: Snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay
Where do you arrive for the snorkeling tours?
For most Kealakekua Bay snorkeling tours, you’ll arrive at the Honokohau small boat harbor.
When you arrive here, you’ll drive past the “Gentry’s Kona Marina” sign, and there’s a large free parking lot with restrooms.
Just make sure to check the address on the tour you book for the correct details and arrival time.
Where’s the best place to snorkel at Kealakekua Bay?
The best place to snorkel at Kealakekua Bay is around the Captain Cook Monument (Ka’awaloa Cove).
This cove has crystal clear waters filled with bright coral and a variety of tropical fish.
Which is the cheapest Kealakekua Bay snorkeling tour?
The cheapest Kealakekua Bay snorkeling tour is the Dolphin Discoveries morning snorkeling tour, starting at around $110 + tax per person.
Do you need a tour to snorkel at Kealakekua Bay?
No, you can snorkel at Kealakekua Bay for free by hiking the Captain Cook Monument Trail.
However, this is a nearly 4 mile trail, down to the bay and back up, with an elevation gain of 1000 feet.
I hiked this trail without any snorkeling gear, and found it very strenuous, taking me around 1.5 hours in total (at my fastest pace).
Additionally, there are no restroom facilities throughout the trail or at the bay.
If you plan on hiking, make sure to pack snacks, lots of water, and arrive early to give yourself enough daylight to hike the trail.
Can you kayak to Kealakekua Bay?
Yes, you can kayak to Kealakekua Bay, but you’re only legally allowed to transit the waters unless you go on a guided tour.
This means that if you rent kayaks, you cannot land on the site of the monument (Ka’awaloa Flats) without a tour.
If you rent a kayak, you can still spot wildlife and spot the Captain Cook Monument from the water.
Just make sure that the kayak rental company you book with has a valid permit to transit the waters of Kealakekua Bay.
What are the best places to snorkel in Kona besides Kealakekua Bay?
The best places to snorkel besides Kealakekua Bay are Kahaluʻu Beach Park and Honaunau Bay (Two Step Beach).
Kahaluʻu Beach Park is located along Ali‘i Drive in the heart of Kona, whereas Honaunau Bay is right by the Pu’uhonua National Historical Park, in the Captain Cook Area.
If you go on Dolphin Discoveries Deluxe Snorkel tour, you’ll get to snorkel at both Kealakekua Bay and Two Step Beach.
For a full list of places, check out our article on the best Big Island snorkeling spots!