Coral Reef Snorkeling: Explore Kealakekua Bay

Experience the Captain Cook Snorkel adventure in Kealakekua Bay. Avoid crowded tourist boats and explore the wildlife and sea caves with a maximum of 14 guests. Snorkel in the coral reef, encounter marine wildlife, and enjoy snacks and drinks on our fast speed Navy boat.

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • 75-6082 Ali‘i Dr - Avoid the busy tourist boats with 30 to 80 passengers and join our intimate snorkel tour on a Navy-style Zodiac RIB speed boat. Enjoy a swift, picturesque journey to Kealakekua Bay, home to the Captain Cook Monument and some of the clearest, most vibrant coral reefs for snorkeling on the Big Island.
    Discover sea caves and coves…
What's Included
  • Bottled water provided
  • Snacks included
  • Snorkeling equipment available for use
Additional Information

What Sets Our Daytime Snorkel to Kealakekua Bay / Captain Cook Monument Apart

  • Experience the thrill of a fast, nimble Zodiac RIB boat, similar to those used by Navy SEALs, which swiftly transports you to the bay and grants access to secluded sea caves, lava tubes, and stunning coastal features.
  • Enjoy a more intimate and uncrowded adventure with…
Location
75-6082 Ali‘i Dr
Ali‘i Drive
Check in at Big Island Outdoor (75-6082 Ali‘i Dr) at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before your tour. BIO company handles safety briefings, last-minute questions, and rentals for wetsuits, lifejackets, etc.. You may arrive as early as 7:00 AM on the day of your tour to check in.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.6
(1230 Ratings)
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Nicole_h
Aug 12, 2025
Amazing experience with great crew - Chip and Adam were highly entertaining and quite knowledgeable as well. The trip to the bay was quick and the reef was amazing! Just be aware that check in and launch are two different locations (as stated on the ticket), and some folks weren’t quite timely in arriving, but it didn’t impact our time out in the water. Would highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Debra_b
Aug 12, 2025
Face in the Water - This was my favorite part of our Hawaii vacation! This is very difficult to say, as I am not a fan of swimming or being in the ocean. I did it to be with my family, and I've got to say that it was stupendous! The Captain and his mate were very knowledgeable and let us know about the different areas we went past. We didn't get to see any dolphins, but that was not guaranteed. I would highly recommend this and would do it again!
Review provided by Viator
Michael_k
Aug 11, 2025
Excellent snorkeling. ... - Excellent snorkeling. Fun boat ride. We were lucky enough to see some dolphins. Ride back from snorkeling saw a bunch of sea caves
Review provided by Viator
Richard_n
Aug 8, 2025
Super friendly staff and professional! - Captain Gundy (Adam) was great! Very knowledgeable and very thorough! Kids enjoyed the boat ride and snorkel experience and will remember it for the rest of their lives.
Review provided by Viator
Mauriceaguilar6
Aug 7, 2025
Best snorkel in Hawaii!!! - This was the best snorkeling experience we had in Hawaii! Lots of fish! We had plenty of time to snorkel. The ride back to the caves and coastline was enjoyable. My only regret is we should have reapplied sunblock. We got sunburned.
Review provided by Viator
Kista_f
Aug 6, 2025
It was a great... - It was a great experience. They where very informative about the land and waters. Would recommend keeping note that you have to pay $20 more to snorkel if you book through viator.
Review provided by Viator
Rita_j
Aug 10, 2025
Wonderful experience - Great story telling along the way out & back. The lifeguard had some great historical knowledge about the areas.
Review provided by Viator
Cam_l
Aug 9, 2025
Tour itself was... - Tour itself was excellent. The checkin process was not clear. Did not give good instruction that there were two locations. One to checkin and then another for the boat. Had to call a second uber and was almost late.
Review provided by Viator
Nyrachele
Aug 5, 2025
Not worth it if you do not have a vehicle - We were coming from a cruise ship and had booked a late morning tour. The tour was great and our boat captain was very knowledgeable. However, you have to check in at their office (requiring a taxi or ride share). Then, you have to travel to the boat launch (not the pier where the cruise ships are) which requires another ride share. Then you have to ride share back. We were out about $65 for travel between these sites. The only other damper on the day: they have you remove your shoes before getting in the boat (this is not the problem). On the way back, the guide, who didn’t do much during the tour, took the box of everyone’s shoes up the boat dock, up the ramp, and into the black paved parking lot. As it was early afternoon, everything was VERY hot, resulting in burned feet. As everyone was dancing on the hot pavement his “huh, guess I should have left them closer” was not helpful.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tobys718
Aug 10, 2025
Avoid this goat rope, go with SeaQuest or another operator with a presence at the boat ramp. - The positive: Crew was good. Boat was ok. The negative: Despite what Tripadvisor says, the tour is NOT conducted by Kong Snorkel Tours. It is operated by Big Island Outdoor Inc. Directions from the company stated that the meeting point was at the company's offices - which were closed at 7 am. Departure was supposed to be at 8 am. Instructions stated to be at 75-6082 Ali‘i Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA at least an hour before departure. Went to that address, no one there and no business by that name was found. Repeated emails & calls to the company went unanswered. Turns out that the boat leaves from a harbour 15 minutes away. Left our resort at 7 am, drove around to the office, called a bunch of different companies and luckily someone told me about Keahou Boat Launch. Raced there, asked more people from other tour companies. Totally unavoidable. Got a call 3 minutes before the boat departed from the crew....... It is an underwhelming snorkel site, visibility was good. Incredibly crowded site. No dolphins (well, can't really control that, but the lack of marine mammals didn't help), the tour of the Sea Cave was pulling up to a lava cliff, and we were back at the boat launch. Crew was ok, boat was ok. I am hearing impaired so I couldn't hear any of the safety briefing. I informed the crew about this, but they didn't particularly seem to care. Because of the lousy pre-trip instructions, it wasn't worth the stress and driving around to find the launch. Neither the vessel nor the truck had any markings indicating the company name. I would go with SeaQuest or another company that has an office at the harbor and actually answers the phone the day of the tour. If you do this or any other water activity, look up the company a couple of days before you go. We went to the address that we were directed to, and every single business there was closed.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $79
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).