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Kaimana Ocean Safari: A Tailored, Intimate Wildlife Experience Along The Kona Coastline
4.9
268 Ratings
Kailua-Kona
Embark on a tailored and intimate wildlife experience along the Kona coastline with Kaimana Ocean Safari. Discover diverse marine life and create lifelong memories on our small-group tours.
Embark on a tailored and intimate wildlife experience along the Kona coastline with Kaimana Ocean Safari. Discover diverse marine life and create lifelong memories on our small-group tours.
Duration:
4 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- 74 Kealakehe Pkwy - The adventure begins the moment you set foot on our vessel! Our tours are set up safari style which means from the start of the tour we are going to be scanning the gorgeous and dramatic coastline of Kona for any type of wildlife to observe and interact with. With the rapid and deep drop off of the sea floor along the coast, we…
- 74 Kealakehe Pkwy - The adventure begins the moment you set foot on our vessel! Our tours are set up safari style which means from the start of the tour we are going to be scanning the gorgeous and dramatic coastline of Kona for any type of wildlife to observe and interact with. With the rapid and deep drop off of the sea floor along the coast, we have the potential to see shallow water animals as well as pelagic (deep, open ocean) marine life. While nature is unpredictable and we cannot guarantee any specific interactions or observations, we have the potential to see sea turtles, various fish species, dolphin and whale species, sharks, and manta rays. We’ll have four hours on the water to provide you with the best experience imaginable. Please note we go into deep water for open ocean wildlife on nearly every tour & the search for pelagic life can take some time. Please note you should be able to swim, have a degree of athleticism, & climb up a ladder to participate in the water. This may not be the tour for beginners or some children. *Please review our cancelation policy & if you are joining from a cruise ship you need to confirm with them 24 hours prior they will let you off of the ship.
What's Included
- Snacks
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- Bottled water
What's Not Included
- Towels, rash guards, sun protection are not included. Please bring reef safe sunscreen (zinc only).
- Towels, rash guards, sun protection are not included. Please bring reef safe sunscreen (zinc only).
Additional Information
Join us at Kaimana Ocean Safari for a curated oceanic adventure with our trained ocean ecologists, boat operators, and marine photographers. You’ll explore the vibrant Kona coastline and interact with a variety of marine species. With a maximum capacity of 6 guests, our tours far outdo the impersonal experience offered by larger tourist vessels. Our…
Join us at Kaimana Ocean Safari for a curated oceanic adventure with our trained ocean ecologists, boat operators, and marine photographers. You’ll explore the vibrant Kona coastline and interact with a variety of marine species. With a maximum capacity of 6 guests, our tours far outdo the impersonal experience offered by larger tourist vessels. Our excursions operate on a ‘safari’ model, covering expansive portions of the coastline on our vessel in pursuit of diverse marine life. The thrill of the chase is part of the adventure we offer, letting nature dictate the course of your journey. Embark on an unforgettable expedition with us and create memories that will last a lifetime! Please check out our Instagram pages to get a glimpse of the possible sights. A kind reminder, we do not assure sightings or offer refunds in the event of no sightings. We strive to explore as much as we can as marine life is unpredictable in nature.
- We have a 4ft height limit for children
- We have an in-water weight limit of 300 lbs- must be able to climb ladder
Location
74 Kealakehe Pkwy
Kealakehe Parkway
Tours meet at Honokohau Harbor north side bathrooms 15 minutes prior to departure. Enter Kealakehe Parkway from Queen Ka’ahumanu Hwy, Make your first right & turn left after the gas station on your left. Park at the bathroom pavilion & meet staff.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(268 Ratings)
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Christinaae7637nh
Mar 12, 2026
Magical Ocean Safari — Dolphins, Turtles, and Even a Sperm Whale! - I had such an incredible experience with Kaimana Ocean Safari. The staff were kind, fun, and extremely knowledgeable, which made the whole trip feel relaxed and welcoming.
I’m not an avid snorkeler and was probably the weakest swimmer in the group, but I still felt completely safe, supported, and included the entire time. We saw dolphins and sea turtles, and later went on a search for a sperm whale—which we actually found! It was such a magical and rare sighting, and something I’ll never forget.
The photo package is absolutely worth it. Knowing the staff were capturing photos and videos allowed me to stop worrying about documenting everything myself and just fully enjoy the moment.
I also loved the small group size (I think around 6–8 guests max), which made the tour feel personal and flexible. There’s no fixed route—they take you wherever the ocean leads that day. If I had more time on the Big Island, I would absolutely book another trip with them. Highly recommend this experience if you're visiting Kona.
As a solo traveler and not the strongest swimmer, I especially appreciated how safe, welcoming, and inclusive the crew made the experience feel. This is a great tour for both experienced snorkelers and beginners—especially if you want a small-group ocean adventure that feels personal and safe.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Y3628huerinb
Feb 26, 2026
Magical safari with Kaimana - The ocean safari with Kaimana was absolutely magical. I went with my 12 year old daughter and the crew was so nice, accommodating, and made us feel safe snorkeling with the whales! There was only 6 guest total on the boat which is so nice compared to other boat trips Ive been on with 20+ people.
We saw dolphins leaving the harbor right next to our boat, we swam with a pod of pilot whales, and a sperm whale! I am still processing the magic of this experience. The crew did great making my 12 year old daughter comfortable and helping her. This experience was worth every penny & I would love to go again next time we visit. You will not regret it, book your trip today!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
W2756jyjoshuah
Feb 15, 2026
Best Day Ever! - We had the most amazing experience with Elizabeth and the crew. The day we went out we found a sperm whale carcass and dove with tiger sharks and oceanic white tip sharks. The team was informative, professional and fun, while keeping us safe during our once in a lifetime experience. I would highly recommend Kaimana Ocean Safari! I’m sure no 2 days are the same, but they will offer you the best day possible with an amazing team to explore the ocean.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kellygc4942wi
Feb 7, 2026
Once in a lifetime - We had a phenomenal time with Kaimana Ocean Safari! They were super informative and made us feel very safe. We had a once in a lifetime opportunity to see Tiger Sharks feeding on a whale carcass. We also saw spinner dolphins from the boat and snorkeled. I feel very reassured that this semi- private tour (6 individuals) in a small boat afforded us this unique opportunity. Worth and difference in cost!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
410tylere
Feb 3, 2026
A Great Day - This was a great trip! My wife and I saw whales, dolphins, a shark and more!! Morri and cam were great the whole time. We will use them next time we are on the big island!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gail_a
Jan 23, 2026
Best Ocean Safari EVER!!! - This Ocean Safari from Kona exceed my expectations in a big way. I got on the water with a dozen Manta rays, what a magical experience. We saw spinner and bottle nose dolphins and several humpback whales. One whale came up to the boat to check us out it was epic! Cam and Dev were excellent guides and the personal care and customer service was excellent. I am impressed with the teams knowledge and care for the marine environment. This trip was not inexpensive but it was a good value for the experience IMO. I highly recommend this experience!
Review provided by Viator
Extraordinary533542
Jan 18, 2026
Amazing - That was the best experience with these guys! Dolphins, false killer whales, humpbacks and spinner dolphins! Loved it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Meghan_t
Jan 8, 2026
Wow!! What a great... - Wow!! What a great experience. The Crew was incredibly knowledgeable and gave us the experience of a lifetime! We were so lucky to have the conditions and see the wildlife we did. We will definitely be back!
Review provided by Viator
Ann
Dec 26, 2025
Ocean safari - Lovely day on and in the water. We didn’t see much for large wildlife but did see spinner dolphins at the end of the tour. It was a great way to end the safari. Saw plenty and a variety of fish at the three snorkeling spots. Cam and Kay were knowledgeable and helpful. Professional small group tour operators.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robin_k
Dec 23, 2025
Great time - The crew was so friendly and kind. They were looking for good whale spots and we saw humpbacks and dolphins in a good amount of time.
Review provided by Viator
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