Kealakekua Bay Snorkel: Kona Coast's Best Reefs

604 Ratings

Kailua-Kona

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Experience the beauty of the Kona Coast at Kealakekua Bay on an afternoon snorkel cruise. Explore tropical reefs and enjoy calm Hawaiian waters. Fun for the whole family!

Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes

Cancellation: 24 hours

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Highlights

Fair Wind Big Island Ocean Guides - Fair Wind Big Island Ocean Guides: Your Welcome Center by the Bay
Begin your adventure at the Fair Wind Office check-in area, conveniently located at Keauhou Bay. Here, you’ll meet the crew, check in for your tour, and prepare to board, just steps from the water. The friendly team is ready to ensure you feel…

Fair Wind Big Island Ocean Guides - Fair Wind Big Island Ocean Guides: Your Welcome Center by the Bay

Begin your adventure at the Fair Wind Office check-in area, conveniently located at Keauhou Bay. Here, you’ll meet the crew, check in for your tour, and prepare to board, just steps from the water. The friendly team is ready to ensure you feel prepared and excited for your journey. While visiting, explore the retail shop offering a curated selection of reef-safe sunscreen, stylish apparel, and locally crafted gifts. Whether picking up last-minute essentials or a keepsake to remember your day, it’s all part of the experience we proudly share with our guests.

Keauhou Bay - Keauhou Bay: Your Afternoon Launch Point

Keauhou Bay greets you with calm, clear waters and a rich sense of place. This picturesque harbor is not only the start of your ocean adventure but also a site of historical significance—it’s the birthplace of King Kamehameha III and home to a quiet coastal marker honoring his legacy. With swaying palms, gentle waves, and lava rock formations, it’s the perfect spot to appreciate the beauty of Hawaiʻi’s Kona Coast before setting off.

Kuamoo Point - Kuamoʻo Point: Where Land and Legacy Meet

Kuamoʻo Point is a dramatic lava promontory extending into the ocean just south of Keauhou. It marks the edge of a historically significant area tied to major cultural shifts in Hawaiʻi’s past. The rugged beauty of this coastline—where waves meet lava rock under an open sky—sets the tone for the powerful history that surrounds it.

Lekeleke Burial Ground - Lekeleke Burial Grounds: A Sacred Coastal Landmark

Along the shoreline, you’ll find the expansive lava fields of Lekeleke Burial Grounds—hallowed ground marking the site of the Battle of Kuamoʻo in 1819. Hundreds of warriors are buried here, and the landscape remains undisturbed as a powerful tribute to this pivotal moment in Hawaiian history. Viewed from the water, this sacred place offers a quiet glimpse into the stories held in the land.

Kealakekua Bay Marine Preserve - Kealakekua Bay: A Marine Sanctuary Full of Life

As the boat enters Kealakekua Bay, you’ll notice the stillness of the water and the vibrant life just below the surface. Protected as a marine conservation district, this bay is home to colorful coral reefs, schools of tropical fish, and sometimes even dolphins or honu (sea turtles). Towering cliffs and lush greenery create a striking backdrop as you explore one of Hawaiʻi’s most stunning snorkeling destinations.

The Captain Cook Monument - Captain Cook Monument: A Historic Landmark in Kealakekua Bay

On the northern edge of Kealakekua Bay stands the tall white obelisk known as the Captain Cook Monument. Erected by the British in 1874, it marks the location where Captain James Cook first came ashore in Hawaiʻi in 1779—and where he met his end just weeks later. From the water, the monument is a striking sight set against the lush cliffs of the bay. It serves as a reminder of the cultural crossroads that shaped this region’s history.

What's Included

Two 15-Ft. Slides & Dive Platform
Island-made Sweet Potato Chips & Fresh Pineapple
Use of snorkel equipment and underwater view boxes
Use of inner tubes and other flotation devices
Tax

What's Not Included

Full bar
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities

Additional Information

Spend your morning discovering the Big Island, then hop aboard the eco-friendly Fair Wind II for an afternoon of snorkeling adventures in Kealakekua Bay - relaxed, scenic, and perfectly timed.
Snorkel among the vibrant reefs of Kealakekua Bay, enjoy onboard waterslides and breathtaking views, and bask in the golden afternoon light - all after your…

Location

78-7130 Kaleiopapa St

Kaleiopapa Street

Check in at the Fair Wind office located on Keauhou Bay. **Boarding begins 15 minutes after the listed tour check-in time.** Free parking is available along Kaleiopapa Street.

Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings

4.9

(604 Ratings)

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Maria_g

Aug 7, 2025

It was a very fun... - It was a very fun experience for all of us! It is indeed family friendly! Only my husband knows how to swim, but we non swimmers still managed to snorkel! We had snorkel classes, flotation devices, viewing boxes for those who have difficulty using snorkels. The staff was very accommodating , helpful, knowledgeable and skillful! All of them are lifeguards so we already felt comfortable! Although we only saw a little bit of fish that time, we still enjoyed swimming in the warm and turquoise clear waters of Kealakekua Bay!

Review provided by Viator

Stacysd8898yj

Aug 5, 2025

Highlight of our trip - Such a great experience. Snorkeling was awesome. A large area to snorkel in with no other boats. The snorkel equipment was great and the staff were helpful in ensuring everything fit right. They had nice little perks like anti-fog. It's also great for all levels. If you're a beginner or non-swimmer, they had view boxes, floaties, etc. If you're advanced, you can just swim on your own all over the area. It was the most accessible entry I've seen- steps into the water as opposed to a ladder. The boat itself was spacious and the kids loved the slide and diving platform. Adults liked the drinks available for purchase in the last hour.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

970arass

Aug 4, 2025

Amazing Catamaran Tour! - Had an unforgettable time on this catamaran boat tour! The crew was super friendly, professional, and made sure everyone was having fun and felt safe. The boat was clean and spacious, and the views were just unreal—crystal-clear water, beautiful coastline, and even some wildlife sightings! We had plenty of time to relax, snorkel, and enjoy the open ocean. They provided drinks and snacks, and the vibe on board was really chill and fun. Great for couples, families, or groups of friends. This was definitely one of the highlights of our trip and I’d 100% recommend it to anyone visiting the area. Don’t miss it!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Markonmark

Jul 29, 2025

Get In With The Crowd! - You want a good time snorkeling in a cove that Captain Cook is memorialized at? It's also the place of where families, couples, and the 'in-between' folks. You get to go on a slide that drops you from the boat, and you drop about 20 feet down. Mostly little ones and a few teens slid down both slides. Us; other folk; stepped away from the slides. One particular grandfather went down it because of his grandkids said he could it. He only did it once, no other folks over 50 did it after that. He looked like But the snorkeling was a lot of fun for everyone! Even the sweet little ladies who went in the water for 10 minutes, but that was enough for a few of them, and I joined with the crowd of adults about 45 minutes later, we stayed on the boat, after that. Their Mai Tais were very good on the way back to the docks (they will not let the adults drink the delicious libations to the cove), but most of all, adults had a fun adventure, as well as for the kids!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Ahmad_i

Jul 27, 2025

Captain cook is a great... - Captain cook is a great place to snorkel. The staff is great and very friendly. I highly recommend to book with fair wind.

Review provided by Viator

Nicorlando619

Jul 27, 2025

Still Awesome 15 years later - Our Family had an awesome time on the Afternoon Snorkel!🤿 It’s the perfect time when you have a teenager that doesn’t want to get up early. 15 years ago my wife and I did the breakfast and lunch snorkel and it’s still awesome. The captain and crew were friendly, attentive, knowledgeable and funny. They showed us some sights while heading to the bay and answered any questions we might have had. The bay is a great place to snorkel from beginner to the most advanced to see all the kinds of local sea life. Stay away from the Black Sea urchin unless you want a Special “Hawaiian Tattoo”. We would highly recommend this snorkel to everyone!!!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Jeff_n

Jul 25, 2025

Fantastic voyage to... - Fantastic voyage to Captain Cook monument. The boat having a dive platform and slides was a great touch. The reef was incredible and massive. Great staff!!!

Review provided by Viator

Mary_c

Jul 25, 2025

Staff is very friendly,... - Staff is very friendly, safety oriented and 2 were life guards. Everyone was great with our kids 9 and 10-year-olds). Our 10-year-old was feeling a little motion sick and they had ginger candy, juice and hysterical rainbow cat barf bags at the ready. Underwater viewing boxes and boogie boards are available for anyone not able to use a mask and snorkel. Lots of floatation options for inexperienced swimmers but water in the snorkeling cove is calm. Full staircase off the back of the boat for water access for anyone not able to do a traditional boat ladder. Boat is secured on a mooring and engines are off while you snorkel. Wonderful background about the area and a traditional Hawaiian prayer song when you reach the cove to acknowledge the sacred cliffs above. Wanted to book again this week but options were sold out. Book this early!

Review provided by Viator

Kittymt5841ic

Jul 24, 2025

Easy and fun with a top notch crew - I'm really glad I chose the Fair Wind Cruise company for an afternoon snorkle trip. The operation is very organized, which made me feel safe and confident I picked the right adventure. The boat crew are very considerate and courteous and will provide a pleasant experience exploring the beautiful water in the bay. For water access--the boat has steps for the cautious, and slides for the daring. They provided all varieties of snorkle and floating equipment, (from fins & masks to inner tubes and other gadgets) plus yummy chips and pineapple slices for snacks. The trip started and ended right on schedule. There are so many companies out there to chose from, but this one was easy, organized and provided a huge double deck boat, skilled and friendly crew , and a super relaxing afternoon on the water. I highly recommend the Fair Wind.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Elizabeth_a