Guided Kayak and Snorkel to Captain Cook Monument
Experience Kealakekua Bay and snorkel at the Captain Cook Monument while your guide shares the history of the area and points out local landmarks. If you’re lucky, you might even see a pod of spinner dolphins as you cross the bay. Head into the water at Captain Cook Monument and snorkel at one of the premiere snorkeling spots on the island.
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Activity Overview
Kayak Tour Highlights
- Duration: 3.5-hours roundtrip with 1 to 1.5-hrs of snorkeling
- You might see spinner dolphins, turtles, and a wide variety of fish
- Kayak and snorkeling experience not required, but helpful
- Knowledgeable guides add to the experience
- Snorkel in a marine life conservation district
- Included in the price of the tour are double kayaks, life preservers, and instruction
- Departure Times: 8:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.
- Meeting Location: Kealakekua Bay
- Recommended Ages: 7 – 67
- Group discounts are available!
- Click the correct link below for the tour time you want!
If you would prefer to not paddle yourself across the bay, then we recommend taking a Captain Zodiac power raft for a snorkeling and coastal tour experience!
See Our Kayaking Experience
We did the DIY kayaking experience to the Captain Cook Monument in the video below. Watch the video to see the experience of exploring the bay on a kayak. We enjoyed Ehu and Kai Adventure for the rental at the bay.
We wish we would have done the guided tour but the timing didn’t work out for our trip, but the DIY option was fun. Do what is best for your group.
Book Online Here
You have options with this kayak and snorkel trip. Click the links below to book the tour right for you.
Deluxe Kayak & Snorkel Kealakekua Bay
This tour is the standard tour detailed on this page. Use promo code: “SNORKEL” to receive $5 off per booking.
Deluxe Kayak & Snorkel Kealakekua Bay Tour Details
Walk the path of famous circumnavigator and explorer James Cook and visit the site of historic Ka`awaloa village and Hawaiian royalty on this Kealakekua Bay kayak tour. No experience is necessary and beginners and children are welcome. Just choose between their morning and afternoon tours!
Deluxe Kayak & Snorkel Kealakekua Bay: This tour features a relaxed paddle across beautiful and protected Kealakekua Bay, amazing snorkeling in the calm waters of Captain Cook Monument, and the chance of seeing wonderful Hawaiian spinner dolphins along the route.
Sightings of Marine Life: Hawaiian spinner dolphins are seen on over half of their tours and humpback whales are seen in the winter. Green sea turtles are always a treat to watch and are frequent visitors to the area. The snorkeling at the Captain Cook monument is remarkable! Brightly colored tropical fish and coral gardens are the features most commonly enjoyed here.
The Deluxe Kayak Kealakekua Bay & Snorkel Tours include: Wide, stable, open-deck tandem kayaks are used and you’ll appreciate our quality mask, snorkel, and fins. Bottled water and drinks and snacks are also included, so there’s no need to bring a lunch.
State of Hawaii permits (included) are required to land and snorkel. We do not touch or engage the dolphins in the water and ensure that we do not disturb their fragile ecosystem.
Book your Kealakekua Bay kayak and snorkel tour online today!
Note to Our Solo Travelers: The booking calendar only accepts singles bookings after a tour date has at least 2 persons booked. The booking calendar will show a single booking to select when the minimum has already been met.
Know Before You Go Snorkel Safety
Swimming and snorkeling in the Pacific Ocean should not be taken lightly. To keep you safe, please know your health limits, swim with a buddy, never turn your back on the ocean, and read and obey posted signs. Check HIOceanSafety.com for ocean conditions at lifeguard beaches.
We love snorkeling at this spot so much, it earned the #1 spot on our Where to Snorkel on the Big Island video:
About Adventures in Paradise Kayak & Snorkel
Get to know your kayak and snorkel guide with a message from the company:
We make it easy by meeting you at the bay with all the kayak and snorkeling gear you’ll need then we provide an introduction into kayaking basics for those who are new to the activity. You’ll enjoy the most protected and easiest launch location in the area and our guides will assist you in a safe entry and launch of your kayak.
After a short and very enjoyable paddle across this beautiful and protected bay, you land your kayaks with State landing permits, avoiding the difficult task of pulling kayaks behind you when snorkeling and reentering the kayak from the ocean in deep water, as those who don’t have landing permits. You will enjoy exploring this amazing underwater garden of tropical fish, coral gardens, Hawaiian spinner dolphins, green sea turtles & in winter – humpback whales. This is a world-class kayaking destination and the snorkeling is arguably the best in all the Hawaiian islands! And it’s why this is for many visitors their favorite activity while visiting the islands.
The history is equally interesting in this special place both for Hawaiian culture and the first contact with the western world. Walk the path of Hawaiian Royalty and world-renowned circumnavigator & explorer Captain James Cook of the Royal Navy & visit the historic site of Ka`awaloa village the birthplace and home of Hawaiian Royalty. Join us and see for yourself why people love Kealakekua Bay!
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