The 5 Best Captain Cook Snorkeling Tours (by boat type, price)
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Kealakekua Bay is home to the Captain Cook Monument and is a famed snorkeling destination for its crystal clear waters and pristine marine environment. With the help of Hawaii’s marine life conservation efforts, this bay’s reefs are vibrant and the sea life is thriving.
You can look forward to spotting Hawaii’s state fish, the humuhumunukunukuapua’a, and keep your eyes peeled for pods of spinner dolphins, Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, and humpback whales (seasonally).
All of this is a recipe for amazing Captain Cook snorkeling tours. If you want to cut straight to the chase, pick the tour that fits your preferences in the chart below!
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Where is Kealakekua Bay?
Kealakekua Bay is a Marine Life Conservation District located on the west side of Hawaii’s Big Island, 17 miles south of Kailua-Kona. Marine Life Conservation Districts are unique to Hawaii with only 11 located around the islands. As Hawaii’s beaches grew in popularity it quickly became clear that tourism was beginning to affect the health of both reefs and marine animals.
These designated areas protect Hawaii’s diverse fish populations, along with other endangered marine life, ensuring that they continue to thrive for decades to come. The first was created in 1967 and more sites are being considered every year.
Aside from the bay itself, Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park wraps around the bay, encompassing the land and rocky shoreline and includes the Captain Cook Monument. This area is steeped in history.
Is Kealakekua Bay Good For Snorkeling?
Not only is Kealakekua Bay good for snorkeling, it’s one of the best snorkeling spots on the Big Island! The reef system that surrounds the Captain Cook Monument in particular is an incredible area for snorkelers and offers up calm waters, remnants of lava frozen underwater, a vast array of colorful fish (some that can only be found here), and thriving reefs.
Spinner dolphins are also frequently sighted in Kealakekua Bay. History buffs might also be interested in the burial caves of Hawaiian chiefs along with the bay ties to the infamous Captain Cook, hence the monument located at the western end of the bay.
Discover more amazing snorkel spots around the Big Island:
5 Best Big Island Beginner Snorkeling Spots You Shouldn’t Miss
The Best Big Island Snorkeling Spots (plus how to swim with manta rays)
We also have a video with our favorite snorkeling spots so you can see for yourself.
How Do You Snorkel in Kealakekua Bay?
There are numerous ways to snorkel around Kealakekua Bay including hopping on a boat tour, renting kayaks, or simply by hiking in.
Various boat tours are available to book, each with something different to offer whether they’re small groups or large catamarans. Boat tours are a great option because they take the planning out of the equation, offering meals and equipment without the hassle of trying to figure it all out on your own.
Renting kayaks and doing a DIY tour out to the Captain Cook Monument is another option for those who want some freedom in their itinerary and don’t mind a no-frills experience. If going it alone isn’t your cup of tea, there are also kayaking tours that you can join, including glass-bottom kayaks that offer a window into the ocean below!
Hiking is an alternative option although it isn’t a walk in the park. The Ka’awaloa Trail is fairly strenuous as it’s just shy of 4 miles long round-trip and steep. It becomes especially challenging in the heat! Be sure to keep in mind that while it might seem like a breeze on the way down to the bay, the trail is all uphill on the hike back. Many hikers opt to wear sturdy hiking boots down to the beach due to the rocky nature of the trail.
The Big Island is famous for even more than Kealakekua Bay:
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Is it Worth Going on a Captain Cook Snorkeling Tour?
Yes! We think so. Given the length of the hike, we prefer to skip that and save our energy for enjoying this marine life conservation district from the water. We’ve made some incredible memories and had some of the most unforgettable experiences here. From seeing spinner dolphins swimming close to us on a kayaking tour to spotting both a shark and an eel on our rafting tour. After snorkeling in countless places around Hawaii, we can say that this area has given us some of our best snorkeling experiences!
The 5 Best Captain Cook Snorkeling Tours
We have in-depth reviews of each of these tours in the link in the descriptions below. If you know exactly what you want and you’re ready to book, use the buttons below to book directly with the tour operators.
1. Best Small Group Boat Tour (+ a great price!)
Small group size, awesome history, and a wonderful price point make this tour with Hawaii Oceanic a no-brainer if you aren’t worried about frills but still want a great experience. Take off from Keauhou Harbor in a 27’ Force Marine powerboat, headed straight for Kealakekua Bay and the Captain Cook Monument.
You’ll have a solid one and a half hours to snorkel along the bay, taking in the colorful fish and abundant marine life. Along the way, humpback whales (seasonal) and spinner dolphins are likely to make an appearance. You’ll also learn fun facts about the local history including Captain Cook and the nearby burial grounds of Hawaiian chiefs.
This tour does have some shaded areas onboard the boat. Ride-alongs are welcome with a minimum age of 5 years old. This is not a tour for beginner swimmers and snorkelers need to be able to swim at least 25 yards comfortably. Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are included!
Prices are $99 per person (at time of publishing), regardless of age.
2. Best Catamaran Tour
Hop on board the spacious 50’ catamaran for a cruise with Sea Paradise down the Kona Coast to the idyllic Kealakekua Bay. You’ll get a little history lesson about the area’s storied past while gliding comfortably along the water for 45 minutes before you reach your destination. Keep your eyes peeled for spinner dolphins along the bow or whales off in the distance in the winter months.
They offer two tours, the morning option which is 4.5 hours, and the afternoon tour which runs for 3 hours. Morning tours also include lunch and non-alcoholic drinks while the afternoon tour provides appetizers (also known as pupus) and non-alcoholic beverages. A cash bar opens up for 1 hour on the ride home for both tours. Of the two, we generally prefer the morning tour because it’s longer and there’s a better chance for good visibility before the tradewinds kick up.
This is a comfy ride with bathrooms on board and shade in the galley. For those who are prone to seasickness, catamarans can be a great option as they provide a more stable ride than monohull boats. You’ll still want to take seasickness medication as directed just in case.
Luckily, all ages are welcome on this tour. Beginner snorkelers are also welcome and staff are happy to assist with additional tips and floatation devices.
Prices vary depending on which tour you book. Morning tours are a bit pricier at $165 for adults, $110 for children (6-12 years old), and $55 for toddlers (4 and under). Afternoon tours are $125 for adults, $75 for children (6-12 years old), and $45 for toddlers (4 and under). Prices are accurate at the time of publishing.
Get more out of your visit to Kona:
Where to Stay in Kona: the 7 Best Hotels and Vacation Rentals
The 21 Best Things to do in Kona (+ tips to know before you go)
3. Best Large Boat Tour
If you’re looking for a more luxurious experience that pulls out all the stops, this twice-daily tour with Fair Winds is it! Leaving Keauhou Bay, guests will set sail on board a large boat with two waterslides and a high dive to enjoy once they reach their destination. The boat makes its way to Kealakekua Bay where it puts down anchor for over an hour of beautiful snorkeling.
As you make your way to the Captain Cook Monument, watch for spinner dolphins in the distance and manta rays who come to this area for its cleaning stations. Reef-safe sunscreen and flotation devices are provided onboard. Most of the boat is covered in shade and there are two bathrooms available.
A fully plant-based (vegan) menu ensures that they stay true to their eco-friendly offerings with breakfast and lunch provided on the morning tour, while on the afternoon tour you’ll enjoy snacks and a full bar.
If you’re wary about a plant-based meal, don’t fret! Their breakfast menu includes banana bread, fresh fruit, Kona coffee, and overnight oats while the afternoon tour can look forward to BBQ jackfruit (akin to pulled pork) or chickpea sliders (similar to tuna salad), sweet potato chips, both potato salad and green salads, homemade pickles, and cookies.
The timing of both tours is great as it ensures that guests make it back just after lunch for more exploring or right before dinner. Ride-alongs are warmly welcomed. This is a tour for all ages.
Morning tour prices are $177 for adults, $110 for children (ages 4-12), and $45 for toddlers (ages 0-3). Afternoon tours are around $129 for adults, $78 for children (ages 4-12), and $29 for toddlers (ages 0-3). Prices do vary slightly depending on what time of year you book and were accurate at the time of booking.
Note: We pride ourselves on providing direct booking links for the best Hawaii tours. For this operator, we don’t have a direct booking link. You can save 10% by booking on their website using their promo code. Or you can request a Lowest Price Guarantee through Viator to receive the 10% off. Thanks for booking through our website as it helps us provide more of these reviews.
4. Best Raft Tour
We can’t deny, this might be one of our favorite snorkeling experiences! These tours are a real-deal adventure onboard Captain Zodiac’s Power Raft. You’ll leave from Kona Marina (click for directions) which offers a bit of a different perspective from other tours with a few interesting historic pitstops along the way. Zoom your way through the water to Kealakekua Bay where visitors can snorkel to their heart’s content. You might even spot a moray eel like we did! Check out Jordan’s experience in the video below!
Aside from snorkeling, you’ll also get a nice little geology lesson and a sneak peek inside sea caves and lava tubes on your ride back to the harbor. This additional sightseeing is thanks to the power rafts nimble ability to explore the nooks and crannies of the coast, something that larger boats simply can’t do.
Two different tours are offered on a daily basis, the “Beat the Crowd Tour” and the “Morning Tour”. We prefer the “Beat the Crowd Tour” because it includes a deli lunch and is a bit longer at five hours versus four hours.
High-quality snorkeling gear and floatation devices are provided, which can help you avoid touching the reef! Keep in mind that there is no shade or bathrooms on this tour which might be a dealbreaker for some visitors..
The “Beat the Crowd Tour” is $155 per adult and $120 for children (ages 4-12). Prices were accurate as of the time of publishing.
5. Best Kayak Tour
For those interested in being right on the water – and getting a bit of a workout in – kayaking out to Kealakekua Bay is a wonderful experience! Grab a partner and head out on this double-kayak adventure to the Captain Cook Monument.
After a beautiful and relaxed kayak across the bay, you’ll make a dry landing near the Captain Cook Monument itself. Spend your time exploring the monument on foot (fun fact: most boat tours can’t do this!) and in the water, swimming with hundreds of colorful tropical fish, eels, sea turtles, and maybe the odd shark or two. Spinner dolphins are frequently sighted along the paddle out to Kealakekua Bay and even whales in winter.
This tour is a great mixture of kayaking and snorkeling with about 1.5 hours of both. Although you can DIY this kayak tour (which we have done) it’s also nice to have guides around to lead the way, add in some local history, and provide all of your gear.
Another element that some visitors might not consider is state landing permits which are provided by most kayak companies. If you don’t happen to have these, you’ll have to re-enter your kayak from deep water or pull it behind you while you’re snorkeling.
Plenty of drinks and snacks are included. Private charters are also on offer and affordable for those who want a more personalized experience. Recommended ages for this tour are from 7 to 67. Beginners are more than welcome to join!
Prices are $120 per person.
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Captain Cook Snorkeling Tour Tips
We’ve been out to Kealakekua Bay countless times and always have a blast. To make the most out of your experience, we have a few tips for Captain Cook Snorkeling tours!
What should you bring on a Captain Cook Snorkeling Tour?
So, what should you pack for a Captain Cook snorkeling tour? It depends on which kind of tour you’re taking.
Boat tours often supply guests with everything from towels to sunscreen and meals, including drinks. At the bare minimum, you should bring along mineral-based sunscreen (to protect the delicate reefs!), sunglasses, protective sun clothing, and a beach towel, just in case. If you’ll be snorkeling or hiking you’ll want to add plenty of water and maybe a few snacks to your bag.
It’s also a great idea to bring your camera, especially if you have a GoPro, for snapping underwater pictures and videos! Some of the best snorkeling footage we’ve ever gotten was at Kealakekua Bay.
If you’re prone to motion sickness, you may want to opt for a tour on a larger boat and remember to take motion sickness medication prior to boarding.
What is included on the Captain Cook Snorkeling Tours?
Most Captain Cook snorkeling tours will include all of the snorkeling gear you’ll need and typically snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, although some tours also offer full meals.
What’s the best time of day to go on a Captain Cook Snorkeling Tour?
While there’s technically no “best time” for snorkeling, we prefer to head out in the morning, before the trade winds start to pick up and cause the water to get more choppy. This is also a better time to be outside in terms of sun exposure and gives you a chance to beat the heavier afternoon crowds.
Give the spinner dolphins space
One of the most exciting moments on a Captain Cook snorkeling tour is spotting the spinner dolphins! Spinner dolphins often hang out in Kealakakua Bay to rest after fishing in deep waters off the coast and for essential activities like mating.
Remember to keep your distance from the spinner dolphins, staying at least 50 yards away from them at all times! This isn’t just a suggestion but the law.
Related reads:
The 9 Best Big Island Snorkeling Tours
Big Island Whale Watching: The 6 Best Tours and Viewing From the Shore
The 10 Best Big Island Waterfalls (+ ones you can swim in!)
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