A Snorkeling + Cruise experience by Sea Paradise. Back to all Big Island tours.
Tour Summary: Sail to one of the best snorkeling spots on the island past the scenic Kona coastline with a spacious 50 foot catamaran from Keauhou to Kealakekua Bay. Notoriously difficult to reach over land, this is one of the best snorkeling spots on the island with pristine clear blue waters and a vibrant reef.
Large photoGetting into the water from the Hoku Nui is easy. Either by jumping of the front (shown here), or by using the staircase that drops into the water on the other side of the vessel. Image credit: Sea Paradise
Tour Highlights:
- Step aboard a luxurious 50 foot sailing Catamaran
- Snorkel at Kealakekua Bay (Captain Cook), one of the BEST snorkeling spots of the island
- GoPro rentals available to take your own awesome (underwater) videos and pictures of the day
Tour Information:
| Price: | Adult | Youth | Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| (excluding taxes & fees) | $125 | $75 | $45 |
Tour Provider: Sea Paradise
Activity: Snorkeling + Cruise
Tour start time: 1:30 pm
Duration: 3 hours
Departure from: Keauhou Harbor
Pick-up available? No
Included: Lights snacks, bottled water and coffee/tea, snorkel gear (mask, snorkel, fins), flotation noodles, life jackets, Reef Safe Sunscreen, and fish identification cards
Cancellations: Cancellations require 24 hour advance notice on regular bookings and 72 hour advance notice on private charters. You must call (800) 322-5662 or 808-322-2500 to cancel your tour. No refunds will be issued if you do not call to cancel in the required time prior to your scheduled check-in time.
Read more: about snorkeling in our Big Island snorkeling guide.
The Hoku Nui is a 50 ft (16 m) catamaran with a spacious design that allows guests a 360 degree view of the stunning Kona coastline. Shade is provided by the bimini top over the main cabin. Wide steps with hand railing allow in water access.
Please don’t forget to bring yourself: swim wear, a cover-up, sunglasses, reef safe sunscreen, a hat, towel, and camera.
Typical snorkeling itinerary:
The Hoku Nui sets sail from Keauhou Bay at 2 pm. For 45 minutes you’ll be sailing past the beautiful Kona coastline after which you arrive at the Historic Kealakekua Bay where you can see the Captain Cook Monument.
Before entering the water the crew will give you a site briefing and basic snorkeling instructions. Life jackets, flotation noodles, and viewfinder boards as well as masks, fins, and snorkels are provided and crew members will help you enter and exit the water if needed.
Kealakekua Bay
Kealakekua Bay is a Marine Sanctuary and one of the best snorkeling locations on the Big Island (it’s in our top 3!). Make sure to bring an underwater camera to capture the colorful schools of fish and the landscaped ledges of ancient lava flows. Pods of spinner dolphins are also commonly seen in the bay. If you don’t have an underwater camera but would like to take videos and photos you can also rent a GoPro with 16GB SD card that you can take home afterwards.
You can also enjoy the views from the boat over light snacks, or “pupus” as the locals call them. These include Maui Style chips and fresh, tropical fruits and beverages. Then it’s back to Keauhou Bay, arriving by approximately ~5 pm.
Check-in procedure:
You will receive directions to the boat at Keauhou Bay after you sign the e-waiver presented during the booking process.
Sea Paradise is an original manta ray tour expert in Hawaii, helping its guests get up close and personal with these majestic creatures since 1985.
They are a valued member of the Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawai’i and dedicate a lot of resources to environmental conservation and community service projects. For example, they donate and volunteer for the Surfrider Foundation and the Hawaii Wildlife Fund.
We are affiliate partners with Sea Paradise and any booking on this page you make is made directly with Sea Paradise. We receive a percentage from the activity provider for each successful booking made through our website but this happens without any additional charge to you. (read more on the use of those links on our website here).
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