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Kona Snorkeling: Explore Kealakekua Bay's Marine Sanctuary & Captain Cook Monument
4.9
199 Ratings
Kailua-Kona
Embark on an exhilarating Zodiac tour to Kealakekua Bay, home to the Captain Cook monument and a vibrant marine sanctuary. Snorkel with tropical fish and explore sea caves along the stunning coastline.
Embark on an exhilarating Zodiac tour to Kealakekua Bay, home to the Captain Cook monument and a vibrant marine sanctuary. Snorkel with tropical fish and explore sea caves along the stunning coastline.
Duration:
5 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Honokohau Small Boat Harbor - This is the original rafting company of Hawai’i, with our family run office set up for checking in each of our excursions. Our office allows indoor seating, air conditioning, convenient restrooms, reef safe sunscreen, children entertainment, souvenir shopping and one fluffy friendly golden retriever, if you are missing yours back home.
- Honokohau Small Boat Harbor - This is the original rafting company of Hawai’i, with our family run office set up for checking in each of our excursions. Our office allows indoor seating, air conditioning, convenient restrooms, reef safe sunscreen, children entertainment, souvenir shopping and one fluffy friendly golden retriever, if you are missing yours back home.
What's Included
- Snorkel gear including masks, fins, and flotation devices
- Complimentary snacks such as chips, cookies, and beverages
- Eco-friendly Reef Safe Sunscreen available pre-trip
- Extended time for marine mammal sightings
- Turkey sandwiches, with vegan and vegetarian options
- Eco-conscious: bring your reusable water bottle
- Snorkel gear including masks, fins, and flotation devices
- Complimentary snacks such as chips, cookies, and beverages
- Eco-friendly Reef Safe Sunscreen available pre-trip
- Extended time for marine mammal sightings
- Turkey sandwiches, with vegan and vegetarian options
- Eco-conscious: bring your reusable water bottle
What's Not Included
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- Gratuities
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Embark on a thrilling Zodiac tour in Big Island towards Kealakekua Bay, the location of Captain Cook monument and Hawaii’s top marine sanctuary. Revel in snorkelling alongside a spectrum of tropical fish amidst the stunning coral gardens in the bay’s pristine, transparent waters. Relish the pleasant picnic snack offered before setting off again. Our…
Embark on a thrilling Zodiac tour in Big Island towards Kealakekua Bay, the location of Captain Cook monument and Hawaii’s top marine sanctuary. Revel in snorkelling alongside a spectrum of tropical fish amidst the stunning coral gardens in the bay’s pristine, transparent waters. Relish the pleasant picnic snack offered before setting off again. Our Zodiac rafts enable us to closely follow the shoreline and access spots unreachable by other boats. Come along with us to discover extensive sea caves, lava tubes and the untamed allure of the coastline.
- Minimum age is 4 years
- Not recommended for participants with back or neck problems
- We apologize ahead of time but due to the bouncy nature, pregnant individuals are not allowed
Location
Captain Zodiac Snorkeling and Whale Watching tours
Kealakehe Parkway
Captain Zodiac is located at 74-425 Kealakehe Parkway, suite #16. We are in the Honokohau Marina and small boat harbor located approximately 5 miles south of the Kona Airport and approximately 2 miles north of the town of Kailua-Kona. Meet at our office in the Gentry's Kona Marina parking lot.
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
(199 Ratings)
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Kenhd6320ao
Oct 7, 2024
👍👍👍 - Sunday Oct 6, 2024 Great experience! Right out of the gate saw Dolphins and a large pod of short fin pilot whales surrounded the boat - awesome. Riding the rail of a zodiac even on a perfectly calm morning takes some getting used to but on the way back was relaxed even though the ocean was slightly rougher - I.e., got used to it and was no big deal. The snorkeling in the bay was spectacular, got there b4 crowd, abundant sea life (put Hanauma Bay in Oahu to shame). Captain Rick and Devante (hope I got the names right) were professional, entertaining and good hosts. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
U6016sxlj
Sep 27, 2024
Loved the snorkeling! - Great boat ride! Good snorkeling. Saw lots of sealife in a nice quiet bay. Captain was most congenial and informative on island points of interest from the water.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Travel53718931372
Sep 25, 2024
Snorkeling at Kona - This was a five hour snorkeling tour. Chuck was our captain and he did an excellent job. We snorkeled close to the Captain Cook memorial statue (approx. 20 miles from the harbor where we started the tour). The fish and other sea life was plentiful. Chuck was an excellent captain....very "laid back" and attentive to our needs. He was able to provide a lot of information/history about the area. And since he'd lived in the area for a number a years he knew where to go to show us things along the coast that I'm sure many other tours might miss. We saw lava tubes, dolphins, black crabs, and other sea life that other tours might not see.
I would definitely recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Seaside49312223765
Sep 22, 2024
Best tour we have been on yet! - This boat tour was one of the best adventures our family has ever been on. Captain Chuck was knowledgeable, friendly, and laid back. He was flexible and helped our group get the most out of our time. We saw a large pod of dolphins that put on a show for us 20 minutes into the tour! My wife and I had the best snorkeling dives ever and Captain Chuck helped us with our 4 year old so we could get the most time in the water. When we got back on the boat they were singing songs and having lunch. Book it and have fun, worth every penny!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Keith_t
Sep 18, 2024
Snorkel in KaiLuaKona - Was a good trip, plenty of time to snorkel and guides were nice. Would recommend. Be sure to be prepared for the Zodiac ride.
Review provided by Viator
H4824ukrachaelm
Sep 3, 2024
Don't think, just book! - Amazing views, rich history, and good company - my husband and I are visiting from Portland on our honeymoon and I'm so glad we booked this fun activity! Our boat captains Rick and Gabe pay close attention at all times to keep everyone safe, AND they feed you while you're out on the water (that turkey sandwich was bomb). We saw so many beautiful sea critters while snorkeling and it was truly an unforgettable experience. Thank you, Captain Zodiac! :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Crazyhiker
Aug 25, 2024
A great time at Kealakekua bay - The beat the crowd tour to Kealakekua Bay was the highlight of my trip to Hawaii with my family. It was my second trip to the bay, the first being a kayak trip in 2005. I brought my kids with this time (two teens and a grade schooler). It was their first time snorkeling and they loved it. The snorkeling in the bay was the best snorkeling I've had besides the Great Barrier Reef- just amazing water clarity, variety of fish, and coral landscape.
I chose Captain Zodiac and the beat the crowd tour in particular because of the length of time in the water this tour offered, and the boat's ability to get into features along the coast. I really enjoyed the fast boat ride and the open experience of the zodiac boat. I would definitely do this tour again on a return trip to Hawaii.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Getaway44688211551
Aug 13, 2024
10/10 Highly recommend - This has been the highlight of my Hawaii trip so far. The boat ride to and from the snorkel location was a blast. This was my first time snorkeling and I got to see a lot of different fish and coral. Our group even saw multiple pods of dolphins that day! The captains were so friendly and they made sure the group had a fun and safe experience. We had group members as young as 10 years old and they had life vests and floaties for people who needed it. I would highly recommend this tour for if you want a beginner friendly snorkel tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
669kelsieb
Jul 31, 2024
Well worth it, highly recommend! - Definitely worth it! The crew was amazing- they fully cater to you and allow you to also do your thing and enjoy the beautiful views and snorkeling! Took my 11,12 and 13 year old and they also loved it! You ride the boat out, snorkel have lunch, snorkel some
More and the reefs and scenery are delightful!
I wouldn’t advise this trip for anyone with back problems.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Roxyc529
Jul 22, 2024
MUST DO TOUR ON BIG ISLAND! - Aloha! If you want to experience the most phenomenal snorkeling on the Big Island along with the GREATEST Captains EVER, then you have found your tour! Our Family of 11 experienced one of the highlights of our first trip to the Big Island with Captain Rick & First Mate Kalia! They made our trip exceptional with their incredible personalities, wonderful skills & spot on advice! We saw breathtaking reefs filled with incredible wildlife! We felt like we were swimming in an aquarium! We even saw bottle nose dolphins, spinner dolphins & sea turtles! The Zodiac Raft trip itself was so much fun!! And the tour included stopping points to see sea caves, lava tubes, hear some of the history of Kona & honor the beautiful culture of this Island. We cannot say enough amazing things about this tour! Please BOOK IT & create the incredible memories that we did!! Mahalo Captain Zodiac, Captain Rick & First Mate Kalia for the most memorable day ever!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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