Snorkel Tour to Captain Cook Monument Kailua-Kona, Big Island

Experience the beauty of snorkeling at the Captain Cook Monument in Kailua-Kona, Big Island. Perfect for beginners and families, our slow-paced tour offers assistance and the chance to spot dolphins and whales.

Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • 78-7130 Kaleiopapa St - We offer three different times, each being 3 hours long. These trips provide the longest snorkel times at Kealakekua Bay with approximately an hour of snorkel time. This adventure promises views of 100’s of different varieties of tropical fish along with an occasional “Honu” (Hawaiian green sea turtle). Your Captain will share Hawaiian History and get you up and personal with sea caves and lava tubes. If you are new to or have never snorkeled before this is the ideal choice!
    7:00 a.m.: Beats the crowds to Kealakekua Bay/Captain Cook Monument. We are often the first boat in the bay and guests get time to enjoy the reef with limited interruption.
    11:30 a.m.: Designed for those who want a later start and enjoy the warmest part of the day.
    12:30 p.m.: Geared for those who want to escape the crowds. This lazy afternoon snorkel is a more relaxed adventure to the best snorkel spot along the coast.

Snorkel participants must have swim experience.

What's Included
  • Snacks, fruit, juices and bottled water
  • Sightseeing along coast of sea caves & lava tubes
  • Pool Noodles
  • Historical narration of Captain Cook’s fate at Kealakekua Bay
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities for your crew always appreciated
  • Please bring towel and cover-up
  • Use reef safe sunscreen (zinc based is recommended- no oxybenzone and octinoxate. lotion, no spray)
Additional Information

If you are new to or have never snorkeled before this is the ideal choice! Particularly good for families with younger children or swimmers who aren’t certain if they are “seaworthy” enough for one of our longer trips.

This trip is much slower-paced and affords guests time to become more familiar and comfortable with the exciting and beautiful sport of snorkeling. Our crew will be happy to help you adjust your mask, fins, and snorkel and help you become comfortable viewing the tropical fish while using a flotation assistance device we call a “noodle”. You’ll even watch for dolphins and whales along the way!

Looking for more snorkel time? We also offer a Deluxe Snorkel Tour that includes snorkeling at two different reefs. Check out our other listings for more details regarding that tour.

  • Minimum age requirement is 6yrs old
  • Must be comfortable treading water and swimming unassisted
  • Electronic Waiver required to be signed prior to tour
  • Must be under 285 lbs
  • Must be able to climb up a metal ladder to get back in the boat
  • Our vessels are RHIBS (zodiac style boats; seating is on a pontoon).
  • Minors must be accompanied by an adult at all times
  • We have full discretion to refuse service to guests based on attire, behavior, physical fitness & condition
  • Restroom facilities not available on boat
  • Not recommended for travelers with neck problems
Location
78-6831 Ali‘i Dr
Ali‘i Drive
To Check in: Keauhou Shopping Center, 78-6831 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i 96740. Located in inside the center in the courtyard behind Tropics, KTA & Bianelli's. Once checked in, you will drive to Keauhou Bay where the crew will greet you for the tour. If Ubering, schedule 2 stops in the app.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.8
(394 Ratings)
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Cleari_m
Jul 28, 2024
Enjoyed the captain that... - Enjoyed the captain that took us on this cruise. Love the spots that we went to. We saw all types of fish. The pineapple was super sweet enjoyed having snack while we went to see the caves.
Review provided by Viator
Holly
Jul 26, 2024
Wonderful for families of all ages - This was an excellent first snorkel experience for my teens. Captains Raj and Jenny were wonderful! They were helpful, knowledgeable, and patient. The ride along the coast was fun and not too long. The snorkeling was beautiful! A pair of bottlenose dolphins stuck around the bay the whole time we were there, making the experience even more memorable. On the ride back to the harbor we stopped for some sightseeing and history of some amazing places along the coast. Chips, juice, water, and fruit were provided on the boat. We did the earliest possible excursion and I’m so glad we did. The snorkeling bay got more and more crowded as the morning progressed. I highly recommend Dolphin Discoveries. We’re making core memories
Review provided by Tripadvisor
John_m
Jul 25, 2024
Great snorkeling excursion - Great excursion! The captain was entertaining, the crew member was very helpful and even brought some home grown pineapple for us to snack on. We saw some dolphins and a ton of beautiful reef fish. The reef was in great shape and we had a great time snorkeling. The snorkeling equipment was in good shape and they made sure we were properly fitted for the gear before we left on the boat Couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I would go again and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a great snorkeling experience at a reasonable orice
Review provided by Viator
H4003jesarahm
Jul 22, 2024
Great Experience! - This was a great trip! We had Captain Robert and crew (sorry, can’t remember his name but it was 7/22) and they both did an amazing job! Robert did a great job explaining what to expect before we left and when we got to the snorkel spot he went over where we could and couldn’t swim and things to keep in mind while we were in the water. We even saw dolphins! While out snorkeling they drove the boat around to make sure people were ok and gave us time warnings which was super helpful. After we were back on the boat they provided drinks and snacks, including some delicious pineapple. We would definitely do the tour again, thanks for great memories!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sayra_c
Jul 16, 2024
The ride to captain cook... - The ride to captain cook monument was smooth. I love the fact that we got to see dolphins. The captain was super nice and informative.
Review provided by Viator
Ross_p
Jul 14, 2024
Amazing snorkeling and cave fun!! - We had an amazing time! We saw lots of beautiful fish and really cool caves! As well as the coast line. So beautiful!! Our crew was awesome!! Thank you, Kalia and Craig you guys are great!!!! I would highly recommend this tour!!! 🤟 you rock!! The prosser family
Review provided by Viator
Emily_a
Jul 10, 2024
Great experience - They were very helpful when I had trouble with water getting into my snorkeling mask, and I enjoyed the historical stories and cultural myths Chris shared as well
Review provided by Viator
Jessica_h
Jul 7, 2024
Underwater aquarium - Fun crew. Easy boat ride. Great snorkeling. Would definitely go again. The fish are beautiful. Looks like you are in an aquarium.
Review provided by Viator
Lythia718
Jul 11, 2024
Hooked on Hawaiian Potato Chips and Captain Cook - A great tour from start to finish. I was introduced to Hawaiian potato chips and now Im hooked!!! Rob and Raj were good tour operators. The ONLY qualm that I have and this also serves as a warning or KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: is that they list the Uber instructions on the TripAdvisor app in addition to the emails. If you are taking Uber, you have to stop down at their main office to check in, get fitted for your snorkel gear while having your driver WAIT FOR YOU, and then have the driver drop you off at the docks. You have to set this up in the app as TWO STOPS. I was lucky that my driver was familiar with them and knew the process, but other tourists may not be so lucky so keep that in mind. I say to add this into the app because it's standard operating procedures for them. Email inboxes can get cluttered, emails get lost because you booked multiple tours and are in constant communication with the different tour operators. Emails can also go to spam and it can be quite difficult sorting through that when you're on vacation and in a rush. Bring your Dramamine in case you are susceptible to sea sickness. I would also recommend bringing your own extra snacks in case you don't like the junk food (potato chips) options or if you need a little extra sustenance. They do offer healthy fruit options, but it might not be enough for some people. So with that only gripe out of the way, all in all a splendid tour and wouldn't mind cruising with them again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Escape59745840491
Jul 11, 2024
Worst Snorkeling Experience Ever - Felt Neglected and Insulted - I had high hopes for this snorkeling trip, but it turned out to be a disaster from start to finish. The captain completely neglected me the entire trip. he seemed more interested in chatting with other guests. I felt completely unwelcome and ignored. To make matters worse, the captain made an incredibly rude and unprofessional comment, saying I looked like a fish. Not only was this insulting, but it also made me feel even more uncomfortable and unwelcome. Overall, this was the worst snorkeling experience I've ever had. I would not recommend this trip to anyone. The captain's neglect and inappropriate comments ruined what should have been a fun and enjoyable day. Save your money and look for a more professional and respectful snorkeling tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 14 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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