To Check inKeauhou 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.
Description
Please read this tour description. There are lots of Kona snorkeling trips, most companies are double the price for this tour. We offer the best value guaranteed, while giving you a premium experience for a fraction of the price. We make you feel like family, not just a number. If you are new to snorkeling this is the ideal choice! However, swimming is a requirement.
Important: The listed start time is the check-in time, not the departure time. Please do not arrive early. This tour has two designated meeting points. Carefully review all tour details prior to booking, as this experience may not be suitable for all guests.
We offer several different times slots to fit your schedule. The times shown indicate the check in time. Tour duration includes time to check-in and receive gear. Snorkel participants must be comfortable swimming.
Looking for more snorkel time? We also offer a Deluxe Snorkel Tour. Check out our other listings for more details.
Tour Options
Snorkel Tour to Captain Cook Kailua-Kona, Big Island
Itinerary
150 min
READ THIS. START TIME IS IS NOT THE DEPARTURE TIME. START TIME IS THE CHECK IN TIME. DO NOT ARRIVE EARLY. THERE ARE TWO MEETING POINTS FOR THIS TOUR. PLEASE READ ALL TOUR DETAILS BEFORE BOOKING AS THIS TOUR IS NOT SUITABLE FOR EVERYONE. We offer several different times, each tour being 2.5 hours on the water. These trips provide the longest snorkel times at Kealakekua Bay with approximately 60 minutes 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!
The times shown indicate the check in time. Tour duration includes time to checkin and receive gear. Snorkel participants must be confortable swimming.
What's included
Included
Juices and bottled water
Sightseeing along coast of sea caves & lava tubes
Pool Noodles
Historical narration of Captain Cook's fate at Kealakekua Bay
Not included
Use reef safe sunscreen (zinc based is recommended- no oxybenzone and octinoxate. lotion, no spray)
Private transportation
Restroom on board
Snorkel Vest for Rent
Wet Suit
Traveller Ratings
4.8
573 reviews
5
513
4
32
3
11
2
2
1
15
Important Information
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Minimum age to attend tour 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
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Deluxe Snorkeling Trip to Captain Cook Monument take?
Deluxe Snorkeling Trip to Captain Cook Monument lasts about 2h 30min. The itinerary has 1 stop.
How much does Deluxe Snorkeling Trip to Captain Cook Monument cost?
Prices start at $99 per person for this Big Island of Hawaii experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel Deluxe Snorkeling Trip to Captain Cook Monument for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is 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. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Deluxe Snorkeling Trip to Captain Cook Monument offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 12 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Deluxe Snorkeling Trip to Captain Cook Monument worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.8 out of 5 across 573 verified reviews; it is run by Dolphin Discoveries.
Reviews(573)
H
Hannah_G
August 24, 2026
Great snorkeling
The boat ride was a little bumpy but really cool! We got real close to the edge of the island in a few different spots. The guides were knowledgeable about the island and the lore but also laid back and chill. We got almost an hour of snorkeling in and our overall group was about 10 people which was nice.
Operator response
Mahalo! A laid-back crew with great island knowledge, nearly an hour of snorkeling and a small group of ten -- that sounds like a perfect day on the water! We are so glad the up-close views of the coastline added something extra special to the trip. We appreciate you choosing us and hope to welcome you back on the water again someday!
T
T5066GFtammym
July 25, 2026
Fantastic family friendly adventure!
We did a deluxe snorkel with Dolphin Discoveries and had a blast. The staff were friendly, kind, and super knowledgeable about the area and the marine life. I learned a few new facts about the island too. It felt super safe, since we had our 4 children with us. The crew were watching the guests and kids in the water and giving great instructions. It was fun exploring the underwater world. Can’t wait to get out there with this team for a Manta adventure.
Operator response
Mahalo! A blast with four kids in the water and a crew that made everyone feel safe and excited -- that is exactly the kind of family adventure we love to deliver! We are so glad the marine life and island knowledge added something special to the day. We appreciate you choosing us and cannot wait to welcome your family back for the manta adventure someday!
N
Narita_B
July 8, 2026
Excellent snorkel trip
This was the perfect snorkel trip for our family of 3. It’s a small tour so there was only one other family of 3 on the boat. We have done a big boat with a slide and a ton of people before so I wanted something a little low key. Check in was easy and the captain showed up on time in the spot we were told to meet. We had Dennis as our captain today and he was excellent! He was super friendly, made us feel welcome, had some cool stories and knew a lot of history of the island. He definitely needs a raise 😉We would definitely use this company again next time we do a snorkel trip.
Operator response
Mahalo! A small group, easy check-in, a captain who showed up right on time with great stories and island history -- that is exactly the low-key but memorable experience we love to deliver! We are so glad your family had such a wonderful time and we would love to welcome you back on the water again someday!
M
marshall_v
June 28, 2026
Great trip lots of fish...
Great trip lots of fish and coral formations. 1215 trip was good had spot to ourselves for most of the time
Operator response
Mahalo! Lots of fish, beautiful coral formations and having the spot mostly to yourselves -- that is a great day on the water! We appreciate you choosing us and hope to welcome you back on the water again someday!
S
SandraEE2
June 11, 2026
Fun
Just loved the area and our stay!
Operator response
Mahalo! We are so glad you loved the experience and the beauty of Kona -- there really is nowhere quite like it! We appreciate you choosing us and hope to welcome you back on the water again someday!
M
Megan_G
May 12, 2026
Unforgettable experience
Our tour guide was down to earth and loved his job. He would answer anything we asked, and you could tell he genuinely enjoyed it. He made the boat ride to the snorkeling reef an adrenaline rush, even on the way back when he was showing us the lava tubes and Pele on the side of the the island. The snorkeling was incredible. We had never been in an actual reef before with all types of tropical fish swimming with us. They werent shy. It seemed like they wanted to show us their underwater world. I would definitely do it again. My only regret was I wasn't aware I could ditch the snorkel and dive down deeper into the reef. I didn't realize I was allowed until I was already on the boat and mentioned I wish I could have only to realize the guide said I totally could have. Oh and they had ice cold water and juice on the boat for anyone that wanted it. Definitely a trip that will be remembered forever
Operator response
Mahalo! We love hearing that the reef fish made you feel so welcome in their world -- they really do seem to have a personality of their own! We are so glad the whole experience from the boat ride to the lava tubes left such a lasting impression. We also appreciate the feedback about communicating the option to dive deeper -- that is a great point and we will make sure guests know that going forward. We appreciate you choosing us and hope to welcome you back on the water again someday!
C
Christie_B
April 28, 2026
Fun morning, appreciate the small group size
Such a fun morning with Captain Robert and Addy! Easy check-in, well-maintained boat and equipment, great snorkeling. Roberts showed us some cool sites along the Cliffs on the way back and made it a lot of fun. Great selection on drinks on-board too (non-alcoholic). I'd love to do it again!
Operator response
Mahalo! We are so glad everything from check-in to the cliff sites on the way back made for such a fun morning on the water. It sounds like a perfect day! We appreciate you choosing us and hope to welcome you back on the water again someday!
S
Selena_E
April 24, 2026
Great trip
We had a great experience. It was easy with the right amount on time to snorkeling time. Highly recommend if you just want to go out and snorkel.
Operator response
Mahalo! We are so glad the experience felt just right and that you had a great time out on the water. The Captain Cook snorkel is such a special one! We appreciate you choosing us and hope to welcome you back on the water again someday!
B
Bill_R
April 23, 2026
Last-minute cancellation
Tour canceled less than 24 hours in advance because my wife and I were the only ones scheduled. They said they needed at least 6 people to take the tour. We had to scramble to book another tour with Captain Zodiac Raft Expeditions through NCL — it was great.
Operator response
Aloha,
We’re sorry we weren’t able to take you snorkeling, and we understand how disappointing it is when plans change—especially on vacation. Because you and your wife were the only guests booked for that departure, we didn’t meet the minimum of 6 passengers required to run the tour. We reached out at 3:00 p.m. the day before your trip to let you know, and we processed a full refund immediately when we canceled. This minimum is noted at booking, but we’re sorry it still impacted your vacation time. We’re glad you were able to find another option to get out on the water.
I
Irene_B
April 8, 2026
Best snorkel adventure in Kona
This tour is fun, family friendly, well organized and professional. Our kids said it was the highlight of the week. We took the tour with our 10 and 12 year old kids on a cloudy afternoon so it turned out to be a private tour. The woman who checked us in, Rita, was friendly and helpful to help us get our gear. Captain Dennis helped us get into the water and helped to get my 10 year old a new mask when the first one was leaking. Very friendly to kids who are nervous and scared. Captain Dennis’ warmth really helped my daughter relax and have a good time. He also took us to some historical points on the way back home which we would have never seen from land. Overall a great tour that I highly recommend for any family or couple. Thanks Captain Dennis!
Operator response
Mahalo! The highlight of the week for your kids -- we absolutely love hearing that! We are so glad our crew made everyone feel at ease and that the snorkeling, sea caves and those hidden historical spots made for such a memorable afternoon. We appreciate you choosing us and hope to welcome your family back on the water again someday!
