Tours/Big Island of Hawaii/Kealakekua Bay Captain Cook Snorkel Exclusive
Viator · group up to 14 pax

Kealakekua Bay Captain Cook Snorkel Exclusive

4.9(407)Big Island of Hawaii1 hour
VIATOR4.9(71)TRIPADVISOR4.9(336)

Description

With the world-renowned and historic destination of Kealakekua Bay just minutes from our point of departure, the Captain Cook Exclusive is a personal, exciting, and efficient way to see the Bay named one of the world’s best snorkeling locations. Kealakekua Bay is a 315-acre marine sanctuary that boasts incredibly protected waters year round making it the best place in Hawaii for beginning snorkelers. After a full hour of snorkeling in the crystal clear waters directly in front of the monument to Captain James Cook, you make your way back to Keauhou Bay along the South Kona coastline. Your Captain maneuvers our custom-made vessels into the sea caves at the base of Hualalai, hugging the coast and detailing the culturally significant and geologically fascinating features along the way. Watch for dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and even herds of thousands of goats! If you plan on snorkeling while in Hawaii and want to see what few do, this is the tour for you.

Tour Options

Kealakekua Bay Captain Cook Snorkel Exclusive

Itinerary

Admission included180 min

Guests will visit Kealakekua Bay, Captain Cooks Monument, a pristine marine sanctuary. Our Captain and Crew will share the history and culture and we adventure through sea caves and lava tubes.

Highlights

Water & Juice
Bottled water
Snacks
Flotation Devices (including snorkeling vests & view finder boards)
Snorkeling Gear

What's included

Included
Water & Juice
Bottled water
Snacks
Flotation Devices (including snorkeling vests & view finder boards)
Snorkeling Gear
Not included
Towels
Sunscreen
Swimsuits

Traveller Ratings

4.9
407 reviews
5
388
4
13
3
3
2
1
1
2

Important Information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Swimming & snorkeling experience not necessary but recommended
  • Must be able to climb a short pool ladder
  • Women that are pregnant and individuals with back or neck injuries are restricted

Reviews(407)

N
nielsoncr
August 16, 2026
Amazing Captain and crew

Captain Bee and crew were great. On our way out she spotted some spinner dolphins and stopped to give everyone a chance to see them jumping out of the water. The snorkeling was great. As a bonus a manta ray was spotted on our return. Would recommend SeaQuest again.

Operator response

Aloha! Thank you for choosing Sea Quest Hawaii's Captain Cook Exclusive Snorkel Tour! We are so happy to hear you had such a wonderful experience with Captain Bee and the crew. It sounds like you had an extra special day on the water, from spotting the spinner dolphins along the way to enjoying a surprise manta ray sighting on your return. We love when the ocean has a few unexpected moments in store for our guests! We hope to see you again on your next vacation to the Big Island. With warmest aloha, The Sea Quest Hawaii Team

2
293kaitlynn
August 10, 2026
Sea Quest Captain Cook Snorkel

I had a great experience with Sea Quest! My guide was Paola, and our captain was Mike! They were both amazing and so friendly, and they made sure everyone was safe at all times. The excursion itself was from 9 am to 12 pm, and the raft we were on had a roof, which was very helpful with the sun. Our raft had about 20 people on it, and it was still very spacious.

Operator response

Aloha Kaitlynn! Thank you for choosing Sea Quest Hawaii! We are so happy to hear you had such a great experience with us! It means a lot to know that Paola and Captain Mike made you feel welcome, comfortable, and safe throughout your adventure. We will be sure to share your kind words with them. We are also glad you enjoyed the covered boat and the spacious ride out to Kealakekua Bay. Our crew works hard to make sure everyone can relax, enjoy the scenery, and have a memorable time exploring the beautiful waters of Hawaiʻi Island. Mahalo nui loa for joining us, and for taking the time to share your experience. We hope to welcome you back aboard again for another special day on the water! With warmest aloha, The Sea Quest Hawaii Team

A
AnB312
August 2, 2026
Great snorkeling trip

My husband, my 6-year old son and I went on the Captain Cook snorkeling tour with Mike from Sea Quest, and had a great time. There was one other family of 3, so it was a small group on the boat. Mike was very patient and kind, and the snorkeling was great. There was fruit and chips provided.

Operator response

Aloha! Thank you for choosing Sea Quest Hawaii! We are so happy to hear that your whole Ohana had a wonderful time on our Captain Cook Snorkel Exclusive tour. Our small group tours allow for a more personal experience, and we are glad you enjoyed exploring the beautiful waters of Kealakekua Bay. Mahalo for your kind words about Captain Mike. We are delighted to hear that his patience and kindness helped make your family's adventure so enjoyable. It is wonderful that you had a great snorkeling experience, and we hope you enjoyed the fresh fruit and snacks along the way. Mahalo nui loa for your thoughtful review. We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome your Ohana back for another unforgettable adventure the next time you visit the Big Island! With aloha, The Sea Quest Hawaii Team

D
Dreamer149853
July 24, 2026
Lovely tour and snorkeling trip

Very knowledgeable guide and support staff. She shared a lot of history about the sites we were seeing. The Hawaiian snacks, fruit, and fruit soda were a great touch.

Operator response

Aloha! Thank you for choosing Sea Quest Hawaii and mahalo nui loa for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear you enjoyed your Captain Cook Snorkel Exclusive tour. Sharing the history, culture, and beauty of the Kona Coast is one of our favorite parts of the experience, and we are so glad our crew helped make your day both fun and informative. We are also happy to hear you enjoyed the local Hawaiian snacks, fresh fruit, and fruit soda. We love incorporating a taste of Hawaiʻi into our tours to make the experience even more memorable. Thank you again for spending the day with our Sea Quest ohana. We hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure on the Kona Coast. Mahalo!

M
mgriffis22
July 19, 2026
Family Snorkeling Adventue

Excellent tour of Captain Cook for our family. Guides were great, knowledgeable, thorough and would definitely repeat tour again.

Operator response

Aloha! Thank you for choosing Sea Quest Hawaii! Mahalo nui loa for sharing your experience! We are delighted to hear that your ohana enjoyed the Kealakekua Bay Captain Cook Snorkel Exclusive tour. It is wonderful to know that our crew's knowledge, thoroughness, and care helped make your adventure memorable. We truly appreciate your kind words and are honored that you would choose to join us again. We look forward to welcoming you back for another amazing day on the water. With warmest Aloha, The Sea Quest Hawaii Team

M
MistiW2910
July 16, 2026
Wonderful Experience

Amazing time, Brenna and Brooke were funny, knowledgeable and very attentive when I had a run in with a man o war. I would highly recommend.

Operator response

Aloha Misti! Thank you for choosing Sea Quest Hawaii! We are so happy to hear you had a wonderful time on your Captain Cook Snorkel Exclusive tour. Mahalo for your kind words about Brenna and Brooke. They will be thrilled to know their knowledge, attentiveness, and sense of humor made such a positive impact on your experience. We are especially glad they were there to take great care of you after your encounter with the man o war. Our crew is passionate about ensuring every guest feels safe and supported while enjoying Hawaii's incredible ocean. Mahalo nui loa for your recommendation. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure with our ohana the next time you are on the Big Island! With warmest aloha, The Sea Quest Hawaii Ohana

D
dctravla
July 7, 2026
Excellent Snorkeling Experience!

Captain B and Tay were awesome! The speed boat ride was a lot of fun, especially for my kids! The snorkeling was incredible - so many cool fish, especially closer to the shore. We had the best time and would definitely recommend Sea Quest! Also, aloha to B’s mom! She told us you read all the Trip Advisor reviews lol - she was so fun!

Operator response

Thank you for choosing Sea Quest Hawaii! We are so happy to hear you and your family had such an amazing time on our Kealakekua Bay Captain Cook Snorkel Exclusive tour. It is wonderful to know Captain B and Tay helped make the adventure so memorable. We are especially glad your kids enjoyed the exciting ride down the Kona Coast and that you had an incredible time snorkeling among the beautiful reef fish. And a very special aloha to B's mom! We loved your shout out. We know she faithfully reads every review that mentions B, and we hope this one brings a big smile to her face. Mahalo for making her part of your Sea Quest experience! Mahalo nui loa for your recommendation and for taking the time to share your experience. We will be sure to pass along your kind words to Captain B, Tay, and of course B's mom. We hope to welcome you and your ohana back again soon for another unforgettable adventure on the Kona Coast. With warmest aloha, The Sea Quest Hawaii Ohana

T
TrailBlazer151110
July 6, 2026
Great Snorkelling

We had a beautiful morning excursion to Captain Cook. Sea Quest team was also super friendly, they helped and provided snorkelling tips to my 11 yr old. They also arranged for a fruit plate and snacks. I had a bit of trouble parking at the marked unpaved lot, but not a major issue. Highly Recommend!

Operator response

Aloha! Thank you for choosing Sea Quest Hawaii's Captain Cook Exclusive Tour! We are so happy to hear you had a beautiful morning exploring Kealakekua Bay with us. It means so much to know our crew helped your 11 year old feel comfortable with snorkeling and that you enjoyed the fresh fruit and snacks along the way. We appreciate your feedback about the parking area as well. While the unpaved lot can occasionally be a little tricky, we are glad it did not take away from your adventure. Mahalo nui loa for your kind recommendation. We hope to welcome you and your ohana back for another unforgettable day on the water, perhaps to explore more of the Kona Coast or experience our Night Manta Ray Snorkel! Safe travels and a hui hou! With warmest aloha, The Sea Quest Hawaii Team

N
Navigate47102022947
July 6, 2026
Must do.

Great time with captain B and Grace. Very knowledgeable with cool tips and history about the island and ocean. The passion and excitement they have made the trip awesome.

Operator response

Aloha! Thank you for choosing Sea Quest Hawaii! Mahalo nui loa for your fantastic review! We are so happy to hear you had such a great time on your Kealakekua Bay Captain Cook Snorkel adventure with Captain B and Grace. We will be sure to share your kind words with them. They both love sharing the history, culture, and marine life of the Kona Coast, and it is wonderful to know that their knowledge, passion, and enthusiasm made your trip even more memorable. Thank you for recommending Sea Quest as a must do while visiting the Big Island. We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure during a future vacation. With warmest aloha, The Sea Quest Hawaii Team

6
620lucy
June 28, 2026
Fun wonderful amazing would do it again

Great experience our Captain Bee and Tay were amazing and so much fun!!! We did see dolphins a couple of times! Beautiful location lots of fish... a great day ❤️❤️

Operator response

Aloha! Thank you for choosing Sea Quest Hawaii! Mahalo nui loa for your wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear you had such a fun and memorable day exploring Kealakekua Bay with Bee and Tay. We will be sure to share your kind words with them. They will be so happy to know they helped make your adventure so special. Seeing dolphins in the wild is always an incredible bonus, and we are glad you also enjoyed the beautiful snorkeling, colorful fish, and stunning scenery that make Kealakekua Bay so unforgettable. Thank you again for your recommendation. We would love to welcome you back for another amazing adventure. With warmest aloha, Sea Quest Hawaii

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