Super Raft Snorkel, Lunch Included

4 hours aboard a super-raft

Overview

Body Glove Cruises runs this four-hour super-raft snorkeling trip out of Kailua-Kona, departing the Kailua Kona Pier at 08:30 and returning by early afternoon. Several reviewers mentioned being away from crowds, sometimes with the whole snorkeling area to themselves.

A typical morning goes like this: check in at the Illima Court Shopping Center retail store, walk about five minutes to the pier, then ride down the coast with water and soft drinks available. Snorkel gear is provided, and a picnic lunch is included, along with a snack breakfast and reef safe sunscreen. Several reviewers reported dolphins, turtles and whales on their trips, though the listing is clear that wildlife is never guaranteed.

The trip caps at 24 travellers, and several reviewers found their sail carried far fewer. It suits guests with a moderate fitness level who want a livelier boat ride and quieter reefs. Children five and under cannot join, and the raft is not a fit for pregnant travellers, anyone with back or neck problems, or wheelchair users.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Check in at the retail storeArrive at the Body Glove retail store in the Illima Court Shopping Center at 75-5629 Kuakini Hwy, Kailua-Kona, 30 minutes before departure. Free parking is available there.
2. Walk to Kailua Kona PierThe boat departs from the pier, roughly a five minute walk from the shopping center.
3. Depart at 08:30The trip runs four hours. Water and soft drinks are available during the coastal ride.
4. First snorkel stopSnorkel at a reef chosen by the captain based on conditions. Snorkel equipment is provided.
5. Second snorkel stopMove to a second location for more time in the water. The crew checks conditions before each stop.
6. Lunch on the returnA picnic lunch is served during the ride back to the pier.
7. Return to Kailua Kona PierThe tour ends back at the same meeting area, leaving the rest of the afternoon free.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical details shape how this morning plays out, from what to pack to how the small raft feels on the water.

• Getting there. There is no hotel pickup, so guests make their own way to the retail store in the Illima Court Shopping Center and walk to the pier. Arrive 30 minutes before the 08:30 departure. Free parking is available at the store.
• What to bring. Snorkel gear, reef safe sunscreen, drinks and food are all provided, but towels are not. Bring a towel and anything else wanted for a morning on the water, plus a tip for the crew since gratuities are not included.
• Pace and fitness. The listing asks for a moderate fitness level and rules out the trip for travelers with back or neck problems, heart conditions, or pregnancy. One reviewer described an active morning with a long stretch of snorkeling split across two spots, so plan on real time in the water.
• Small raft feel. The maximum is 24 travellers, and several reviewers reported far fewer on their trips, sometimes under a dozen. Many liked the more intimate atmosphere compared with larger snorkel boats.
• Food and drink. A snack breakfast comes out early in the trip, and a picnic lunch is served heading back. Water and soft drinks are available throughout, and several reviewers called the food good for a boat picnic.
• Wildlife and weather. Dolphins, turtles, sharks and whales show up in many reviews, but the listing states sightings are not guaranteed. The captain checks water conditions before each tour, and the experience requires good weather, with a different date or a full refund offered if it is cancelled for poor conditions.

Common issues. The raft is not wheelchair accessible and children five and under cannot participate, which rules out some families. One reviewer noted the route can overlap with the same Captain Cook site most tours visit. Weather can cancel the day entirely, and no refund is given for cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure.

Choosing A Tour