Dolphin, Sea Cave Combo, 3 Hours

3 hours on Kona's coast

Overview

This three hour trip out of Kailua-Kona packs several things into one run along the Kona coast: dolphin sightings, a fast boat ride, and a snorkel session at Kealakekua Bay at the Captain Cook site. Kona Manta Ray Snorkel Tours runs it on a speedboat, and reviewers describe the ride itself as part of the fun, with one warning that the boat is very bumpy and very fast. The boat holds a maximum of 18 travellers.

The order of the day is straightforward. You meet the crew at the dock on Kaleiopapa Street, get a safety briefing, and head out along the coast. After the coastal run you stop to snorkel, with masks and snorkels provided and fresh pineapple and water served after the swim.

It suits confident swimmers best. The listing requires basic swimming skills and previous snorkeling experience, and guests must be able to climb a boat ladder on their own. Children from six years old up are allowed. Anyone prone to seasickness or bothered by a bumpy, fast ride should think it through. Hotel pickup is not included, so you make your own way to the meeting point.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at the dockCheck in at 78-7154 Kaleiopapa St, Kailua-Kona. The tour starts and ends at this meeting point, and no hotel pickup or drop off is provided.
2. Safety briefingThe crew runs through instructions and safety information in English before departure.
3. Coastal boat rideThe speedboat runs along the Kona coast. Reviewers mention dolphin sightings during the trip.
4. Captain Cook snorkelThe main stop is Kealakekua Bay at the Captain Cook site, allocated 3 hours for the activity overall. Masks and snorkels are provided, and pineapple and water are served after the swim.
5. Return to the dockThe boat heads back along the coast to the original meeting point, where the tour ends.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points come up again and again in the listing and in traveller reviews, and they shape what kind of day this is.

• Bring reef sunscreen. One reviewer urged plenty of reef safe sunscreen before swimming in the bay.
• Prepare for a bumpy ride. One reviewer described the boat as very bumpy and very fast. Anyone with back problems should note the listing advises against the tour for that reason.
• You need swim skills. The listing requires basic swimming ability, prior snorkeling experience, and the strength to climb a boat ladder independently. Plan on surface swimming in the bay.
• Check rental needs. Snorkels and masks are included free. If you or anyone in your group would like a lifejacket, the listing says to contact Big Island Outdoor Inc. for rental inquiries ahead of time.
• Seasickness risk. One reviewer warned of nausea toward the end of the trip from bobbing in the water for a long stretch. If motion sickness is an issue, take something ahead of time.
• Group size cap. The boat carries at most 18 travellers.

Common issues. The tour is not wheelchair accessible and is not recommended for pregnant travellers or those with back problems or serious medical conditions. Only snorkels and masks are included, and lifejacket rentals are arranged through a separate company rather than provided on board. The operator also requires a minimum number of travellers, and cancellations for weather or low numbers come with an offer of a different date or a full refund rather than a guaranteed departure. All briefings are in English, so non-English speakers cannot take part.

Choosing A Tour