Fair Wind Afternoon Snorkel, 4 Hours

4 hours at Kealakekua Bay

Overview

This four-hour afternoon sail out of Keauhou Bay packs a boat ride down the Kona coast, a long stop at Kealakekua Bay Marine Preserve, and a swim platform with two 15-foot slides into one outing. Fair Wind Cruises runs it, checking in at their office on Kaleiopapa Street with boarding beginning 15 minutes after the listed check-in time and a 13:30 start. Along the way the boat passes Kuamoo Point and the Lekeleke Burial Ground.

The heart of the trip is 1 hour and 30 minutes in the water at Kealakekua Bay, near the Captain Cook Monument, with snorkel gear, underwater view boxes, inner tubes and other flotation devices all provided. Reviewers say the bay is calm and easy to snorkel, and several mention dolphins on the approach as well as plenty of reef fish. For non-swimmers and hesitant swimmers, this is a forgiving setup: multiple reviewers who were nervous or not keen on the ocean said the crew and the flotation options made it workable.

It suits families especially well. Kids in reviews loved the slides and the jump platform, and the boat carries a maximum of 100 travellers. Island-made sweet potato chips with hummus, carrots and cucumbers are included, along with tax. A full bar, hotel transport and gratuities are not, so plan for those separately.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Check in at Keauhou BayArrive at the Fair Wind office at 78-7130 Kaleiopapa St, Kailua-Kona. Free parking is available along Kaleiopapa Street, and boarding begins 15 minutes after the listed check-in time.
2. Ocean GuidesThe itinerary lists a 10-minute stop at the Fair Wind Big Island Ocean Guides.
3. Cruise from Keauhou BayThe boat spends about 20 minutes at Keauhou Bay and passes Kuamoo Point and the Lekeleke Burial Ground along the Kona coast.
4. Snorkel at Kealakekua BayThe longest stop is 1 hour and 30 minutes in the Kealakekua Bay Marine Preserve, passing the Captain Cook Monument, with snorkel gear, view boxes, flotation devices, slides and a dive platform available.
5. Return to Keauhou BayThe trip ends back at the original meeting point.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape how this afternoon goes, from what is on the boat to what you need to handle yourself.

• Getting there. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you drive yourself to Kaleiopapa Street in Kailua-Kona, where free parking is available. Aim to arrive for the listed check-in time, since boarding begins 15 minutes after it.
• Food and drink. Included snacks are island-made sweet potato chips with fresh hummus, carrots and cucumbers. A full bar is not part of the package, so budget separately if you want drinks.
• Swimming comfort. The listing says you must be comfortable in the ocean, but reviewers frequently note that inner tubes, waist floats and view boxes helped nervous swimmers and first-timers enjoy it. The listing also notes most travellers can participate.
• Group feel. The vessel takes up to 100 travellers, so it is a large-group outing rather than an intimate one. Reviewers mention plenty of gear being available to keep everyone comfortable.
• Gear rules. Snorkel equipment and flotation are provided, but full face snorkel masks are not permitted on Fair Wind vessels. Standard snorkel gear and underwater view boxes are supplied on board.
• Water clarity varies. Set expectations accordingly.

Common issues. A few things can catch people out. The trip requires a minimum number of travellers and good weather, and if either forces a cancellation you are offered a different date or a full refund rather than an automatic payout. Refunds also require cancelling at least 24 hours before the 13:30 start, otherwise nothing is returned. The boat is not wheelchair accessible, and one reviewer with a walking disability said the crew made boarding easier, though mobility limits need careful consideration. Hotel transport, the full bar and gratuities all cost extra.

Choosing A Tour