Fair Wind Morning Snorkel, Lunch

4 hours 30 minutes, Fair Wind Cruises

Overview

Fair Wind Cruises runs a morning snorkel trip out of Keauhou Bay that spends the heart of the day at Kealakekua Bay Marine Preserve and the Captain Cook Monument. The whole outing runs about 4 hours 30 minutes, with roughly 2.5 hours of that spent actually in the water. Reviewers describe a big, comfortable boat with water slides, a high dive platform, and a good supply of snorkel gear and flotation options.

The day starts with check in at the Fair Wind office on Keauhou Bay, and boarding begins 15 minutes after the listed check in time. On the way south the boat passes Kuamoo Point and the Lekeleke Burial Ground before reaching the bay. Once moored, snorkelers get access to gear, flotation options, inner tubes, and underwater view boxes. SNUBA is available for an extra fee. A plant-based breakfast and lunch are served on board, along with coffee and drinks, and reef-safe sunscreen is provided.

This trip suits families, first time snorkelers, and confident swimmers alike. Reviewers repeatedly mention attentive crew and well maintained gear, and several report dolphin or whale sightings on the return leg. Travellers who want hotel transport should note that pickup is not included; everyone makes their own way to the meeting point on Kaleiopapa Street, where free parking is available along the street.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Check in at Keauhou BayArrive at the Fair Wind office at 78-7130 Kaleiopapa St, Kailua-Kona. Boarding begins 15 minutes after the listed check in time, and free parking is available along Kaleiopapa Street.
2. Coastal cruise past Kuamoo PointThe boat passes Kuamoo Point and the Lekeleke Burial Ground on the way south.
3. Kealakekua Bay Marine PreserveThe main stop lasts 2 hours, with admission included. This is where most of the roughly 2.5 hours of in-water snorkel time happens, near the reef by the Captain Cook Monument.
4. Captain Cook MonumentA 30 minute stop at the monument itself, admission included.
5. Return to Keauhou BayThe trip ends back at the same meeting point. Reviewers often report dolphin and whale sightings on the return leg.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical things shape how this day goes, from what you wear in the water to how the food lands.

• What to wear. A water flask is a good idea, since water is provided on board but the operator asks guests to bring a flask where possible. Reef-safe sunscreen is supplied, so there is no need to pack your own.
• Gear on board. Snorkel equipment, underwater view boxes, inner tubes, and several flotation options are all included, and one reviewer called the gear the best they had ever used. Full face snorkel masks are not permitted on the vessel, so leave those at home.
• Food and drink. Breakfast and lunch are plant-based, with coffee and drinks mentioned by several travellers. Opinions split on the food: many praised it, while one reviewer found it left something to be desired.
• Group feel. The boat carries up to 90 travellers, so it is a big-group outing rather than an intimate one. Reviews suggest it still feels organized, with crew who are patient with new snorkelers and attentive to mixed ability levels.
• Fitness and comfort. The listing states guests must be comfortable in the ocean, and the crew holds lifeguarding, CPR, AED, and First Aid certification. Travellers with heart disease, past stroke, lung disease, or other significant conditions are asked to consult a physician first.
• Getting there. There is no hotel pickup or drop off. Allow time to reach Keauhou Bay and park along Kaleiopapa Street before the listed check in time.

Common issues. Hotel transport is not included, and SNUBA and gratuities cost extra. One reviewer reported fewer fish than hoped around the reef and noted that marine life in the bay varies with nature rather than anything the operator controls. One reviewer also found the food left something to be desired. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, full face snorkel masks are banned, and the operator can cancel for weather or if a minimum number of travellers is not met, in which case a different date or a full refund is offered. With up to 90 guests on board, anyone wanting a small-group experience should look elsewhere.

Choosing A Tour