KONA SNORKEL TOURS
Kona Inshore, Offshore, and Reef Snorkels
At Hawaiian Adventures Kona, we offer the Big Island’s ultimate small-group wildlife tours above and below the water. Our private Kona snorkel tours are designed to provide you with an unforgettable experience, whether you're looking for an inshore or offshore adventure.
Explore close to shore with an inshore snorkel on the Kona Coast. From Kealakekua Bay to our crew’s favorite snorkel sites, we’ll craft the perfect snorkel adventure for your group. Kona’s inshore areas are incredibly biodiverse, and we may encounter dolphins, manta rays, turtles, vibrant fish, and a variety of other marine species. Enjoy Kona’s beautiful coastline and stunning views on an inshore snorkel tour!
For those looking for an offshore adventure, see what lies beyond the reef as we explore the pelagic zone. Snorkel the deeper waters just a few miles off the coast as we search for a wide range of pelagic life. We have the potential to encounter pilot whales, false killer whales, whale sharks, sperm whales, and a number of other open-water species!
Our private snorkel tours provide a personalized snorkel experience for all groups, couples, families, and gatherings! Snorkel gear is included (masks and fins), and our qualified crew will craft your custom experience you so can focus on enjoying your Hawaiian Adventure!
Private Kona Snorkel Aboard Callisto
Snorkel the Kona Coast and beyond!
All snorkel tours at Hawaiian Adventures Kona are private charters, which allows you to explore at your own speed. Whether it’s snorkeling at historic Kealakekua Bay or skipping the crowds and checking out the crew’s favorite snorkel spots, we provide all snorkel gear (masks and fins) for you and your party!
We want to make sure that you have the best private snorkel experience possible! On all of our Kona snorkel tours, we provide an inshore swim guide. If you’d like to explore the open ocean for a blue-water snorkel, you’ll need to select the option of “Pelagic Guide” when booking your tour.
Kona Snorkel Season
Year-Round
Departure Time
Noon Daily
Tour Duration
3, 4, or 5 Hours
Up to 6 Guests | Ages 10 and Above
3 Hours
$1,200
4 Hours
$1,500
5 Hours
$1,800
What’s included?
We want to make sure that you have the best private snorkel experience possible! On all of our Kona snorkel tours, we provide an inshore swim guide. If you’d like to explore the open ocean for a blue-water snorkel, you’ll need to select the option of “Pelagic Guide” when booking your tour.
Snorkel Gear
Inshore Swim Guide
Professional Crew
Floatation Devices
Sample Kona Snorkel Tours
Whale and Dolphin Search with Snorkel
Embark on a whale and dolphin search with snorkeling included. This experience allows you to observe Kona’s wildlife both above and below the water's surface. In addition to dolphins, we also search for manta rays, sea turtles, sharks, and on occasion, pilot whales and sperm whales. If you seek the excitement of in-water wildlife experiences and the awe-inspiring opportunity to encounter marine animals up close, this trip is perfect for you!
Four Hours Recommended
Kealakekua Bay Snorkel and Wildlife Search
Come join us as we embark on an exciting journey to Kealakekua Bay, where the serene waters are teeming with life and the towering cliffsides are steeped in rich history. This option for snorkeling is perfect for families and novice snorkelers alike and is sure to be a memorable experience for all. You'll have the opportunity to cruise along the stunning coastline, explore the vibrant reef, and even spot some whales and dolphins along the way.
Five Hours Recommended
Lunch/Dinner Snorkel Cruise
Set sail from Honokohau Harbor on the Big Island's westernmost point and let Mother Nature decide whether the calm waters to the north or south will provide your adventure. Head north for stunning views of Hualalai volcano and a visit to the beautiful Makalawena beach, where you can snorkel or swim to shore and enjoy privacy and refreshments back aboard the vessel. Venture south for breathtaking views of steep cliffs, rugged coastline, and the marine sanctuary of Kealakekua Bay, where you can stop for lunch and a mid-day snorkel. Bring your own lunch or opt for one provided at an extra cost. Get ready for an unforgettable sea journey!
Five Hours Recommended
Callisto is our 32 ft regulator designed for speed, safety, comfort, and an incredibly smooth ride. Her name comes from a killer whale in the pacific northwest (T65A6), who was named after the hunting partner of Artemis, the greek goddess of the hunt. Equipped with twin 350 Yamahas, Callisto is perfect for exploring inshore reefs or pushing offshore into the deep. This luxury 6-person vessel has a restroom, fresh water shower, padded seats, and a custom boarding ladder for easy access in and out of the water. With plenty of waterproof storage, there’s room for guests and their extra gear and equipment onboard. 360-degree viewing and a full walk-around also add to a premier experience.
Callisto’s configuration was specifically set up for private snorkel tours on the Big Island. With 32 feet of total length, she’s has more than enough room for six total guests. Padded seats coupled with a full 360-degree viewing deck, there’s no better snorkel boat in Kona.
At Hawaiian Adventures Kona, we want to make sure getting in and out of the water is as easy as possible. We’ve engineered a custom deep swim ladder for Callisto, allowing you to easily enter and exit the water for your snorkel tour.
The Hawaiian Adventures Kona team has brought the comforts of home and have added it to Callisto. Most boats in Honokohau don’t have a restroom, let alone a freshwater shower! Rinse the salt water off of yourself and your gear after exploring beneath the waves of the Kona coast, and take advantage of a private onboard restroom.
Get Ready For Your Snorkel Tour!
Prep & Enthusiasm!
Revisit your confirmation email! You will find the address to the marina and a foolproof satellite image that will lead you directly to the meeting location. We recommend arriving 30 min prior depending on where you’re coming from on the Island. It’s much more relaxing if you’re a couple of minutes early, so bring your enthusiasm and the crew will take care of the rest.
Dress for Success
We want our guests to be comfortable. Arrive wearing your swimsuit and with a towel, hat, sunglasses, and outer layers. There’s plenty of dry storage onboard for small bags. We recommend slippers/flip-flops as most of the trip will be spent barefoot. We encourage you to apply reef-friendly sunscreen before boarding. Reapplying sunscreen may be necessary, however, we discourage spray sunscreen onboard.
Motion of the Ocean
Departing from Kona offers calm conditions, but there’s always a little motion to the ocean. Seasickness is uncommon on these tours, but it’s always a good idea to be prepared. We suggest taking seasickness medication the night before and the morning of your tour if you are prone. Staying hydrated and having a light breakfast will improve your snorkel experience.
At Hawaiian Adventures Kona, our expert guides offer the Big Island’s ultimate small-group wildlife tour. Our year-round whale watch, night manta, Kona snorkel, ocean adventure, and private charters are the best opportunity for a true Hawaiian Adventure.
Whale watching in Kona is year-round! Hawaiian Adventures Kona has access to both near-shore and pelagic zones, which gives you the opportunity to see humpbacks, spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, flying fish, surface-feeding mantas, pilot whales, beaked whales, sperm whales, spotted dolphins, whale sharks, and more!
Experience the real Kona nightlife and meet the mantas! Our Kona Night Manta tours depart strategically out of Honokohau Marina, giving us the ability to head where there’s better conditions, fewer people, and more mantas. This small-group tour is the best way to experience the #1 activity on the Big Island.
After 25 years in the tour business, this is the tour our family would seek out while traveling. It is also what we do for fun while not running other tours. Whether you're looking for an offshore pelagic snorkel, prefer inshore reefs, or are searching for wildlife from the comfort of our luxury six-passenger vessel, Callisto, our guides will sculpt a wildlife adventure you’ll never forget.
Explore the Kona Coast at your own speed. In selecting a private charter, you are choosing personalized service, exclusivity, and ample space aboard our 6-passenger center console Callisto. Work directly with your captain to design your dream excursion in the days leading up to your trip, ensuring your trip with Hawaiian Adventures Kona will be the highlight of your Hawaiian experience.