USA · BOAT TRIPS IN THE BIG ISLAND
The 10 best boat trips in the Big Island you can book right now, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.
Snorkel and whale-watch in historic Kealakekua Bay from Kona on a comfortable power catamaran, with lunch and gear included.
“Great time, great staff, beautiful snorkeling. We were impressed with the efficiency and accommodations of the staff!”
Sunset catamaran dinner to Kealakekua Bay from Kona with a local historian, live Hawaiian music, pupus, dinner, dessert, and ocean wildlife.
“Great tour. 12 hours goes fast. Dave was a great guide- such a volume of information. Many stops - shopping opps at coffee and bakery stops. Glad we brought layers (December) as got little unlucky with rain on volcano stop and east side of island (pretty typical honestly). Lunch was good. 1.3 hours goes fast drive home nice for nap time.”
A luxury catamaran half-day in Kailua-Kona with snorkeling gear, dolphin chances, two hours in the water, and island-style breakfast and BBQ lunch.
“If you are looking to snorkel and see dolphins along the way and depending on the time of year, see whales, this is the trip for you! The crew was amazing and the 4 hours was well worth the money!!”
Afternoon sail from Kona to Kealakekua Bay for 2 hours of snorkeling near the Captain Cook Monument, with snacks, gear, and great crew service.
“We absolutely loved the crew and the captain! The boat ride and snorkeling were exceptional! We had my 93 year old Nana with us and they were so good with her! She was able to go in the water and use a pool noodle. The food was great, we met so many people. It was an amazing day on the water. Love, The Stallings Family”
Sail a roomy Kona catamaran to Kealakekua Bay, snorkel near the Captain Cook monument, and enjoy breakfast and lunch for $189.
“My spouse and I booked this activity for our first trip to Hawaii's Big Island. We had a great time and the crew is awesome! It was the perfect size group (around 24 folks) and there is a lot to do and see on Big Island, so the half day worked great.”
Snorkel Kealakekua Bay on a Deluxe catamaran to Captain Cook Monument and Red Hill lava, with breakfast, lunch, gear, and reef charts.
“my friends and i had so much fun and would totally do this experience again!!! half of us were confident swimmers and excited to snorkel, the other half were nervous, but we were all so supported that we all snorkeled and some even deep dived! it was a beautiful and unique experience to honor the land and sea we were visiting and to learn a more comprehensive truth about the reality of captain cook's travel to hawaii. the whole crew was amazing - captain t-roy had great stories and jokes to share; kamaile, kapua, shannon, and matt were so friendly and kept us smiling!!! would totally do this again with…”
50-minute Kailua Kona glass-bottom reef tour from Kailua Pier. See coral and fish without snorkeling, with naturalist narration and water.
“Great way to see so much without snorkeling! My husband had hurt his knee so we had to skip snorkeling today so as a compromise we got tickets for this glass bottom cruise. The owner, Amy was very knowledgeable as well as personable. Go!”
Night manta ray snorkeling off Kailua-Kona, with wetsuit top, snacks, and a chance to swim inches from gentle giants.
“The snorkelling was brilliant! The crew and skipper were highly skilled and knowledgeable. They were fun and attentive to everyone’s needs. They even waited with me after the event until my uber arrived. I was most impressed.”
A 4.5-hour catamaran sail and snorkel from Keauhou Bay to Kealakekua Bay and the Captain Cook Monument, with breakfast and lunch.
“Excellent crew, great little trip! The ride was amazing, they told us a little backstory about the monument we saw, they were very friendly and approachable. The atmosphere was chill, easygoing, we had enough time to explore the reef, we saw and swum with the dolphins! Definitely worth it!”
Waikoloa Signature Catamaran Sunset Sail on Big Island: barefoot small-group cruise, live commentary, premium drinks, and a golden sunset pause.
“The crew was awesome. They were engaging and offered drinks the entire trip. The captain was very funny but also gave a strong sense he knew what he was doing. The chicken and rice was much better than expected and wish I had time for seconds. The sunset was perfect and we had a great time. Only issue were the directions to the parking lot, which were poor. But we got there and had a great time”
Every kind of day out, and the best of each.
