Photo: Brocken Inaglory, CC BY-SA 3.0Big Island Snorkeling Tours
Most Big Island snorkel tours leave from Kona. They head for Kealakekua Bay, the South Kona coast or the manta ray site at night. You book directly with the operators, and the prices were read from their own websites on 2026-10-22. Choose by what you most want to see: reef, coast or mantas. Rates change, so check the current price before you book.
Best snorkel tours in Big Island
Ranked for the reef as much as for you: group size, briefing, wildlife rules and what the operator gives back.
- 01
Morning Magic Kealakekua Bay Kayak and Snorkel Tour
by Kona Boys
Guided kayak and snorkel trip across Kealakekua Bay. The operator's page lists both 4.5 and 5 hours.
Kona Boys is one of the vendors the State Parks page names as permitted to lead guided kayak tours to the monument.
From $249.99Check availabilityPrice checked 2026-10-22 - 02
Midday Meander: Kealakekua Bay Kayak and Snorkel Tour
by Kona Boys
Shorter guided kayak and snorkel trip in Kealakekua Bay.
Kona Boys is named on the State Parks permitted vendor list for guided monument kayak tours.
From $169.99Check availabilityPrice checked 2026-10-22 - 03
Morning Kealakekua Snorkel Tour
by Fair Wind Cruises
Boat snorkel trip to Kealakekua Bay on the Fair Wind II, with island-style breakfast and lunch.
The operator publishes an environmental pledge for snorkeling and serves plant-based meals; certifications not verified.
From $158Check availabilityPrice checked 2026-10-22 - 04
Kona Coast Snorkel Tour
by Fair Wind Cruises
Faster Hula Kai boat to several South Kona snorkel sites, breakfast and lunch included, ages 7 and up.
The operator publishes an environmental pledge for snorkeling; certifications not verified.
From $167Check availabilityPrice checked 2026-10-22 - 05
Super-Raft Kona Snorkel Tour
by Body Glove Hawaii
Morning snorkel trip on the 41 ft Kona Explorer raft, described by the operator as suited to smaller parties. Ages 6 and up.
From $130Check availabilityPrice checked 2026-10-22 - 06
Deluxe Kona Snorkel Tour and Dolphin Watch
by Body Glove Hawaii
Catamaran snorkel trip with a dolphin watch aboard the 65 ft Kanoa II, aimed at families and larger groups.
From $169.99Check availabilityPrice checked 2026-10-22 - 07
Manta Ray Night Snorkel Kona
by Dolphin Discoveries
Small-group rigid inflatable boat trip to the Manta Village feeding area, about 45 to 60 minutes in the water, with a naturalist safety briefing.
Pre-entry briefing covers no touching and non-nano zinc sunscreen; the operator says it uses a small-group format.
From $99.99Check availabilityPrice checked 2026-10-22
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Boat tours vs shore snorkeling in Big Island
Shore snorkeling at Kahaluu Beach Park or Two Step is cheap but limited to what you can reach. A boat or kayak tour reaches Kealakekua Bay and the monument reef, where landing is restricted and a permitted guide is the practical route. Night manta trips are boat only.
Look. Don't touch.
Leave only bubbles.
Do
- Wear a rash guardOr mineral sunscreen, applied well before you swim.
- Float flat over shallow reefKeep fins up so you never kick coral or stir sand.
- Book a local Guardian guideThey know the rules, the currents and the animals.
Never
- Touch, chase or feed wildlifeLet animals choose how close they come.
- Stand on or grab the reefTired? Float on your back or find sand.
- Take shells, sand or coralPhotos only. Leave it for the next swimmer.
Big Island tour questions
What is the best snorkel tour on the Big Island?
For coral and spinner dolphins, a Kealakekua Bay trip by boat or guided kayak. For something different, the manta ray night snorkel. Pick by group size, length and price.
Do tours go to the Captain Cook Monument?
Guided kayak tours by permitted vendors include the monument. Boat tours snorkel the reef off Kaawaloa; landing there is restricted for vessels.
How much do Big Island snorkel tours cost?
Operator sites list roughly $117 to $250 per person for Kealakekua trips and about $100 to $150 for manta trips as of 2026-10-22. Prices change, so check each listing.
Big Island spot guides
Manta Ray Night Snorkel
After sunset, a boat from Kona drops you at a patch of ocean lit from below. Giant manta rays glide in to feed on the plankton your lights attract,…
Kealakekua Bay (Captain Cook Monument)
Below the white Captain Cook Monument lies a reef often called the best snorkeling on the island. The monument sits across the bay from the nearest…
Two Step (Honaunau Bay)
Step off a flat lava shelf and you are over a steep, coral-covered reef within seconds. Turtles, schooling fish and a good chance of spinner dolphins…
How we researched this page Facts last checked October 22, 2026
We check fees, rules and access against official sources first, then local operators and recent visitor reports. Conditions change, so always follow posted signs and lifeguards. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
- Love Big Island: Big Island snorkeling spots (checked 2026-10-22)
- NOAA CO-OPS Kawaihae water temperature (station 1617433) (checked 2026-10-22)
- Hawaii State Parks: Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park (checked 2026-10-22)
- Maui Reefs: sunscreen laws (checked 2026-10-22)
- Love Big Island: Hilo beaches (checked 2026-10-22)
- Hawaii Guide: Puako Bay (checked 2026-10-22)