6 Captain Cook Snorkel Tours Compared: Which Kealakekua Bay Experience Is Right for You?
Looking for the best Captain Cook snorkel tour in Kealakekua Bay?
Choosing a Captain Cook snorkeling tour can be daunting because there are so many companies that offer this activity. I’ll show you what to expect on these top tours so you can make an informed decision to pick the best tour for you!
Deluxe Sail & Snorkel with Sea Paradise
I love that you feel like you’re living the luxury life on a sailing catamaran with overwater hammock nets, two meals, and two snorkel spots. What more could you want?!
Captain Cook Snorkel Tours
Most Captain Cook snorkeling tours will depart from two harbors in Kona:
- Keauhou Bay
- Honokohau Marina
Keep this in mind when you are planning your itinerary.
Ehu and Kai is the exception.
Now, let’s find a tour that fits you!
1. Fair Wind Cruises Morning Kealakekua Snorkel Tour
⭐Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ⏳Tour Length: 4.5 hrs
>> Check Rates and Availability for Fair Wind Cruises Here! <<
Why choose this tour? This is the ultimate party boat with slides (so fun!), diving, water toys and two full meals. Spend 2.5hrs in the water, more than other tours. Plus bathrooms on the boat. Great for vegans with their plant-based meals.
The Fair Wind Cruises Morning Kealakekua Snorkel Tour includes:
- Two 15-Ft. Water Slides
- Dive Platform
- Plant-based tropical breakfast with Fair Wind’s Estate Kona coffee
- Plant-based lunch
- Reef safe sunscreen
- Inner tubes and other floatation toys
- Snorkel equipment, including prescription masks
- Underwater view boxes
- Freshwater showers on board
- Alcohol available for purchase during last hour
- SNUBA available for an additional fee
- Accommodates large groups, max 90 guests
- Restrooms on board
What past snorkelers have said:
“It was a great experience. I’ve snorkeled all over Hawaii but this is my favorite spot, I’ve been there 3 times now and I’ve gone with many crews but this crew was my favorite.” – Trevor
2. Premium Morning Sea Quest Hawaii
⭐Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ⏳Tour Length: 4.5 hrs
>> Check Rates and Availability for Premium Morning Snorkel with Sea Quest Here! <<
Why choose this tour? A little more bang for your buck, snorkel in two locations: Kealakekua Bay and Honaunau Bay by City of Refuge. It’s still a morning snorkel but a little later of a start than others, so you can sleep in a little longer and have a less rushed morning. Crew will share and point out historically significant sites as you pass the coastline with sea caves.
The Premium Morning Snorkel with Sea Quest Hawaii includes:
- Snorkeling and floatation equipment
- Prescription masks
- Wraps and fruit lunch
- Snacks
- Drinks
- Small group experience, max 18 guests
- No restrooms onboard
What past snorkelers have said:
“Our guide was very tuned in to an enjoyable experience and showed us the best spots to snorkel. The equipment was the best we had this trip and food supplied was just perfect for our tour.” – Leland
3. Ehu and Kai Guided Outrigger Canoe Tour
⭐Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ⏳Tour Length: 2.5 hrs ⚠️ Likely to Sell Out!
>> Check Rates and Availability for Ehu and Kai Guided Outrigger Canoe Tour Here! <<
Why choose this tour? No “drive time” from Kona, start your tour at Kealakekua Bay and be one of the first people in the Bay. Ehu and Kai provides the muscle (no paddling for you) and history narration while you enjoy riding in a traditional outrigger canoe.
I enjoyed working with this company. They were super friendly and helpful!
The Ehu and Kai Guided Outrigger Canoe Tour includes:
- One-of-a-kind experience on a traditional outrigger canoe
- History of Kealakekua Bay
- Snorkel Gear
- Snacks
- Refreshments
- Small group, max 10 guests
- Souvenir photos for purchase
- No restrooms onboard
What past snorkelers have said:
“Loved the outrigger experience!! Early arrival meant we had all the fish mostly to ourselves! Guide and staff were knowledgeable and kind!! We love supporting family owned businesses!!!!”- Eric
4. Hang Loose Boat Tours
⭐Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ⏳Tour Length: 4 hrs ⚠️ Likely to Sell Out!
>> Check Rates and Availability for Hang Loose Captain Cook Snorkel Tour Here! <<
Why choose this tour? You’ll feel safe knowing that the captains are licensed by the United States Coast Guard (not to mention they have a great sense of humor!). It’s so much fun jumping from the second story of the boat into the water. After snorkeling, enjoy lunch on board with the beautiful Bay as your view.
The Hang Loose Captain Cook Snorkel Tour includes:
- Professional guide
- Snorkel, mask, fins, safety jacket
- Snacks such as chips, granola bars, juice and water
- Lunch of gourmet sandwiches and fresh fruit
- May be operated by a multilingual guide English and Japanese (upon availability)
- Max 48 guests
- GoPro rental upon availability (reserve ahead of time)
- Restrooms onboard
What past snorkelers have said:
“Nice boat, fun and friendly staff. Knowledgeable captain and a nice lunch. The snorkeling is second to none and we saw spinner dolphins which was so nice. Definitely recommend.” – Christopher
5. Deluxe Sail & Snorkel to Captain Cook with Sea Paradise
⭐Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ⏳Tour Length: 4.5 hrs
>> Check Rates and Availability for Deluxe Sail & Snorkel to Captain Cook
with Sea Paradise Here!! <<
Why choose this tour? Another bang for you buck with two locations and two meals! Snorkel in both: Kealakekua Bay and Red Hill (weather permitting). Sail on a sleek and spacious 50ft sailing catamaran. Enjoy a continental breakfast on the way out, watching for whales and spinner dolphins. After snorkeling Kealakekua Bay, eat a delicious lunch while sailing to Red Hill.
The Deluxe Sail & Snorkel to Captain Cook with Sea Paradise includes:
- Professional guides
- Fish identification cards
- Overwater hammock net
- Continental breakfast of fruits, pastries, and muffins
- Lunch of sandwiches, chips, and cookies
- Masks, Fins, Snorkels, Floatation
- Reef Safe Sunscreen
- Snacks
- Water, soda, and juice
- Max 42 guests
- Alcoholic drinks available for purchase
- Restrooms onboard
What past snorkelers have said:
“Beautiful day on the ocean. Best snorkeling I’ve even done. Very interesting history about Captain Cook and his fate. They provided lots of snacks and a nice lunch.” – Vanessa
6. Afternoon Dolphin Discoveries Captain Cook Snorkel Tour
⭐Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars ⏳Tour Length: 3 hrs ⚠️ Likely to Sell Out!
>> Check Rates and Availability for Afternoon Dolphin Discoveries Captain Cook Snorkel Tour Here! <<
Why choose this tour? A later starting time allows you to sleep in. The vessel is on a rigid hull inflatable (RHIBS) which gives you a more intimate tour and gets you to Kealakekua Bay fast, which means you waste no time getting to snorkeling sooner than on a slower boat.
The Afternoon Dolphin Discoveries Captain Cook Snorkel Tour includes:
- Snacks and fruit
- Juices and bottled water
- Masks, snorkels, fins, floatation aids
- Prescription masks
- Small group, max 14 guests
- No restrooms onboard
What past snorkelers have said:
“Everything about this trip was perfect! Great captain we had whale come out to visit and lots of beautiful fish under the water at our destination. Also on the way back the captain spotted a manta and we jumped in and got to watch a couple of them for a while. PERFECT!!!” – Robert
What Time of Day Should I Take a Captain Cook Snorkel Tour?
The best time of day to take a Captain Cook snorkel tour is as early as possible, for a few reasons.
First, to beat the heat. It can get HOT in the afternoons. And while it might sound refreshing to be in the water during the heat of the day, your skin will not be so refreshed with sun rays beating down on your back, giving you a one-sided burn.
Second, to beat the crowds. If you can be one of the first boats out in the morning there will be less boat traffic because there won’t be the crossing of tours ending as new ones come in. Less crowds means less bumping into fellow snorkelers.
And third, if you are touring during whale season you’ll have a higher chance of spotting whales on your way to or from snorkeling earlier in the morning, thus potentially saving you money from taking a separate whale tour.
What Kind of Sealife Can I Expect to See on a Captain Cook Snorkel Tour?
Kealakekua Bay holds such an array of sealife, you never know what you might see. However, there are the “regulars” that show their faces.
Some underwater creatures you might see snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay are:
- Humuhumunukunukapua’a (Hawaii’s state fish)
- Yellow Tang
- Parrot Fish
- Moorish Idol
- Trumpetfish
- Sea Turtle
- Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins
- Manta Ray
- Moray Eel
- Octopus
- Sea Urchin
- Yellowtail Coris
- Pufferfish
- Wrasse
- Butterflyfish
- Reef Shark (rare, but never say never)
What Should I Bring on a Captain Cook Snorkel Tour?
Items you’ll need to bring on a Captain Cook snorkel tour are pretty straight forward:
Swimsuit – a most obvious item, or whatever you choose to swim in
Light sweatshirt – it can get a little chilly on the water some days, especially on overcast or rainy days. If you can, bring a light sweatshirt or long sleeve shirt just in case.
Towel – for sitting on while in the boat, to dry off if you don’t want the sun to evaporate the water for you, or for keeping warm if it happens to be a chillier day; I like Sandcloud towels because they pack light and dry well.
Reef Safe Sunscreen – spending hours on a boat with sunlight reflecting off the water and snorkeling with your back exposed to sun rays is a recipe for lobster skin. Find a reef-safe sunscreen to help protect the coral reefs and not pollute the waters. Kokua Sun Care sunscreen is a highly rated, Hawaiian-made option.
Waterproof Pouch for Camera – if you want to take pictures of all the underwater life you’ll see, get a good waterproof case for your phone. Also make sure it has a strap or way of keeping you attached to it so if it slips from your hands it doesn’t sink to Davy Jones’ locker.
GoPro – I wore a waterproof GoPro to video record my swimming adventure. It was nice to be able to just turn it on and forget about it as I swam around the bay. There are different ways of attaching it to your body like headband, chest strap, or hand floaty. Some tours will offer a GoPro rental.
Bag – pack all your items in a bag to keep it consolidated, safe, and in one spot. Ideally use a water resistant/proof bag and not a cloth canvas bag that will soak up boat water and get your belongings inside wet .
Motion sickness preventives – for those prone to seasickness, like me, be proactive by taking Dramamine or wearing wrist cuffs or patches.
Things to think twice about bringing on the boat:
Jewelry – if you are wearing special rings, necklaces, bracelets, or any other form of adornment you might want to consider leaving them in the hotel room. Rings can easily slip off of wet fingers. Necklaces or bracelets could get caught on snorkel gear or boat things and get torn off. You aren’t dressing up for the fishes, they don’t care about your bling, so if you don’t want to risk losing a treasured item, take them off before the tour.
Sunglasses – sunglasses are important for protecting your eyes from the sun but if you don’t have a case to put them in they will most likely be thrown in your bag and risk getting scratched up or broken.
Hats – hats are also a good item for protection from the sun but can easily get blown off in the ocean wind or boat speed wind. So be prepared to either be holding on to your heads while on the boat or maybe bring a hat you don’t mind losing if it does end up yeeting itself to sea.
Who Should Not Go on a Captain Cook Snorkel Tour?
While snorkeling is a pretty easy water activity, there are still precautions some people should make before booking a tour.
Some boat rides are not recommended for pregnant women who are advanced in their pregnancy. Be sure to choose a boat tour that is not too rough.
People with recent back or neck problems or injuries should not participate. That goes for those with heart problems or any other serious medical conditions as well.
You should be in moderate physical fitness as there will be climbing in and out of boats and swimming in open water for an extended amount of time.
Captain Cook boat tours are not wheelchair accessible.
Every tour has an age minimum. Some allow infants to ride in the boat and allow kids as young as 4 years old to snorkel. Talk with the company to see what their policies are.
What is So Special about Kealakekua Bay?
Kealakekua Bay is a 315-acre Marine Life Conservation District with about 180-acres designated as a State Historic Park along the Kona coast. Snorkeling is allowed but because it’s protected, fishing is kapu, forbidden. Boating vessels from catamarans to single kayaks need a permit to sail these waters as well.
Hawaiian spinner dolphins spend a lot of time in the Bay to not only rest and feed but mothers also use it as a nursery for their calves. I thought it was so cool watching them frolic and play!
The combination of crystal clear, calm waters with extensive coral reefs and sea life bring people from all over the world for some of the best snorkeling and diving in Hawaii.
Besides the beautiful underwater nature, Kealakekua Bay has strong historical significance. Hawaiian ali’i, or royalty, are said to be buried in the cliff walls. A human sacrifice heiau, or temple, resides on the south end of the Bay. Also, this is where Captain James Cook first landed on the Big Island in 1779.
At the time of his arrival, the Hawaiians were celebrating a harvest festival for their god, Lono.
When Captain Cook landed, some say the Hawaiians believed him to be the returning god. Captain Cook and his crew were celebrated and well taken care of during the festival. But after three weeks of living together both the crew and the Hawaiians had grown to dislike each other and it was time for Captain Cook to continue on his world journey.
Captain Cook got out to sea, but after a week his ship ran into a storm that broke his mast. With nowhere else to go, he returned to Hawaii to fix it.
From here the course of events get muddled but there were altercations between Captain Cook, his crew, and the Hawaiians. Lifeboats were stolen, the Hawaiian chief was taken hostage, and miscommunications all resulted in Captain Cook getting shot and dying at Kealakekua Bay.
The Captain Cook Monument is a white obelisk that sits near the shore marking the spot where he died. Technically it sits on British ground.
Is Going on a Captain Cook Snorkel Tour Worth It?
Heck yeah it is!
As long as you aren’t prone to seasickness, snorkeling Captain Cook will definitely be one of your Big Island highlights. You’ll see some of the greatest coral and marine life the island has to offer, explore a very historically significant bay, and not to mention the fantastic island views you wouldn’t see driving!
Check Out These Other Water-Based Tours Out of Kona!
Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tours
Whale Watching Tours in Kona
Scuba Diving in Kona
Kealakekua Bay Kayak/Paddle Board Experience
Snorkeling Pawai Bay
Sunset Dinner Cruises
Epilogue: Best Kealakekua Bay Snorkeling Tours in Captain Cook
There’s no doubt that regardless of whom you book your Captain Cook snorkel tour with, you are bound to have an unforgettable day amongst the fishes in the famous Kealakekua Bay whether on a party boat of 100 or a small canoe of 10. I know I did!
Happy snorkeling!
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🧳What should I pack to the Big Island?
Pack for tropical weather but also prepare for colder than expected nights and early mornings, so a light sweatshirt is recommended. Check out this list of 5 Things Not to Forget to Pack.
