Snorkel & Dolphin Watch Cruise from Kailua-Kona: Red Hill

Two hours in the water instead of a guided tour of it

A 4.5-hour snorkeling and dolphin-watching cruise from Kailua-Kona aboard a double-decker catamaran, departing from Kailua Pier and heading 10 miles out to the Red Hill marine sanctuary. The boat carries breakfast, lunch, snorkel gear, a 20-foot waterslide and a 15-foot jump platform. You spend roughly two hours in the water while the crew watches for dolphins and other marine mammals. Boarding is 30 minutes before departure. Hotel pickup is not available. Free parking is a one-block walk from the pier. The lower deck is fully wheelchair accessible.

Step-by-step itinerary

Snorkel and dolphin watch cruise

• Board catamaran 30 minutes early
• Cruise along Kona's Gold Coast
• Watch for dolphins and marine mammals
• Snorkel for about two hours
• Enjoy BBQ lunch on board

The experience

The catamaran leaves Kailua Pier and heads out along the Kona Gold Coast, where dolphins and other marine mammals show up regularly enough that the crew keeps watch the whole way. The cruise covers 10 miles to reach the Red Hill snorkel site, a marine sanctuary with thousands of tropical fish. You get roughly two hours in the water: long enough to move around and explore instead of being herded through a single spot. Masks, snorkels and fins are sanitized and provided. Bring your own towel or rent a wetsuit if you want one.

The boat itself is the difference here. A double-decker layout means you can move between sun and shade, and there's a full service bar if you want a drink. Breakfast waits when you board. The crew barbecues lunch so it's ready when you come back from the water. Three restrooms, fresh-water showers and a 20-foot waterslide keep the day comfortable and give kids something to do between snorkeling. A 15-foot jump platform sits on the upper deck for anyone who wants it. Reef-safe sunscreen is included, and the boat carries flotation toys if you need them.

Check in 30 minutes before departure at the retail store on Kuakini Highway, a one-block walk from Kailua Pier. Free parking is available at that same address. The boat is 100% wheelchair accessible on the lower deck. If you need priority boarding, let them know when you book. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meals are available with 48 hours' notice. A liability waiver is required. The tour runs subject to favorable weather.

What’s included

• Breakfast and lunch.
• snorkel gear (sanitized mask, snorkel and fins).
• reef-safe sunscreen.
• beverages.
• access to the 20-foot waterslide and 15-foot jump platform.
• fresh-water showers and three restrooms.
• flotation toys.
• all taxes, fees and handling charges.

Information

Lasts 4h 30m, runs every day at 08:00, from US$ 183.77 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 85

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (6 to 17 years) · Infant (under 6)

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Body Glove Cruises

Is this one for you?You're booking a shared boat tour where you do the snorkeling yourself in a protected marine sanctuary, not a guided tour where the guide leads you through a single spot. The two hours of water time and the onboard amenities (breakfast, lunch, showers, the waterslide) suit travelers who want to move at their own pace and stay comfortable between water sessions. If you prefer a guide pointing out fish and corals, or if you need hotel pickup, look for a different tour.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 17 years); Infant (under 6).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the snorkel site like, and how much time do you actually spend in the water?

The Red Hill marine sanctuary holds thousands of tropical fish in a protected area 10 miles off the Kona coast. You get about two hours of water time to swim and explore at your own pace, not a guided tour of a single spot.

Do you see dolphins on this cruise?

Dolphin and other marine mammal sightings are common along the Kona Gold Coast, and the crew watches for them throughout the cruise. There's an excellent chance of seeing them, though sightings are never guaranteed.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?

Breakfast, lunch, snorkel gear (mask, snorkel and fins), reef-safe sunscreen, beverages, access to the waterslide and jump platform, and all taxes and fees are included. Bring your own towel. Wetsuit rentals are available for an extra charge.

Is the boat accessible if I use a wheelchair?

The lower deck is 100% wheelchair accessible. Let the operator know at booking if you need priority boarding, and check in 30 minutes before departure at the retail store on Kuakini Highway.

How do I get to Kailua Pier, and is there parking?

Hotel pickup is not available. Free parking is located at 75-5629 Kuakini Highway, Kailua-Kona, about a one-block walk from the pier. Public transportation options are available nearby.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The cruise runs subject to favorable weather conditions. Check with the operator if you're concerned about conditions on your departure date.