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

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/13

Duration4h 30m

GroupUp to 85

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

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.

4h 30m

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.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair 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.