Kealakekua Bay Snorkeling: Sail, Breakfast & Coral Gardens

A grand staircase and an hour in the coral gardens, with dolphins and whales crossing the horizon on the sail out.

Snorkel the Kealakekua Bay marine sanctuary aboard the Kona Style catamaran, a 50-foot vessel with shaded cabin and sunny splash nets, sailing the Kona coast for four hours. Continental breakfast with Kona coffee, lunch and all snorkel equipment are included. The boat's grand staircase is the easiest water entry and exit in the area. A live guide provides instruction and Hawaiian storytelling, and the crew scans for seasonal dolphins, whales and manta rays during the sail.

The experience

The morning starts with a continental breakfast (freshly baked pastries, fruit and Kona coffee) as the catamaran leaves the dock and heads down the Kona coast. From the shaded cabin or the sunny splash nets on deck, you watch the horizon for hahalua (manta rays), nai'a (dolphins) and kohola (whales, seasonal). The crew handles the sails while you settle in. There is no driving or planning on your end.

Once the boat reaches Kealakekua Bay, a marine sanctuary home to the Captain Cook monument, the crew gives a water safety briefing and hands you snorkel equipment and a water noodle if you want one. The grand staircase, the defining feature of this boat, lets you step in and out of the water without the scramble or strain most snorkeling boats demand. You spend an hour in the bay, moving through lush coral gardens where brilliant reef fish and sea turtles are constant. The guide points out the marine life and shares Hawaiian stories about the place.

After snorkeling, you choose your lunch (ham and cheddar, turkey and havarti, mixed greens, or peanut butter and jelly), and eat while the crew sets the sails for the return to Kona. Non-alcoholic drinks (water, juice, soft drinks) are free. Beer, wine and liquor are available for purchase at prices the crew says are the best on the dock. Check-in is 45 minutes before departure at the Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha Beach Kona Hotel on Palani Road. Discounted parking validation is available there.

What’s included

• All snorkel equipment and water noodles.
• continental breakfast with freshly baked pastries, fruit and Kona coffee.
• lunch (choice of ham and cheddar, turkey and havarti, mixed greens, or peanut butter and jelly sandwich).
• all non-alcoholic beverages including water, juice and soft drinks.
• snorkel instruction and water safety briefing.
• Hawaiian storytelling from the crew.

Options for this experience

4 options

Turkey and HavartiGuide in English · 08:30Turkey and Havarti on Hawaiian Rolls, served with Pasta Salad and Chips

Ham and CheddarGuide in English · 08:30Ham and Cheddar on Hawaiian Rolls, served with Pasta Salad and Chips

Peanut Butter and Jelly SandwichGuide in English · 08:30Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich, served with Fruit Snack and Chips

Mixed GreensGuide in English · 08:30Mixed Greens with Avocado, Tomatoes, Pineapple, Red Onion and Candied Mac Nuts, with a side of Roasted Jalapeno Lilikoi Vinaigrette

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 4h, runs every day except Wednesday at 08:30, from US$ 189 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day except WednesdayDeparts at 08:30Another time? ›

GroupUp to 38

Live guideEnglish

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

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Youth (5 to 12 years) · Infant (under 5)

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Kona Style

Is this one for you?Book this one if you want to snorkel without the logistics of getting to Kealakekua Bay yourself and without the usual awkwardness of climbing in and out of the water: the grand staircase and the included meals and gear mean you show up and the rest is arranged. The four-hour morning works for a half-day itinerary when you have other plans in the afternoon.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5).

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 water entry like on this snorkeling boat?

The Kona Style has a grand staircase for water entry and exit, which the operator says is the easiest in the industry: no ladder climbing or jumping off the side like most snorkel boats.

Will I see dolphins and whales on the sail?

The crew scans the horizon during the sail down the Kona coast for hahalua (manta rays), nai'a (dolphins) and kohola (whales), though whales are seasonal and not guaranteed on every trip.

How long do I actually spend snorkeling in the water?

You snorkel for about an hour in Kealakekua Bay's marine sanctuary after the safety briefing and instruction. The rest of the four-hour morning is sailing, breakfast and lunch on the boat.

What's included in the meals?

Breakfast is a continental spread of freshly baked pastries, fruit and 100% Kona coffee. Lunch is your choice of ham and cheddar, turkey and havarti, mixed greens, or peanut butter and jelly sandwich. All non-alcoholic beverages (water, juice and soft drinks) are complimentary. Alcohol is available for purchase.

Do I need to bring my own snorkel gear?

No. All snorkel equipment, floaties and instruction are provided by the crew. You do need to bring your own towel.

What swimming ability do I need?

You must be able to swim without a flotation device. If the captain determines you are not a competent swimmer, you will be asked to stay on the boat and will not receive a refund. Children under five are not allowed in the water and must stay on the vessel with an adult.