Kona: Atlantis Submarine Dive & Shuttle Boat Tour

Summary

Submarine ride under Kona’s waves, coral gardens and local stories

You’ll ride a real submarine beneath Kona’s waves, explore ancient lava-formed coral gardens teeming with tropical fish, and hear local stories from your guide. The shuttle boat ride gives you a fresh look at Kona’s coast before you descend 100 feet below — it’s quieter than you’d expect down there, but somehow more alive too.

What’s the experience like?

You step onto the shuttle boat at Kona Beach, and honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The sea air smells a bit like salt and sunscreen, and there’s this low hum of chatter — people from all over, some kids bouncing in their seats. Our guide, Keahi, grinned as he handed out headsets (I picked English but heard someone switch to Mandarin). The boat ride itself is quick — maybe five minutes — but you get this first look at the coastline that feels different when you’re not on land. I kept watching the water for flashes of yellow tangs even before we got to the submarine.

Now, climbing down that ladder into the Atlantis Submarine? Slightly awkward if you’re tall like me. It’s cool inside though — literally cooler than outside — and the windows are round and thick. Keahi started pointing things out right away: “There’s the 25-acre reef,” he said, tapping the glass. At first I just saw blue and shadows, but then my eyes adjusted and suddenly there were parrotfish nibbling at coral and these long silver barracuda just hanging out like they owned the place. Someone behind me gasped when an eel slithered by (I jumped too — didn’t admit it). The narration was clear but not overwhelming; sometimes I just zoned out and watched bubbles drift up past the glass.

I didn’t expect how quiet it would feel down there — not silent exactly, but muffled. You catch yourself whispering even though you don’t have to. There’s something about seeing old sunken ships turned into fish hotels that makes you think about time differently. A little girl next to me pressed her nose to the window so hard she left a smudge; her dad laughed and tried to wipe it off with his sleeve. I still think about that view up through shafts of light cutting through blue water — it sticks with you more than any photo could.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Submarine tour and Kona coastline view

• Meet at Atlantis office
• Ride shuttle boat to submarine
• Descend 100 feet underwater
• Explore 25-acre coral reef
• View marine life and coral formations
• Listen to narrated tour via headset
• Return to shore by shuttle boat

Top questions

How deep does the Atlantis Submarine go in Kona?

The Atlantis Submarine descends approximately 100 feet below the ocean surface during its dive off Kona.

Is pickup included for the Kona submarine tour?

The tour includes a sightseeing shuttle boat transfer from Kona Beach to the submarine dive site; hotel pickup is not included.

How long does the actual submarine dive last?

The underwater portion of the tour lasts about 45 minutes.

Are children allowed on the Atlantis Submarine in Kona?

Children must be at least 36 inches tall; those under age 3 who meet this requirement may join with a child ticket.

Is narration available in languages other than English?

Yes, audio narration is available in Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish, and Korean upon request at no extra cost.

Do I need to be physically fit for this tour?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels but passengers must be able to climb a near vertical ladder to board the submarine.

What marine life can I see on this day trip from Kona?

You may spot barracuda, yellow tangs, eels, parrotfish, and other tropical species around coral reefs and sunken ships.

What’s included

Your day includes a short sightseeing shuttle boat ride from Kona Beach out to the dive site, live English narration by an underwater naturalist (with headsets for Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish or Korean), plus your full submarine dive aboard a 48-passenger vessel exploring ancient reefs before returning back by boat.