Snorkeling Big Island: Private Kealakekua Bay charter with gear

Set your own snorkel stops on a private Zodiac along the Kona coast

A 5-hour private boat charter from Honokohau Harbor takes you to Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii's premier snorkel site, where you choose how long to spend in the water. The captain provides all snorkel gear (including prescription masks in powers –2 through –5) plus lunch, drinks and a narrated cruise past lava tubes, sea caves and the Captain Cook monument. Groups of 1–6 or 7–16 pick their boat size. The Zodiac's shallow draft reaches secluded coves and geological features the larger tour boats cannot.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Honokohau Harbor15m
2. Kailua-Kona45m
3. Kealakekua Bay2h

Kona boat charter and snorkeling

• Explore offshore ocean near Kailua-Kona
• Cruise coastline searching for marine life
• Snorkel at Kealakekua Bay
• Enjoy lunch and beverages on boat
• Explore southern coastline geological features

The experience

The boat leaves Honokohau Harbor and heads down the Kona coastline, where the captain watches for dolphins, sea turtles and other marine life on the way to Kealakekua Bay. Because the Big Island is geologically young, the bay has no sand runoff or sediment. The water clarity is why it ranks as the state's best snorkel spot. You spend as long as you want in the water exploring the reef. The captain can also take you to a different, more secluded snorkel area if you prefer to avoid the busier bay.

All snorkel gear is provided, including flotation vests and noodles if you want them, and prescription masks in four powers so you can see clearly underwater. Lunch is gourmet turkey wraps (let the operator know dietary needs ahead of time), plus chips, cookies and a refill station for water bottles. Coke, diet coke and tropical juices are on board.

On the return, the boat hugs the rugged southern coastline, where the captain shows you natural blowholes, exposed lava tubes and sea caves that only a shallow-draft Zodiac can reach. The captain speaks English and shares the history of the area, including the Captain Cook story tied to the monument visible from the bay.

What’s included

• All snorkel gear including prescription masks, flotation vests and noodles.
• gourmet turkey wrap lunch with chips and cookies.
• coke, diet coke and tropical juices with a refill station for water bottles.
• live English-speaking captain and narrated commentary on the history and geology of the coast.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private 5-hour charter for 1 to 6 guestsUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English · 08:00, 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00

Private 5-hour charter for 7 to 16 guestsUp to 16 per booking · Guide in English · 08:00, 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00Extra deckhand for groups under 6 guests

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except WednesdayDepartures at 08:00, 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00

Book up to14h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

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

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

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

Operated by Captain Zodiac

Is this one for you?Pick the 1–6 boat for a smaller group wanting closer interaction with your captain. The 7–16 boat keeps a larger party together on one vessel. The shallow-draft Zodiac reaches sea caves and lava tubes that bigger boats cannot access, letting you see geological formations most snorkel tours skip.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

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 is Kealakekua Bay like for snorkeling?

Kealakekua Bay is a marine preserve with exceptional water clarity because the young Big Island has no dirt or sand runoff. The reef is extensive and the bay is the best snorkel destination in Hawaii. You can spend as long as you want exploring it, and the captain can also take you to a secluded alternative site if you prefer.

Do I need to bring my own snorkel gear?

No. All snorkel equipment is provided, including flotation vests, noodles, and prescription masks in powers –2, –3, –4 and –5 so you can see clearly if you wear glasses.

What happens if I want to snorkel somewhere other than Kealakekua Bay?

You can choose to focus on world-class snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay, wildlife searching along the coast, or private secluded snorkel spots. The captain will adjust the itinerary based on what you want to do that day.

What's included for food and drinks?

Lunch is a gourmet turkey wrap (tell the operator about dietary restrictions when you book), plus chips and cookies. Drinks include coke, diet coke, tropical juices and a refill station for your own water bottle.

Can I take this charter with a large group?

Yes. You choose between a boat for 1–6 guests or a separate boat for 7–16 guests when you book. Each option is a private charter with its own captain and boat.