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Kailua-Kona Snorkeling Tours
Kailua-Kona Snorkeling Tours - What to Know
Snorkeling tours are the best way to explore Kona’s rugged and untamed coastline. These tours provide you the chance to visit snorkeling gems such as Kealakekua Bay, where the first westerner, Captain Cook, landed on the island and is now a significant marine life sanctuary. Expert guides will take you to the best spots for viewing wildlife, assist with photo opportunities so your entire group can be in the picture, and ensure your safety and comfort in the water. Without a fringe reef, Kona’s waters offer unique encounters with rare marine species such as dolphins, manta rays, whale sharks, pilot whales, and more, as they pass by the coast.
Why Choose Kailua-Kona for Snorkeling
Kona snorkeling is renowned for its incredible manta ray night snorkel, where you can witness these gentle giants gracefully somersault around you. Guests float on the surface holding onto long rectangular floating lights that attract plankton, drawing the manta rays closer, reaching only a few inches away. Kona’s reefs, being the youngest geographically, are home to uncommon corals such as lobe, finger, and cauliflower corals, as well as over 25 percent of species that are endemic to Hawaii and found nowhere else in the world. Offshore snorkeling adventures offer the chance to witness rare sightings of whale sharks, dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, beaked whales, spotted dolphins, and much more.
Where to Go Snorkeling in Kailua-Kona
Manta Ray Night Snorkel
Night snorkeling with manta rays in Kona, Hawaii, is an experience you won't forget. As the sun sets, you'll head out into the ocean and watch as the mantas gracefully glide through the water, illuminated by the underwater lights. There are a few prime spots for the night snorkel experience. Each of the spots will have several boats as the more light, the more manta rays will come by! These gentle giants come in close, performing an underwater ballet that’s both mesmerizing and awe-inspiring. It’s a surreal adventure that lets you get up close and personal with some of the ocean's most magnificent creatures.
Kealakekua Bay/Captain Cook Monument
This is a marine life conservation district that can only be accessed by boat or a long hike. This pristine reef forms a wall that is teeming with marine life and has an abundance of endemic fish (fish found only in Hawaii) and is the perfect place for beginner snorkelers to get hooked on viewing what's under the sea. This is a top-rated snorkel spot on Hawaii island!
Pawai Bay
Pawai Bay is one of the most beautiful, local spots to snorkel as the lack of sand ensures visibility year-round. Also, with a steep drop off, guests will be more likely to see pelagic marine life swim by. The calm, sheltered bay offers excellent visibility, making it an ideal spot for both novice and experienced snorkelers.
Pelagic Zone
Snorkeling in the pelagic zone along the Kona coastline is an adventure like no other. Far from the shore, in the deep, open waters, you'll have the chance to encounter some of the ocean's most magnificent creatures. This is for more advanced snorkelers but an incredible opportunity to see larger marine life such as dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, manta rays, and more!
Top Tips for Snorkeling in Kailua-Kona
- Best Time to Snorkel: You can snorkel year round, but from April to May and September through November there will be fewer crowds with ideal weather. The best time of day to dive is early in the morning before the wind picks up and when the seas are flatter with better visibility. During the winter, you have the chance to hear Humpback whales singing and witness them breaching from the boat.
- Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen: Please use reef-safe sunscreen to avoid polluting the clear waterways! With so many visitors a year, it is essential to keep the waters as clean as possible for the wildlife!
- Respect Marine Life: Observe wildlife from a distance without chasing or harassing them. Never feed or touch animals, even if they approach you out of curiosity. Please stay off the reef at all times. Green sea turtles, seals, dolphins, and many more species are protected, resulting in a fine or jail time if you’re found harassing them.
- Stay Hydrated: Swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing on the boat in the hot Hawaii sun can be intense. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Follow Leave No Trace Principles: Keep all trash with you and secured down while on the boat or shore and dispose of it properly when you’re near a trash can or back at your hotel.
- Use Defog: Every boat or snorkel tour almost always has a bottle of defog! Please use it! It is safe for your eyes and it keeps your mask crystal clear so you can see all the marine life! If you have issues with a foggy mask, return to the boat and let your guide know so they can fix it!
- Follow Safety Guidelines: Your guides are there to keep you safe and provide the best experience for you! Please listen to all safety briefings and always stay aware of your surroundings and the members of your group!
Other Kailua-Kona Adventures
Check out other Kailua-Kona Adventures at Kailua-Kona, HI Outdoor Activities! These include scuba diving, surfing, freediving, kayaking, paddleboarding, rafting, and hiking!
Can I go if I don’t know how to swim or have never been snorkeling?
You don’t have to be an experienced swimmer to snorkel on a guided tour. Many of the snorkel spots have calm, shallow waters, but being comfortable in the water is important. If you’ve never snorkeled before, using a lifejacket or small float can provide the added buoyancy and confidence needed. Make sure to check the tour requirements, as some do require you to be able to swim a short distance.
If you want to learn about the basics of snorkeling, check out our Snorkeling for Beginners Guide!
Do I need my own snorkel gear?
Another great reason to go with a guided snorkeling tour is that you do NOT need your own equipment! Most tours offer complimentary, high-quality equipment that is fit to you when you board! The guides will help to go over how to use the equipment and ensure it is sized correctly and then you are off to the water! Please always check to ensure the tour is providing equipment!
What do I bring with me snorkeling?
- Swimsuit
- Towel
- Reef-Safe Sunscreen
- Extra Layers of Clothing
- Dry Bag
- Snacks & Water
- Required Paperwork (Signed medical forms, waivers, etc.
- Waterproof Camera
- Seasickness Medication
What about sharks?
Sharks hunt at dusk and dawn and therefore rarely, if ever, seen on tours. They are simply wild animals that also share the ocean, but most often people rarely see them. The most common sharks to spot are small reef sharks that prefer to immediately leave the presence of people and boats and tend to be harmless towards people.
What do I do if I see turtles, dolphins, or other large marine life approach me?
All sea turtles in Hawaii are protected by the Endangered Species Act, meaning you need to maintain a distance of 10 feet (3 meters) away and refrain from feeding, riding, touching, or harassing them in any way. If they approach you, just calmly and gently move yourself 10 feet away from them in the water or ensure you are not in their way and let them pass.
Most wildlife is under protection in Hawaii. If dolphins, seals, or whales ever come close to you, you must do your best to calmly put space between you and the wildlife and enjoy from a distance. NEVER attempt to chase, harass, feed, or touch any wildlife.
Do I tip my guide?
Your guide/instructors work hard before, during, and after your tour to provide you with a great experience, and while not expected, gratuities are always highly appreciated. If you had a safe, educational, and fun experience, gratuities typically range from 15 to 20%.