Captain Cook Snorkel Tour in The Pristine Water at Kealakekua Bay
Description
We carry a maximum of 14 passengers so we can offer a more intimate snorkel experience than the larger "cattle boats" in Kona. In addition to delivering a more private experience, our small group size allows for more time in the water. Our passengers are able to quickly enter and exit the water as we explore Kealakekua Bay. If you book all 14 seats on any trip, you will have your own private charter. In addition to being the only party on the boat, you'll be able to work with your captain to customize your trip to your liking. For instance, you'll be able to decide whether to pick up and move to a new location or continue snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay (time and conditions permitting). Don't miss this opportunity to snorkel the famous Kealakekua Bay and Captain Cook Monument, in a private small-group experience that's unmatched. Get ready to make memories that will last a lifetime!
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Must be able to swim without the assistance of a floatation device.
- Maximum weight of 280 pounds per traveler.
- Not recommended for travelers with neck problems
Reviews(119)
The boat to take you to location was quite small, no bathroom. Crew was very nice but the water was to location was very rough. Obviously that is beyond their control, but the boat ride was brutal in fact even days afterwards my back still hurt.
We did the Captain Cook monument snorkeling and it was just ok. When I booked through Viator it made it sound like it was semi private (6 people total) but there were at least 10 people on the tiny boat. The boat ride out to Captain Cook monument was really long and uncomfortable. The boat moves really fast and you have to hold on tight. There was nothing big to see either, it was just a long ride on the coast. Snorkeling felt like it was less than an hour and the boat ride was 1.5 hours each way just holding on and no wildlife. Captain Cook was ok but we snorkeled other places and it was about the same. We didn't see anything different there. No large animals seen during the whole tour and although not guaranteed, it was 4 hours of what we had already done. If I were to book again I would book with a company with a larger boat with more comfortable seating. The ride was terrible. Overall it was my least favorite excursion on the islands and I would not book again.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re sorry to hear the tour didn’t meet your expectations, though we’re glad you were able to experience the Captain Cook Monument, one of Hawai‘i’s most famous snorkeling destinations and a protected marine sanctuary. We want to clarify a few points for future guests: our vessels are Coast Guard–certified for safety, and while they are small boats by design, this is actually part of the adventure—allowing us to reach beautiful reef locations that larger boats cannot access. Our standard tour size is up to 12-14 guests (depending on the tour), which is noted in the booking details, so we’re not able to operate as a 6-person private charter unless specifically arranged. As for wildlife, encounters with dolphins, whales, or turtles are always a highlight, but because they are wild animals, sightings can’t be guaranteed. What is guaranteed is snorkeling in one of the healthiest reef systems in Hawai‘i, where guests often comment on the abundance of colorful reef fish and coral. The ride can feel bumpy at times, especially at higher speeds, but our captains always put safety first and operate within conditions that are safe for guests. Some travelers prefer the stability of larger boats, while others love the adventure and access that our smaller vessels provide—it really comes down to personal preference. We’re disappointed that your experience didn’t match your expectations, but we appreciate your input. It helps us continue to set clear expectations for all future guests so they can choose the type of tour that best suits their style.
Adam and Carmella were great guides. They went above and beyond our expectations. They took us to see whales and sharks and gave us a lot of history about the area. The snacks were great too. All around great trip. Communication and texting us to make sure we knew everything we needed to do before trip. Thanks Carmella and Adam.
This was such a fun snorkel trip! Sean and Sarah were so informative and chill, they made the experience so fun! Yummy snacks, drinks, and provided snorkel gear! We saw dolphins and many fish! Loved the boat with the smaller crew, was a much better pick than a lot of other tours. Definitely give it a try!
Had lots of time at the site with a small group. Saw tons of different fish and even an octopus. The captain showed us a few other sites on the way back and even stopped to allow us extra time to enjoy dolphins who swam right up to our boat. Great tour!
The snorkeling was amazing! Hundreds of colorful fish, easy to see in crystal clear waters. I was expecting more information from the crew. The tour description says “ Along the way, your Captain will call out historical sites and discuss the fascinating history of the Kona coast. ” We got none of that from Captain Sean even right at the Cook monument. Even so, the snorkeling made the trip worth it.
Mahalo for sharing your experience with us! We’re so glad to hear you enjoyed the incredible snorkeling at Captain Cook Monument—those crystal-clear waters and colorful fish truly make it one of the most special spots in Hawai‘i. We appreciate your honest feedback about the narration. Our captains normally share history and points of interest along the Kona coast, and we’re sorry to hear this wasn’t your experience on the day of your tour. We’ll be following up with our team to make sure future guests enjoy both the beauty of the reef and the stories that bring the coastline to life. We’re happy the snorkeling itself made your trip worthwhile, and we’d love the chance to welcome you back for an even more complete experience next time.
Such an amazing snorkel experience! So many fish, coral, and beautiful clear water. So glad we chose a "small boat" experience instead of the big ones. We got to the bay earlier than most of the big boats, so had time in the water without it being crowded. We were able to divert along the way and pick up trash out of the ocean, and after snorkeling, had snacks and drinks and stopped in some other coves for history of the island. Can't recall the crew names, but felt very safe in their hands.
We had an amazing time, Sara and Corey were great ! Highly recommend The snorkeling spot was beautiful. The fish were beautiful
These guys are absolutely the only way to go! Fantastic! They took the time to find dolphins, pilot whales etc. And way fun boat ride!
Jacob and Captain were knowledgable and respectful of everyone. Snorkeling was great! The bonus was we saw a pod of dolphins and hung around them for about 10 min!
