Snorkel Tour to Captain Cook Monument Kailua-Kona, Big Island
5

Snorkel Tour to Captain Cook Monument Kailua-Kona, Big Island

By Dolphin Discoveries
Recommended by 96% of travellers
96% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 6-70, max of 28 per group
Duration: 4h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More


  • Sightseeing along coast of sea caves & lava tubes
  • Historical narration of Captain Cook's fate at Kealakekua Bay
  • Light snacks, fruit, juices and bottled water
  • Pool Noodles
What's not included
  • Gratuities for your crew always appreciated
  • Please bring towel and cover-up
  • Use reef safe sunscreen (zinc based is recommended- no oxybenzone and octinoxate. lotion, no spray)


Start:
  • 78-6831 Ali‘i Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
    To Check in: Keauhou Shopping Center, 78-6831 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i 96740. Located in inside the center in the courtyard behind Tropics, KTA & Bianelli's. Once checked in, you will drive to Keauhou Bay where the crew will greet you for the tour. If Ubering, schedule 2 stops in the app.
End:
  • 78-7138 Kaleiopapa St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
    Tour will end upon return to the dock at Keauhou Bay. There is no need to return to our store upon return.

  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 89864P2

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not recommended for travellers with back problems
  • Not recommended for pregnant travellers
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Most travellers can participate
  • Minimum age to attend tour is 6yrs old
  • Must be comfortable treading water and swimming unassisted
  • Electronic Waiver required to be signed prior to tour
  • Must be under 285 lbs
  • Must be able to climb up a metal ladder to get back in the boat
  • Our vessels are RHIBS (zodiac style boats; seating is on a pontoon).
  • Minors must be accompanied by an adult at all times
  • We have full discretion to refuse service to guests based on attire, behavior, physical fitness & condition
  • Restroom facilities not available on boat
  • Not recommended for travelers with neck problems
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 28 travellers

  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 89864P2

From
₹7,028.82
per adult
Select date and travellers

Similar experiences

Itinerary
  • 78-6831 Ali‘i Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
    To Check in: Keauhou Shopping Center, 78-6831 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i 96740. Located in inside the center in the courtyard behind Tropics, KTA & Bianelli's. Once checked in, you will drive to Keauhou Bay where the crew will greet you for the tour. If Ubering, schedule 2 stops in the app.
  • 1
    We offer several different times, each tour being 2.5 hours on the water. These trips provide the longest snorkel times at Kealakekua Bay with approximately an 30-40 minutes of snorkel time. This adventure promises views of 100’s of different varieties of tropical fish along with an occasional “Honu” (Hawaiian green sea turtle). Your Captain will share Hawaiian History and get you up and personal with sea caves and lava tubes. If you are new to or have never snorkeled before this is the ideal choice! The times shown indicate the check in time. Tour duration includes time to checkin and receive gear. Snorkel participants must be confortable swimming.
  • 78-7138 Kaleiopapa St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
    Tour will end upon return to the dock at Keauhou Bay. There is no need to return to our store upon return.
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
  • Dolphin Discoveries
    3,307
    United States
  • 65madisonv
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great experience, would recommend
    I learned something new, felt safe the entire time, made memories with my friends and got to see beautiful sea life in the wild. I would recommend this experience with Dolphin Discoveries. My group of three had a great time on our tour (2/16 - 8pm check in). There were 12 guests total on the boat which was nice as it wasn’t too crowded. We checked in at the store front, got our gear (snorkel & wetsuit top) and then met up down by the bay. It was an efficient process getting onto the boat, the crew was all helpful and friendly. You get into the boat water-ready, so you can leave your clothes/phone in the car or in the waterproof box they have on the boat but you won’t access your items until you are offloading at the dock. Probably makes more sense to leave everything but your towel behind on shore. It was a short ride out, with a quick safety briefing and then we got into the water! Super easy to swim to the light boards (maybe 10ft at most for us). From there you just float and watch for manta rays - they gave us pool noodles to help keep our feet lifted. The in-water guides were great (thank you Bryce, Eve and Agnes!). They provided information about the manta rays which was interesting and definitely a value-add! They also helped navigate the light boards in the water to get us to better spots to see the manta rays. And chased down a stray noodle when needed. We didn’t wait long at all until these massive, incredible creatures arrived below us. They got pretty close and we saw many of them during the experience. We had a good amount of time in the water, and I was glad for the short ride back to the dock afterwards since I had gotten a little chilly in the water (very manageable- I just get cold easy). Shout out to the captains Robert and Dan (hopefully we remembered the right names) for getting us through the water safely.
    Written 17 February 2025
  • tommytsurfs
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Magic morning on the ocean!
    Great operation!! Craig was a knowledgeable and personable captain! We saw 2 massive spinner dolphin pods before motoring on to see humpback whales breaching, fin slapping and tail slapping! Very cool!
    Written 16 February 2025
  • Alexis D
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Magical!
    We can’t say enough good things about this company and their crew. Not only is this experience absolutely magical and mind blowing; the experience is capped off by the wonderful crew you’ll interact with! Anges will help you don and doff equipment and get going in the water if it is your first time or 500th time.
    Written 15 February 2025
  • Alexis D
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Bravo dolphin discoveries
    We had a wonderful trip! The crew is knowledge, helpful, and fun. These tours are smaller than the body glove tours and feel much more personal. Highly recommend!
    Written 15 February 2025
  • P3009LPpamelab
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Whales, whales, whales
    It was an awesome experience “there be whales 🐳 captain “ and dolphins, and Hawaii culture. Captain Rob was awesome as advertised.
    Written 9 February 2025
  • A8259YWstephend
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Awesome trip! Book it!
    Awesome trip, awesome service. Jen in the front office was awesome!!! Totally made our trip and visit! Kennedy was an absolute pleasure to hang with! Great communication and control throughout the trip! Book it now. This was the highlight of the trip! Thank you Dolphin Discovery!
    Written 8 February 2025
  • O7052KSjackieb
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    It’s a MUST!
    Well organized, lots of information, safe and an experience of a lifetime. Children should probably be over 10 years old to fully enjoy it. The guides were wonderful as was check in and the Captain of the boat.
    Written 1 February 2025
  • O7052KSjackieb
    0 contributions
    2.0 of 5 bubbles
    MEDIOCRE….FIND ANOTHER COMPANY
    CAPTAIN COOK BAY WAS A GREAT PLACE TO SNORKEL. HOWEVER THE GUIDES TO AND FROM OUR DESTINATIONS ALONG WITH THE RECEPTIONIST AT CHECK-IN WERE MEDIOCRE. VERY LiTTLE INFORMATION ABOUT THE AREA WAS GIVEN AND THE LITTLE THAT WAS TOLD ABOUT THE CITY OF REFUGE WAS INCORRECT. WE FELT LIKE WE WERE DOING THE COMPANY A FAVOR BY BEING THERE
    Written 1 February 2025
  • dbellerive
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Manta Ray Perfection
    Honestly can't remember how we came across Dolphin Disocoveries, but they are a great way to see the Mantas. They have storefront right near the Manta site for easy fitting before you go. Really nice gear as well. Then it's off to see the Rays. You'll meet up at the boat, a 3 minute boat ride and excellent guides to help you throughout the experience. Highly recommend them. Better price. Outstanding people
    Written 30 January 2025
  • N392OVlaurenc
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Patience pays off! Great guides!
    We had a great day today with Captain Denis and Crew Kaylei. They took us out and kept sharing about Hawaii and whales/dolphins while we looked for creatures. We saw a few clusters of manta rays feeding (so intriguing) and we saw several small whales , just bits of plumes and a couple of tails before they dove. Both Denis and Kaylei kept at it, and near the end of our time we saw a pair of larger humpbacks swimming along - incredible! - and then on our return, about 6-8 dolphins swam along side our boat, jumping in the wake! It was great! I've been on other tours, and this stands out as a great outfit and wonderful guides. Mahalo!!
    Written 29 January 2025
  • Roam228001
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Safe, saw manta rays,short ride, super comfortable
    Captain and crew were kind, helpful, friendly and made me feel so much at ease. I was so nervous about this but felt much better after they explained everything and reassured us of their safety measures. I rented life vest which helped focus more on paying attention, watching for manta and less focused on staying afloat with the choppy waves
    Written 29 January 2025
  • amandajT5451OQ
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    For the love of mantas
    We had so much fun snorkeling with the manta rays! They were underneath us immediately after jumping out of the boat. They were so beautiful, big, and majestic. Our guides were friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. We got a lot of information and to ask questions while in the water. Would definitely recommend!
    Written 27 January 2025
  • 112louist
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Exciting adventure
    I am 71 years old and don’t swim very well. Swimming with the Rays was the most exciting and fun thing. From the time I made the reservation to the actual swim the staff kept assuring me how safe and comfortable the experience would be. I wish I could remember all the staffs names, they were outstanding. While in the water they kept asking if everyone was comfortable in the water. The rays swim so close, a few times they brushed my belly. The 1/2 hour went be so fast. It was an experience I will never forget. Thank you all for a wonderful time and thank you for looking out for me.
    Written 25 January 2025
  • blahblahholiday
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Manta Ray Night Trip
    A lovely group of people run this trip. We were a bit wary as you have to check in one place and then go to the boat. But my worries were not warranted, it works perfectly. The staff on the boat made you feel safe and if you have any doubts about doing this please dont. It was the most amazing thing and such a priviledge to see these magnificent creatures in the ocean. Thank you Dolphin discoveries for such a memory.
    Written 25 January 2025
  • gr0ssmith
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Night dive with manta rays
    What a wonderful experience, such beautiful animals. We had multiple mantas swimming around us. A great crew to guide us. Worth every penny. Thank you
    Written 22 January 2025
See all 3,307 reviews
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles178 reviews
Excellent
163
Very good
8
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
2

Dan V
Abbotsford, Canada41 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Family
Kudos to Dolphin Discoveries for a fantastic tour. Right from check in at the store, we were taken care of by professional, courteous, and knowledgeable people. The staff really ensured we were decked out with all we needed and that things fit perfectly.
Once on the water, both Anna and Captain Dennis ensured we had a safe and memorable adventure. I was most impressed with the way they handled our eclectic group, always making sure we were comfortable with boat speeds and understanding the boundaries when we go to our snorkeling site.
We had plenty of time to snorkel and we knew that Anna and Captain Dennis were watching over us. I was impressed with how both staff members had a real handle on where their guests were at all times in the water. Safety first!
Following our snorkeling experience, Captain Dennis related some wonderful history of the area and treated us to some pretty amazing sites along the way back ‘home’. We were even treated to a small pod of dolphins as we were leaving the snorkeling area.
11/10 for this experience. The snorkeling was amazing but it’s a caring staff that makes great memories like we had today.
Well done and highly recommended.
Written 13 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

nickaztravel
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
We really enjoyed the tour and Captain Jenn. I would highly recommend the tour with this company as they were on time at the meeting location, we had a nice 15-20 boat ride to the snorkel location, snorkeled for about 1 hours, had a nice snack tray and refreshments available for us. All the needed equipment was included as well.
Written 30 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kerstin J
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2024 • Couples
Captain Cook snorkel review with Seth and Raj. The snorkeling experience was absolutely amazing. We saw a wide variety of marine life, including colorful fish and coral reefs. The water was crystal clear, allowing us to fully appreciate the beauty beneath the surface. Seth and Raj were excellent guides, pointing out interesting sights and ensuring our safety throughout the trip. We highly recommend Captain Cook snorkeling to anyone looking for an unforgettable underwater adventure.
Written 9 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

speciald66
Lakeport, CA2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
It was a really enjoyable afternoon. The Zodiac provides a small group experience. The two person crew was knowledgeable and attentive explaining procedures, telling history and keeping an eye on everyone in the water. A wide variety of colorful fish and lots of them
Written 14 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lynda Sowell
Vaughn, MT5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2024 • Family
Captain Raj and 1st mate Seth made this an amazing trip (4/16/24l. There were 12 of us on our tour, and the snorkeling was beyond my expectations. It was like swimming in an aquarium! The crew kept us feeling safe, fed us tropical fruit, drinks and snacks, and then extended our tour with additional sight seeing and a lot of great history! I would recommend to any level of swimmer and novice snorkelers - kids and adults of all ages.
Written 16 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

tammy u
7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Family
This was my favorite snorkel trip and the guides were so friendly, fun and professional. The early morning time was perfect before it got too busy and they knew all the secret spots to go too with so much history and beauty. We felt like we were in safe hands and stopped to see beautiful dolphins and other historical spots on the island. Will definitely go again with Dolphin Discoveries!🐬🧜‍♀️ Big thank you to Kahilah and Raj for the most memorable part of trip for my daughter and I🙏❤️🌈🌊
Written 3 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mol
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Friends
I had high hopes for this snorkeling trip, but it turned out to be a disaster from start to finish. The captain completely neglected me the entire trip. he seemed more interested in chatting with other guests. I felt completely unwelcome and ignored.

To make matters worse, the captain made an incredibly rude and unprofessional comment, saying I looked like a fish. Not only was this insulting, but it also made me feel even more uncomfortable and unwelcome.

Overall, this was the worst snorkeling experience I've ever had. I would not recommend this trip to anyone. The captain's neglect and inappropriate comments ruined what should have been a fun and enjoyable day. Save your money and look for a more professional and respectful snorkeling tour.
Written 11 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aloha, We understand that you are disappointed that you didn't receive a refund after you took the trip. Your original reason for requesting a refund was that no one told you where the drinks were located...this is absurd! We serve everyone drinks. Now you are saying you were insulted and neglected, because the captain supposedly called you a fish??? That is ridiculous! The other 18 guests all had a great time, you, however, you are just trying to get a free snorkeling trip. Aloha.
Written 11 July 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Yorkshireman555
Leeds, UK17 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2024 • Couples
Great trip with very helpful and knowledgeable crew. The snorkelling equipment was sturdy and individually fitted. Comfortable swimming with the noodle for over an hour, and saw a wide variety of colourful fish.
The only downside was the need to check-in and get kitted out in one location, then have to make our own way to the separate launch location.
Written 30 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tim K
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Great time snorkeling and we saw a whale on the way to Captain Cooks monument for snorkeling. Great crew and we only had a total of 6 for our tour so very intimate. Great facts shared on the tour and the snorkeling was awesome! We stopped on a few places on the way back and we would highly recommend this tour
Written 27 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cindy H
Saint Louis, MO5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Family
We basically had a private tour (7 family members) guided by Brendan and Kalia of Seaquest Kona HI. Our Cpt Cook snorkle tour began with a smooth custom zodiac boat ride to beautiful Kealakekua Bay. The lush coral reef was amazing! Triggerfish,Yellow Tangs, Parrotfish, Surgeonfish, Urchins all share this aquatic haven with over 200 other tropical species.Our finale, a pod of Spinner Dolphins performing acrobatic leaps and twists alongside the boat!!
Brendon and Kalia were professional, friendly, and knowledgeable.They insured we all felt safe and had the best experience! Brendan shared historical information about the location, and Cpt Cook’s life as well. We highly recommend this operation!!******
Written 30 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

Snorkel Tour to Captain Cook Monument Kailua-Kona, Big Island provided by Dolphin Discoveries

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