Ocean
Manta Ray Night Snorkel
Float above lit ocean water after dark as Kona's resident manta rays somersault inches beneath you, the Big Island's single most unforgettable hour.
Ocean
Kealakekua Bay Kayak & Snorkel
Paddle a glassy marine sanctuary to the Captain Cook Monument, where spinner dolphins pass and the reef drops into some of Hawaii's clearest water.
Kealakekua is a protected marine sanctuary and one of the Big Island’s great snorkeling spots: a sheltered bay where the water goes glassy at dawn, spinner dolphins rest, and the reef below the Captain Cook Monument teems with fish. The way in is by kayak, a paddle of a mile or so across the calm.
Access is managed to keep the bay healthy, so a guided tour is the easiest way to go. We know the tour and can help you book the morning departure, when the water is clearest and the wind has not yet come up.
Good to know
Do we need a permit?
Yes. Landing near the monument is managed to protect the bay, so a guided tour is the simplest way in, handling the permit, boards, and timing. Dolphins here are wild, so we keep a respectful distance.
When is the best time to go?
Mornings, when the bay turns glassy and the water is clearest before the afternoon wind. Spinner dolphins often rest in the bay early in the day.
How long is the tour and how far is the paddle?
Plan on roughly four to five hours in all. The paddle is about a mile each way across sheltered water, with plenty of time to snorkel the reef by the monument.
Do I need kayaking experience or to be very fit?
No experience is needed, the water is protected and guides give a short lesson before you set out. Basic fitness helps, and a tandem kayak lets a stronger paddler share the work.
What should I bring?
Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, water, and a light layer. Guides typically provide the kayak and snorkel gear, and often snacks, so you can travel light.
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Land
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