Best Aquatic Tours on the Big Island Hawaii: Sail, Snorkel & Dive
- Eric Beuning
- 7 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
The Big Island of Hawaii is a paradise for outdoor adventurers and aquatic explorers. The warm, crystal-clear ocean, dramatic volcanic coastline, and thriving marine ecosystems around the Big Island are like none in the world.
You don’t have to be a Hawaiian waterman, Aquaman’s illegitimate stepchild, or Jacques Cousteau's long-lost cousin, to enjoy the aquatic tours and attractions of the Big Island of Hawaii. I admit, as a big man, I don’t get out or into boats with much dignity, yet I loved these aquatic adventures and deeply appreciated the expert tour guides who made sure I loved every moment of it.
So, I decided to take more of a deep dive into all the ways you can connect with expert guides, their premium equipment, and access to some of the Big Island’s most stunning locations.
Few experiences compare to snorkeling with Big Island manta rays after dark. This tour starts from Kona, where they give you an in-depth explanation of how to snorkel safely. The first time I did this is was my first ever snorkeling experience, and I appreciated how the guides treated me like no question was too silly.
The guides are real watermen and take you to their secret spots like Manta Ray Village. Then they turn on powerful lights that attract plankton, which also happens to be the manta rays’ favorite snack. These graceful giants, with wingspans up to 16 feet, swoop and glide just inches from you. Yet their mastery of movement in the water keeps them from ever crashing into you.
What Makes It a Great Snorkeling Experience
Guaranteed sightings (most tours offer a free re-try if you don’t see mantas)
Small-group excursions with professional guides
Wetsuits, snorkel gear, and flotation devices provided
Pro Tip: Timing Your Snorkel Experience
This is a very thrilling experience, and not the sort of thing you want to do right after eating a big meal. I recommend eating a late lunch and doing this on a relatively empty stomach. Then afterward you’ll be starving and ready to feast at one of the many restaurants near the Kona Marina.
👉Book the Night Snorkel with Manta Rays in Kona
The Big Island’s Kealakekua Bay is a marine sanctuary and boasts some of the clearest waters and healthiest coral reefs in all of Hawaii. The captains and tour guides who offer snorkeling experiences here understand that this is a sacred trust and really go the extra mile to cultivate your connection to the surrounding marine environment.
Tours typically take you via raft boat or catamaran to the remote Captain Cook Monument, which is accessible only by boat or a steep hike. It was a very different experience from night snorkeling, and the water was full of colorful fish, that looked like they splashed right out of a Van Gogh painting. I even got lucky as there were sea turtles in the bay and a small pod of dolphins in the distance.
What Makes It a Great Snorkeling Experience
Incredible water clarity (~100 feet visibility)
Abundant reef fish and pristine corals
Scenic coastline with lava tubes and sea caves
Easy access to the Captain Cook Monument
Expert guides
Pro Tip: Book Early
Book your tour in advance to make sure you get a morning time slot. Early in the day the water tends to be calmer and there’s better visibility. Just give yourself a full day in between night snorkeling and day snorkeling as you will feel it.
One of the things I learned on my last Big Island aquatic adventures was that Hawaiian spinner dolphins love to hang out in the bays and coves near Kona. Dolphin swim and snorkel tours give you a chance to watch them in their natural habitat.
However, there are safety rules and federal guidelines involved, and the last thing I wanted to do was get in trouble on vacation. Having a professional tour guide kept me on the right side of the rules. Most tours also stop at top snorkeling reefs like Honaunau Bay.
What Makes This a Great Dolphin Viewing Experience
See pods of playful dolphins (sometimes in the hundreds!)
Multi-stop tours combine dolphin watching + snorkeling
Fast zodiac-style boats access remote reefs
Pro Tip: Mid-Morning Is The Best Time
Hawaiian spinner dolphins like to hunt late at night or early morning when they have the advantage of the reef fish they feed on. Then they tend to settle down and rest closer to shore, and the local tour guides know where to find them.
👉Book the Kona Dolphin Swim and Snorkel Tours
If you have kids and you want to get them on the water but don’t want to snorkel, or just want a casual afternoon on a boat, this Day Trip from Kailua-Kona is your best option. It takes you to the pristine waters of Kealakekua Bay, and the Captain Cook Monument. The boat has a spacious deck, and they even include a simple lunch with fresh fruit and sandwiches.
There are ample snorkeling opportunities amongst the vibrant coral reefs that are teeming with tropical fish. If your kids or anyone else in your group is hesitant about snorkeling or just want to try it for a little bit, this is an easy entry point to the experience. I admit, the last time I was there I was wiped out and just chilled out on the boat with a watchful eye!
What Makes This a Good Day on the Water
Family-friendly
Lunch included
Expert guides
Easy snorkeling opportunities if wanted
Relax on the boat
Pristine waters with tons of tropical fish
If you’re already a certified diver looking for a world-class underwater experience on the Big Island of Hawaii, this night dive out of Hilo needs to be at the top of your list. It’s a 3-hour adventure that offer a first-hand experience with the ocean's nocturnal life. Including the chance to observe bioluminescent organisms and coral spawning.
The dive is led by a certified dive guide and includes water, juice, local snacks, and optional rental gear. It's important to note that this activity is not suitable for children under 8 years, pregnant women, and availability might be limited. So, it’s wise to book in advance and build other facets of your trip around the night dive.
What Makes This a Great Dive Experience
Unique lava formations and underwater topography
Sea turtles, reef sharks, and manta rays sightings
Bioluminescent experience
Small group dives with personalized instruction
Led by expert local divers
Only for certified divers
👉Book the Hilo Night Dive for Certified Divers
When I’m traveling with my special lady, I always include a romantic experience like this sunset sail out of Waikoloa, in the trip. It’s a 54-foot sailing catamaran, which is far more stable than many of the other Big Island scenic cruises.
They take you along the Kona-Kohala coastline which is absolutely breathtaking at sunset. If you’re lucky, you might even get the “Green Flash” experience of the sun setting through the water of the ocean. It’s the sort of thing that you can only witness away from the continental shelf.
The cruise includes unlimited non-alcoholic beverages and two complimentary alcoholic drink tickets per adult, with additional drinks available for purchase. I don’t drink, so I can’t speak to the adult beverages. I thought everything they offered was top-notch.
If you want the catamaran experience, but you don’t need to dial up the romance, there’s also a 3-Hour Waikoloa Snorkeling & Sailing Adventure that’s also a great shared experience.
Final Thoughts on Big Island of Hawaii Aquatic Tours
Theres a lot of fun to be had on the waters surrounding the Big Island of Hawaii. There are a lot of beginner-level snorkeling experiences near Kona, as well as day boat dolphin watching and snorkeling at nearby Kealakekua Bay.
If you’re staying in Hilo, and you’re a certified diver, a night dive offers an otherworldly experience. If you want something low key in nearby Waiakola, the catamaran experiences are a great way to make memories on the water.
If you want to learn more about Hawaii and other amazing adventures, you should follow Eric Beuning's Author Page.
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