Guided Outrigger Canoe Tour In Kealakekua Bay

Easy to locate, even parking was easy. They had everything we needed and were very clear in where we were going and directions for our drop. The water was smooth and clear - great way to snorkel at Cook's monument. the earlier you pick up and go the better the water will be with fewer snorkelers in the water where a to of big tour companies go.

We participated in the outrigger canoe snorkeling trip. It was fantastic. Mal was an excellent guide and very personable. We initially were scheduled for one day but the company called to reschedule us to come a day early so that we could avoid bad weather. Thankfully we could make that work. Parking was a little confusing, but there ended up being enough street parking. During the canoe trip we got to snorkel with some manta rays and saw a lot of different fish. It was great being in a small group (no more than 8) of people for the snorkeling. The French couple we were with were very pleasant. Ehu and Kai provide life jackets for children and noodles for everyone while snorkeling. My septuagenarian father and 7-year-old daughter decided to stop snorkeling early and Mal showed them around Kealakekua Bay in the canoe. Ehu and Kai also provided snacks and drinks. This was one of our favorite events during our whole trip and was such a unique activity! I highly recommend.

TLDR: Paddling to Captain Cook was a blast and we got to see an abundance of wildlife on what felt like a super curated tour by our amazing guide, Nina! The company was communicative and clear in offering directions and this was an experience no one should miss out on. If you’re considering taking the Historical Hawaiian Outrigger tour with Ehu & Kai, consider this a sign to DO IT! From start to finish, this felt like an experience tailored for our group, supported by the friendliest, chillest staff. A special shout out to the friendly helpers on land who were incredibly fun and out-of-this-world friendly! Our tremendous guide, Nina, went above and beyond to curate an exceptional experience. From the lively banter and building camaraderie between a group of strangers sharing an outrigger to maximizing the amount of wildlife we got to see, being out on the water with this crew felt like being out with a group that’s known each other for ages. Along the way, we got historical facts about the area, got to snorkel with an abundance of wildlife, and even enjoyed a visit from a pod of dolphins! Nina—you’re truly one of a kind and I cannot thank you enough for being so friendly and thoughtful in your approach to this tour. Sadly, our tour was Nina’s last before she heads out for a bit. Here’s hoping we’ll see her back at Ehu & Kai before we know it!

The description fit the activity. Friendly guide and lots of fun. Clean snorkeling equipment and smooth waters!

What a fun experience! Nina was awesome….she even made our request to see dolphins come true!!!!!!! She was a wealth of knowledge and truly made our day memorable. Would highly recommend!

Outrigger snorkling adventure to Capt Cook was an excellent experience and the guide was very knowledgeable and helpful. The snorkleing was great around the reef near the monument and especially enjoyed seeing the manta rays!

We LOVED our outrigger canoe trip with Nina. We paddled across the bay on smooth waters, had the snorkeling all to ourselves before the big boats came. We saw so many colorful fish. Afterward, our 4 boys were able to jump off some other tour boats for fun while we soaked up the sun. This was an stress-free excursion that was so lovely and amazing! Highly recommend and would do again.

Was worth the drive for an amazing paddling trip. We saw manta rays and dolphins. Gavin was a great guide! What a fun trip!

Our outrigger trip was amazing. We saw Manta Rays, Spinner Dolphins and numerous beautiful fish. Extra bonus of snacks and drinks provided. We loved it!

Our historical tour was informative and very supportive for two beginners. We were asked if we wanted to switch from an afternoon session to a morning session because marine life would be more active in the AM. Our guide spotted tropical fish, manatees, and young dolphins. Our timing was before the predicted Hawaii storms with heavy rains and high winds. We were satisfied with our trip to Captain Cook Monument. We were disappointed because we were expecting an outrigger double hull with several people. This is pictured and described on the site. We were a 2 person plus a guide on a single outrigger. Wish we had been informed ahead of launch day that we were a single. Not a bad experience but not what we hoped.

Great experience! Jamal was chill, helpful, and very informative. I would definitely recommend taking the outrigger canoe tour.

Very friendly host. Explained how to's very well. Equipment was in great shape and so nice to be able to go to the launch site and have everything there. Would definitely do it again on future trip to the Island

We did the early morning outrigger tour. Perfect end to our mini vacation. Water was calm and before the bigger tour boats were out. Thank you Jamal for being a terrific guide, for sharing your joy of marine life, for your patience at helping a beginner snorkeler, and for knowing exactly where to see and swim with the manta rays. We enjoyed the adventure and would do again. Thank you also to Nina, guide in training.

The boys were awesome at showing the way! They had everything we needed and we all had a beautiful experience! Would use again!!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

We had an amazing time. Gavin was super attentive and informative. The experience was worth more than we paid. We plan to come back with the family.

Easy booking, helpful staff, and a very enthusiastic tour guide. Instructions for parking and getting to the launch point were very clear. Not only did we feel safe and secure, we had an excellent time. Our guide, Tayden, was knowledgeable, friendly, thoughtful, and had great tips for how to make the most of our time. He pointed out a green turtle that we would have missed otherwise, and helped us identify a few species of fish we weren't familiar with. It was a wonderful experience. The tour left promptly, but we never felt rushed or pressured (which can sometimes happen when an operation has to accommodate multiple tours in a day). Alas, because it was a water tour, the cell phones did not come along, so we have no photos. Highly recommend.

Amazing time had by all! We are a party of 4 in our 50’s. We do kayak occasionally, but this was a new experience for us all. Gavin did a great job as our guide. He took us to see a manta ray and then to the bay to snorkel. We had plenty of opportunity to explore the bay. Only complaint would be the parking. Might want to explain in the directions to park above and walk down. Mahalo!

Did the early morning and it was perfectly calm send not too hot. The vide was awesome. He did a great job of pointing out wildlife and positioning us to see it. Never felt rushed or unsafe.

An outrigger canoe experience has been on our bucket list. This tour went beyond our expectations. We have done multiple snorkel tours before but this one was the absolute best! We got plenty of to to snorkel before the big tour boats showed up. The fish and corals were beautiful. We saw several eels and octopus. Swimming through the sea arch was scary but gorgeous. On the way back we relaxed as dolphins swam and jumped all around us. Dolphins are protected so you cannot snorkel with them. We were also fortunate enough to see a manta ray during the day that was sleeping in the bay. We have done night manta snorkels so this was a very special experience. Our guide was great. He was knowledgeable and friendly. We will definitely do this tour again!

We went for the historical Hawaiian tour as we didn't want to have to worry about the kayaks and how to keep them with us. Unfortunately there was nothing historic about this tour. It was not worth the price we paid to just paddle ourselves out there and snorkel. I would have expected some historical information and actual knowledge for the price we paid.

The kayak rental met our expectations. They met us on time at the launch location and launch and return went very smooth. I’ll rent from them again with no hesitation.

Our family of three in June with Peter as our guide on the outrigger canoe was such a unique and fun experience. The water's are clear blue and you can see an abundance of different fish in the water. Peter’s knowledge of the cultural Hawaiian history and of the Bay was very educational. We got to see spinner dolphins and swim with them near the Captain Cook monument. I highly recommended this outrigger canoe tour especially for family’s. Mahalo Peter!

Friendly and knowledgeable guide. Enjoyed everything from history, snorkeling with dolphins, and the Hawaiian canoe.

This was one of the most exceptional experiences we've had on the big island. The team was friendly the guide shared so much cultural knowledge. We snorkeled near a manta ray, were followed by a family of dolphins, and had a beautiful morning.

Great tour with a true local. Our guide, Peter, was friendly, knowledgeable, and a ton of fun. He knew exactly how to navigate the water and the cultural history and beauty of the area. We were lucky and got to dive with manta rays, see the coral/fish, and boat by spinning dolphins - and a turtle visited us on shore at the end! The outrigger was a great choice because some in our party couldn't swim and got to stay in. The ladder helped everyone get back up, and kept the boat stable when people returned from the water (no rocking). It felt safe. The lifejackets felt secure and were in good condition, and the scuba gear was nice quality and worked well. We were provided ice cold drinks (juice and water), malasadas, and chips. The tour location is easy to find if you follow the driving directions and we found parking nearby easily. There's a park bathroom with showers a short drive away. Everyone thought it was an exceptional tour with how close to nature we were able to get, and how everyone in the party got to experience it regardless of swimming level. It was the best way to navigate the bay!

Awesome and unique experience! Knowledgeable and friendly guide. I highly recommend this experience if you’re visiting the big island.

We took this tour with our group of six family members and every one of us loved it. Our guide was a cultural ambassador who shared so much great info about Hawaiian history and culture as well as personal stories. He was super respectful of the natural environment and knows the bay so well. He even found manta rays! The snorkeling was very good and they gave us all the time we wanted to explore. We were lucky to go when his crew consisted of his daughter and son-in-law and they were fantastic. You will be asked to do some paddling if you are able. We'd do this trip again, no hesitation. Mahalo! ❤️

So very many interesting fish and manta rays as well, The water was delightful and Peter was a great guide - keen to go again!

We really enjoyed kayaking out to Captain Cook monument and snorkeling. Would highly recommend. Staff was great, informative and attentive to our safety. Well worth the time and money.

So incredible and filled with Aloha, knowledge as well as true feel of ohana. The guide was amazing and a must is to visit his poke and acai shop as well.

We really enjoyed this experience!! It was a great activity for young teens!! Best snorkeling in Hawaii!!

Did not get to go waves too rough Been over 1 week still no refund, still waiting on refund $375 Still waiting

Friendly, competent, caring and as efficient as possible. The crew answered our questions, made sure we knew what we were doing and generally cheered us on.

Glide through the water with a knowledgeable native guide filled with history and stories. He'll find you the best spot to snorkel away from the large boats of tourists. Saw lots of fish, seals and some whales. Beautiful bay. This is my favorite way to snorkel from a boat, and I've tried them all. Gives you the real Aloha feeling.

We were lucky to have the weather cooperate so we could have this excellent outrigger adventure. There had been high surf for the week previous. My husband swam and others did snorkeling. Peter, the owner, knows his history of the area and is an expert paddler. We saw dolphins, whales, and several schools of fabulously colored fish. Kealakekua Bay is a real gem and we highly recommend this tour.

From beginning to end, our outrigger trip was fantastic and informative. Peter shared the history of Keaulakekua Bay and its significance to Hawaiian people. We paddled, snorkeled and were entertained by leaping spinner dolphins! It was a beautiful way to spend New Years Eve, sending 2024 out on a high note. Thank you, Peter, for a truly memorable experience. P.S. We also recommend making a stop -- post paddle -- at Reel Poke for some delicious fish.

An amazing experience. We saw lots of fish in the crystal clear waters at Captain Cook Memorial site as well as a Manta ray. Our guide Peter (the owner) was amazing and very knowledgeable. I had my own snorkel gear, and they also supply gear if you don't have your own. They also have a ladder to help you back into the outrigger canoe if you require assistance. It was certainly worth every penny and I look forward to doing it again on our next trip to Kona

An amazing experience!!! “Uncle” Pete who runs the tour is just a truly awesome guy… a lifelong local and retired police officer on the BI, and an official Hawaiian historical consultant… he was warm and laid back, fun loving, and extremely knowledgeable about Hawaiian history and culture. The only tour on the island of its kind. It started and ended with a gentle and informative paddle in a Hawaiian canoe for about 20-30 minutes to Kealakekua Bay (Capt. Cook) … along the way, saw a manta rays swimming underneath us (Pete had us go in the water to swim with them but unfortunately by the time we got in the water they were gone). And over an hour of snorkeling throughout the bay, which was amazing!!! He also brought water and beverages and some maladadas (Portuguese holeless donuts) which were delicious! A truly unique and Authentic Hawaiian experience! A must do when on the island of Hawai'i 🤙

Very laid back tour. You canoe around the bay while hearing about Hawaiian history and then snorkel in one of the most beautiful spots on the island! There is plenty of time for snorkeling too. The gear provided was high quality. This was actually our second time taking this tour, that's how much we loved it. This time we were surrounded by dolphins!! It was amazing!! Definitely recommend

Incredible tour! The ocean, the flora and fauna, and the history of the bay were amazing to experience up close and personal. We saw so many dolphins on our way to and from the monument, which was truly magical, and were able to beat the crowds to the reef (the snorkeling is phenomenal). I cannot recommend this tour and tour company more highly! Truly an amazing and deeply fulfilling experience that enhanced our appreciation of this magical and sacred part of the world.

This was a great choice. Very personal and fun. We enjoyed our host and saw lots of spinner dolphins. The snorkeling was very good. Highly recommended!

This is our 3rd visit to Kealakekua Bay Each time has been with Ehu & Kai Adventures. Previous times were by tandem kayak which was great. Excellent service and equipment. This is the first time via canoe and it was great. Easier in and out than the kayak. Jamal was a great guide and company for those who couldn't snorkel the whole time. Thanks for another memorable experience! We will be back!

Renting a kayak & doing our own self-guided tour to Captain Cook was the best decision ever! We saved a bunch of money doing this & seen everything we hoped to. Would definitely do it again!

We went on the outrigger tour and had a great time. Peter gave us a lot of the interesting history of the area as we paddled out to the Kealakekua Bay. The double hull outrigger is very stable and easy to get in and out of (he has a ladder to get back in with). The snorkeling was wonderful; calm water, crystal clear, and teeming with life. Great experience!

What a perfect way to see a beautiful coastline and access one of the best snorkel spots on the island. This protected area needs permits to explore so thanks to E&K adventures, it was all taken care of for us. One of the best choices we made for the trip.

Around 8 one lovely July morning, my husband and I ventured out on E&K's outrigger canoe with a group of 6 other adults for a kickass tour of the sacred bay near Captain Cook Memorial, amazing snorkeling (so many fish!), dolphin sightings (right next to and under our canoe!) and fascinating native-centric history and expert guidance from a direct descendant of the original Hawai'ians, the outfit's owner, who supplied snacks and drinks. Make no mistake, this is no "tourist trap" tour. We earned our rewards, paddling both out and back ourselves (about a half hour each way) and spending about 2 hours swimming, snorkeling, playing, relaxing, and basking in the Aloha Spirit before the tourist boats arrived around 11 and polluted the location with loud motors, PA systems, noisy tourists and screaming kids. The paddling was serene and easy, even for my husband who somehow had never paddled a canoe in his life and who at first was apprehensive. Afterwards, he told me he'd do it over in a heartbeat. So if you're looking for an adventure that's both authentic and invigorating, inspiring yet low-key, I thoroughly recommend.

Had a terrific time! Tour guide was very friendly and helpful. Even provided us with Hawaiian snacks. Best snorkeling experience ever!

We are a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 teenagers). We rented two double kayaks. We had a great kayaking experience! The staff kept us well informed, the expedition is safe, the waterproof bags were very practical. We did the expedition in 3h45, including kayaking time, dinner on the water and snorkeling. Company and expedition strongly suggested! A great memory for us!

BEST TOUR COMPANY ON BIGISLAND JAMAL WAS GREAT TOUR GUIDE, We seen dolphins manta rays. The excursion was an amazing experience. I couldn't believe how many fish we seen. And the coral is coming back to life.