Such an amazing experience, our Captain, Gabe, was amazing. They took care of everything and made sure that we were comfortable and having a good time. If you only wanted to snorkel for a little you could come sit on the boat under an umbrella with snacks and drinks. Everything about this tour was amazing, the people were so nice and everyone was extremely helpful, making sure everyone had the best experience. 10/10 recommend!
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Potato chips, cookies, water & soft drinks. Offered on the 8:00 AM & 12:45 PM tour
- Rafting expedition
- Use of snorkel equipment including masks and flotation devices
Excludes
- Gratuities
- Hotel pick up and drop off
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- After turning onto Kealakehe Street make your first RIGHT and second LEFT look for a blue roof buildings parking lot surrounded by chain link fence and pink/orange flowers. We are the first office on the right.
Return
- After turning onto Kealakehe Street make your first RIGHT and second LEFT look for a blue roof buildings parking lot surrounded by chain link fence and pink/orange flowers. We are the first office on the right.
Itinerary
This is the original rafting company of Hawai'i, with our family run office set up for checking in each of our excursions. Our office allows indoor seating, air conditioning, convenient restrooms, reef safe sunscreen, children entertainment, souvenir shopping and one fluffy friendly golden retriever, if you are missing yours back home.
This is the original rafting company of Hawai'i, with our family run office set up for checking in each of our excursions. Our office allows indoor seating, air conditioning, convenient restrooms, reef safe sunscreen, children entertainment, souvenir shopping and one fluffy friendly golden retriever, if you are missing yours back home.
Travel down the Kona coast exploring the deep waters of the Pacific ocean looking for any one of our resident dolphin or whales. Making short stops for photo opportunities with views and informative facts about some of our islands volcanoes.
Hawaii is home to over 85% of coral reefs in America, while on the Big island, Kealakekua Bay is your best opportunities to see one of Hawai'i most spectacular reefs. Enjoy the crystal clear water of Kealakekua Bay Marine Preserve where visibility can be 70 to over 100 feet while snorkeling. Snorkel in a well protected bay with over 100 variety of fish in depths of 6 to 50 feet.
Once everyone is back on the boat and enjoying the snacks, fresh fruit and cold refreshments, the story about Captain Cook and his influence he had on the Hawaiian population and Maritime community will begin.
Since Kealakekua bay is a Marine Sanctuary, our tour is the only eco-friendly way to see the park from our boat without leaving lasting footprints. The hike down to this area is 2 1/2 miles round trip and a 1000 foot drop in elevation, there are no restrooms or safe way to enter the water from shore without causing injury to yourself or the coral reef.
On your return journey from Kealakekua Bay travel along the rugged shoreline hugging the coast with our maneuverable Zodiac boats. Listen to the stories of old Hawai'i and how the island was formed while you view different geological features. Our captain and crew are always willing to give out recommendations of places to eat, things to see, or events that are happening around Kona, so don't be afraid to ask.
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
My wife and I had the best time. It was her first time and at first she was scared but once when she realized how controlled and easy it was she had a blast. I’ll be back in Nov with my team and we will be booking another tour.
It was great! We saw dolphins, whales, tuna along with all the fish we saw while snorkeling! Captain and crew were very knowledgeable and friendly.
This was one of the most disappointing tours we have taken. We chose this tour because of the excellent reviews and because it was highly recommended for families, but our experience was very different. Sitting on the edge of the Zodiac boat and holding onto a rope for such a long ride was extremely uncomfortable and exhausting, even for the adults in our family. We were instructed to keep our feet under a tight rope for stability, but this made our feet hurt throughout the ride. Our whole family also felt that the captain and guide were not particularly friendly or attentive, and the commentary and explanations during the tour were limited. The snorkeling itself was not special enough to make the long and uncomfortable boat ride worthwhile. We were fortunate to see a group of whales, which was the highlight of the tour, but overall, this was the most disappointing tour we have taken.
Great guides! Saw many colorful fish and enjoyed the experience. One thing to note is the boat ride to the reef area is approximately 45 minutes and bumpy! The ride back was a bit faster and with the increased speed made the ride even more bumpy. If you have back/neck problems this may not be for you. The captain shared some history about the island too which was nice. If in good shape and can withstand the choppy waters this would be highly recommended.
Such a fun and memorable trip. The guide shared many facts about Big Island and native culture. Bring a towel, sunscreen, and for the girlies with DDs+, you will need a good sports bra
Captain Rick and Shannon were superb guides. We did the beat the crowd tour and it exceeded expectations. The conditions were great and after lunch, there were almost no other tour groups snorkeling. We saw lots of fish, an octopus (thanks, Shannon), and spinner dolphins. Then, on the way back to the harbor, Captain Rick really tried to make the most of our return trip by getting us closer to some whales that were breaching. My wife, teen son and I had our best snorkeling experience yet on this tour. We unanimously recommend this tour!
Amazing snorkeling spot and super fun ride out and back! Great for people who don’t mind a bumpy ride.
Great tour with good information about the island. Plenty of time for snorkeling and nice trip back. Saw dolphins, whale, and sharks in addition to the snorkeling.
The company canceled not enough people and will not give my money back nor will Groupon Groupon is not cooperating on giving my money back either the gentleman got rude when I could not change my dates
Wonderful experience - crew and captain are passionate about the area and took great care of us. We had a lot of fun on the zodiac boat and learned a lot about the area. Beating the crowds was super worth it and we even saw two whales on our way back. 100% recommend
EXCELLENT experience!!! So much fun Rick and Cam were FANTASTIC they truly provided an awesome experience
I had a great experience with David and Lisa. Lisa helped me twice with my snorkel, which made the experience better than any snorkeling I've ever had. We were provided with a "floatie," which made the snorkeling more relaxing. David was an exceptional captain of the Zodiac Raft! They were both very friendly and professional. I highly recommend this tour.
Captain Gabe and Liz were amazing guides during the trip. loved learning more about the history of the place and the guided tour. Our kids were snorkeling for the first time in Hawaii and had a terrific time. we would recommend this activity 100 percent!
Captain Sam and Jeda were fantastic guides during our snorkeling trip. They gave us the freedom to snorkel and tell us about some of the history. Funny to see dolphins arise the minute Captain Sam talked history
What an incredible time my family and I had . Marco made this experience unforgettable , made my entire family feel safe and even got the two I didn’t think would snorkel to go in and they now love it . The location was full of fish , he showed us some other locations and was very knowledgeable, we learned so many facts . Seeing my family smiling , laugh and happy was everything I could have dreamed of .
We were in Hawaii for a work function the week of Oct 20th and had the privilege to go on the rafting excursion. Captain Marco and co-Captain Shannon were absolutely wonderful!!! They were friendly, knowledgeable, and fun! They went out of their way to make sure we got to experience as much as possible from seeing dolphins to going to Red Hill. Captain Marco gave us a lot of info on the history of different places around the island and gave suggestions on places to go. I was a first time snorkeler and I felt safe the entire time. I would 100% recommend this adventure for everyone!!
I really enjoyed this snorkeling tour, especially Rick and Devante. They made sure we were always safe and comfortable with our surroundings. They even suggested I move to another location when I was snorkeling as I wouldn't see as much. Only they would know! They knew so much when we threw questions at them. I would absolutely recommend this tour to anyone and ask for Rick and Devante. Thanks for a great adventure, gentleman! -Alisa in Los Angeles
What a great tour some great snorkelling , visit caves and blow hole , captain Rick and Duvante were great fun , knowledgeable on the area and safety was high priority which is great to see , we even saw some dolphins on the trip , 4 hours well spent
What a great time. They take you to an excellent spot. Our guides Marco and Fatu were great!! Knowledgeable, friendly and great at their jobs. On the way back we even got to see a baby dolphin. Would recommend.
Got an early start on a perfect day and Rick and Devontae were great hosts and both are very knowledgeable about the area!
My wife and I did the zodiac tour with snorkeling. It was amazing. The zodiac ride was fun and Marco (Captain) and Devonte (Crew) were fantastic. They did everything they could to make the guests feel welcome and calm. They used top quality snorkeling gear and the floats they give you allow you to hover above the reef and enjoy. They did not rush and their tours are arranged to take advantage of the times when other tour companies are not around. Good snacks and food. We only had 8 people on the Zodiac so there wasn’t any crowding. On the ride back we saw dolphins and visited so lava tubes. All in all it is well organized, professional and a great experience.
Absolutely the best thing we did on the big island. Our guide was amazing! He let us take our time and he pointed out and explained a lot of Hawaiian stories and legends. I would definitely use Captain Zodiac again, they were wonderful!
Tons of fish , excellent boat ride , beautiful scenery, great experience and very knowledgeable crew
Great trip - gorgeous snorkeling and appreciated that the captain got us there quick before the other boats arrived. It was also great to learn more about the different sites we stopped at on the way back.
It was fun being on a small boat. In addition to the snorkeling, we got to go in some sea caves, saw jumping tuna, lots of birds, and a pod of short fin pilot whales. The boat captain and additional crew member were both fun and did a great job answering questions and pointing out landmarks. Then the snorkeling was amazing, hopefully I can go back some day.
Wonderful trip for first time snorkelers and more experienced snorkelers in our group. Colin and Jada made sure we all felt comfortable and safe and, above all, had loads of fun!! Had bonus of seeing a whale shark on our way out to the snorkeling site and dolphins while snorkeling and on our way back. Colin is very knowledgeable about the history of the island and about sea life and gave us loads of info on both. Will definitely go with them again when I am back.
We had a great time with Captain Rick and First mate Devonte on the raft and snorkeling tour. They were wonderful hosts. The ride out to the reef was tons of fun, and the waters did not disappoint. Plus the snacks were yummy.
Captain Collin gave us the experience of a lifetime. Our adventures on the zodiac boat were better than we could have ever expected. The snorkeling was world class. We learned, laughed, and had the best time. This is a must do in Kona!!
Best day ever! Capt. Rick and Devante gave us the ride of a lifetime, slowing to give us great views of bottlenose dolphins, then on to the snorkeling site. After a quick but thorough informational talk, they turned us loose in the water to enjoy the magical waters. We saw varieties of fish and coral, as well as spinner dolphins jumping just outside the lagoon. When we were done, they provided a variety of snacks and drinks, then we were on our way back, with Rick pointing out the sites along the shore. It was the perfect excursion for my husband and me to celebrate our 40th anniversary! Highly recommend!!
My wife and I had the best time Captain Rick and First mate Devante are true pearls of the sea . We laughed , explored and were amazed by all the beautiful fish and corals and information delivered to us about Captain Cook and this part of Hawaii . Before we got in the water spinner dolphins greeted us . Captain Rick got us there before the rush hour and it was awesome to be there without the thousands of people that were arriving by the time we left . It was amazing we haven’t stopped talking about the trip to all our friends in Australia . My wife still uses Devantes pirate joke . Can you tell the fellas we went and survived our trip to Walmart . Cheers Australia and Mrs Australia Kerrie and Brett Lawson
What an amazing day, Captain Rick and first mate DeVante did an excellent job getting us to our site to snorkel. The whole trip was fantastic. Definitely the highlight of our excursions in Hawaii. My only complaint was first mate. DeVante Made me laugh so hard that by the time we got back to Port, my side hurt. Mahalo Rob and Renee Simon
Amazing experience. Captain Rick, Liz and Jake were all extremely friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. The boat ride out and back to the snorkeling spot was was beautiful and extremely fun for myself, my wife and our 2 boys (aged 8 & 10). We got to see Spinner dolphins and Bottle-nosed dolphins during the boat ride, an amazing bonus. The snorkeling was beautiful and Captian Rick ensured we got there quickly and beat the other boats there so we would have more time snorkeling before more boats and people showed up. Our whole family had a blast and we would highly recommend this experience to anyone! Thanks to all the staff at Captian Zodiac!
Had a great time! Was like swimming in an aquarium, would highly recommend the 8am snorkel, it was not crowded and water temp was nice (early March). Added plus, saw dolphins, learned a little history and saw a 6ft hammerhead on the way back! The boat is a bit bumpy so this is not for young children or older adults with any mobility concerns.
I failed Red Cross swimming, 3 times, in the 70’s because I can’t put my face in the water. This week I learned that I still won’t put my face in the water. Marco and Liz helped me have an amazing time in the water anyway. I felt safe, and the entire morning was exhilarating and beautiful. They both shared a lot of information on the history and geology of the area. We saw spinner dolphins and harbor whales. I loved the smaller group experience, too.
Marco, Devante and Rachel were exceptional guides, with a fun tour of the coast on the way back. We had plenty of time and the water and lunch was provided.
This is the best excursion and the best outfit to take you! In a chill but safe way they take you to Capt Cook snorkel spot and let you loose among the fish and coral. Captain Rick is the consummate host who thinks of everything and offers great tips. He’s also a historian of the island. This is my happy place!!
Captain Marco and First Mate Devante were amazing! We had such a good time on this trip and they made it even better. Friendly, funny, and knowledgeable, they shared a lot of history of the area and we're just as excited as we were to see marine life. I highly recommend this tour, and if you can, request them!
Great experience. More than we expected. Love the ride and the stories. There is something to be said for getting to your destination quickly so you can enjoy the most beautiful snorkeling location on the island. We highly recommend!
Totally recommend it. We did the raft-snorkeling tour and had a great time. We were a family of 12, in the same raft and that alone was a blast. Our captain “Marco” along with a young and pleasant lady I don’t recall her name now, were incredible. Marco was experienced, super friendly, funny, and knowledgeable of the facts. My whole family was in the water and I had a panic or fear attack for a few minutes that were blocking me from jumping in the water and Marco provided confort and offered help getting in the water holding me with a noodle. For that gesture of kindness you deserve a 5 star rating and more, it may be the smallest things to you that means the world to others.
Well... we lucked out in numbers and smooth sailing. We choose to pick a Thursday morning for our excursion on a high speed raft. The water was so calm, like a lake, and nothing got wet nor did we get sprayed. Right out of the marine were multi pods of dolphins to watch. So fun- especially those babies! Then we took our speed trip down the coast to Captain Cook's Monument. We got to the site sooner than most boats and really had snorkeling time to ourselves. We found there were so many types of fish!! We even spotted two different leopard eels. (those mouths-yikes) We enjoyed the snorkeling to the south of the monument the most. Our 1.5 hours there flew by!!! On the way back are darling Captain S...was super at telling us information about Captain Cook, the cannon balls, and then onto formations along the coast line. We enjoyed seeing the Pelee formation, lava tubes, and more! We again saw dolphins on our way back to the harbor. It was a great morning!!
Sandy and Gabe were great hosts and loads of fun. Raft ride was fantastic “Hawaiian Rollercoaster”. Lots of fish and they made sure we were comfortable and doing good. Even saw a spinner dolphin riding our waves. Would highly recommend this trip.
Amazing experience on the fastboat. Enjoyed the snorkeling at the Caption Cook Memorial inlet. The captain and mate made sure we were taken care of and would recommend this trip for others that want more time in the water with a smaller group of people.
Rob and Gary led us on a great and safe adventure. Wonderful trip to the snorkel site. Lots of fish. The trip was broken up with great commentary about Hawaiian culture and history. Highly recommend.
Great tour with Captain Marco and 1st Mate Gabe. Great fun, very helpful and informative, great snorkeling - and the best pineapple ever!! Would definitely recommend.
We did the Kona snorkel and coastline tour this morning. We had Jason and Chelsea who were outstanding guides and took good care of us all. If you only do one thing in Kona Hawaii, pick this tour. It's spectacular. Small groups of 12, great snacks and drinks. These guys have a real respect for their land and water ways. Bonus this morning was seeing a pod of dolphins around our raft in which Jason stopped for us to admire. Thanks guys. Awesome experience
Captain Rick and Devante were great hosts. They we very entertaining and helpful with getting onto and off of the boat. We had a great time and were taken to an amazing location for snorkeling. Would do it again and highly recommend.
We had a fantastic snorkel trip with Rick and Devante! They were amazing captains. We were on the Pride of America cruise boat and this was a very easy activity to get to. It was right off the pier where the tender comes in. My family ages 16-72 all had an amazing time on the boat ride and the snorkeling was amazing! Definitely a must do if you are in Kona! The best snorkeling we did while in Hawaii! Thank you for a great trip.
Top notch crew and experience. The snorkeling was the best we had in our entire trip but it was the crew that made the day. Devante and Rick were a hoot, knowledgeable and just a blast to spend a few hours with. Learned a ton, saw some amazing fish and it was the perfect day on the water.
Gabe and the Captain were extremely accommodating to everyone. He was very informative on the history of the Island. Hands down I would do it again … We got to see a lot of tropical fish . And the equipment was in great condition.
Monday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm EST
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