Private Kealakekua Bay Captain Cook Snorkeling

Captain Mitch was my favorite part of our entire trip so far. He was super cool and knowledgeable about everything Hawaii has to offer. Will be coming back.

Had a great time on our private tour snorkeling experience. Mitch and Bobby were great!! Definitely recommended. 😊

Amazing experience!!! Mitch took incredible care of us. Made sure we got to see the spinner dolphins and amazing snorkeling with the fishes as well as pointing out the local historic sites. Very relaxed and fun!

We had the best experience with Mitch as our guide. I have been snorkeling but nothing compared to the beauty here. The ride in itself was such a great experience. We learned so much about the island, the history and spotted so many spinner dolphins. Great time (and I am not easy to please).

We had the pleasure of experiencing two incredible tours with Hawaiian Marine Life Charters: the Nightly Manta Ray Snorkel and the Captain Cook Monument Snorkel Tour. Both were unforgettable and showed why this company deserves top marks for professionalism, knowledge, and passion for marine conservation. 1. Nightly Manta Ray Snorkel – 5/5 This was, hands down, one of the most magical experiences we’ve ever had. From the moment we arrived, the crew made us feel safe and welcome. After a short, smooth ride out to the manta ray site, we received a quick but thorough safety briefing. Once in the water, we floated on special light boards that attract plankton—and the manta rays followed. Within minutes, these gentle giants were gliding inches beneath us. Some were over 12 feet across, flipping and dancing through the water with surreal grace. The guides were informative, sharing fascinating facts about each individual ray (yes, they know them by name!) and the efforts to protect them. The staff’s respect for the ocean and its creatures really stood out. 2. Captain Cook Monument Snorkel Tour – 5/5 This morning tour was equally impressive but in a different way. We cruised down the beautiful Kona coast while our guide pointed out lava tubes, sea caves, and historic landmarks. When we arrived at Kealakekua Bay, the water was incredibly clear—visibility was easily 100 feet. The coral reef near the Captain Cook Monument is vibrant and teeming with life. We saw everything from colorful parrotfish and angelfish to a curious eel and even a pod of spinner dolphins on the way back. What sets Hawaiian Marine Life Charters apart is how well they balance fun with education. The guides are passionate, experienced, and eager to share the history of the area and tips on reef-safe snorkeling. If you’re in Kona and looking for authentic, small-group marine adventures with a company that truly cares about the ocean, Hawaiian Marine Life Charters is it. The Manta Ray Snorkel is a must-do bucket list experience, and the Captain Cook Monument tour is the perfect way to explore one of Hawaii’s best snorkeling sites.

So so much fun and very informative! Great atmosphere and made the whole morning so cool! Also did the night snorkeling with the mantarays which was just as enjoyable!

Wow! This was a perfect tour! All the equipment was provided and safety was top priority ! For those folks who needed assistance the crew was on point! The educational review was so interesting as well. We had a bonus seeing both whales and sharks on the ride to the cove. Wonderful experience and would rate this captain and crew 11+ !!! It was so great we booked another tour during the trip. The small group is the way to go for sure. Thank you for a wonderful tour!

First tour with Brian was so great, we did a second with him! If you are wanting to avoid huge, crowded tours, this is the way to go. He even searched for and found turtles on the way back bc they were on my list.

Our snorkeling trip to Kealakekua Bay was absolutely unforgettable! The adventure started off perfectly as we spotted humpback whales during the boat ride to the bay—such a breathtaking sight! Once in the bay, we were greeted by a pod of playful spinner dolphins, which made the experience even more magical. The highlight of the trip was Captain Brian, who was not only knowledgeable but also a fantastic storyteller. He shared an amazing recount of the history of the bay, making the excursion both educational and entertaining. You could tell he’s passionate about this beautiful place. It’s an experience we’ll cherish forever and can’t recommend enough. If you’re in Hawaii, Kealakekua Bay is an absolute must!

Beautiful spot, plenty of time to explore, knowledgeable and friendly guides - perfect for the entire family

I wasn’t sure what to expect when we arrived this morning, but our guide Christa and our captain, Brian, were AMAZING. I thoroughly enjoyed the boat ride to the snorkeling spot in spite of some spicy waves. The snorkeling was really good, but mostly because of Christa talking about the fish we were seeing. The snacks after our swim were just right, and we were able to see a pod of spinner dolphins, well, spinning. Then, we got a very cool history of some local landmarks and a humpback whale!!! Do this. You won’t regret it!

Had a great time with my friends here. We saw a ton of fish and learned about the history of the big island, the natives and captain cook. He offered tons of snacks and drinks along the way too. Definitely would recommend if you’re looking for a lowkey setting with family or friends.

This particular tour is a great option for a captain cook day time snorkeling tour. Went with my friends, guide was super chill and knowledgeable about the area. Made sure everyone had what they needed, and showed us some interesting locations after the snorkeling.

So worth the money. Snorkeling is the best on the island. We saw at least 25 varieties of fish, eels and corals. It's absolutely gorgeous and it's too hard to hike - though, knock yourself out of you love a difficult hike Better you than me, and I'm in great shape!

This was one of the best trips ever! Brian, Danny and Jan were fantastic guides. We had a wonderful snorkel trip and saw so many wonderful types of fish. Brian educated us on local folklore, traditions and about Captain Cook. We also saw some spinner dolphins on our way back in, and then they pointed in the direction of viewing some sea turtles along the shore. It was one of the best trips ever! We would highlight recommend this trip and especially this crew. We will do this again if we return back to this island. Can’t wait to see the Manta Rays with Brian and Hawaii Marine Life Charters tomorrow evening!

we actually had a unique experience, we chartered some kayaks and one actually ended up taking in water, luckily hawaiian marine life charters was there. they helped us get our kayak to shore and take my parents back to the beach! he even shared his pineapple with me! they had a very nice and comfortable boat, perfect for small groups. they were so kind and did not hesitate to help, would recommend 100%!!

The best of the best! Brian & Natsuko were very welcoming, professional, and passionate throughout our trip with them. They went above & beyond to make sure this was a special snorkeling trip for us. The boat is very clean, the ride was smooth, and they were very comforting to be around. We would recommend anyone and everyone to join their tour. You won’t regret it one bit!

We booked this trip for five people within my family. Captain Brian thoroughly exceeded all of our expectations. The boat was small but comfortable and made the whole experience feel less like a tour guide and more like you were hopping on a boat with your buddy. On the way to the Reef, Captain Brian took his time to slow down and hangout with all the dolphins that were swimming around us (which in of itself was a treat to watch). We got some history of the island which led us to wanting to learn more when we returned home. The Captain Cook Reef really spoke for itself when we got there, just an unforgettable experience that everyone should see. Getting back on the boat and waiting for us was fresh cut pineapple and refreshments which was perfect after a long swim. Captain Brian’s level of detail, his love for what he does, and the time he takes to make sure you have a great experience is bar none. At the end of the day there’s a lot of choices for different charters you can choose from to take you to the reef, but I’d find it hard to believe there’s one better than this one.

The guides were real nice and good at telling stories and providing good snacks. They stopped a few place on the way back to show us a couple sites I didn’t know about. Highly recommend this!

This was our 2nd adventure with Brian. He is a wonderful guide we have enjoyed both tours. Christina, our swim guide, was great at leading us around, helping my 12 year old, and getting some good underwater footage she shared with us. Brian gave us the history of Captain Cook and showed us some other sights along the coast on our way back. We saw many amazing fish and everything was very well organized. We wound gladly book with this company again!

This was our second trip this month with new family members. I highly recommend this trip and this outfitter because of the small group size and very personal attention. We had 5 family members and they only take six max. It was like having our own private tour. Captain and owner Brian was wonderful and Christina, our snorkel guide got us some great underwater video to help us remember and share our experience.

The snorkeling was very fun and I enjoyed swimming around and seeing all the fun fish and turtles. Moana was very helpful and nice!

The snorkel was amazing! We saw many fish (and of course some of the turtles) and Brian did a very good job explaining the history of Kealakekua Bay. Moana was an amazing crew member and I would highly recommend the trip to any visitors of the island.

Wonderful time! My family and I would recommend this highly. Brain and his partner were very helpful and informative.

This outing was wonderful! I have never snorkeled before. Brian and Muwan were good about encouraging me and helped me until I was comfortable. Muwan pulled me around with a buoy until I was confident enough to be on my own . I would definitely recommend .

Incredible experience. Great visibility at captain cook. Brian (our captain) and crew were super friendly and knowledgeable. We learned a ton about captain cook and the history of the snorkeling spot. Highly recommended!! Also did the night manta trip with Brian and will be back again!! 🤙

If you want a small and very private tour, Brian is your captain! He clearly loves this ocean and has dedicated his life’s work to sharing it with others. Expect a beautiful boat ride along the coast filled with history, legends, and folklore. The snorkel spot is truly unparalleled for number of fish, water clarity, and calm seas in K Bay. There will be several big boats full of snorkelers acting crazy in the water. Brian knew where to place us in the water and the route to take to get the best experience for us. He could judge the confidence of our small group and guided us individually on how to enjoy the experience. There was no pressure on time and he encouraged us to experience the reef. We like to support small businesses with our tourism dollars and this is just the right company for us.

Captain Brian was amazing! The adventure snorkeling was fantastic. The weather was perfect. It was the best time ever. I highly recommend Hawaii marine life charters!

All I can say is, Wow! What a fantastic adventure! Hawaii marine life charters is a fantastic company! I was so comfortable on Captain Brian’s boat. Bobby the deckhand/snorkel tour guide was great! They both had so much local knowledge and experience! We learned a ton about captain James Cook, the wildlife and So much more. I would highly recommend booking with Hawaii marine life charters. So much fun! Thanks Brian and Bobby! We will be booking with you again soon! Thank you!!!!

This was THE BEST snorkel trip we could have ever asked for. It was inexpensive, all-inclusive, and a great time! The waves were rough but we could hardly tell with Captain Brian’s fantastic boating skills. The snorkeling was incredible but the stories and extra stops along the way were what made the whole trip special. We were able to see the last of the humpback whales for the season, spinner dolphins, a tiger shark, and Billy Jean the giant sea turtle. There were only four of us on the boat, so it was almost like the private charter we never expected (or paid for) and we had a great time getting to chat with Brian and Moana about their experiences in the industry and on the island. Moana was an awesome guide once we were in the water and only scared us a little with his free-diving 😂 We had snacks and delicious pastries on the boat and were offered snorkel gear (including wet suit jackets which were perfect for the early morning dive) upon arrival before climbing aboard. The boat is shaded and comfortable. We would recommend Hawai’i Marine Life Charters to anyone visiting the big island! Captain Brian is knowledgeable, friendly, and the best guide to the Hawaiian ocean you could ask for.

Had an amazing trip with these guys very knowledgable of the area the sea life, and the history we felt safe at all times I would highly recommend this company for any of their tours

Wonderful trip and sea life .A must do for water lovers.Brian has a great outfit in kona go to him he’ll take care of you.So fun!

We really enjoyed the small group setting for a more one on one tour with very experienced captains, and crew. Captain Brian and Crew Kelly are amazing. All new snorkeling gear with wetsuit tops available.

A very fun and informative trip!!! Went snorkeling in a protected fish sanctuary!! The water was so clear and so many fish to see!! Fun and friendly crew too. 5 starslllll

An amazing adventure! Saw so many different fish and other sea creatures! The Capitan was super informative and funny! Highly recommended!

The best adventure of our trip! The fish and snorkeling were amazing. Captain Brian and Guide Jan were A+. Brian drove the boat perfectly (and made the ride fun). He brought his sweet son along (who was the same age as my kids). Brian shared lots of Hawaiin history and culture and toured the sights with stories. The boat was just the right size for 5 people and very comfortable. Jan was amazing with kids and adults. It was my kids and my first real snorkeling adventure and we felt completely comfortable. She knew all the fish and when she saw something neat, she would dive down to point at it until we all saw it. We also saw lots of beautiful spinner dolphins and she shared lots of stories about their behaviors and things she had seen. They supplied everything from fins, snorkel gear, and wet suit jackets because the day was overcast. Food was plentiful, delicious and some homemade. They even made a sandwich for my very picky 11 year old son. I would do this trip again on my next visit!

Took the family out on a private charter with Hawaii Marine Life Charters with Jan Salerno as our guide. My cousins have not had a lot of ocean reef snorkeling experience and Jan was with them the whole way showing a rare halibut, moray eels, and taking us to an amazing sea arch at the mouth of Kealakekua Bay. Capt Brian let the family stay out and enjoy and showed off the sea caves along the coast coming back. My cousin Tom said the trip was the best thing he’s done all week. It was a bit chilly out there today, and we all took the offer of the wetsuit jackets. (They provide all equipment and make sure it’s fitted) The raft makes the ride comfy and fast!

Great individual attention. Good ride, wonderful snorkeling & history lesson. Great for families. Guide was knowledgeable and engaging. The ride was smooth.

Brian was the ultimate tour guide. A wonderful day going to K Bay and experiencing history in paradise. The boat was awesome and the food was great.

This is a wonderful way to spend a morning! We went for the snorkeling, which was outstanding, but the boat ride was great. Being in a small group made the trip more personal. Brian told great stories and history, as well as facts about the wildlife. It all felt very safe, and it was nice to have Moana in the water with us.

Great experience and a lot of fun. Having our own private boat was a big hit. Captain Brian was great to work with and very accommodating. Everyone in our group had a fantastic time.

I have lived here on the Big Island for close to 20 years and have taken many tours to Kealakekua Bay but very few times with as much comfort that this shady and fast boat has to offer. Captain Brian has been on this island a long time. He knows the ocean well and is happy to share the history of the island and it's people which adds much to the experience for tourists. We had a guide in the water the full time with us and made sure we all got back to the boat safely. On the way back to the harbor he was in no rush so that we could take advantage of seeing other marine life. Worthwhile, check it out.

HMLC provides one of the quickest rides to Kealakekua Bay without sacrificing comfort. No bouncing around with the sun beating on you! This boat has cushioned seats that face forward under a substantial shade bimini. Even with winter swells, the ride was pretty smooth. We were dropped off at the very best part of the bay for snorkeling, with the reef below filled with beautiful tropical fish. A guide snorkels with you unless you don't want it. Gear is provided if you need it. The boat's ladder is sturdy and easy to use. Water, juice and snacks are provided en route as well as historical narration about the important sites along the Kona coastline. This trip is worth every penny!

10 out of 10!!!!! I highly recommend Hawaii Marine Life Charter company! We had the best experience. The Captain was very knowledgable on Historic Monuments, Marine Life and Hawaiian Culture!!! We saw so many fish, dolphins, even a whale!!! This tour was not only amazing, but we also felt very safe! Do yourself a favor and book this tour ASAP. You Won’t regret it .

Had an amazing morning with our Captain’s Brian and Trip. Booking our snorkeling trip was effortless and the staff was very accommodating even down to food with having a vegan in our group. Our trip had it all, dolphins, snorkeling, whales and great marine life. The crew had incredible knowledge and respect for the island and its habitat. I would strongly suggest this charter for a safe, fun Kona experience.