Kailua-Kona Snorkeling Trip to Captain Cook Monument 2 hr 30 min - Image 1
Kailua-Kona Snorkeling Trip to Captain Cook Monument 2 hr 30 min - Image 2
Kailua-Kona Snorkeling Trip to Captain Cook Monument 2 hr 30 min - Image 3
Kailua-Kona Snorkeling Trip to Captain Cook Monument 2 hr 30 min - Image 4
Kailua-Kona Snorkeling Trip to Captain Cook Monument 2 hr 30 min - Image 5
Kailua-Kona Snorkeling Trip to Captain Cook Monument 2 hr 30 min - Image 6

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Kailua-Kona Snorkeling Trip to Captain Cook Monument 2 hr 30 min

TourTruth score 7.0 out of 10

Average

639 reviews · Rated on 2 providers · How we score

  • Big Island of Hawaii
  • 2 hrs 30 min
  • Updated November 4, 2026

Snorkel Kealakekua Bay, hear the story of Captain Cook, and take in Kona’s sea caves and lava tubes on a 150-minute trip.

About this tour

Set out from Keauhou Bay for a snorkeling trip to the Captain Cook Monument, where the waters of Kealakekua Bay meet a dramatic Kona coastline. This 150-minute experience pairs time in the water with coastal scenery and stories from local history.

Check in at Keauhou Shopping Center before driving to the bay to meet the crew. The listed start time is your check-in time, and the tour duration includes check-in and gear distribution. Along the coast, look for sea caves and lava tubes, then hear historical narration about Captain Cook’s fate at Kealakekua Bay. Juices, bottled water, and pool noodles are provided. The zodiac-style RHIB has pontoon seating, and there is no restroom onboard.

Swimming is required: participants must be comfortable treading water and swimming unassisted, and able to climb a metal ladder back into the boat. Guests must be at least 6 years old and weigh under 285 lbs. Review the health guidance and sign the electronic waiver before the trip. Book this Kailua-Kona snorkeling trip to experience the bay’s history and coastline from the water.

Highlights

  • Snorkel at the Captain Cook Monument in Kealakekua Bay
  • Hear the story of Captain Cook’s fate during historical narration
  • Take in coastal sea caves and lava tubes
  • Use pool noodles while you swim

What's included

Included

  • Juices and bottled water
  • Coastal sightseeing of sea caves and lava tubes
  • Pool noodles
  • Historical narration about Captain Cook’s fate at Kealakekua Bay

Not included

  • Private transportation
  • Onboard restroom
  • Snorkel vest rental
  • Wetsuit

Ratings on each provider

The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.

What reviewers mention

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Important information

  • Minimum age: 6 years
  • Swimmers must be comfortable treading water and swimming unassisted
  • Guests must be able to climb a metal ladder to reboard the boat
  • Maximum weight: 285 lbs
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  • Minors must be accompanied by an adult
  • An electronic waiver must be signed before the tour
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal, neck, or cardiovascular problems, or for pregnant travelers
  • Check in at Keauhou Shopping Center, 78-6831 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona; after check-in, drive to Keauhou Bay for departure
  • Listed start time is the check-in time, not the departure time; tour duration includes check-in and gear distribution
  • Vessels are zodiac-style RHIBs with seating on a pontoon
  • Use reef-safe, zinc-based lotion sunscreen; avoid oxybenzone, octinoxate, and spray sunscreen
  • Public transportation options are available nearby

Frequently asked questions

Where does the tour check in?

Check in at Keauhou Shopping Center, 78-6831 Alii Drive. After check-in, drive to Keauhou Bay, where the crew will meet you.

Is the listed start time the departure time?

No. The listed time is for check-in, not departure. The 150-minute duration includes check-in and gear distribution.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. Participants must be comfortable swimming unassisted and treading water.

What is the minimum age?

Guests must be at least 6 years old, and minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

No. Restroom facilities are not available onboard.

How this score is calculated

This tour scores 4.79 on Viator and 4.66 on GetYourGuide. Ratings on these sites cluster near the top of the 5-star scale, so we compare each one with all other ratings on the same site before combining them.

How the score works and rating distribution in Big Island of Hawaii
  • Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
  • Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
  • Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
  • The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 7.0.

Provider rating distribution in Big Island of Hawaii

How many tours in Big Island of Hawaii have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.

  • GetYourGuide
  • Viator

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