Explore Kealakekua Bay’s crystal waters and secret sea caves with the Captain Cook Exclusive snorkel tour. Join Sea Quest Hawaii for a private snorkeling experience filled with vibrant marine life and playful dolphins.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
3–4 hours
Fitness Level
Moderate physical fitness needed to swim and snorkel comfortably for a few hours.
Wildlife
History
Kealakekua Bay is a significant site where Captain Cook first landed in Hawaii in 1779, marking a pivotal moment in the islands’ history.
Conservation
Sea Quest Hawaii emphasizes reef-friendly practices and educates guests on protecting marine habitats during their tours.
Sea Quest Hawaii
Explore Kealakekua Bay’s crystal waters and secret sea caves with the Captain Cook Exclusive snorkel tour. Join Sea Quest Hawaii for a private snorkeling experience filled with vibrant marine life and playful dolphins.
Sea Quest Hawaii operates from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, offering guided snorkeling and marine tours along the Southern Kona Coast. The company runs a range of experiences including the Night Manta Experience, Premium Morning Snorkel, Captain Cook Exclusive, Expedition South Kona, Deluxe Morning Adventure, and Premium Kona Coast Morning Snorkel. Trips visit notable sites such as Kealakekua Bay (Captain Cook Monument), Puʻuhonua O Honaunau (The Place of Refuge), Honaunau Bay, sea caves, lava tubes, and other coastal features.
Sea Quest Hawaii runs covered boats that provide comfort and shade for guests. Snorkeling gear, flotation devices, and snacks or lunch are included on many departures, and sanitized gear practices are listed as included. The Deluxe Morning Adventure operates with a small group limit of 14 guests, offering a more intimate experience. On Night Manta Experience departures, guides provide equipment and a manta guarantee: if guests do not see manta rays, the company offers a return trip.
Captains and crew share local history and cultural context during cruises, pointing out geologic features and sites of cultural significance. Tours include opportunities to explore sea caves and encounter diverse marine life, with options for both novice and experienced snorkelers. Sea Quest Hawaii is based in Kailua-Kona and focuses on safe, guided access to South Kona marine sites for visitors seeking snorkeling, wildlife viewing, and coastal exploration.
Reservations are available from Kailua-Kona departures and trips accommodate varied skill levels, with flotation devices provided and crew guidance to support safe, educational marine experiences for families and individual travelers.
Location
Kailua-Kona
Base for Southern Kona departures
Small Groups
14 max
Intimate Deluxe Morning Adventure
Covered Boats
Covered fleet
Comfort and shade onboard
Manta Guarantee
Return if no mantas
Night Manta Experience assurance
Choose morning snorkels, South Kona expeditions, or the Night Manta Experience — gear included and manta guarantee provided.
Use reef-safe sunscreen
Protect both your skin and the fragile marine environment by applying only reef-safe sunscreen before snorkeling.
Stay hydrated
Bring water to stay hydrated, especially under the Hawaiian sun during your tour.
Wear water shoes
Water shoes help protect your feet when entering or exiting rocky shorelines and slippery surfaces.
Follow guide instructions
Listen carefully to your guide for safety and to enhance your snorkel experience around sea caves and wildlife.
Reef-safe sunscreen
Protects your skin and preserves the marine ecosystem.
summer
Snorkel mask and fins
Essential for clear vision and easier swimming underwater.
Water shoes
Provide foot protection on rocky shores and avoid slips.
Light rash guard
Protects you from sunburn and keeps you warm in cooler months.
spring