Snorkeling Kealakekua Bay: Exploring Hawaii’s Marine Sanctuary with Small Groups

Captain Cook•moderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

3 hours

Fitness Level

Participants should have moderate fitness and be comfortable swimming in open water for up to 90 minutes.

Overview

Glide alongside playful Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins and explore vibrant coral reefs in Kealakekua Bay with a small-group snorkel tour. Discover a protected marine sanctuary rich in history and teeming with marine life on the Big Island's Kona coast.

Snorkeling Kealakekua Bay: Exploring Hawaii’s Marine Sanctuary with Small Groups

other

snorkeling

Select participants and date

Date

Tue, Nov 4

Travelers

The Pacific unfurls like a glassy sheet at Keauhou Harbor as the 27-foot Pueo Kai 2 slips away. With the Kona coastline retreating astern, the boat glides through cerulean waters that dare you to dive beneath their surface. Alongside, Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins arc through the spray, playful and unshy, inviting you into their world. This small-group snorkel tour, limited to 12 guests, offers a rare window into the marine sanctuary of Kealakekua Bay, framed by volcanic cliffs and sacred history.

Adventure Photos

Snorkeling Kealakekua Bay: Exploring Hawaii’s Marine Sanctuary with Small Groups photo 1

Adventure Tips

Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen

Protect the delicate coral ecosystem by applying reef-safe sunscreen before boarding the boat.

Arrive Early

Plan to arrive 15 minutes before departure at Keauhou Harbor to allow time for check-in and gear fitting.

Be Swim-Ready

Ensure you are comfortable swimming without flotation devices as this is required for the tour.

Limit Personal Items

Bring only essentials like a towel, hat, and sunglasses as storage on the boat is limited.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins
Humpback Whales (winter season)

History

Kealakekua Bay is historically significant as the site where Captain James Cook first landed in Hawaii and later died in 1779, marked today by a dedicated monument.

Conservation

Strict environmental regulations protect Kealakekua Bay’s marine sanctuary status, limiting boat traffic and prohibiting anchoring on reefs to maintain coral and marine life health.