Captain Cook Snorkel Tour with Sea Caves, History and Lava Tubes
Recommended by 95% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Big Island of Hawaii, USA
- 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
Explore the waters off the coast of Hawaii during this group snorkeling excursion from Kailua-Kona. Board an inflatable boat and enjoy easy transportation to Captain Cook's Monument at Kealakekua Bay for around 30 minutes of snorkeling time. Plus, view the sea caves and lava tubes along the scenic Kona coast and catch sight of dolphins and humpback whales, depending on the season.
- Snorkel Kealakekua Bay with the provided equipment
- Swim with Hawaii's colorful marine life lining the reefs
- Juices and bottled water included on your snorkeling tour
- Unobstructed views of the scenic Kona coastline from the water
What's Included
- Sightseeing along coast of sea caves & lava tubes
- Historical narration of Captain Cook's fate at Kealakekua Bay
- Juices and bottled water
- Pool Noodles
- Gratuities for your crew always appreciated
- Please bring towel and cover-up
- Use reef safe sunscreen (zinc based is recommended- no oxybenzone and octinoxate. lotion, no spray)
- Private transportation
- Restroom on board
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Dolphin Discoveries- Snorkel Tour Check-in and Boutique78-6831 Ali‘i Dr Suite F-146, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
To Check in: Keauhou Shopping Center, 78-6831 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i 96740. Located in inside the center in the courtyard behind Tropics, KTA & Bianelli's. Once checked in, you will drive to Keauhou Bay where the crew will greet you for the tour. If Ubering, schedule 2 stops in the app.
End point
- 78-7138 Kaleiopapa St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Tour will end upon return to the dock at Keauhou Bay. There is no need to return to our store upon return.
Itinerary
1
78-7130 Kaleiopapa St
2 hours 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- Minimum age to attend tour is 6yrs old
- Must be comfortable treading water and swimming unassisted
- Electronic Waiver required to be signed prior to tour
- Must be under 285 lbs
- Must be able to climb up a metal ladder to get back in the boat
- Our vessels are RHIBS (zodiac style boats; seating is on a pontoon).
- Minors must be accompanied by an adult at all times
- We have full discretion to refuse service to guests based on attire, behavior, physical fitness & condition
- Restroom facilities not available on boat
- Not recommended for travelers with neck problems
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Hilary_S
What a wonderful way to spend half the day . We had an incredible time with Captain Rob . He was so kind , informative and has wonderful taste in music ! We learned a lot about the island while heading to the cove once there we saw some of the most beautiful fish and some dolphins swimming not to far from us . I highly recommend booking this and with this company because they did not skip a single detail and made sure we knew how to find everything. The lady that helped check us in was very nice as well . It was fully enjoyable.
Reviews
4.8
based on 567 reviews
Christie_B, Apr 2026
Such a fun morning with Captain Robert and Addy! Easy check-in, well-maintained boat and equipment, great snorkeling. Roberts showed us some cool sites along the Cliffs on the way back and made it a lot of fun. Great selection on drinks on-board too (non-alcoholic). I'd love to do it again!
Selena_E, Apr 2026
We had a great experience. It was easy with the right amount on time to snorkeling time. Highly recommend if you just want to go out and snorkel.
Bill_R, Apr 2026
Tour canceled less than 24 hours in advance because my wife and I were the only ones scheduled. They said they needed at least 6 people to take the tour. We had to scramble to book another tour with Captain Zodiac Raft Expeditions through NCL — it was great.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Aloha,
We’re sorry we weren’t able to take you snorkeling, and we understand how disappointing it is when plans change—especially on vacation. Because you and your wife were the only guests booked for that departure, we didn’t meet the minimum of 6 passengers required to run the tour. We reached out at 3:00 p.m. the day before your trip to let you know, and we processed a full refund immediately when we canceled. This minimum is noted at booking, but we’re sorry it still impacted your vacation time. We’re glad you were able to find another option to get out on the water.
Irene_B, Apr 2026
This tour is fun, family friendly, well organized and professional. Our kids said it was the highlight of the week. We took the tour with our 10 and 12 year old kids on a cloudy afternoon so it turned out to be a private tour. The woman who checked us in, Rita, was friendly and helpful to help us get our gear. Captain Dennis helped us get into the water and helped to get my 10 year old a new mask when the first one was leaking. Very friendly to kids who are nervous and scared. Captain Dennis’ warmth really helped my daughter relax and have a good time. He also took us to some historical points on the way back home which we would have never seen from land. Overall a great tour that I highly recommend for any family or couple. Thanks Captain Dennis!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Mahalo! The highlight of the week for your kids -- we absolutely love hearing that! We are so glad our crew made everyone feel at ease and that the snorkeling, sea caves and those hidden historical spots made for such a memorable afternoon. We appreciate you choosing us and hope to welcome your family back on the water again someday!
Tiah_G, Apr 2026
This is a rugged baiting experiance so be prepared for a ride! Fun but hard on the back and behind, while exploring he stops and tells you lots of fun facts. Denis and Colby we great guides. Snacks and drinks were nice and we saw turtles, an egalitarian ray, and very different kinds of large reef fish!!! Got cold on the 8am tour so take a sweat shirt to wear after getting in the water.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Mahalo! Turtles, eagle rays and beautiful reef fish -- what an incredible haul of sightings! We are so glad the crew's knowledge and storytelling added to the adventure, and we appreciate the helpful tip about layering up on the early tour. We appreciate you choosing us and hope to welcome you back on the water again someday!
Shannan_C, Apr 2026
We had an amazing time. We couldn’t have asked for a better crew. Dennis and Addy were AMAZING!!!!!! Thank you Dennis & Addy!!
10/10
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Mahalo! A 10/10 -- that means the world to us! We are so glad our crew made the Captain Cook Snorkel Tour such a memorable experience. We appreciate you choosing us and hope to welcome you back on the water again someday!
Sarah_B, Mar 2026
This was a great experience for my family (kids 14&11). The guides had fun with the ride and had great history to share. I liked that we got to Captain Cook’s before the other big boats and the next stop was just our boat. We had ample time at each spot. Great for first time snorkelers too.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Mahalo! We are so glad the whole family had such a wonderful time -- and great timing on beating the crowds at Captain Cook! Having the second spot all to yourselves really does make for a special experience. We appreciate you choosing us and hope to welcome your family back on the water again someday!
Julie_G, Mar 2026
Weather made visibility low and there was much debris in the water. Captain Dennis did a fantastic job of navigating and providing history about the cove, island and captain cook.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo! The ocean does not always cooperate, but we are glad our crew was able to make the most of the conditions and that the history and storytelling of the area added something special to the trip. We appreciate you choosing us and hope to welcome you back on a clearer day someday!
David_R, Mar 2026
It was a great time. The captain and first mate were top notch. Everything was well explained, and we saw some amazing sites. The captain even took us to see some other points of interests which made for a really cool trip.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo! We are so glad you had a wonderful time on the Captain Cook Snorkel Tour. It is always great to hear that the crew went above and beyond to make the experience special -- those extra stops really do make for a memorable trip. We appreciate you choosing us and hope to welcome you back on the water again soon!
Jerry_M, Mar 2026
Great experience! Snorkeling was one of the best I ever experienced. Captain Dennis and Addy were great. The ride back was a plus. Not just your typical out and back. The lava tubes and island history that went along with it was very cool. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
5:29 PMWhat an awesome trip to be a part of — thank you for sharing! Captain Cook is such a special spot, and we love that the ride back added something extra to the day. The lava tubes and island history are always a highlight for us too. Highly appreciated, and we hope to see you out on the water again!
Grant_S, Mar 2026
Well run , very knowledgeable crew. Great snorkeling and scenery. Trip discription accurate and on time
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for the great review! We're glad to hear the trip matched expectations and that you enjoyed both the snorkeling and the coastal scenery. Keeping the experience well organized and true to description is something we work hard to maintain. We appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you back again soon!
Janice_S, Mar 2026
The captain and crew were very good. They made the trip a lot of fun. We always felt safe as well. The snorkeling was good, and we learned some Hawaiian history as well
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for sharing your experience! We're glad to hear the trip felt fun, safe, and informative, and that you enjoyed both the snorkeling and learning more about Hawaiian history along the way. Combining time in the water with local context is one of our favorite parts of these tours. We appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you back again soon!
Michael_S, Feb 2026
Check in was easy. The staff was very knowledgeable and friendly. Captain Robert was a great storyteller, funny and kind. For a great time in the water give these folks a try! Aloha
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Mahalo for the wonderful review! We're so glad your group had a smooth check-in and enjoyed a fun and memorable snorkel adventure along the Kona coast. Creating a friendly, informative, and relaxing experience on the water is exactly what we strive for. We truly appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you back again soon!
Elizabeth_K, Feb 2026
Our captain and 1st mate made our excursion even better. They explained everything, gave great tips for snorkeling in the Captain Cook area and we learned about some local formations/geology.
Darren_H, Feb 2026
Very friendly crew. Saw dolphins, whales and dolphins came in to Captin Cooks cove and swam with us. Was one of the high lights of the trip.
Shirley_M, Jan 2026
Crystal clear water, beautiful colorful fish. Scenic, relaxing and Robert did a wonderful job explaining the history of the area and allowing us to experience the unexpected whale and dolphin along the way.
Kylie_R, Jan 2026
Saw a plethora of fish at both locations we went snorkeling too. Also saw whales as well which was really cool to be able to see the breach and swim by
Jeff_B, Jan 2026
Activity was as advertised. The bay was great for snorkeling, our captain and first mate were very helpful and knowledgeable. Boat was fine. We all felt safe and enjoyed ourselves. Our boys said it was the highlight of the trip.
michelle_w, Dec 2025
This was one of the best adventures in Kona. Captain Craig and his side kick were both amazingly friendly, fun and informative! We had a great scenei ride to the cove and the snorkeling was great! On the way back he took us along to see the sea caves and Lava Tubes and they both gave us a bit of local history and information on how these great land masses were formed! We had a great bunch of people on the boat too! We will definitely come.back next time to do the Manta tour with them next time were in town!!!!
Renee_C, Dec 2025
We had a great time with Captain Robert. The reef had lots of different varieties of fish, and we lucked out in having a pod of spinner dolphins in the cove while we were there. On the way back to the dock he pointed out lava tubes and caves and talked about the history of the island. Would highly recommend.
Joy_M, Dec 2025
This was the highlight of our trip to Kona. I have only been snorkeling at Hanauma Bay in Oahu and another small bay near Kialua-Kona. This snorkeling trip was SO above and beyond those experiences. The water was pristine - with no beach and people on the beach there was no stirred up sand. The snorkeling equipment they provided was the best we received as well - and that makes a huge difference in your viewing experience. We saw SO many unique fish - even a large eel! The captain and his crew mate were very accomodating and knowledgeable. We originally thought we could hike down and have a nice experience plus get some exercise, but that would have been a disaster! So glad we decided on this affordable adventure by boat. We never felt rushed to get back on board, but after a full hour in the water, we were ready. I will encourage everyone I know who goes to the Big Island to take this trip.
Betsy_S, Nov 2025
Just one snorkel stop, thought we were going to 2 stops per tour description. Stopped at Captian Cook's monument for snorkeling. Good for beginners or less experienced snorkelers. If looking for a really healthy, live, colorful reef - this isn't it. Captin Craig was good, not overly instructive. Checkin gal was great.
Nora_N, Oct 2025
The tour was really good, we had so much time to snorkel. Our guide was amazing, he was very careful.
Cristina_L, Oct 2025
This snorkel tour went above and beyond! Captain Ron and Riley were amazing!! They made sure we had everything we needed and then set us free in the most beautiful turquoise blue crystal clear waters!! The snorkeling blew us away! And then they provided snacks and juice. But the tour did not end there! Captain Ron gave us an exhilarating ride and pointed out so many cool spots and features along the coastline. We saw lava tubes and the inspiration for Te Fiti from Moana. We got a full history of the island. Truly incredible tour!
marisela_c, Oct 2025
Great spot to go snorkeling. We saw plenty of different kinds of fish and the water was clear. The guides were great - very helpful. They had snacks and drinks on board. After snorkeling they took us around the area and pointed out lava tubes and caves.
Anonymous, Oct 2025
Great ride and experience!! Staff were very friendly. We have been to captain cook’s snorkel spot several time and this was are favorite way to go.
Ruth_B, Oct 2025
It sucked because no one but me was booked so it was canceled! Very disappointing ! Want total refund ! Only in Kona one day off ship
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Aloha Emma,
We know when plans change it can lead to disappointment, we sorry we weren't able to take you out. In our Viator offer, we state that we do have to have a minimum number of passengers to run our charters. We are sorry you missed that part. We tried to reschedule you, but due to your cruise ship's time at port we were unable to. You did not book through us, you booked through Trip Advisor/Viator. We did requested that they refund your money. Safe Travels.
JenniferL_W, Oct 2025
Captain Craig was very professional and much fun! He is a great driver and took us to special places on the reef sharing his knowledge and many years of experience. The snorkelling was good…not a huge number of fish but enough to thoroughly enjoy it. We were pleasantly surprised when some spinner dolphins showed up!
Randy_F, Sep 2025
it is fantastic & the crew was so professional & knowledgeable. We learned a lot about the island. Captain Cook & the snorkeling was excellent.
Cindy_M, Sep 2025
Our experience was amazing. Rob was very knowledgeable and professional during the whole trip. He gave us a history of the area. He also supplied us with drinks, fresh pineapple and chips for a snack. I would definitely recommend Rob for this trip.
From $78.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Captain Cook Snorkel Tour with Sea Caves, History and Lava Tubes
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