Two Reef Snorkel Trip-See Captain Cook Monument & Sea Caves
Recommended by 95% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Big Island of Hawaii, USA
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Discover two of the best snorkel spots in Kona on this early morning tour departing from Keauhou Bay. Explore the coral gardens alongside many different fish species, and on your return to the shore, your guide will provide a history of the Captain Cook Monument and Place of Refuge. Book ahead to guarantee your spot.
- Snacks, fresh fruit, and beverages are served
- View sea caves and lava tubes along the Kona coast
- Search for spinner dolphins, as well as resident and seasonal whales
- All snorkeling equipment is provided for an easy time
What's Included
- Friendly knowledgeable guides
- Snacks, fruit, juice and bottled water
- Mask, Fins, Snorkel, Pool Noodles included
- 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
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 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
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.8:00 am
What To Expect
1
Dolphin Discoveries
2
Kealakekua Bay
3
Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park
4
The Captain Cook Monument
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
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Minors must be accompanied by an adult at all times
- Minimum age to attend tour is 6yrs old
- Must be under 285lbs
- Must be comfortable treading water and swimming unassisted
- Electronic Waiver required to be signed prior to tour
- 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).
- 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 28 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Phoebe_G
This was a great experience. The boat and equipment were great and the locations were excellent. I went because Captain Cook snorkeling was recommended to me, but their second location was even better. I didn't want to stop! The trip guide and captain were very professional and nice. They showed us some local history on the way back and were very knowledgeable about the area. They provided snacks, juice, and water. I would recommend this tour.
Reviews
4.8
based on 370 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Hongbo_W, Jul 2026
The crew’s attitude was extremely disappointing. It was honestly the worst customer service I have ever experienced.
On the way to the tour, I even transferred an extra $25 to our Uber driver just so I could get $20 in cash to tip the crew afterward. By the end of the trip, however, I decided not to leave a single dollar because I genuinely didn’t feel they had earned it.
Perhaps my expectations were higher because I had such an outstanding snorkeling experience in Honolulu. That’s on me—I probably shouldn’t have expected the same level of service everywhere. Even so, in over a decade of traveling, I have never encountered a crew that felt so unprofessional in terms of customer service. They came across as people who were simply tired of their jobs and eager for the day to end, rather than people who enjoyed taking care of their guests.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Aloha Hongbo,
We are sorry to hear that you were disappointed with your experience. I reached out to twice for more information; however, it sounds like you are mostly disappointed that you didn’t know how to swim and our staff wouldn’t do the swimming for you. We must be very clear that swimming ability is a required safety prerequisite for this snorkeling tour. This requirement is stated in our listing, reviewed during check-in, and confirmed again by the captain once guests are aboard. Despite being asked several times, you did not disclose that you were unable to swim until it was time to enter the water.
For safety reasons, our captain and crew cannot leave the vessel to personally swim guests around the bay. While every tour company and snorkel location may operate differently, guests are responsible for reviewing and meeting the stated requirements before booking. We always want our guests to have a safe and enjoyable experience, but we cannot compromise safety standards to accommodate guests who don’t meet the minimum requirements for the tour.
Martin_H, Jun 2026
Experienced captain and crew. Polite and informative and professional. We preferred the quick run this company’s boats make to the places of interest, and going close inshore to see some features. Being one of the first boats to arrive at Capt Cook before the mega catamarans and passengers arrive is a plus. And later continuing on to the virtually deserted and more rugged area off Two Step beach was a big plus.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Mahalo! Beating the big catamarans to Captain Cook and then having that rugged second spot nearly to yourselves -- that is the kind of experience we love to deliver! We are so glad our crew made the whole trip feel polished and worth every minute. We appreciate you choosing us and hope to welcome you back on the water again someday!
Shannon_F, May 2026
So much fun! The water was warm and the locations were gorgeous! We so so many fish! Dennis and Addie were absolutely fantastic!
Response from Host, May 2026
Mahalo! Warm water, gorgeous locations and so many fish -- sounds like a perfect day on the water! We are so glad our crew made the whole experience so fantastic. We appreciate you choosing us and hope to welcome you back on the water again someday!
Nickolas_P, May 2026
This was a fantastic small group excursion to snorkel beautiful coral reef formations and marine life up close. It was like swimming in a scene from "Finding Nemo" or adventuring through the habitat of a gorgeous aquarium. The tropical fish were stunning, the boat ride was exhilarating, and our boat captain was informative. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, May 2026
Mahalo! Swimming through a real-life Finding Nemo scene -- we love that description and it really does capture the magic of those reefs! We are so glad the whole experience from the boat ride to the coral formations left such a great impression. We appreciate you choosing us and hope to welcome you back on the water again someday!
Robert_H, Mar 2026
Captain Rob and Bryce were both amazing. Loved hearing the history and stories along the way and getting an up close and personal look at the sea caves and lava tubes. We took the excursion that had two snorkeling experiences. The second experience was amazing with the two deep canyons and tons of fish and not a ton of people.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Mahalo! Best day ever -- we will take it! We are so glad the sea caves, lava tubes, and those incredible deep canyon snorkel spots made such an impression. Having the history and stories woven into the experience really does make it something special. We appreciate you choosing us and hope to welcome you back on the water again someday!
Chitra_K, Mar 2026
We had a fantastic time on the two stop snorkel with Captain Rob and Bryce. It exceeded our expectations on all fronts. We ended up seeing lots of sea creatures and coral at both locations. While it wasn’t guaranteed, we lucked out and saw a family of dolphins and a beaked whales! The tour included fantastic organization from start to finish and great responsiveness to every single one of our family members (ages 10-49). The views were gorgeous along the way. We now feel like we have experienced Hawaii.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Mahalo! What an incredible day on the water -- dolphins and a beaked whale on top of two stunning snorkel stops is about as good as it gets! We are so glad the experience felt well organized and welcoming for everyone in your group, and that it left you feeling like you truly experienced Hawaii. We appreciate you choosing us and hope to welcome your family back on the water again someday!
Matt_M, Mar 2026
It was like jumping in an aquarium or a scene in Finding Nemo. So many beautiful aquatic life to be seen. Two different spots did not disappoint. And the boat ride to the snorkel spots was just as beautiful and enjoyable. Absolutely amazing day of fun and sun.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Mahalo! Like jumping into an aquarium -- we love that description! The Big Island coastline really is something special both above and below the surface, and we are so glad both snorkel stops delivered. We appreciate you choosing us and hope to welcome you back on the water again someday!
Kimberly_D, Mar 2026
Water was too choppy to enjoy as expected. Staff called it off the excursion half way through, was refunded immediately for half the costs.
Wish it was better weather, the boat ride was a bit rough, did not see nearly what we expected.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Aloha Kimberly,
Mahalo for your feedback. We’re sorry that weather conditions affected your two‑reef snorkeling tour—guest safety always comes first. While the Kona Low was beyond our control, we issued a 50% refund to all guests on that trip. We hope to welcome you back for the full Big Island snorkeling experience in better conditions.
Mahalo
Jennifer_M, Mar 2026
There are so many tour options for snorkeling on the Big Island, how do you pick just one? The main thing I would say about this tour is if you are adventurous and love snorkeling, I think you'll love it. It's a small group inflatable boat tour rather than a huge boat, and you ride out and back sitting on the edge of the boat with one hand on the rope to steady yourself. You will definitely hit some waves on the ride out/back and take your dramamine whether or not you're prone to seasickness. The main attraction is you get ample snorkel time at 2 destinations rather than just one, and the small boat tour means if there are dolphins or whales to see on the way out or back, the guide can take a moment and get you out to where you might see more sea life if you are in the right place at the right time! We saw whales, dolphins, and even a manta ray in the daytime (unusual as the night manta tours are usually when you see mantas in this area). We really enjoyed both snorkeling stops as they were very different from each other, and the underwater topography of the second stop (outside the reef in the deeper water of Honaunau/Two Step that is harder to get to on your own) is just gorgeous. If you're looking for a comfy, chill excursion that's snorkel "light", I'd go for one of the catamaran tours, but if you're into adventure and snorkeling, I think you'll dig this tour! Hope this helps!!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for such a detailed and thoughtful review! We love that you highlighted what makes this tour unique — the small boat, the two stops, and the chance to catch unexpected wildlife along the way. A daytime manta sighting is always a special bonus! Thank you for choosing Dolphin Discoveries and for helping future guests know exactly what to expect — we hope to see you back on the water again soon!
LORA_S, Mar 2026
We had such a great time on the two-stop snorkeling tour! The smaller group size made the whole experience feel more relaxed and personal, and the zodiac ride was a lot of fun. Captain Rob did a fantastic job showing us around and sharing some interesting history about the island along the way. Both snorkeling spots were absolutely beautiful. We really enjoyed the whole experience and would definitely recommend it! 🌊🐠
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for the kind words! So glad the smaller group size made a difference and that both stops delivered. The zodiac ride is always a highlight too! Thank you for choosing Dolphin Discoveries — we hope to see you back on the water again soon!
Radu_S, Mar 2026
We had a fantastic snorkeling trip visiting two of Kona’s most popular spots: Captain Cook Monument and Two Step. The crew was friendly, professional, and very knowledgeable. A big plus was the relatively small group size, which made the experience feel safer and more enjoyable, especially since both locations can get crowded.
The company provides sanitized snorkeling gear in good condition, but you can also bring your own equipment, including a snorkeling vest. At Two Step, you’ll need to snorkel or swim about 100 yards toward shore (and back) to reach the best reef views, so a vest may be helpful for some.
On the way back, Captain Rob showed us several sea caves and shared interesting insights about the island’s history and culture, which made the trip even more memorable.
Tip: If you’re planning to do the Manta Ray Night Snorkel (which is absolutely worth it), book both tours with the same company—they often offer a repeat customer discount. Highly recommended!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for the wonderful review! We're thrilled you enjoyed visiting both Captain Cook Monument and Two Step! We take pride in keeping our group sizes small so every guest gets the best possible experience. We're also glad the gear worked well for you, and that you found the sea cave tour on the way back to be a highlight. We hope to see you out on the water again soon!
Ashley_M, Feb 2026
This was a very memorable excursion for our family. The captain was very knowledgeable and took very special attention and care to provide very detailed information about geology, the ocean creatures and are snorkeling spots. The water was beautiful and we had an amazing time with our family. There were so many species of fish. We really enjoyed this trip. They must do when visiting the big island.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for the wonderful review! We're so glad your family had such a memorable time on the water and enjoyed learning more about the coastline, marine life, and snorkeling locations along the way. Seeing so many different fish species in those clear waters always makes the trip extra special. We truly appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome your family back again soon!
Joshua_K, Feb 2026
Captain Craig was so nice and knowledgeable of the area, this was our first time snorkeling and it was amazing! 1000% recommend this tour!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Mahalo for the great review! We're so glad your first snorkeling experience was such a positive one and that the tour left such a strong impression. Helping first-time snorkelers feel comfortable while enjoying the beauty of Kona’s coastline is something we really value. We truly appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you back again soon!
richard_p, Feb 2026
Great snorkel tour, two different sites. Both sites had great visibility and fish . Our captain Rob was great. He narrated our tour with information on Hawaiian history. Kaui was also very helpful and friendly.
We will do this tour again. Love the small group size and personal attention we received.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Mahalo for the wonderful review! We're so glad you enjoyed exploring multiple snorkel sites and experiencing the history and beauty of the Kona coastline along the way. Small group adventures and personal attention are exactly what we aim to provide, and it means a lot to hear you had such a fantastic trip. We truly appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you back again soon!
valerie_p, Feb 2026
As a group of 3 we had 2 that were hesitant about snorkeling, however, Seth was super kind and knowlegable.. by the time it was time to get in both were coming around to it. This activity ended up being their favorite part of our trip. I know we wouldn’t have been able to have the same results on our own.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Mahalo for the wonderful review! We're so happy to hear that everyone in your group felt supported and confident in the water — helping guests feel comfortable while trying something new is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do. It means a lot to know the experience became a highlight of your trip. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back again for another ocean adventure!
Anne_M, Jan 2026
Small boat = small group! Zodiac today was perfect for 2 stop snorkeling trips- both stops 1hr long had nice lots of sea life and corals. Also got bonus whales and spinner dolphins. CA Dennis was informative on the local lore
Mike_T, Jan 2026
The snorkel trip was very enjoyable. Captain cook’s monument area had a large variety of fish. We got to see 5 whales as an extra bonus
Julie_O, Jan 2026
It was very confusing to get to the check in location, because the name of the business was not mentioned. Then we had to drive ourselves to the harbor where the caption had to go get a different boat, because the one we had was defective. The snorkeling was beautiful, but one the way back one of the engines went out and it took us an hour and a half to get back to the harbor.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Aloha Julie,
Thanks so much for joining us! We’re really sorry things didn’t go as planned. Sometimes when you book through a third party, our company name isn’t super obvious, but you can always find us listed under the operator section on Viator, and our address is on your booking confirmation and in the “Meeting and Pickup” section.
We had to switch to a bigger boat that morning, which set us back a bit, and then we ran into an engine problem that made your tour longer than expected. We totally understand if you had second thoughts, but we’d love another chance to show you a great time. As a thank you for your patience, we’d like to invite you back with a special discount.
A Hui Hou,
The Dolphin Discoveries Crew
Shannon_O, Jan 2026
Wonderful. Robert and Bryce were exceptional. We had a blast. Saw a pod of whales. The weather was terrific
Leah_P, Jan 2026
It was a great trip with amazing snorkeling! Bryce was a great guide along side Captain Rob. On the way back we were able to see beaked whales and a Humpback whale and her calf. A total bonus!!
Greg_G, Jan 2026
Captain Rob and Bryce were absolutely the best! Started off at Captain Cook where the fish were plentiful and the water was warm and clear. On our way to 2 steps we saw whales and porpoises…then on the way home saw a humpback and her calf…great day of snorkeling and whale watching!
Kirsten_H, Dec 2025
It was a great experience. Boat Captain Craig and crew gal were engaging and entertaining. Made our snorkling adventure epic. I will book with them again.
Amanda_W, Dec 2025
Loved small boat experience. Crew was helpful and knowledgeable. Snorkeling was absolutely amazing, really cool spots especially place of refuge which wasn’t as crowded. Saw some whales as a bonus and got a tour of the sights on the way back. Recommend!
Brett_B, Dec 2025
Wonderful snorkeling and nice guides!!
Lots of interesting fish. The tour was on a small boat, kinda like a speed boat. It was great!
ZIYU_X, Dec 2025
It was a super fun trip! We got to see lots of fish. The staff were very nice and friendly. We enjoyed it a lot.
Sho_I, Dec 2025
The staff were very kind.
After snorkeling, we got a guided tour of the terrain by boat, making it a very enjoyable tour.
Joshua_H, Dec 2025
It’s relaxing and the trip out is wonderful. You’ll get to see plenty of cool stuff and the staff will point out points of interest on your way back.
I recommend going with someone. Solo was fine but the experience is definitely curated more for families and couples.
Chrystal_G, Dec 2025
Fun and great experience, the captain was nice and definitely would do this again
This was a first time for all of us and they educated us on how to use the snorkels properly so we can have the best experience possible for newbies
Sally_R, Nov 2025
Captain Raj was great...he took us to some great snorkel spots and had helpful, personalized advice which made the trip more enjoyable. The small group experience was really nice.
Mandy_H, Oct 2025
Worth the trip. It's nice to snorkel multiple spots within a few hours. Different underwater terrain.
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Two Reef Snorkel Trip-See Captain Cook Monument & Sea Caves
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