“Kona Boys did a great job with our excursion… escorted us across the bay, leading us to the dolphins and giving us a bit of history along the way.”
Verified Review
Kealakekua Bay isn’t just one of the best places to snorkel in all of Hawai‘i—it’s a place where history, culture, and nature meet in astonishing clarity. This small-group kayak and snorkel tour takes you across calm, protected waters to the base of towering cliffs and the iconic Captain Cook Monument, marking a pivotal site in Hawaiian and world history. Along the way, you’ll paddle through turquoise waters often frequented by dolphins, then slip into an underwater world teeming with coral gardens and tropical fish. It’s an experience that connects you to both the ocean and the stories that shaped these islands.
GUEST REQUIREMENTS
For ages 4 and up, group size limited to 12 guests.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
This activity is moderate and the skill level is beginner.
WHAT TO BRING
Swim Suite, Towel, Reef safe Sunscreen, Gratuity.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancel at least 1 day before the start time for a refund.
WHAT GUESTS ARE SAYING
4.9 ★ from 1,600+ reviews on TripAdvisor
Kona Boys is widely praised for its relaxed hospitality, knowledgeable guides, and smooth, well-organized experience from beach to bay. Many describe the kayak and snorkel tour as the highlight of their trip—an easygoing adventure layered with Hawaiian history, marine life, and access to a place few get to land. Some guests return year after year, booking only with Kona Boys.
Begin your morning at the Kona Boys shop, where you'll check in, review Conservation District Rules, and receive snorkel gear and instructions for your day ahead. Then you'll drive yourself down to Kealakekua Bay, where your certified guide will be waiting with kayaks, lunch, and drinks.
Paddle across the calm waters of the bay while your guide shares stories of Hawaiian and natural history. Keep an eye out for Naiʻa (Hawaiian spinner dolphins) — often playful and visible — and humpback whales during the winter season.
Once across the bay, you'll land along the protected shoreline of Ka‘awaloa to snorkel one of the most pristine reefs in the world, home to more than 200 species of reef fish and the occasional turtle, eel, reef shark, or ray.
After snorkeling, you'll enjoy a healthy lunch, visit the Captain Cook Monument, and hear about his journey in Hawai‘i before a relaxed paddle back across the bay. The tour wraps around 11:30 AM, leaving you with one of the most memorable mornings of your trip.Kona Boys is a beloved Big Island outfitter known for its laid-back spirit, deep local knowledge, and decades-long commitment to sharing Hawaiʻi with care and authenticity. They’re also one of the very few operators permitted to both kayak Kealakekua Bay and land at the Captain Cook Monument—offering rare, legal access to this protected marine sanctuary. We chose them for their exceptional guides, respect for place, and the kind of quietly expert hospitality that defines the best of island adventure.
Kona Boys Shop: 79-7539 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kealakekua, HI 96750. Check-in at 7:00 AM sharp.
We reserve the right to charge the full amount with less than 24 hours notice of cancellation. If the reservation is called 48 hours before then there will be a 50% charge. Any cancellations before 48 hours will have a full refund. Customers will receive a full refund in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Contact us by phone to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. No-shows will be charged the full price.
FOLIO TRAVELOGUE
A Morning in One of Hawaii’s Most Sacred Places
It starts early—before the sun is too high, before the bay wakes up. The kayaks slice silently through the calm waters of Kealakekua Bay, a place so still in the morning that you swear you can hear the reef breathing. The guides give just enough direction to keep you safe but leave enough silence to let the place speak for itself.
Few places in the world pack this much beauty, biodiversity, and history into a single morning. Where else can you paddle through mirror-still waters, snorkel among reef cities teeming with life, drift beside dolphins, and stand on the site of one of the most consequential—and complex—moments in Hawaiian history? All before lunch.
“Paddled out for a snorkel. Ended up with something I’ll be thinking about for a while.”
Once you land near the base of the cliff, the Captain Cook Monument rises quietly behind you. It’s an uneasy marker. For many, it’s a symbol of first contact. For others, it’s a scar of what followed. But that tension is part of what makes the experience so visceral. You’re not just in paradise—you’re floating through one of Hawaii’s most storied, sacred places.
Then you slide into the water. Visibility here regularly hits 100 feet, and the reef drops away into a technicolor canyon. Schools of yellow tang drift through fingers of coral. A honu glides by, indifferent. Somewhere nearby, spinner dolphins flash silver in the light. And for a moment, you're suspended in the middle of it all—weightless, awed, quiet.
Back on shore, your arms will be sore, your hair will be full of salt, and your head will still be out there, somewhere in that bay.
