You won't see fish any more plentiful in the islands than off the Big Island of Hawaii 
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Snorkeling Tours on Hawaii
($30.00 - $863.90)
The first time I went snorkeling on the Big Island of Hawaii I couldn't believe my eyes.
Actually, I wasn't expecting to snorkel at the time. I love to long distance swim and I asked the concierge, at my hotel where I might find a good beach to swim for distance.
She misunderstood me and sent me to a spot that was somewhat rocky with an occasional reef. I didn't notice at first the underwater reef terrain. I warmed up on the beach, adjusted my goggles, waded into the water and then made my first lunge into the underwater world of the "Big Island".
I almost jumped right back out again. I just couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was as though I had just jumped into an aquarium. I had never before seen so many fish of so many sizes and colors in one place in my life. It was absolutely fabulous I spent the next half hour just marveling at the underwater sights.
The Big Island of Hawaii has a number of different boats that offer snorkeling. Many of them cruise the coast off Kona down to Captain Cook. Most of the boats offer morning and afternoon trips and one trip even offers "night snorkeling" to see the giant Manta Rays. Whichever one you choose you won't be disappointed.
The Big Island of Hawaii is simply the best spot I have found for snorkeling and the very best spots are the ones that are found by taking the boats in Hawaii's snorkel fleet. Many of these places are found on the open ocean side of the reefs where the best accessibility is from a boat. This is one activity that is a "must" on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Some of the best locations to snorkel in the Big Island of Hawaii are:
- The Kohala Coastline
- Kealakekua Bay
- Pawai Bay Off The Kona Coast
Tom's Tips - Big Island of Hawaii Snorkeling Tours
- Do you have a mustache? Your mask will probably have a slow leak no matter what you do. It's no big deal, but you might want to try goggles.
- Morning is the best time of day to snorkel in the Big Island of Hawaii, before the wind comes up.
- Life jackets and flotation devices are provided by many Big Island of Hawaii snorkel boats for first time snorkelers. These are great if you're a little apprehensive in the beginning.
 Adventures In Paradise- Are you looking to get a little bit of exercise in with your snorkeling? Then you might want to consider trying a kayak instead of a motorboat on your next snorkeling trip. Going snorkeling from a kayak is an entirely different experience then it is to snorkel from a motorboat. You will generally see a smaller section of the coastline when your under paddle power (because you won’t be going as fast), but the section that you see you will get to know much more intimately. The perspective of a…(more info)$30.00 - $75.90 |
 Blue Sea Cruises- Enjoy a morning of fun and exploration. Start your tour by relaxing in cushioned comfort on the upper shaded deck of Makai while enjoying a continental breakfast, coffee and drinks. Cruise the scenic Kona Coast, watch for some of the many marine inhabitants that often include dolphins or whales. Upon arrival at Fantasy Point, get ready to snorkel in beautiful clear water and explore the pristine reef and abundant sealife or just play with the many water toys available to you. Lifeguard and Instructor to help you out.…(more info)$109.90 - $109.90 |
 Body Glove Cruises- The Kanoa ll is a luxury, state of the art, sixty-five foot power catamaran owned by Body Glove Cruises, that offers wonderful snorkel cruises off the coast of Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. Body Glove cruises has been a long time fixture in Kona and its snorkel tours to Pawai Bay Marine Reserve are likely to provide some of the most fun you will have on your vacation. This snorkelling location boasts having over five-hundred separate species of fish and visibility generally in excess of…(more info)$68.00 - $103.99 |
 Captain Zodiac- If you like you're snorkeling adventure filled with excitement you might want to consider one of Captain Zodiac's snorkeling tours off the coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. These boats are speedy and manoeuvrable and your positioning just above the ocean's surface puts you in direct contact with the marine environment. Seeing turtles, dolphins, manta rays or even whales from this perspective is very exciting. Some of the best snorkeling to be found in all of Hawaii is at Kealakekua Bay's…(more info)$88.90 - $88.90 |
 Fair Wind- The Fair Wind ll is the sixty-foot catamaran that is operated by Fair Wind Charters to take you on an outstanding snorkeling tour to the tremendous snorkeling area of Kealakekua Bay and the Captain Cook's Monument. Kealakekua Bay is both an underwater state park and a marine sanctuary and as such it is known as one of the most heavily touted snorkeling locations in Hawaii. The protecting cliffs surrounding the bay provide a remoteness and inaccessibility, not being able to be reached by land…(more info)$75.00 - $125.00 |
 Hula Kai - Kona Sunrise Charters- The Hula Kai is one of the newest and most technologically advanced snorkel boats to cruise the coastlines of the Big Island. The Hula Kai actually makes use of hydrofoil technology and this catamaran provides some of the fastest and smoothest rides in the industry. Because of its advanced speed it can easily visit a number of different snorkel locations which will be chosen do to the weather and current sea conditions of the day. Kealakekua Bay is an obvious choice being one of the best…(more info)$99.00 - $201.00 |
 Kamanu Charters- Many boats participate in snorkeling on the Big Island of Hawaii and one of the most private of them is on the snorkel trip with the sailing boat Kamanu. The Kamanu only takes small groups of up to ten couples providing for a delightful day of snorkeling. From their departing point of Honokohau Marina they head north for a beautiful coastline cruise to the spectacular Pawai Bay. This is truly one of the most amazing snorkel locations in the state as you will have a chance to view its many…(more info)$46.66 - $121.90 |
 Kona Sea Sports- Kona Sea Sports is a unique company in that it offers private charters for families to combine snorkeling, a dolphin swim or whale watching with sportfishing. They also offer share boat fishing charters out of Honokohau Small Boat Harbor.…(more info)$719.90 - $863.90 |
 Mauna Lani Sea Adventures- Snorkeling holds a special place of respect on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island and it is relished to the max on the fifty-foot sailing catamaran "Winona" run by the Mauna Lani Adventures. The Winona is sleek and beautiful and its morning snorkel cruises, although certified by the Coast Guard for forty-nine passengers, will confirm with as few as six passengers so these snorkel cruises with Mauna Lani Sea Cruises are often very personalized…(more info)$84.90 - $84.90 |
 Sea Paradise- If you enjoy snorkeling in beautiful and exotic locations you are certain to enjoy the snorkel tour offered by Sea Paradise off the Kona coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. Sea Paradise will take you on its fifty-foot sailing catamaran, Hokuhele, to the underwater marine reserve of Kealakekua Bay. Kealakekua Bay as well as being a great snorkel site has great historical significance in Hawaii as well as it was the location of the death of Captain Cook. The bay is filled with colorful coral for…(more info)$84.90 - $94.90 |
 Sea Quest Rafting- One of the most marine intensive coast lines found on the Big Island is found along the South Kona Coast and one of the best ways to see it is by the swift, maneuverable and personalized rafts used by Sea Quest Rafting. Sea Quest Rafting has been in operation for over twenty years and has tons of experience in providing their clients with the most excitement that can be derived with one of these versatile vessels. They are also small enough and maneuverable enough to be able to get into some…(more info)$64.99 - $93.99 |
 Sea Wolf Charters on Hawaii- Sea Wolf Charters on the Big Island of Hawaii offers short snorkel tours to visit the underwater world and see the marine life. Sea Wolf Charters uses a thirty-three foot rigid hulled inflatable (similar to something you might have seen Jacques Cousteau in but with a hard bottom) to speedily travel to coastal areas for a snorkel in tropical waters. The reef life along the coastline of Kona is known to be spectacular for snorkeling with tons of fish and lots of beautiful coral but in addition…(more info)$86.00 - $95.00 |
 Sunlight On Water- Generally when people think about snorkeling they think about snorkeling above a reef with plentiful reef fish but not so with the boat tour company with the unusual name called-- Sunlight On Water. On Sunlight On Water they snorkel with wild dolphins and huge manta rays. This unique company has been snorkeling with the wild dolphins longer than any company in Hawaii and their experience shows. They are able to swim with the dolphins in the open ocean fully ninety-eight percent of the time…(more info)$71.90 - $118.90 |
 Torpedo Tours- Why not add an additional dimension to your snorkeling by letting a “torpedo” propel you through the water on your snorkel tour with Torpedo Tours? Torpedo Tours is a dive and snorkel company that provides great snorkeling experiences off the coast of Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. These torpedo tour snorkels are fun, safe and they are easy. You will be able to zoom along at about two knots per hour which is the approximate speed of a fast freestyle stroke. In all likelihood this will be…(more info)$55.90 - $122.90 |
