The 9 Best Dolphin Snorkeling Tours in Big Island to Book

1.Kona Snorkel Tour: Captain Cook Reef Snorkel, Dolphin & Sea Caves

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,411 reviews · 2 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $71Our pick

Ride a small Zodiac to Captain Cook Reef, explore sea caves, and snorkel clear Kealakekua Bay waters on this lively Kona tour.

“David and Danielle were awesome guides. Lots of nice “color commentary” on way back especially with some cool stops to see lava tubes, etc. Wear sun screen and if you have any motion sickness issues take your medicine prior. The boat ride to the bay is really fast and fun (a bit like a baby roller coaster). If you have flippers you might want to bring them for the snorkeling. Not needed but enhances getting around. We didn’t see any dolphins but you can’t schedule Mother Nature. All in all definitely worth it.”

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2.Deluxe Snorkel & Dolphin Watch Aboard a Luxury Catamaran from Kailua-Kona

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 797 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $183Top rated

Review of Kona’s luxury catamaran snorkel cruise, with dolphin watching, meals, water toys, practical tips, costs, and honest drawbacks.

“This was one of the highlights of our family trip! With a total of 17 people and kids ranging from 8 months to 20 years there was something for everyone! From the slide, jumping off the boat, paddle boards, noodles, and a mat to just float! The staff was absolutely amazing, the Captain was very informative and stopped every time she saw something in the water that was worth a pic or two! Shout out to Taylor, my boys enjoyed your stories of adventure and overall your kind nature and down to earth personality! We had so much fun, so thank you to all of your staff who were hands…”

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3.Dolphin, Sea Cave & Captain Cook Snorkel Combo in Kealakekua Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 220 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $83

Review of the small-boat Kealakekua Bay snorkel tour, with Captain Cook Monument, sea caves, dolphins, whales, price, tips, and who should book.

“Be ready for a small boat with big speed. The captain was great at navigating the waters, telling us about the history of the area and the wildlife. We saw a humpback whale up close and dolphins!”

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4.Kona Shore Excursion: Wild Dolphin Reefs Snorkel and Sea Caves

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 73 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $149

Review of Kona’s 3-hour dolphin and reef snorkel shore excursion, with Captain Cook, sea caves, lunch, boat logistics, and honest advice.

“Too many people on boat. Limit to 15. Get the captain a mic and wi-fi it to the boat speakers. Lot of interesting stuff from the reaction and I could not hear. Reef was great. Better than Maui crater.”

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5.Dolphin, Sea Cave, Captain Cook, Kealakekua Bay Reef Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 47 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $89

Review of Big Island’s small-group Captain Cook snorkel tour, with a fast Zodiac boat, reef time, sea caves, snacks, and practical tips.

“Do you have a need for speed? If you don’t want a boring ass boat ride with 50 other people who will, on your own overwhelm and crowd the Cook monument area, this is the tour for you. The navy seal raft you just sit in the edge and it goes FAST so you have to hold on. The driver Erik is truly a master at his craft. We saw dolphins and made an effort to engage with them. You get close to the sea caves at the end on a wild ride. Loud music of varied genres was great. This is listed for people with snorkeling experience. They just…”

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6.4 Hour Big Island Dolphin Watch Boat Tour, Snorkeling & BBQ Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $150

Review of Kona’s dolphin watch and snorkel tour, with two reef stops, BBQ lunch, boat details, pricing, tips, and who should book.

“Trevor and Kama were wonderful! They were helpful with getting us ready to Snorkel. They knew the best place to fine fish, turtles and dolphins! The whole family had a fun day! Best boat trip ever!!”

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7.Private Kealakekua Bay Snorkel and Dolphin Watch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Review of a private Kealakekua Bay snorkel and dolphin tour, with Captain Cook Monument, family tips, pricing, gear, and booking advice.

“Our snorkeling trip was everything we hoped for and more. Monet and Brenden were absolutely amazing- welcoming, kind, and passionate about what they do. They went out of their way to make sure our three generation family felt comfortable and had a great time. The snorkeling was stunning and Monet’s underwater videos and photos were a total bonus. In addition to the beautiful schools of fish we swam among, we were lucky enough to see dolphins pass right by the boat, and we were even able to snorkel with the Manta Ray. The fresh pineapple and snacks were an extra treat. If you're in Kona and looking for an adventure…”

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8.2-Hour Dolphin Watching and Double Reef with Snorkel in Hawaii

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $97

Review the Big Island’s two-hour dolphin and double-reef snorkel tour, with a fast RHIB boat, small groups, gear, snacks, and practical tips.

“This was a great experience. Small group, great guide and wonderful snorkeling spots and so many dolphins.”

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9.Dolphin Watch Snorkel and BBQ in Kona, Big Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 21 reviews · 3 hours · from $150

Review of Kona’s 3-hour dolphin watch, secluded snorkeling, turtle sightings, and hot dog lunch, with practical advice on value, sea conditions, and access.

“Unfortunately this was of my least favorite excursions. The ad says BBQ. We each were limited to ONE hotdog. Chips and a can of soda. That's the BBQ??? The speedboat ride was looong. The trip to and from snorkel spot felt like forever. During the trip, crew stuck together like they were cool kids in the lunch room, ignoring all of us, the "paying" crew members. Only friendly and helpful crew member was the only female member. Feel bad I don't remember her name. Before getting into the water, my fin broke, the guys were oh well, shrugging.... but she actually finagled a little something to make my fin work.…”

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