Kona Hawaii Fishing/Snorkel Large Group Private Charter on OE II

Big fish make ordinary days memorable. This private Kona charter gives your group a boat, captain, crew, and fishing gear for up to 10 people along the Big Island’s famous Kona Coast. I like the private format, which keeps the outing to your own party, and I like the practical setup: an onboard cooler with ice, fishing equipment, and crew help included. The main catch is that you must bring your own food and drinks, arrange snorkel gear in advance, and pay for the required fishing license.

The trip can run about four to eight hours, so you have room to choose between a shorter outing and a fuller day on the water. Big-game fishing is never guaranteed, even with a skilled crew. You may hook a marlin, tuna, spearfish, mahi mahi, or ono, or you may spend much of the day trolling and waiting for the bite.

Five things to know before you book

• Up to 10 people share a private charter, so the $1,938.82 group price can make sense for a family or friend group.
• The fishing is serious Kona sportfishing, with possible catches including bigeye tuna, spearfish, marlin, mahi mahi, and ono.
• Captain and crew guidance matters, especially if you have never handled a large fish from a fighting chair.
• You bring the provisions, while the boat supplies a cooler with ice. Pack food, drinks, and non-glass containers.
• Snorkel gear is available only by request, and you need to notify the office at least 24 hours ahead.
• The day ends where it begins, at Bite Me Sportfishing on Kealakehe Parkway in Kailua-Kona.

Starting at Bite Me Sportfishing in Kailua-Kona

Your day begins at Bite Me Sportfishing, located at 74-425 Kealakehe Parkway, Unit 1. Check in 15 minutes before departure. That small buffer matters, since you will want time to find the office, meet the crew, and load your food and drinks before the boat leaves.

The office also sells Bite Me logo gear and handles other ocean outings. You may see information about manta ray night snorkeling, midday snorkeling, and morning reef snorkeling. Those are separate activities, so do not assume they are included in your fishing charter.

The meeting point is also the return point. That makes the trip easy to plan around a rental car or a day in Kailua-Kona. You will not need to arrange a separate ride from another harbor at the end.

What the private OE II setup means for your group

A private boat changes the feel of a fishing trip. You are not joining strangers with different expectations, and you can shape the day around your own group. Families can take turns at the rod, friends can settle into a relaxed day at sea, and experienced anglers can spend more time focused on the fishing.

The capacity is up to 10 people. That is a useful size for a family reunion or a group of friends, but it is not the same as having unlimited room. Ten people plus a crew can feel active around the fishing gear, especially when a fish comes close to the boat. If your group is smaller, you should have more personal space and easier turns.

The boat is identified as OE II for this charter. The supplied information does not give a detailed boat layout, cabin arrangement, or seating plan, so I would not book based on imagined comforts. The clear benefit is the private access and the fishing equipment, not a promise of luxury.

Fishing the Kona Coast for big game

Kona is known for offshore sportfishing, and this trip aims at fish that can make a calm morning suddenly very busy. The target list includes bigeye tuna, spearfish, and other large ocean fish. Past outings with the company have also produced blue marlin, striped marlin, mahi mahi, ono, and yellowtail.

You should understand the rhythm before you board. Much of sportfishing involves setting lines, watching the water, moving to productive areas, and waiting. One outing produced an ono after the crew moved to a spot about half a mile offshore. Another began slowly before a double marlin hookup several hours into the trip. That is normal fishing, not a flaw in the experience.

The crew’s value becomes clear when a fish finally strikes. First-time anglers have been coached through marlin fights, with deckhands giving step-by-step instructions and helping manage the line. One reported blue marlin fight lasted about two and a half hours and ended with a fish weighing 437 pounds. That is an exceptional result, not a normal expectation, but it shows why crew experience matters.

Other trips produced a 160-pound blue marlin that was released, a roughly 65-pound striped marlin that was boated, and an estimated 250-pound blue marlin that was tagged and released. A separate outing landed an 84-pound blue marlin and mahi mahi. These examples show the range of possible outcomes, from a fish you can take home to a large fish returned to the sea.

Learning the ropes from the captain and crew

The crew does more than drive the boat. Their job includes setting up equipment, watching for fish, explaining how to work the rod, and helping you stay safe when a large fish takes line.

Captain Brian Harnden and mate Darin Castoro received particularly strong praise for their calm, positive approach. Captain Brian has also been described as keeping the mood light with music while staying alert for signs of fish. Other captains connected with the company include Taylor, Curtis, Tara, and Nate, with crew members such as Jason, Cory, Anthony, Lee, Kalin, and Tiger assisting on different outings.

Do not assume you can request a particular captain unless the office confirms it. The experience can depend on who is assigned, the sea conditions, and where the fish are holding that day. Still, the repeated pattern is clear: good instruction makes this a workable choice for a first-time angler.

You also may get a share of the catch when a fish is legally kept. The crew has cut and portioned fish for the people aboard, with some meat going to the crew. Rules and catch decisions can vary, so treat fresh fish as a possible bonus, not a guarantee.

Adding snorkeling, wildlife, or a mixed day

The title includes fishing and snorkeling, but the supplied details do not promise a fixed snorkeling stop or a specific reef. Snorkel equipment is not automatically included. You must ask for it at least 24 hours before departure.

That point is worth handling early. Bring your own gear if you have it, or contact the office in time to request equipment. Do not wait until you arrive at the dock and expect a full snorkeling setup to appear.

Some company outings have included wildlife encounters such as pilot whales, dolphins, a sea turtle, and a rare whale shark. One family group combined fishing with dolphin viewing and whale watching. Those sightings are possible, but they are not scheduled attractions and cannot be guaranteed.

If wildlife appears, the captain may adjust the outing when conditions and time allow. One captain took extra time for a closer look at whales and another outing included dolphins before the group returned to fishing. I would treat these moments as welcome surprises rather than the reason to book. If your top goal is snorkeling or whale watching, a dedicated ocean wildlife or reef trip may fit better.

Bringing lunch, drinks, and the right sunscreen

The boat provides a cooler with ice, but you supply what goes inside it. Pack lunch, water, soft drinks, and any other beverages your group needs for four to eight hours on the water. Adult beverages are allowed, but glass bottles are not.

Simple food works best. Bring items that are easy to eat between turns at the rod, and use containers that close securely. You will not want to juggle a messy meal while the crew is calling out instructions.

Sunscreen is not included, and it is specifically recommended. Bring enough for the whole group and reapply during the day. The supplied information does not state that sunscreen is sold or provided onboard, so handle this before departure.

You also need a fishing license. The listing does not explain the license price or purchasing process, so ask Bite Me Sportfishing how to obtain it before your departure date. This is one of the few extra requirements that can catch a first-time charter customer by surprise.

Is $1,938.82 a fair price?

The advertised price is $1,938.82 for the group, up to 10 people. At the full capacity, that works out to about $194 per person before any extra costs such as the fishing license, food, and drinks. For four people, the same charter costs about $485 per person, so the value improves sharply as your party gets larger.

The price includes the boat, captain, crew, cooler with ice, and fishing equipment. You are paying for private use rather than a seat on a shared trip. That privacy can be worth a lot if you are marking a birthday, bringing several generations together, or want the day to follow your group’s pace.

The price is harder to justify for a small party that mainly wants a quick look at the coast. You can spend hours fishing without a major catch, and there is no stated guarantee of snorkeling, dolphins, whales, or a fish to take home. If your group is only two or three people, compare this private charter with a shared fishing trip or a dedicated snorkeling boat.

For a group of eight to 10, the math is more appealing. You get a full private outing, experienced assistance, and the chance to pursue large fish without sharing the boat with another booking.

Choosing between four and eight hours

A shorter trip may suit families with young children or anyone who wants a taste of offshore fishing without committing a full day. It also leaves time for other Kona plans.

The longer option gives the crew more time to search, especially since the bite can be slow. Several memorable catches described from company outings came after the boat had already spent hours fishing. If landing a marlin is your main goal, I would favor the longest available option and accept that the sea still makes the final decision.

A full day can also provide room for a mixed outing that includes wildlife viewing or snorkeling if the captain and conditions permit. That remains flexible rather than guaranteed. Plan your day around fishing first.

Who will enjoy this Kona charter most?

This experience suits a group that wants the boat to itself and is willing to accept the uncertainty of real fishing. It is especially good for:

• Families with children who can remain with an adult
• Groups celebrating a special occasion
• First-time anglers who want hands-on instruction
• Experienced fishers who want access to Kona waters with a crew
• Groups of eight to 10 seeking better value from the private rate

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, though you should still confirm the best way to reach the exact office before departure.

It is less suitable if you need a guaranteed fish, a fixed snorkeling itinerary, or a quiet sightseeing cruise. The boat’s purpose is sportfishing, and that means waiting, moving, and trying again.

Weather, cancellations, and practical timing

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cutoff follows local Hawaii time.

Book with the weather rule in mind, especially if your Kona schedule is tight. Leaving a spare day in your itinerary gives you a better chance of fitting the charter in if the original date is affected.

Should you book the OE II charter?

Book it if your group wants a private Kona fishing day, can share the cost among several people, and understands that big-game fishing is a chance, not a promise. The strongest reasons are the private boat, included fishing equipment, cold storage for your provisions, and crew support for first-timers.

I would choose the longest option for a serious fishing goal and bring a full lunch, plenty of drinks, sunscreen, and non-glass containers. Request snorkel equipment at least 24 hours ahead, and ask about the required fishing license before you arrive.

Skip it if you mainly want guaranteed snorkeling or wildlife viewing. For the right group, though, a slow morning can turn into a marlin fight, a fresh fish dinner, or a close look at whales and dolphins. That possibility is the heart of the experience.

FAQ

Where does the charter begin?

You check in at Bite Me Sportfishing, 74-425 Kealakehe Parkway, Unit 1, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740.

How early should I arrive?

Check in 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

How many people can join the private charter?

The price covers up to 10 people in your party, and only your group participates.

Are food and drinks included?

No. You bring your own food and beverages. Adult beverages are allowed, but glass bottles are not. The boat provides a cooler with ice.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkel equipment is available upon request, but you must notify the office at least 24 hours before the trip.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the charter is canceled because of poor weather.