Deep sea fishing in Kona, Hawaii: prices, tours and what to expect
Prices and details checked on October 21, 2026How we compare tours
For deep sea fishing out of Kona, pick the trip length first: a short outing points to the In-Shore trip, and a full day points to the Reel Escapes trip. The Kona Shore Divers In-Shore Fishing trip is 3 hours from $399.
For deep sea fishing out of Kona, pick the trip length first: a short outing points to the In-Shore trip, and a full day points to the Reel Escapes trip. The Kona Shore Divers In-Shore Fishing trip is 3 hours from $399. The Reel Escapes 8 Hour Fishing Escape 40' Cabo runs 8 hours from $1,595 per group. Start with trip length, then group size and budget, because those decide most of the choice.
8 Hour Fishing Escape 40' Cabo
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What should you know about deep sea fishing in Kona Hawaii?
Start with time. Trip length decides how much of your day you spend on the water.
Next, check how the price is set. The Lei'n Low, Maggie Joe, Kona Cowboy and Reel Escapes trips are priced per group, not per person. For a group, the price covers the whole boat, which makes the comparison simpler.
Budget comes third. If you are staying on the Kona side and want to keep costs down, the Private Fishing Charters from Kona Sea Sports Inc start at $850 per group.
Private Fishing Charters
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Experience level matters too. The In-Shore trip includes a guide and premium rods, reels and light tackle, so you do not need gear of your own.
How much does it cost, and what is included?
If budget comes first, start with the In-Shore trip, which is from $399. After that, compare what the higher-priced trips include.
| Tour | Operator | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| Private Big Game Fishing Charter | Hilo Ocean Adventures | $799 for the group |
| Private Fishing Charters | Kona Sea Sports Inc | $850 for the group |
| Maggie Joe Private Fishing Charter | Ku'uipo Deep Sea Charter | $1,109.36 for the group |
| Six Hour Charter | Kona Cowboy Sport Fishing | $1,150 for the group |
| Private Fishing Charters | Lei'n Low Sportfishing | $1,400 for the group |
| 8 Hour Fishing Escape 40' Cabo | Reel Escapes | $1,595 for the group |
A higher price buys more gear and more boat. The Reel Escapes trip includes rods, reels and tackle, lures, catch cleaning and filleting, and cold bottled water. The Lei'n Low Private Fishing Charters costs $1,400 per group and includes a 43-foot Viking, a Simrad SY50 Omni system, premium rods, reels and tackle, shaded seating and an onboard restroom.
Private Fishing Charters
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The Kona Cowboy Sport Fishing Six Hour Charter costs $1,150 per group. Six Hour Charter from Kona Cowboy Sport Fishing includes a fishing license, tackle and bait, fish cleaning and packaging, complimentary photos and video, and a cooler with ice. The Maggie Joe Private Fishing Charter costs $1,109.36 per group and includes fishing tackle and gear.
Six Hour Charter
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Maggie Joe Private Fishing Charter
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Food is the one gap to note on the In-Shore trip. Kona In-Shore Fishing from Kona Shore Divers' food and drink is drinks only.
Kona In-Shore Fishing
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What should you expect: how long it lasts and where it starts?
The In-Shore trip lasts 3 hours and departs from Kailua Pier in Kailua-Kona. Kona In-Shore Fishing from Kona Shore Divers is meeting point only, so plan your own way to the pier. The Six Hour Charter lasts 6 hours and is based in Kailua-Kona.
The Maggie Joe charter departs at 6:30am from Slip 31 at 74-380 Kealakehe Pkwy in Kailua Kona. Get to the slip early, since the boat leaves at that set time. The Lei'n Low charter meets at Honokohau Harbor in Kailua Kona. The Reel Escapes trip meets at a dock, and its exact location is given closer to the trip date. The Hilo Ocean Adventures charter meets on Kamehameha Ave in Hilo.
Who does it suit, and who should skip it?
The In-Shore trip is guided and rated Easy by its operator. At 3 hours, it suits a short outing.
If anyone in your group is under 12, skip the Hilo Ocean Adventures charter, since its minimum age is 12 years.
A private charter suits a group that wants its own boat and crew, since the price is set for the whole group. The 8-hour trip suits a group that can give a full day to fishing. If your time on the island is short, the 3-hour In-Shore trip fits.
What are the tours to book?
Pick by trip length first, then by budget. These are the tours we list, with the price or duration each one gives.
- Private Fishing Charters from Lei'n Low Sportfishing: from $1,400 per group, on a 43-foot Viking.
- Spearfishing from Kona Honu Divers: from $399, for guests 16 and older.
- Private Big Game Fishing Charter from Hilo Ocean Adventures: from $799 per group, leaving from Hilo.
How do booking, cancellation and weather work?
The Hilo Ocean Adventures charter offers a full refund or gift card if you cancel 30 days in advance. The Kona Honu Divers spearfishing trip offers a full refund if you cancel up to 72 hours in advance. The Kona Cowboy Six Hour Charter gives a full refund or credit with 24 hours notice.
The Private Fishing Charters from Kona Sea Sports Inc give a full refund or credit with 48 hours notice from the Private Fishing Charters departure time. The Lei'n Low charter gives a full refund or credit with 24 hours notice. The Kona Shore Divers In-Shore trip has a 48-hour cancellation window.
If your dates may shift, the Hilo charter's 30-day window is the one to know about.
Frequently asked questions
What can you catch deep sea fishing in Hawaii?
Most of the tours here are boat charters, so the catch depends on the trip and the day. The Kona Honu Divers spearfishing trip is tagged Free Diving. It is a dive trip, not a boat charter, so plan for it differently.
Do you need a fishing license to go spear fishing in Hawaii?
The Kona Cowboy Six Hour Charter includes a fishing license. The Kona Honu Divers spearfishing trip is open to guests 16 and older.
How much does deep sea fishing in Kona Hawaii cost?
The Kona In-Shore Fishing trip from Kona Shore Divers starts at $399.
How long does deep sea fishing in Kona Hawaii take?
The In-Shore trip runs 3 hours, and the Reel Escapes trip runs 8 hours. The Six Hour Charter from Kona Cowboy Sport Fishing runs 6 hours.
