Private Charter

The trip includes a captain and a snorkel guide, along with all rental snorkel gear and fins for every participant, so there is no need to bring equipment. Scuba diving is available as an add-on for an additional fee. Guests should bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a camera. This charter suits travelers who want a flexible, private experience rather than a shared public trip. The itinerary is open enough that groups can shape the outing around their interests. Time on the water can be extended if the group wants to stay out longer, with additional fees applying. Because the trip is weather dependent, conditions on the day may affect what is possible. Guests should plan accordingly and check in with the operator if conditions look uncertain before departure.

Whale Watch Adventure

From December through April, these whales migrate from their feeding grounds in Southeastern Alaska. Humpback calves are born without the blubber needed to survive cold Alaskan waters, so the whales seek out warmer breeding waters to raise their young. On the water, the boat is equipped with hydrophones, allowing passengers to listen to the whales as well as watch them. The Kona Ocean Adventures crew shares detailed knowledge about Humpback behavior, including how the whales play, court, and teach their calves. The tour is rated easy, so it suits travelers who are not looking for a physically demanding outing. Because conditions on the ocean can change, the tour is weather dependent. Travelers should keep that in mind when planning their visit to make sure the experience fits their schedule.

Majestic Manta Rays Snorkel/ 1-Tank Scuba Dive Adventure

This tour takes snorkelers and scuba divers out to a manta ray site off the Kona Coast on an evening boat trip run by Kona Ocean Adventures. Spotlights attract plankton, which in turn draws manta rays to the area. Guests float on a custom platform at the surface and watch the rays glide, spin, and somersault just beneath them. Check-in takes place at Honokohau small boat harbor before departure. The tour is weather dependent, so conditions on the water may affect whether it runs. If the minimum passenger count is not met, guests are rescheduled to another time or offered a full refund. Arriving at the harbor with enough time to check in and get settled before the boat departs helps the trip run smoothly for everyone on board.

Kealakekua/Captain Cook Adventure

This trip with Kona Ocean Adventures travels by boat to Kealakekua Bay, a sheltered cove on the Big Island's coast. A naturalist captain leads the outing, sharing Hawaiian folklore, island geology and history along the way. Once at the bay, guests snorkel among coral gardens and tropical fish, with the chance to explore sea caves and lava tubes nearby. Lunch is provided and includes fresh-cut local fruit, snacks and sandwiches. The tour is weather dependent, so conditions on the day may affect operations. Wear a swimsuit at check-in and bring a towel or hat and sunscreen. Private charter departure times are arranged by request. Children are welcome from a young age, and the schedule runs daily with a morning or midday check-in option.

Morning 2-Tank Scuba Dive

Divers board a boat and head to offshore sites where the listing describes warm waters and the possibility of encountering sea turtles, dolphins, manta rays, octopus, eels, scorpion fish, frog fish, leaf fish, nudibranchs, caves, and coral. The tour runs daily, with a morning departure and an afternoon option as well, so divers can choose the slot that fits their schedule. Private charters allow check-in times to be adjusted based on request. No hotel pickup is provided, so divers need their own transportation to the harbor. No food or drinks are included, so bringing snacks and water is a good idea. The tour is weather dependent, meaning departures can be affected by conditions on the day. Checking in at Honokohau small boat harbor at the scheduled time is required to join the dive.

Exclusive Sunset Cruise

The Exclusive Sunset Cruise departs from the Kailua-Kona coast aboard a comfortable, modern boat equipped with marine bathrooms. The crew travels along the coast and shares the history of the island while guests enjoy fresh fruits, pupus (appetizers), locally-made chocolates, juices, local beer, and wine. The cruise suits couples on a honeymoon or romantic getaway, families marking a reunion, or any group celebrating a special occasion. A private charter option is also available, featuring white tablecloth service and a menu created by the chef using organic local produce. Guests interested in that experience can contact Kona Ocean Adventures directly for details. The tour is weather dependent, so conditions on the day of travel may affect departure. Bringing a camera, a light jacket, and sunscreen is recommended. The crew is knowledgeable about the region and its wildlife and is there to make the outing enjoyable for everyone on board.

Afternoon Reef & Manta Snorkel/2-Tank Scuba Adventure

This afternoon trip with Kona Ocean Adventures departs from Honokohau small boat harbor and combines reef exploration with a manta ray encounter. The first dive or snorkel takes place over coral reef, where participants may spot sea turtles, dolphins, octopus, eels, caves, scorpion fish, frog fish, leaf fish and nudibranchs. The second portion of the trip focuses on snorkeling or diving alongside giant manta rays, an experience National Geographic has recognized as a leading dive. The tour suits both scuba divers and snorkelers. Divers who want a reef refresher before a night dive will find it a practical fit, and snorkelers can use it as an introduction to the Kona reef before an evening on the water. Check-in takes place at Honokohau small boat harbor, with the exact time varying by sunset. Hotel pickup is not included, so arranging independent transportation to the harbor is necessary. Private charter options are available with flexible departure arrangements.

Discovery Scuba

Kona Ocean Adventures runs this 4-hour program for anyone curious about exploring beneath the surface of some of the world's most spectacular diving waters. Kona's warm waters and perfect visibility create ideal conditions for your first underwater adventure. The underwater environment here opens up encounters with an incredible variety of marine life: giant sea turtles glide past, dolphins, and manta rays. You might spot an octopus changing colors among the coral, or discover the diverse ecosystem's hidden treasures-caves harboring eels, well-camouflaged scorpion fish, peculiar frog fish, delicate leaf fish, and vibrant nudibranchs decorating the beautiful coral formations. PADI, SSI, and SDI certified staff know how to work with divers at every level, from complete newcomers to those considering certification. The Discover Diver program lets you safely experience scuba diving under expert supervision, with experienced instructors ensuring you feel comfortable and confident as you explore Kona's underwater landscape. During the 4-hour adventure, you'll have time to learn and enjoy your underwater exploration. This represents a rare chance to experience scuba diving without any prior certification requirements. Professional instruction from certified dive professionals prioritizes your safety while maximizing every moment of your underwater journey. Not certified? No problem-with the Discover Diver program you can scuba today.

Scuba Instruction: Padi E-learning Code

Late Night Majestic Manta Ray Snorkel

This evening boat tour from Honokohau small boat harbor heads to a spot where manta rays gather to feed on plankton. Snorkelers float on the board and watch the rays glide, spin, and somersault below them. The operator states that manta rays are completely harmless. The Manta Moonlight option takes guests out over dark water while the moon rises over Hualalai, lighting the path to the manta site. A separate Sunset Manta Snorkel option departs just before sunset and combines snorkelers with scuba divers on the same boat. Both options check in at Honokohau small boat harbor. There is no hotel pickup, so participants need to arrange their own transportation to the harbor. The tour is weather dependent, so conditions on a given night can affect whether it goes out.

1-Tank Pelagic Black Water Night Dive

Dive lights attract microscopic zooplankton, which in turn draws in small open-ocean creatures such as jellyfish and squid. The experience of hanging suspended in the blackness of the Pacific, watching what drifts through the beam, is the focus of the trip. This dive is suited to experienced, self-reliant divers with strong buoyancy control. Participants must hold a logged dive history, have been in the water recently, and be in good health with no heart conditions. The dive is conducted in English, though a translator can be arranged for an added fee. Bring swimwear and a towel, as no food or drinks are provided. The tour runs on selected evenings each week and is subject to weather conditions, so plans can change. Check-in is at Honokohau Small Boat Harbor before the evening departure.