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Adventure Paradise

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EMAIL ADDRESS

adventuresinparadiseinc@gmail.com

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PHONE NUMBER

808-447-0080
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LOCATION

Kailua-Kona Hawaii
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Adventures In Paradise Snorkel Tours

Kona’s Best
Snorkeling Tours

Kona’s Most Popular Kayak & Snorkeling Tours on the Big Island of Hawaii.

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Deluxe Kayak and Snorkel tour FAQ

The trip is for about 2.5 hours: Wear a hat, sunglasses, long sleeve shirt or cover up is recommended, reef-safe sunscreen, reef or tennis shoes & swim suit. (Flip flop sandals are a poor choice since the landing area is rocky). Small towels are good to bring but there is not much room in the kayak storage bag and towels often get wet on the trip across.

 

Also, bring a waterproof camera and tip for the guide.

 

If you bring electronics (electronic keys or phone), we recommend bringing a waterproof bag or container (dry bag) – We do not provide waterproof bags or storage for your belongings during the trip. Our kayaks are designed for stability but it is common for kayakers of all experience levels to capsize.. Wet hands after snorkeling or swimming can also be a problem for electronics.

 

We provide snacks and drinks – We offer a selection of granola bars, chips and bottled water. Electronics should be left in your car unless they are waterproof or you have brought a waterproof bag to protect them. There is very limited storage in the bags we provide on board the kayaks and they are neither waterproof nor water resistant bags.

The air temperature is comfortable with typical 85 degree F and water temperature about 80 degree F . Typical water clarity is 100′ visibility.

Yes, There are restrooms near the Napoopoo Pier, at the end of Puuhonua Road in the State Park that must be used before paddling and can be used after your trip’s return. We also carry a self contained head or bucket for guest’s emergency use while we are in Kealakekua Bay. While this is available we do not recommend reliance on the bucket, so all guests should take care to use the restrooms at Napoopoo Pier area before departing on their kayak trip.

Gratuity is not included in the tour price. As a guideline we have found the average tip to be $12 to $20 per person. Guides work hard for you during this trip and tips are appreciated and an important part of their compensation. Please bring cash and give to guides at the end of your trip.

If you typically get seasick when on the water/ocean we suggest seasickness medicine taken at least two hours before your trip. But most people find they do not get seasickness due to the type of movement in kayaks.

Since we land our kayaks and go ashore near the Captain Cook Monument, we enjoy the cooling shade of the nearby kiawe trees while resting, snacking and snorkeling at the Captain Cook Monument. Those who kayak without our special landing permit do not enjoy this benefit.

Typically the Hawaiian Spinner dolphins are seen alone or in pods on about 70% of our trips. We observe them from a distance and follow “best practices” in an effort to provide the dolphins with a safe and undisturbed home. The dolphins are seen in the bay throughout the year.

 

We see whales about 20% of trips between the months of January and March. We also see beautiful coral gardens, tropical fish, eels, turtles and eagle rays throughout the year.

If you have food allergies or preferences we recommend bringing food with you. We DO serve granola bars, fig bars, trail mix (nuts), chips and bottled water. No meats or cheeses.

 

Please remember to wrap any food you bring in a waterproof container. We do not carry dry bags for guests and our storage on the kayaks are NOT waterproof and very limited in size.

Please open google maps and get directions to Kealakekua Bay and it will show directions and drive time from your current location.

 

Rough estimates on travel time to Kealakekua Bay from:

Waikoloa Resorts – 90 minutes

Waikoloa Village 100 minutes

Four Seasons 80 minutes

Hilo/Volcano 120 minutes

Waimea: 110 minutes

Kailua Kona 45 Minutes

Pahoa 120 minutes

 

For most accurate travel times use google maps and get directions to Napoopoo Pier from your location.

We operate on 98% of our reserved tour dates and we operate rain or shine. Days starting rainy and wet often turn sunny and warm allowing guests to enjoy kayaking and snorkeling even on days threatening rain the day before or the morning of the trip. We also operate in mild to moderate surf conditions. Since we cannot accurately predict surf conditions from day to day, or from area to area on the island, we make the decision to cancel a trip on site on the day of the trip, not the day before.

 

We are happy to report sunny skies and calm waters are common on the west side of the Big Island – so we cancel less than 20 tours a year due to bad weather. If the Tour Guide feels the weather will affect the safety of our guests, then they will cancel the tour and guests can reschedule their tour or receive a full refund. .. Tropical weather is known for quickly passing rain showers and changing weather conditions – because of this our Tour Guides address weather concerns on the day of the cruise, so even if there is light rain the tour will still go out. Please come to the tour site even if it is raining where you may be.

Recommended you wear closed toe shoes, not slippers or flip flops that could fall off while you walk to shore from the water.. Water shoes of any kind are great – as are tennis shoes. Barefoot is not a good idea in the area we travel.

A small waterproof camera is recommended or your cell phone. Since most cell phones are not really waterproof you would need to purchase a waterproof bag to carry the cell phone.

Kealakekua Bay is where you find the Captain Cook monument and you will land our kayaks near the Monument and snorkel from shore at the Captain Cook Monument. Our tour allows us to land near and snorkel from Captain Cook Monument, due to limited state parks permits we hold.

Yes, lead guides take lifeguard, 1st aid and emergency response courses.

Yes. We have special state park permits that allow a few kayak tours to land kayaks near Captain Cook Monument. Without our permit you would be required to exit your boat and reenter from deep water, which is similar to performing a kayak rescue. It is much easier and less traumatic landing kayaks from the shore than from the water! In order to protect the coral reef and the safety of our guests – no one is permitted to touch the ocean bottom except at our coral free zone at Kaawaloa Cove.

This is the ocean, an area that sharks do live. But the common fish we see on the reef are the small tropical fish found in aquariums, not larger pelagic fish or sharks.

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Manta Ray Night Snorkel FAQ

Manta Rays appear for our tours roughly 90% of the time. If you do not see at least 1 manta ray, we will offer you a free trip on any tour with availability.
Manta Rays eat microscopic plankton.

No, They do not have barbs or stingers.

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Small Group Captain Cook Snorkel Cruise FAQ

Yes, Captain Cook Snorkeling Tours are an excellent choice for cruise ship passengers. We are only a 10-20 minute Uber ride from the cruise ship port to our boat harbor locations, leaving you ample time return from the snorkeling tour by 2pm to the cruise ship Kona port. The Night Manta Ray trip does not begin until after the cruise ship typically leaves port, so the Night Manta Ray trip is not a good option for cruise ship passengers unless the cruise ship is staying overnight in Kona
Tours starting in the late morning (10am) are the most popular and generally have more sun. But early afternoon trips have similar sea conditions, wind, and surf as the earlier trips. Our 10am departure is the ideal time to snorkel Kealakekua Bay and Capt. Cook Monument. The coral gardens, colorful tropical fish and dolphins are ideally seen between 10am and 2pm. Spinner dolphins, turtles and colorful tropical fish are seen throughout the day and no particular time is better.
A pair of sandals is ideal to walk to the boat.
Yes. Our boats have a dry storage area for guests with cameras, cell phones, and keys.
Arrive wearing your sandals, bathing suit, long-sleeve shirt, coverup, small towel and hat. Bring sunglasses, Dramamine (if you get sick on boats), cell phones, & camera.
Yes, all our snorkel trips travel to Captain Cook Monument for snorkeling. The one exception is the Night Manta Ray Tour which starts and ends within Keauhou Bay – just a 5 minute boat ride.
Yes, probably. Dolphins inhabit the Kealakekua Bay area year-round and we often see them when we arrive each morning. Hawaii State Law prevents being closer than 50 yards but vieweing them is still an exciting part of our trips. We see dolphins on over 50% of our trips and humpback whales are seen between December and February each year. Turtles are frequently seen leaving harbor and flying fish are also common sights on our cruises.
You may bring a waterproof bag if you plan to use your cell phone in the water to take underwater photos but since the boat has dry storage areas for small guest items, there is no need for a dry bag. Leave valuables locked in your car trunk, there will be a dry place to leave keys, phones, and cameras on the boat. Please use a small backpack size tote for bringing car keys, small towel, phone, etc. Avoid coolers, baby strollers, etc on our trips.
Yes, first aid is available as well as oxygen and a defibrillator. Guests are never more than a 1/3 mile offshore and always within 30 minutes of a safe harbor in case of emergencies
90% of our scheduled cruises operate without weather cancellations. The Kona coast is a lee shore and we are protected from strong trade winds by two large mountains, making the Kona coast ideal for ocean and bay snorkeling
No. The Kealakekua Bay is a Historic State Park and Marine Sanctuary and we operate under their regulations. Going ashore at the Captain Cook Monument would require you to stand and walk over the coral reef which is protected under State Law. For purposes of protecting this amazing coral reef we provide instruction on where to snorkel and where to avoid. While on the boat you will see the Captain Cook Monument and the cove where he died no more than 50’ away.
We recommend booking reservations for our snorkeling cruises when making hotel and car reservations for your vacation or business trip.
No. 95% of our guests do not suffer sea sickness. But if you know you frequently get sick – whenever you board a boat, you may be part of that 5% of guests who get sick. We don’t see much sea sickness for numerous reasons: 1) We are on the calmer side of the island, protected from the trade winds 2). It’s a short boat ride and generally even sensitive guests will take 30-40 minutes before they begin to feel sick. 3) We travel to a calm bay where you can recover from queasy feelings and enjoy the snorkeling.
Guests can either slip off the side of a pontoon or climb down a ladder, or step off the side of the boat to enter the snorkeling area. Ladders are available for reentering the boat
Public bathrooms are available at both our launch locations when departing and returning to dock. After snorkeling guests can use our emergency facilities at the bay on the boat or wait to use public restrooms back at dock
We recommend everyone bringing a hat, sunblock for your face and long-sleeve shirt on our trips to avoid sunburn. Kona weather is very warm in the summer and winter, but you will cool while the boat is underway and the 80 degree water temperature will be refreshing when snorkeling
Please refer to your confirmation email to find your departure spot.

Honokohau Harbor

205 Kealakehe Parkway
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
We depart from Honokohau Harbor, just 10 minutes north of downtown Kona. Please meet us at the red roof restrooms for check-in.

Tours that meet here:

  • Deluxe Captain Cook Snorkeling Cruise
    (We are approximately 5 minutes from downtown Kona)

Keauhou Bay

78-7156 Kaleiopapa St.
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
(Keauhou Harbor)

Tours that meet here:

  • Manta Ray Night Snorkel
  • Captain Cook Dolphin & Snorkel Tour (Small Group)

Kayak tours Kealakekua Bay at Napo’opo’o Pier

82-6038 Puuhonua Road
Captain Cook, HI 96704

We are at the intersection of Napoopoo Rd. & Beach Rd. Captain Cook, HI. Meet us on Napoopoo pier, kayak tours behind the yellow gate at the intersection of Napoopoo and Beach Rd. Parking is one block from Napoopoo Pier, at the end of Beach Road then walk back to Napoopoo Pier to meet us.

Tours that meet here:

  • Kealakekua Bay Kayak and Snorkel Tour.
Daytime tours: Bring a camera, towel, sunscreen (applied while waiting at the restrooms), sunglasses, hat and coverup. Bring as little as possible. Evening Manta Trip: bring a towel and coverup.
Yes, you may purchase a ticket and ride along. Every person on the boat needs a ticket, regardless of whether they are getting in the water.
We offer a full refund if we cancel due to dangerous sea conditions or under-booked trips. We do not offer refunds for customer cancellations, as we guarantee holding guest seats until departure time.
All tours and activities meet 30 minutes before the published departure time.

Deluxe Kayak & Snorkel Tour : ages 8-68
MANTA RAY NIGHT SNORKEL TOUR :  ages 7-73
Captain Cook Snorkeling and boat Cruise  : ages 3-73

If you can swim 25 yards, you can safely join any of our tours.

Captain Cook Snorkeling Tour: non-swimmers may enter the water only if lifejacket worn and stay within 10 yards of the boat.

MANTA RAY NIGHT SNORKEL TOUR: You may enter water only with lifejacket worn and must stay at light board at all times.

Private Captain Cook Snorkeling Charter: non-swimmers may enter the water only if lifejacket worn and stay within 10 yards of the boat.

We provide snacks, cold drinks, and chips. Granola bars, fig bars and trail mix are commonly served along with bottled water and tropical flavored canned drinks. If you wish to bring additional snacks or a sandwich – you are welcome to bring them along
Kealakekua Bay is a spinner dolphin habitat year round. We see dolphins on about 50% of our trips to Kealakekua Bay and Captain Cook monument.. Humpback whales migrate to Hawaii annually from Alaska and are seen here with calves and escorts from December to February.
No. All minors must be accompanied by their parents or guardians on the boat. Minors of any age must also be accompanied in the water with their guardian.
No. We have 4 steps leading into the boat, then 2 steps down from the bow deck to the main deck. There is also a 5 step ladder returning back to the main deck after snorkeling. We require all guests to have sufficient strength and mobility to enter and exit the deck areas without assistance from others. If guests are uncertain about their strength or mobility it would be advisable to select an easier boat to board.
Snorkeling is learned quickly to anyone who already is a good swimmer and simple instructions from our guides on how to use a mask and fins will have you snorkeling. Swimming is not learned in a day. When you tell us you don’t swim but you want to enter the water, we will fit you with a lifejacket. We will monitor your comfort in the water and if comfortable and capable to navigate with flotation provided, then ask you to stay near the vessel while snorkeling.

Yes, feel free to bring your own snorkel gear and fins or use whatever equipment we provide to add to whatever equipment you brought to use.

There is no discount for bringing your own snorkel gear.

Yes.
Snorkeling time is dependent on many factors but in general we are at Kealakekua Bay over 75 minutes. If you get into the water right away you could have75+ minutes or you might have less if you spend tine enjoy the sights, watching dolphins and tropic birds in the cliffs, or listening to history of the area
All adults pay the regular Adult price whether snorkeling or not.
No. It is rare to see sharks when snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay and Captain Cook Monument. Of much bigger concern for your safety is being over tired or stepping on a sea urchin. Both are rare and have little impact on your day, but these are common problems we face every week.

Our snorkel boats tours are all small group. Unlike many Kona snorkel boat trips that take 49 to 99 passengers our trips are under 13 passengers.

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FAQs

Snorkel Tours

Each snorkeling activity departs from a different location. Check below or refer to your confirmation email to find your departure spot.

Honokohau Harbor

205 Kealakehe Parkway
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
We depart from Honokohau Harbor, just 10 minutes north of downtown Kona. Please meet us near the public boat ramp, between Slips G and H. Look for our check-in sign by the dock entrance. Parking is available inside the harbor—follow signs for public parking.

Tours that meet here:

  • Deluxe Captain Cook Snorkeling Cruise
    (We are approximately 5 minutes from downtown Kona)

Keauhou Bay

78-7156 Kaleiopapa St.
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
(Keauhou Harbor)

Tours that meet here:

  • Manta Ray Night Snorkel
  • Captain Cook Dolphin & Snorkel Tour (Small Group)

Kealakekua Bay at Napo’opo’o Pier

82-6038 Puuhonua Road
Captain Cook, HI 96704
We are at the intersection of Napoopoo Rd. & Beach Rd. Captain Cook, HI. Meet us on Napoopoo pier, behind the yellow gate at the intersection of Napoopoo and Beach Rd. Parking is one block from Napoopoo Pier, at the end of Beach Road then walk back to Napoopoo Pier to meet us.

Tours that meet here:

  • Kealakekua Bay Kayak and Snorkel Tour.
Daytime tours: Bring a camera, towel, sunscreen (applied while waiting at the restrooms), sunglasses, hat and coverup. Bring as little as possible. Evening Manta Trip: bring a towel and coverup.
Yes, you may purchase a ticket and ride along. Every person on the boat needs a ticket, regardless of whether they are getting in the water.
We offer a full refund if we cancel due to dangerous sea conditions or under-booked trips. We do not offer refunds for customer cancellations, as we guarantee holding guest seats until departure time.
All tours and activities meet 30 minutes before the published departure time.

Deluxe Captain Cook Snorkeling Cruise: Ages 1-78
Manta Ray Night Snorkel: Ages 7-73
Captain Cook Dolphin & Snorkel: Ages 3-73

If you can swim 25 yards, you can safely join any of our tours.

Deluxe Captain Cook Snorkeling Cruise: non-swimmers may enter the water only if lifejacket worn and stay within 10 yards of the boat.

Manta Ray Tour: You may enter water only with lifejacket worn and must stay at light board at all times.

Captain Cook Dolphin & Snorkel Tour: non-swimmers may enter the water only if lifejacket worn and stay within 10 yards of the boat.

Manta Ray Night Snorkel

Manta Rays appear for our tours roughly 90% of the time. If you do not see at least 1 manta ray, we will offer you a free trip on any tour with availability.

Manta Rays eat microscopic plankton.
No, They do not have barbs or stingers.