Afternoon Snorkel Tour — World Famous Captain Cook Monument at Kealakekua Bay
Sea Paradise Hawaii’s Afternoon Snorkel Tour has departed Keauhou Bay daily since 1985 — sailing at 2:00 PM aboard the Hoku Nui, a 50-foot luxury sailing catamaran spaciously designed for 49 guests, heading south to the World Famous Captain Cook Monument at Kealakekua Bay. The tour returns by approximately 5:00 PM. Light snacks, a full bar, and all snorkel gear are included or available onboard. Confident swimmers of all experience levels are welcome.
Quick Details — Afternoon Snorkel Tour
Quick Details
Confident swimmers and beginner snorkelers welcome. Reef-safe mineral sunscreen required (no oxybenzone/octinoxate) provided onboard. Alcoholic beverages available for additional purchase onboard. Wildlife appearances are not guaranteed. Gratuity not included.
What to Expect
The afternoon tour is for guests that are not in a rush to hop on an early snorkel tour to the World Famous Captain Cook Monument at Kealakekua Bay. It’s a perfect time to depart Keauhou Bay and enjoy the wind in your sails. After snorkeling with vibrant marine life in the pristine waters of the bay and visiting the monument you will enjoy Kona’s golden hour. As trade winds pick up, the coastline glows warm, and the Pacific trade winds settle into the sails – it is one of the most enjoyable moments on the Big Island. A handcrafted cocktail or mocktail relaxing in hand as you keep a watchful eye for more sea life on your return sail is what this tour was designed for.
Check in
1:45 PM — Keauhou Bay finger pier
Sail south
Spinner dolphins may be spotted year-round · Humpback whales may be spotted December through April
Snorkel
World Famous Captain Cook Monument at Kealakekua Bay — pristine snorkeling: coral, reef fish
Return
Local brews, wine, handcrafted cocktails, curated mocktails available for purchase after your snorkel adventure.
Your crew includes a marine naturalist who leads a reef briefing — covering Hawaiian reef ecology, the cultural significance of Kealakekua Bay, and responsible snorkeling practice. Guests explore coral gardens and tropical reef fish at the World Famous Captain Cook Monument at Kealakekua Bay, and may spot Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) from the boat. Light snacks are served aboard, and the full bar makes the return sail the most relaxed hour of your day.
Swimming and water safety: For the safety of all guests, the captain and crew may reserve the right to remove a guest from the water, if they determine the guest’s swimming ability or current conditions pose a safety risk. All guests must follow Captain and crew instructions while participating in water activities.
Tour Pricing
Adult
13 and older-
light snacks (pupus)
-
Non-alcoholic beverages
-
Snorkel mask, snorkel & fins
-
Flotation devices
-
Marine naturalist reef briefing
-
Shaded seating, 2 restrooms, freshwater rinse on deck, 2 wide staircases for easier water entry
Child
6 – 12 years-
light snacks (pupus)
-
Non-alcoholic beverages
-
Snorkel mask, snorkel & fins
-
Flotation devices
-
Marine naturalist reef briefing
-
Shaded seating, 2 restrooms, freshwater rinse on deck, 2 wide staircases for easier water entry
Toddler
5 and under-
light snacks (pupus)
-
Non-alcoholic beverages
-
Snorkel mask, snorkel & fins
-
Flotation devices
-
Marine naturalist reef briefing
-
Shaded seating, 2 restrooms, freshwater rinse on deck, 2 wide staircases for easier water entry
Gratuity is not included but is greatly appreciated.
Sea Paradise's 50-Foot Sailing Catamaran
The Hoku Nui — Hawaiian for “Big Star” — is a 50-foot luxury sailing catamaran spaciously designed for guest comfort. Expansive deck space, 2 wide staircases for easier water access, 2 oversized restrooms/changing rooms, 2 freshwater showers, full bar, lots of shaded luxury seating, full 360 degree ocean view, and a more relaxed atmosphere from departure to return.
49 Guests
Spaciously designed for 49 guests
50 ft
Twin-hull Sailing Catamaran
40+ yrs
Sailing the Kona Coastline
Our catamaran’s wide twin-hull open design provides a comfortable and stable experience on the ocean, dramatically reducing the rolling motion that causes sea sickness. Guests who are typically sensitive on the water consistently report a comfortable experience aboard the Hoku Nui. The wide beam delivers more usable deck space: shaded seating, two oversized restrooms/changing rooms, a full galley, bar service, two freshwater rinse stations, and two wide staircases for easier water entry.
Our USCG licensed captains aboard the Hoku Nui have extensive knowledge of the Kona Coast’s currents, reefs, and conditions and bring years of hands-on Kona ocean knowledge to every departure.
GETTING THERE & WHAT TO BRING
LOCATION & PARKING
Keauhou Bay, end of Kaleiopapa St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740. Limited pier parking. Free parking along Kaleiopapa St. Please check in with crew wearing blue shirts 15 minutes prior to departure at the end of the pier. Allow 3–5 minutes to walk to the boat.
CHECK-IN & BOARDING
Check in at the end of the finger pier at Keauhou Bay — do not check in at any buildings. Look for crew in blue shirts at 1:45 PM. Sign digital waivers in advance in your confirmation email.
VESSEL & FACILITIES
Hoku Nui is a 50-ft sailing catamaran, 2 oversized restrooms/changing rooms, shaded seating, galley, full bar, 2 freshwater showers, and 2 wide staircases for easier water entry. We are a shoe-less vessel.
HEALTH & SWIMMERS
All snorkeling guests must be confident swimmers. Non-swimmers may not enter the water on any tours. Review health guidelines at seaparadise.com/medical/ before booking. All guests sign a release form before boarding.
What to bring
- Swimsuit & cover-up
- Towel
- Reef-safe sunscreen (provided onboard)
- Sunglasses & hat
- Light jacket — cooler on the return sail
- Camera —or Go Pro Rental Option
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Morning Snorkel Tour departs at 8:30 AM and typically offers calmer seas, as
trade winds are lighter in the early hours. It includes breakfast and lunch and
runs about 4.5 hours. Conditions permitting, it also stops to snorkel the Red Hill
Area.
The Afternoon Snorkel Tour departs at 2:00 PM, when the trade winds pick up and
make for a better sail on the way to the bay. It includes light snacks (pupus) and
runs about 3 hours. It sails past the Red Hill Area but does not stop to snorkel
there.
Both tours snorkel at the World Famous Captain Cook Monument at Kealakekua Bay and
are unforgettable adventures you won’t want to miss.
Yes. Local beers, wine, handcrafted cocktails, and curated mocktails are available for purchase onboard after your snorkel adventure. Light snacks (pupus) and non-alcoholic beverages are included with every ticket. As you sail back with a cold drink in your hand this is one of the signature experiences of the afternoon tour.
Kealakekua Bay is a protected Marine Life Conservation District with exceptional water clarity and rich biodiversity.
The World Famous Captain Cook Monument at Kealakekua Bay stands at the north end
of the snorkel area.
Guests may see spinner dolphins, spotted eagle rays, reef fish, octopus,
humuhumunukunukuapua’a (the Hawaiian reef triggerfish and Hawaii’s state fish),
Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu), and occasionally small whitetip reef sharks
under lava ledges. Humpback whales may be seen from the boat on the sail between
December and April.
Yes. The Afternoon Snorkel Tour is family-friendly for all confident swimmers. Children must be able to swim independently and follow crew directions in open ocean. The crew provides flotation devices and a full snorkeling orientation before entering the water. Children must wear life jackets. The crew does not teach swimming onboard.
Afternoon trade winds along the Kona Coast can build slightly more surface chop than in the morning. However, the Hoku Nui’s twin-hull catamaran design significantly reduces rolling and rocking compared to single-hull or rigid-hull vessels, making it one of the most comfortable tour boats on the Kona Coast. If you are highly sensitive to motion, the morning tour in calmer conditions may be preferable for the sail to the bay. Snorkeling at the World Famous Captain Cook Monument at Kealakekua Bay is typically well protected from windy conditions.
All snorkeling participants must be confident swimmers. Sea Paradise recommends reviewing the health guidelines at https://seaparadise.com/medical/ before booking. Guests who answer yes to any question on the medical questionnaire must seek physician approval before participating. All guests sign a release form prior to boarding.
