Morning Snorkel Tour — Kealakekua Bay
Sea Paradise Hawaii’s Morning Snorkel Tour has departed Keauhou Bay daily since 1985, sailing at 8:30 AM aboard the Hoku Nui, a 50-foot luxury sailing catamaran spaciously designed for 49 guests. The tour sails south to Kealakekua Bay, one of the most pristine Marine Life Conservation Districts in the Hawaiian Islands, and returns by approximately 1:00 PM. Tropical breakfast and deli style lunch buffet, all snorkel gear, and a marine naturalist briefing are included. Confident swimmers of all experience levels are welcome.
Quick Details — Morning Snorkel Tour
Quick Details
Enjoy breakfast with us and spend the afternoon at the pool or shopping. Wildlife often appears but is not guaranteed. Reef-safe mineral sunscreen required, no oxybenzone/octinoxate, provided onboard. Gratuity not included.
What to Expect
Mornings often provide the best snorkeling conditions along the Kona Coast. Trade winds are lighter, seas are calmer, and underwater visibility is pristine. Sea Paradise has sailed this coastline since 1985 creating unforgettable experiences for guests from around the world.
Check in
8:15 AM — Keauhou Bay finger pier, crew in blue shirts.
Reef briefing
Marine naturalist covers ecology, culture & reef etiquette on the sail
Snorkel
Kealakekua Bay — coral gardens, turtles, reef fish, dolphins, lava tubes, Captain Cook Monument
Return
Back at Keauhou Bay by approximately 1:00 PM
Your crew includes a marine naturalist who leads a reef briefing as you sail south into the bay — covering Hawaiian reef ecology, the cultural significance of Kealakekua Bay, and responsible snorkeling practices. In the water, guests explore vibrant coral gardens, tropical reef fish, spinner dolphins, Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu), spotted eagle rays, and the historic World Famous Captain Cook Monument. Exiting the bay, we set sail for “Red Hill”. (weather permitting) The Red Hill area is home to unique underwater formations such as archways and lava tubes, and more snorkeling with vibrant sea life. Tropical breakfast, deli-style lunch buffet, and refreshments are served aboard the Hoku Nui throughout the tour. Local brews, wine, handcrafted cocktails and curated mocktails are available for purchase after your snorkeling adventure.
Tour Pricing
Adult
13 and older-
Tropical breakfast buffet & lunch buffet
-
Non-alcoholic beverages
-
Snorkel mask, snorkel & fins
-
Flotation devices
-
Marine naturalist reef briefing
-
Shaded seating, 2 restrooms, freshwater showers
Child
6 – 12 years-
Tropical breakfast & lunch buffet
-
Non-alcoholic beverages
-
Snorkel mask, snorkel & fins
-
Flotation devices
-
Marine naturalist reef briefing
-
Shaded seating, 2 restrooms, freshwater showers
Toddler
5 and under-
Tropical breakfast & lunch buffet
-
Non-alcoholic beverages
-
Snorkel mask, snorkel & fins
-
Flotation devices
-
Marine naturalist reef briefing
-
Shaded seating, 2 restrooms, freshwater showers
Alcoholic Beverages are available for purchase onboard. Gratuity is not included but it is greatly appreciated.
Sea Paradise's 50-Foot Sailing Catamaran
The Hoku Nui — Hawaiian for “Big Star” — is a 50-foot luxury sailing catamaran certified to carry comfortably 49 passengers. This means more deck space, spacious seating, easier water access, and a more relaxed atmosphere from departure to return.
49 Passengers
Guests (spaciously designed for comfort)
50 ft
Twin-hull sailing catamaran
40+ yrs
Operating the Kona Coast
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 showers, and two wide staircases for easier water entry.
Our USCG licensed captain’s 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
Located at the end of the finger pier at Keauhou Bay — do not check in at any of the buildings. Look for crew in blue shirts 15 minutes before departure. Sign digital waivers in advance in your confirmation email.
VESSEL & FACILITIES
Hoku Nui is a 50-ft sailing catamaran, 2 spacious restrooms/ changing rooms, plenty of shaded seating, galley, full bar, 2 freshwater showers, 2 wide staircases for in water entry. Shoe-less vessel.
HEALTH & SWIMMERS
All snorkeling guests must be confident swimmers. Non-swimmers may not enter the water. 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
- Rash guard
- Underwater camera
- Reusable water bottle (if available)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Morning Snorkel Tour departs Keauhou Bay at 8:30 AM and returns at approximately 1:00 PM — roughly 4.5 hours total. Check-in is at 8:15 AM at the end of the finger pier. The tour runs daily, year-round, weather and ocean conditions permitting.
Trade winds along the Kona Coast are consistently lighter in the morning than the afternoon, resulting in calmer seas, clearer underwater visibility, and more relaxed marine life. Sea Paradise has scheduled its morning departure specifically to take advantage of these optimal conditions — the same approach the company has used since 1985.
Yes. The Morning Snorkel Tour is ideal for families and beginners, provided all guests are confident swimmers. The crew provides a complete snorkeling orientation, flotation devices, and in-water support. Children must be able to swim independently and follow crew directions in open ocean. The crew does not teach swimming onboard. Children need to wear provided life jackets.
Kealakekua Bay is a protected Marine Life Conservation District with some of the richest marine life and clearest water on the Big Island. Guests regularly see Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu), spinner dolphins, spotted eagle rays, octopus, small white-tip reef sharks resting under lava ledges, and abundant tropical reef fish. The Captain Cook Monument stands at the north end of the snorkel area. Humpback whales are frequently spotted on the morning sail between mid December and April.
Tropical breakfast, deli-style lunch and non-alcoholic beverages are included with every ticket. Local brews, wine, tropical cocktails, and mocktails are available for purchase onboard. Glass containers are not permitted on the vessel.
The Hoku Nui’s twin-hull catamaran design significantly reduces the rolling and rocking motion that causes sea sickness. Most guests who are typically sensitive on the water report a comfortable experience. We recommend choosing a seat with a clear horizon view, staying hydrated, and avoiding heavy meals immediately before departure. Over-the-counter sea sickness remedies taken before boarding are also effective.
All snorkeling participants must be confident swimmers. Sea Paradise recommends reviewing the health guidelines at seaparadise.com/medical/ before booking. Guests with certain medical conditions may require physician clearance before participating. All guests sign a release form prior to boarding.
Check in at the end of the finger pier at Keauhou Bay — end of Kaleiopapa Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740. Do not check in at any buildings. Look for our crew in blue shirts. Public restrooms are on the east side of Kaleiopapa Street near the parking lot. Restrooms/changing rooms are also onboard the Hoku Nui. Free parking is available along Kaleiopapa Street; allow 3–5 minutes to walk to the boat.
The crew were professional, kind, knowledgeable and fun.
Extremely clean, with luxury bathroom facilities.
Lots of refreshments and snacks, also a freshwater shower to wash off as you get out of the sea.
One thing I did notice that Sea Paradise was doing that other boats around us weren’t doing. Sea Paradise puts crew members on paddle boards as lifeguards in the areas that you are swimming. That’s a big plus for safe in my eyes and I appreciate that.
Thank you again for the great time and great memories.
