Category Cruises & Boat Tours

Big Island · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS

The Top 15 Cruises & Boat Tours on the Big Island, Compared

41 reviewed

Big Island: Captain Cook Snorkel On A Power Catamaran With Lunch

Big Island: Captain Cook Snorkel On A Power Catamaran With Lunch - Sailing out of Kona aboard a power catamaran that feels easy to enjoy

1.Captain Cook Snorkel On A Power Catamaran With Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,232 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $85Our pick

Snorkel in historic Kealakekua Bay from Kona on a comfy power catamaran with lunch, reef gear, and a real chance at dolphins and whales.

“It was a great experience. Everyone was so helpful and friendly. We really enjoyed it. We took our son on this trip for his birthday. He said it was one of the best birthday presents he had ever had. He was visiting the big island from Colorado.”

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Big Island Historical Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay

Big Island Historical Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay - What the historian and musician do onboard (and why it’s not just background)

Deluxe Snorkel & Dolphin Watch Aboard a Luxury Catamaran from Kailua-Kona

Deluxe Snorkel & Dolphin Watch Aboard a Luxury Catamaran from Kailua-Kona - The first hour in Kailua-Kona: check-in, parking, and getting settled

Afternoon Sail & Snorkel to the Captain Cook Monument

Afternoon Sail & Snorkel to the Captain Cook Monument - Getting underway from Keauhou Bay (and what to expect first)

4.Afternoon Sail & Snorkel to the Captain Cook Monument

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 722 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $136

Afternoon sail and snorkel to Captain Cook Monument in Kealakekua Bay with reef-safe gear, snacks, and spinner-dolphin chances.

“We had a great time yesterday snorkeling! It was a scenic, smooth ride to the snorkel spot. They did a really nice ceremonial moment to honor the history and culture of the area, and even included our little man in it (I’m 24 weeks pregnant!) We saw some beautiful fish and had the perfect amount of time snorkeling. Then we had a great, easy ride back with some snacks and drinks. I couldn’t recommend this tour more!”

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Kealakekua Bay (Captain Cook Monument) Snorkel and Sail Adventure

Kealakekua Bay (Captain Cook Monument) Snorkel and Sail Adventure - Breakfast With Kona Coffee and a Coastline Worth Waking Up For

5.Kealakekua Bay (Captain Cook Monument) Snorkel and Sail Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 695 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $189

Kona morning sail and snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay on a spacious catamaran with breakfast, gear, and an hour in the Captain Cook sanctuary.

“My spouse and I booked this activity for our first trip to Hawaii's Big Island. We had a great time and the crew is awesome! It was the perfect size group (around 24 folks) and there is a lot to do and see on Big Island, so the half day worked great.”

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Deluxe Sail & Snorkel to the Captain Cook Monument

Deluxe Sail & Snorkel to the Captain Cook Monument - The catamaran morning: timing, comfort, and why the boat setup helps

6.Deluxe Sail & Snorkel to the Captain Cook Monument

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 535 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $177

Sail Kona’s coast to Captain Cook and Red Hill for guided snorkel stops, included breakfast and lunch, and easy catamaran comfort.

“This is our second time taking this snorkeling experience and it is excellent! Great staff, amazing boat, wonderful lunch, and good snorkeling sites. Will do it again when we’re back on Big Island. Very professional!”

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Glass-Bottom Boat Reef Tour

Glass-Bottom Boat Reef Tour - Four Viewing Windows and Comfortable Seating: Staying Dry, Seeing More

7.Glass-Bottom Boat Reef Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 506 reviews · 50 minutes (approx.) · from $72

50 minutes on a glass-bottom boat off Kailua Bay. See coral and fish, learn reef ecology, and stay dry for $72.

“This was a fantastic experience! The guide was incredibly knowledgeable and kept up a running commentary of everything we were seeing inside, outside, and under the boat. We got to see dolphins in the bay, and every kind of fish you can imagine around the coral, in several different areas we went to. Not only that, my two toddler grandkids and one newborn grand-niece were doing what little kids do, and the whole crew took it in stride, and one of them even came over to try and distract and redirect them with toys. It was an amazing experience on every level. We would give more stars if that was…”

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Kailua-Kona: Manta Ray Watching Nighttime Boat Trip

Kailua-Kona: Manta Ray Watching Nighttime Boat Trip - From Honokohau Harbor to open water: how the 2 hours flows

8.Kailua-Kona: Manta Ray Watching Nighttime Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 488 reviews · 2 hours · from $75

A $75, 2-hour Kailua-Kona nighttime manta ray cruise with light snacks and snorkel gear—optional swimming close to the gentle giants.

“Incredible experience! Being close to these gentle giants and watching them in their natural habitat is a once in a lifetime experience. Kelly (captain) and Elayo (crew) were awesome! Friendly, funny and informative. Our Girl Scout troop fully enjoyed the experience and highly recommend it! Mahalo!!”

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Deluxe Sail & Snorkel to the Captain Cook Monument

Deluxe Sail & Snorkel to the Captain Cook Monument - The catamaran morning: timing, comfort, and why the boat setup helps

9.Deluxe Sail & Snorkel to the Captain Cook Monument

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 472 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $179

Deluxe catamaran sail and snorkel near Kealakekua Bay and the Captain Cook Monument, with breakfast, lunch, and expert marine guidance.

“Superb crew! I don’t remember names but the woman who did natural and cultural history on the trip was spectacular. The boat is almost new and pristine. The snorkel equipment is new and properly cleaned. Captain’s two snorkel stop itinerary allows a quieter part before Captain Cook site. Everything was really fantastic.”

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Waikoloa Signature Catamaran Sunset Sail

Waikoloa Signature Catamaran Sunset Sail - The catamaran ride itself: 49 people, shaded seating, clean restrooms

10.Waikoloa Signature Catamaran Sunset Sail

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 396 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $159

Waikoloa Big Island sunset catamaran with premium bar, lava coast views, sea turtle chances, and a green-flash moment at Anaehoʻomalu Bay.

“Enjoyable experience. The crew was fabulous. My only complaint there was an overcast and we couldn't see the sunset”

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Kailua-Kona: Whale Watching Cruise on the Big Island

Kailua-Kona: Whale Watching Cruise on the Big Island - Whale Singing From Honokohau: Why This Cruise Feels Different

Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise from Waikoloa

Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise from Waikoloa - The 30-Minute Itinerary at Anaeho’omalu: What Happens On Board

12.Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise from Waikoloa

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 257 reviews · 30 minutes (approx.) · from $50Best value

Waikoloa glass-bottom boat cruise in Anaeho’omalu Bay. See turtles and coral in 30 minutes with marine naturalists and shaded benches.

“Didn’t see anything we had before. We did not go out very far. The best thing we saw was the sea turtle beside the boat.”

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Afternoon Sail & Snorkel to the Captain Cook Monument

Afternoon Sail & Snorkel to the Captain Cook Monument - Getting underway from Keauhou Bay (and what to expect first)

From Keauhou Bay: Snorkel Cruise to Captain Cook’s Monument

From Keauhou Bay: Snorkel Cruise to Captain Cook's Monument - The snorkeling gear setup that lowers the stress

14.From Keauhou Bay: Snorkel Cruise to Captain Cook’s Monument

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 242 reviews · 3 hours · from $135

Snorkel near Kealakekua Bay and Captain Cook’s Monument from Keauhou Bay, with spinner dolphins, lava formations, and whale season.

“Captain Morgan and his crew were awesome! My family and I thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon excursion. The guides were so helpful and informative that our two daughters, new to snorkeling, loved every minute of it. We’re looking forward to doing the longer morning excursion next time we’re in Kona. Mahalo nui loa!”

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Kona Signature Catamaran Sunset Sail

Kona Signature Catamaran Sunset Sail - Price and value: why $109 can make sense here

15.Kona Signature Catamaran Sunset Sail

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 218 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $109

Kona Signature Catamaran Sunset Sail: a 90-minute Kona coastline cruise with open-air views, premium drinks, snacks, and wildlife spotting.

“Read email they send to tell you where to meet, coordinates are helpful. We met Captain Michael and crew: John and Caesar. They were kind and helpful especially without our sea legs. We sat and were served drinks and a surprise meal. We saw dolphins and a beautiful sunset. A memorable part of our trip.”

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