Page 15) Things to Do in Big Island in 2026 – Tours & Activities | HawaiiActivities.com

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Big Island

All Reviews for Snorkeling Cruises & Tours

Overall rating

4.60

2023 Reviews
4.5-Hour Deluxe Kona Snorkel Tour & Dolphin Watch with Lunch - Body Glove Cruise
Loved it!
Activity Date: 2021/11/09 | Posted on: 2021/11/11

Lunch was delicious and the boat is amazing! The size is awesome and it is super clean! We loved the snorkel and the crew was extremely knowledgeable as well as helpful assisting me in the water!

Packages: Deluxe Snorkel & Dolphin Watch Cruise
Attended as: Couples
Reply from activity provider

Thank you so much for joining us! We appreciate your kind words and hope to see you again in the near future!

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Hula Kai Kona First Class Snorkel Tour - 2 Snorkeling Stops, Breakfast & Lunch
Great snorkeling trip! Marginal food.
Activity Date: 2021/11/05 | Posted on: 2021/11/07
Jim

The boat and crew were great! The snorkeling equipment was first class. We didn't see that much wildlife at the two stops. A lot of small fish. The second stop was better. Didn't notice in the sign-up that the BBQ was vegan. That is nice for folks who like it but it would have been good to offer non-vegan food as well. We paid extra for the food on the cruise and I would have liked some regular food. Overall, the bar and drinks offered were very good and served with a smile. My wife thought the boat and seating were the best. The crew were very informative and happy to share their knowledge and culture with the guests. Would do it again!

Packages: Standard Package
Attended as: Families
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Hawaii Manta Ray Sunset & Night Time Snorkel Experience from Kona - Iruka
Amazing!!!
Activity Date: 2021/10/21 | Posted on: 2021/11/01

Everything went very smoothly. Our crew was wonderful & very helpful. I had trouble getting into the boat after climbing the ladder & Trevor was so kind to help me in the boat. We had a wonderful time. The Manta Ray experience will be hard to top! So great of them to share pictures they had taken from below!

Packages: Manta Ray Night Snorkel with Sunset Cruise
Attended as: Couples
Reply from activity provider

Aloha Barbara,

We are very glad you spend a great time with us!
Please come back with your friend and family again!

Mahalos

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Hawaii Manta Ray Sunset & Night Time Snorkel Experience from Kona - Iruka
Manta swim
Activity Date: 2021/10/21 | Posted on: 2021/10/23

The crew were fabulous! We all would do it again!

Packages: Manta Ray Night Snorkel with Sunset Cruise
Attended as: Families
Reply from activity provider

Yes, please come back to see Manta Rays and us!!
A hui hou

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Hawaii Manta Ray Sunset & Night Time Snorkel Experience from Kona - Iruka
Awesome experience.
Activity Date: 2021/10/11 | Posted on: 2021/10/13

The entire experience from start to finish was amazing! The sunset cruise was a fun addition to swimming with the Mantas. The staff is super fun, helpful and knowledgeable. The Mantas are breathtaking- we were in awe of them! I’m so glad we did this tour, definitely a major highlight of our week in Kona!

Packages: Manta Ray Night Snorkel with Sunset Cruise
Attended as: Couples
Reply from activity provider

Aloha,
We are grad you had a great time with Manta Rays,
They come so close and flip flip flips..it's really amazing!
Thank you very much for your nice pic ;)
Mahalo

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Hawaii Manta Ray Sunset & Night Time Snorkel Experience from Kona - Iruka
Beautiful!
Activity Date: 2021/09/09 | Posted on: 2021/10/02

This experience was amazing!

We went to Hawaii for our honeymoon and we can't stop talking about how cool this experience was.

We got to see BIG and BEAUTIFUL mantarays and they were really close too.

The guys from the crew were also super nice, funny and told us lots of interesting facts about the marine life.

Packages: Manta Ray Night Snorkel with Sunset Cruise
Attended as: Couples
Reply from activity provider

Congratulation on your wedding !
We are happy to spending such a special time with ​you.
Manta rays make a beautiful sight very close to us.
Wish you happiness!

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Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tour - Small-Group Adventure from Keauhou Bay
Simply magical, but easy to get cold
Activity Date: 2021/09/13 | Posted on: 2021/09/15

Really enjoyed this experience, the manta rays even touched me!

You can bring your own GoPro but it might be hard to film and hold on at the same time. You're not swimming, you're horizontally floating with a pool noodle at your ankles and your hands gripping a light bar that attracts plankton upon which the mantas feast.

It can get cold when you're in the water, so don't be afraid to bring dive boots, gloves, and your own wetsuit. You'll get a shorty top only and I was pretty chilly, even for a New Englander!

Packages: Night Manta Discovery Adventure
Attended as: Couples
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Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tour - Small-Group Adventure from Keauhou Bay
unforgettable experience
Activity Date: 2021/08/22 | Posted on: 2021/09/13
Ivy

It was a lifetime experience to see so many manta rays. The captain and crews tried to give everyone the best experience. Unfortunately the waves for that evening was so high that made the boat ride an unpleasant trip.

Packages: Night Manta Discovery Adventure
Attended as: Families
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Ocean Encounters Manta Ray Snorkel Tour - Sunset & Moonlight Cruise from Kona
Manta Ray Night Snorkel
Activity Date: 2021/08/14 | Posted on: 2021/09/04

My husband and I went on this manta ray night snorkel and had a great time. The crew and captain were very helpful and knowledgeable. A once in a lifetime experience we recommend.

Packages: Standard Package: Moonlight Manta Snorkel (Seasonal)
Attended as: Couples
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Sea Paradise 3-Hour Afternoon Kealakekua Bay & Captain Cook Snorkel Tour
Just the crew alone makes the experience worth every penny!
Activity Date: 2021/08/30 | Posted on: 2021/09/01

Captain Tony and his crew were so wonderful! They were funny and so informative. I would definitely do it again! They were so sweet to our two year old who was part of the snorkeling also. Make sure you take cash to tip them well because they definitely deserve it! The whole trip the captain and his trip hangout with everyone and cut up fresh fruit for everyone while serving drinks and making sure everyone is comfortable and has what they need. Definitely one of our top favorite things we did on the Big Island

Packages: Afternoon Snorkel Cruise
Attended as: Families with Young Children
Reply from activity provider

Aloha Leslie,

Mahalo for taking the time to review us and sharing your wonderful pictures! We hope to have the pleasure of you joining us on your next visit to the islands :)

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Deluxe Captain Cook Snorkeling Tour at Kealakekua Bay - Fair Wind Cruises
Can't wait to do it again!
Activity Date: 2021/08/28 | Posted on: 2021/08/30

So much fun. The location was beautiful, the crew was friendly and the service was great...oh and the plant based menu was delicious. Seeing dolphins made the day. I learned that orcas pass through Hawaiian waters and as a result the dolphins were swimming in and we were lucky enough to see them. Would have been fun to have paddleboards. We all loved it! Thank you.

Packages: Morning Kealakekua Snorkel Tour [4.5 hours]
Attended as: Families with Young Children
Reply from activity provider

Thank you for taking the time to let us know about your experience! We hope to see you again in the future. Leah

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Kona Sunset & Moonlight Wild Manta Ray Snorkel Tour - Wahine Charters
Fantastic creatures
Activity Date: 2021/08/07 | Posted on: 2021/08/28

Nice ride in the ocean at night, beautiful skyline and warm ocean.
Rays pass by few inches from you, possibly enjoying themself as well.

Packages: Moonlight Cruise & Evening Manta Snorkel Tour [2 hours]
Attended as: Couples
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Sea Quest Kealakekua Bay Snorkel Tour & Rafting Sea Cave Expedition
Amazing adventure
Activity Date: 2021/08/21 | Posted on: 2021/08/23

It was an amazing snorkeling adventure. My husband and I have never gone snorkeling the crew was amazing. They were helpful and very funny. I suggest doing this. You get to see many different types of animals and sights

Packages: 5-hour South Kona Expedition with Lunch (3 Snorkel Stops)
Attended as: Couples
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Kona Sunset & Moonlight Wild Manta Ray Snorkel Tour - Wahine Charters
Nice people, no Manta Rays
Activity Date: 2021/08/01 | Posted on: 2021/08/22
CHZ

Tour guides were great, nice, and informative. Sadly did not see any manta rays on our cruise. They said this was highly unusual but still disappointing to not see any. They offered for us to go back on a future tour, but we were leaving the island and they do not offer any refunds.

Packages: Moonlight Cruise & Evening Manta Snorkel Tour [2 hours]
Attended as: Families
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Ocean Encounters Manta Ray Snorkel Tour - Sunset & Moonlight Cruise from Kona
I didn't enjoy it but you might
Activity Date: 2021/08/20 | Posted on: 2021/08/22

We left late and were, as far as I could tell, the last boat to arrive. The place was pretty packed with people from the other boats. The ocean is pretty big so I'm not sure if we were so clustered because there's one particular spot that is best or because of some other reason. For the safety of the manta rays and possibly for your own safety, you don't actually get to swim in the water but rather your entire group are always holding on to a shared flotation device. It's not a good thing or a bad thing but something you should be aware of before signing up.
We saw one manta ray, which was a nice experience. Right after we saw it, the crew packed us up and headed back to the harbor. These are wild creatures so it's not like you're guaranteed to see them but I was expecting the crew to keep us there a bit longer. Anyway, my kids liked it, but I still wouldn't recommend this experience.

Packages: Standard Package: Sunset Manta Snorkel
Attended as: Families with Young Children
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Ocean Encounters Manta Ray Snorkel Tour - Sunset & Moonlight Cruise from Kona
Loved it!!!
Activity Date: 2021/07/30 | Posted on: 2021/08/21

Not quite what I expected as you don’t get to snorkel around but breathtaking and amazing to watch those beautiful creatures at night in the light, it’s like they are dancing for you!

Packages: Standard Package: Sunset Manta Snorkel
Attended as: Families
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Ocean Encounters Manta Ray Snorkel Tour - Sunset & Moonlight Cruise from Kona
Love the crew
Activity Date: 2021/07/24 | Posted on: 2021/08/14

Super fun boat ride with great boat crew. Mata rays were fun adventure

Packages: Standard Package: Sunset Manta Snorkel
Attended as: Families
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Ocean Encounters Manta Ray Snorkel Tour - Sunset & Moonlight Cruise from Kona
Only saw a few manta, waited too long in the water before sunset, family all got too cold to enjoy the experience.
Activity Date: 2021/08/11 | Posted on: 2021/08/13
Ang

Nice people running the boat, but there were SO many boats out there, and other boats had bigger/brighter lights - so they were all "oo-ing" over manta at their sites, and we were on the outskirts, only saw a handful flying by. No barrel rolls under us.

The worst part is you have to take such a long boatride to get out there, and we had to then get into the water and line up on a raft thing waiting at least 10 minutes in the cold water just waiting for sunset to get dark. We could've at least waited until closer to when out it was dark and the rays would come.

Plus my son and I also got seasick, since the waves were so bad - and it wasn't even the ocean that caused it, it was the motion of all the boats coming in. At least 10 other boats out there, figthing to see the manta.

Would definitely not do it again, for the torture in the process.

Packages: Standard Package: Sunset Manta Snorkel
Attended as: Families with Young Children
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Ocean Encounters Manta Ray Snorkel Tour - Sunset & Moonlight Cruise from Kona
Up close and personal with manta rays!
Activity Date: 2021/08/05 | Posted on: 2021/08/13

Staff was very helpful especially with one in our party who just rode along and needed assistance getting on and off boat. Boat was a little crowded but staff very efficient at getting everyone into water. Manta rays swam just beneath us and seemed close enough to touch!

Packages: Standard Package: Moonlight Manta Snorkel (Seasonal)
Attended as: Families
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Ocean Encounters Manta Ray Snorkel Tour - Sunset & Moonlight Cruise from Kona
Close to Nature - REALLY Close
Activity Date: 2021/07/31 | Posted on: 2021/08/02

This experience is one of a kind - having manta rays come right up to you as they feed on plankton in the bay! We were provided with a wet suit (top only for adults, body suit for children), snorkel, and mask.

Once anchored, you will slip into the water at the back of the boat, swim over to the lighted surfboards with handles, grip the handles and let your body float flat on the surface. They will give you a pool noodle to help with this. The manta rays will come right up to the surfboard and gently roll over as they feed on plankton that the light illuminates. I will add that it may seem like a short amount of time (about 30 minutes), but by the time they brought us in, I had started to get cold and my arms started aching from holding the handles the whole time. It was worth it for the experience.

If you are not a strong swimmer, they will offer to help you.

All the members of the crew on my boat were great! Very friendly and helpful. Thank you so much!

My one concern is regarding the number of other boats and people also participating in the same activity. There were quite a few and my concern was for the safety and protection of the manta rays. However, it does seem that the manta rays are not in danger and gain something out of the experience themselves because it provides a better opportunity for feeding that they would not have otherwise. The crew also show a great respect and love for them as well.

Packages: Standard Package: Sunset Manta Snorkel
Attended as: Couples
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Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tour Adventure on a Hawaiian Sailing Canoe
Just....WOW
Activity Date: 2021/07/30 | Posted on: 2021/08/01

The whole experience was well done. Captain Danielle and her crew mate were knowledgeable, kind and helpful. We saw tons of mantas doing endless barrel rolls inches from our masks!!! The boat ride is brief and we spent plenty of time in the water on the light-board. FYI- You need to be able to climb up a 3-rung boat ladder to get out of the water, it went fine with our tour but I could imagine that might be tough for some. Well worth the time and money!!

Packages: Standard Package
Attended as: Families
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Hawaii Manta Ray Sunset & Night Time Snorkel Experience from Kona - Iruka
Fantastic!
Activity Date: 2021/07/11 | Posted on: 2021/08/01
Meg

We had the best time, the crew was fantastic, nice boat, brand new wetsuits, we enjoyed this trip so much. And the hot chocolate after the swim was a perfect touch! We saw I think 5-7 mantas and they were with us the entire dive.

Packages: Manta Ray Night Snorkel with Sunset Cruise
Attended as: Friends
Reply from activity provider

Thank you for joining with us.
We are glad you felt warmth with Hot chocolate, too ;)

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Kona Sunset & Moonlight Wild Manta Ray Snorkel Tour - Wahine Charters
Manta rays
Activity Date: 2021/07/29 | Posted on: 2021/07/31

The manta rays were incredible to swim with and the crew did an excellent job. You are taken care of the moment you get on to the boat until the moment you get back. This adventure takes you out with light boards to see the manta rays come swim around you. It was well done.

Packages: Sunset Cruise & Evening Manta Snorkel Tour [2.5 hours]
Attended as: Families
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Kona 2-Stop Snorkel Tour & Premium Ocean Raft Dolphin Watch Safari with Lunch
Snorkeling and dolphin swim
Activity Date: 2021/07/29 | Posted on: 2021/07/31

First tour we had on our trip and it was awesome! The crew was very informative and friendly. Can’t wait to go again! The fresh pineapple they served us was a wonderful end to the trip. Scott definitely knew his stuff!

Packages: Snorkel Cruise & Dolphin Watch Experience
Attended as: Couples
Reply from activity provider

Aloha for joining us!
Dolphins always give us different pictures and great experiences.

Please come back, we are looking forward to seeing you again!
Mahalo

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Hawaii Manta Ray Sunset & Night Time Snorkel Experience from Kona - Iruka
Spectacular adventure!
Activity Date: 2021/07/25 | Posted on: 2021/07/27

Amazing crew who shared humor, but were extremely focused on safety and total enjoyment for each guest. Thank you Captain Scott, Bryce, and the entire Ikuka Team for this amazing experience. We will definitely be returning. Mahalo!

Packages: Manta Ray Night Snorkel with Sunset Cruise
Attended as: Families
Reply from activity provider

Thank you for joining with us and beautiful Manta Ray shots!
We are looking forward to seeing you again!

A hui hou

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Hawaii Manta Ray Sunset & Night Time Snorkel Experience from Kona - Iruka
Manta Ray snorkel
Activity Date: 2021/07/03 | Posted on: 2021/07/24

This was such an awesome experience! My family and I had such a great time. It was a little scary at first but you get over it really quick once you see the mantas! The crew was also awesome. They made everyone comfortable and constantly checked on us to make sure we were on in the water! 10/10!

Packages: Manta Ray Night Snorkel with Sunset Cruise
Attended as: Couples
Reply from activity provider

Thank you for your nice picture!
People sometimes feel scared first in the dark Ocean but no need to worry.
Manta Rays flip in the blue light is so beautiful.
Mahalo!

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Kona Luxury Snorkel Sail - No Wiki Sailing Catamaran Private & Shared Charters
Great cruise!
Activity Date: 2020/11/08 | Posted on: 2021/07/23

Great crew, gorgeous day for a sail. Plenty of flying fish, dolphin sightings and even a few whales!

Packages: 2-Hour Dolphin Watch & Kona Snorkel Private Charter (up to 6 passengers)
Attended as: Families
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Sea Quest Kealakekua Bay Snorkel Tour & Rafting Sea Cave Expedition
Best snorkel ever
Activity Date: 2021/07/21 | Posted on: 2021/07/23

Brendan and Morgan were lovely, great story tellers and funny jokes. Overall 11/10 cannot recommend enough

Packages: 5-hour South Kona Expedition with Lunch (3 Snorkel Stops)
Attended as: Couples
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Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tour Adventure on a Hawaiian Sailing Canoe
Amazing!
Activity Date: 2021/07/20 | Posted on: 2021/07/22

The crew was friendly, knowledgeable, and professional, and seeing the mantas up close was an amazing experience. We would so this again, no question!

Packages: Standard Package
Attended as: Families
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Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tour - Small-Group Adventure from Keauhou Bay
Great Experience
Activity Date: 2021/07/19 | Posted on: 2021/07/21

This was an extraordinary experience. I loved every minute watching the majestic mantas doing their thing. The staff was incredibly nice, safe, knowledgeable and accommodating. I would ten out of ten recommend this!

Packages: Night Manta Discovery Adventure
Attended as: Families
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Things to Do in Big Island in 2026 – Tours & Activities | HawaiiActivities.com
Discover the best snorkeling cruises and tours in Hawaii, from Molokini Crater and Turtle Town on Maui to Hanauma Bay on Oahu, Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island, and Napali Coast on Kauai. Swim with tropical fish, sea turtles, and vibrant coral reefs in crystal-clear waters. Choose from catamaran cruises, zodiac adventures, and guided snorkel trips for all experience levels. Find top-rated tours and tips for unforgettable ocean experiences.