Big Island of Hawaii

15 Best Kona Dolphin Tours

The dolphin trips: spinner pods resting in the Kona coast’s coves most mornings, paired with sea caves and reef snorkeling. Calm water is the norm on this side.

1.Kona Wild Dolphin, Sea Cave & Captain Cook Reef Snorkel Adventure

Discover Hawaii’s Big Island waters on this 2.5-hour combo tour with speedboat rides, wildlife encounters, and snorkeling in Captain Cook Reef.

Most Popular★ 4.5

“It’s Wonderful!! Loved the zodiac. It was very comfortable. David and Chip were wonderful. It was great being able to get up close in personal with the coastline in caves.. Highly recommend!!!!!”

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

Experience the Big Island’s underwater world on a luxurious catamaran cruise, with snorkeling, dolphin sightings, delicious food, and stunning views.

★ 5.0

“This was an exceptional experience!! It is definitely a must-do for visitors to the area - families, friends, young and old. Such a lovely boat ride with an Incredibly friendly and accommodating crew. We were served a great breakfast (yogurt, fruit, granola and pastries) and…”

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3.Guaranteed Dolphin and Whale Watch Tour in Kona

Experience Kona's marine wildlife on this guided dolphin and whale watch tour. Expect expert naturalists, comfortable boats, and year-round sightings for $129.

★ 5.0

“The trip was very nice . We did get to see dolphins and sharks.There were some rude birdwatchers who hogged the view in the front of the boat and stood in front of everyone while moving through the water.”

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4.Kona Coast Cruise: Snorkel Kealakekua Bay & Dolphin Encounter

Experience personalized snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay with small-group tours, dolphin sightings, and expert guides on the Big Island of Hawaii.

★ 5.0

“We had an awesome time on New Year’s Eve with this morning Snorkling tour. Our guides Justin and Erika were great and answered any of our questions. Their boat is clean and their Snorkling masks were of great quality and the we were the first…”

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5.Dolphin, Sea Cave & Captain Cook Snorkel Combo in Kealakekua Bay

Discover the Big Island's vibrant marine life and stunning coastline on this 2.5-hour Zodiac snorkel tour. Perfect for adventure lovers seeking personalized, fun experiences.

★ 4.5

“We did not see any dolphins and the snorkeling was just okay at best. We took uber to get there early morning and one of the hosts was rude to us for no reason at all. Not so great customer experience overall. They talked about…”

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6.Kona Shore Excursion: Wild Dolphin Reefs Snorkel and Sea Caves

Experience the Big Island’s marine wonders with this 3-hour snorkeling tour visiting Kealakekua Bay, Captain Cook Monument, and sea caves, with dolphins and turtles.

★ 4.5

“Our tour was provided by C Big Island Tours. Our captain, and helper Tori, were wonderful. Professional, friendly, helpful, and with an extensive knowledge of the shore area and sea life. The snorkeling at the Captain Cook monument bay was very good, with a full…”

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7.Humpback Whale and Dolphin Watch in Kona

Experience the thrill of seeing humpback whales and dolphins in Kona on a small-group, eco-friendly tour with expert guides, from December to April.

★ 4.5

“INCREDIBLE! We saw humpbacks about 40 feet away (about 20 mins after seeing them from afar). Then bottle nose dolphins 10 feet away. Absolutely an amazing experience! Though Captain Bryce said humpbacks that close are rare so maybe cannot expect that often. Narration was wonderful,…”

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8.Dolphin, Sea Cave, Captain Cook, Kealakekua Bay Reef Snorkeling

Experience Hawaii’s underwater world with an intimate Zodiac snorkel tour at Kealakekua Bay, exploring coral reefs, caves, and spotting dolphins.

★ 4.5

“The guides were fun, and the navy boat was a fun ride, but the pictures are misleading. We were disappointed that we didn't go into the caves as pictured. We went to Captain Cook as we did the day before and then went near a…”

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11.Luxury Hawaiian Sea Turtle, Dolphin Sail and Kona Snorkel

Experience a luxurious 4-hour sailing and snorkeling tour along the Kona Coast on a private yacht, spotting dolphins, turtles, and whales with gourmet lunch options.

★ 5.0

“We had a great time on the luxury snorkeling and dolphin adventure! The crew was great! They had a small breakfast spread which was nice and beers and cocktails. The snorkeling spot was amazing!”

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12.Private Kealakekua Bay Snorkel with Dolphin Watch

Discover the Big Island’s Kealakekua Bay with this private 4-hour snorkel and dolphin tour. Personalized, family-friendly, with free underwater photos.

“Outstanding experience. First time snorkeling for my kids 13, 11, and 7. Very accommodating for them and overall loved our time. Would highly recommend!”

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14.Dolphin Watch Snorkel and BBQ in Kona, Big Island

Enjoy a 3-hour Kona boat tour with dolphin sightings, snorkeling in secret spots, and a Hawaiian BBQ — perfect for ocean lovers seeking authentic adventure.

★ 4.3

“we didn't see ANY dolphin, so excurtion name should be changed, no BBQ lunch on board, just half a sandwich per person.... just one Spot to snorkel that was nice. in my opinion over priced”

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15.Kona: Dolphin & Whale Watching Tour

Experience the thrill of dolphin and whale sightings on this 2.5-hour Kona tour for $108. Enjoy scenic views, captain narration, and wildlife encounters.

“We saw some whales, but not a lot, and then we had engine trouble and basically headed back slowly and no longer actively looked for whales. We even returned about 15 minutes early. Dennis captained and Robert crewed and were excellent and provided very interesting…”

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