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

“Safety is NOT their first priority.. I had to beg and bargain all morning over the phone to check if they provide life vest/jacket for the boat ride. I was instead given an argument that 4-yr olds do this without a jacket or that it…”

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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

“Captain Andrew, Olivia, and the naturalist were a great host. The naturalist shared his in-depth knowledge about the history of the whales. Their migration, food, and purpose of visiting Hawaii. I was surprised to know the depth of water, 50 - 200 ft, and the…”

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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

“This was a fantastic experience. Easy meeting instructions and our 2 crew of Alexis and Carmel were so informative and fun. Before we even reached our snorkel spot we had the pleasure of seeing bottlenose dolphins close up. The snorkelling in the bay was fabulous…”

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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

“Love the small group atmosphere on a small boat. Patty and David were lovely hosts and shared history and insights.”

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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

“We couldn’t have had a better day. Our hosts were both personable, cordial, informative & very knowledgeable about the area. We were able to see whales breaching, the monument to Capt Cook and a Lava formation known as the Goddess Pele the Goddess of Fire.…”

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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

“Thank you, Robb and Micha for friendly guide. It was a great experience. It a bit bummer that whale does not show up big and long enough. But the service was great!”

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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

“Had the time of my life! I saw amazing things! The crew was fantastic and very friendly. Everyone in my party had a blast we talked about it the whole trip. 10/10 our favorite part!”

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10.Kona Coastline Escape: Sail with Dolphins & Turtles on Honi Olani

Experience a relaxing sail along Hawaii's Kona coast, with chances to see dolphins and turtles, onboard a comfortable catamaran for an authentic vibe.

★ 5.0

“Beautiful afternoon sail. We had almost the entire catamaran to our selves. There were only 4 people booked and they still ran the catamaran.”

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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

“The crew was so friendly and kind. There were only three of us paying customers so it was extra nice. The food was great. Nicole was wonderful while we were snorkeling. We didn’t see dolphins but saw lots of fish and snorkeling. I love to…”

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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.

“As pessoas eram super simpáticas, no passeio de barco até ao sitio de snorkelling vimos golfinhos e baleias. Quando vimos as baleias parámos e eles meteram um microfone debaixo de água para podermos ouvir as baleias a cantar. Depois fomos para dentro de água, foi…”

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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 had a great time. We saw no breaches, but Robert did a great job of spotting whales, so we saw lots of pec slaps, tails, etc. In my experience, Maui is the best winter whale watching spot, but this was definitely worthwhile.”

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