Hawaii Combo: Wild Dolphin Swim and Kealakekua Bay Snorkeling

Hawaii-Kona, United States of America

Combine the magic of swimming with wild dolphins off the Kona coast with an amazing snorkel adventure in stunning Kealakekua Bay. Set out from the Big Island to locate the dolphins, then hop in the water to see them play from up close. Then continue to one of Hawaii’s best snorkeling spots where you snorkel around the colorful coral reef with a variety of fish. As you cruise past lava tubes, sea caves, and perhaps even whales and sea turtles, your guide shares informative commentary with your small group, limited to 14 people.

Make your own way to Keauhou Bay in the morning to meet your experienced guide. After a safety briefing, board your boat — a rigid hull inflatable raft equipped with a sun shade — and head out on the ocean to look for wild dolphins. When your guide locates a pod, your boat stops so that you can meet the dolphins. Wearing the provided mask and snorkel, hop into the water as the dolphins arrive to play. You may hear excited whistles and splashes from the amazing creatures as they swim, eat, jump, and, if you’re lucky, show off with their babies. Admire the grace and strength of the curious dolphins as you swim and watch them at close quarters.

Once you have experienced the wild dolphins, your boat heads to Kealakekua Bay, a protected marine sanctuary for more than 30 years and considered one of the best snorkeling spots in Hawaii. The bay typically has excellent visibility with a variety of multi-colored fish and coral to delight both experienced and novice snorkelers.

Your guide points out the Captain Cook Monument, located where the Hawaiian village of Kaawaloa once stood on the edge of the bay. Both the monument and the village form an important part of Hawaii’s history, as Captain Cook first came ashore in Hawaii at the village and later perished there.

Throughout the 5-hour tour, your guide shares informative commentary about Hawaii’s marine life, geology and history. You may get close to sea caves and lava tubes as your boat cruises along the coast and you might even see whales and sea turtles on the open water. While on the boat, your guide provides snacks, drinks and a deli lunch to refuel your energy during the adventure.

At the end of a memorable tour, your guide returns your small group to Keauhou Bay.

USD $159.00

Traveler Reviews

Review by:   stevehoneck,    November 2017
We went with Sea Quest. First of all, this is swimming with wild dolphins in their natural habitat. So don't be expecting the tour where the dolphin pops up in the water next to you, takes a nice picture, and kisses you.

Review by:   Carolyn L,    October 2017
Skyler and Kendra were amazing a captured the Hawaiin spirit in their laid back and fun ways. Kendra taught us about Hawaiin history. Reefs and caves were great. Only giving 4 bc we didn't swim with dolphins but that's not something they can control. I'd recommend it!

Review by:   Lucille B,    October 2017
I can't say enough about this tour!! Everyone, including the store staff, was so nice and seemed to genuinely care that you had a great time. I wish I had known about their other tours before I booked them with other companies.

Review by:   margaret c,    September 2017
The guides were quick off the mark with any dolphin sitings and we were off of the boat in seconds and swam three times over a pod of six dolphins. The snorkelling stops were many and lengthy. The guides were fun and knowledgeable and Kendra gave a great narrative at the Cook monument, which was especially important to us as Cptn Cook's fellow Brits and Yorkshire folk. The speed of the raft over the water was also fun as were the visits to several shoreline caves. _br/_ The lunch sandwiches hit the spot real good and the offer of refreshments was constant. We pondered for quite some time over which trip to take and I'm pleased to say that we chose well. I can't imagine any other trip giving us as much variety as this one. We'll do it again when we return here.

Review by:   Willie H,    December 2016
This was the most fun experience I have ever had in Hawaii. The young lady that gave us the ecological background did a great job. The swimming with the dolphins was great. I had a great time and saw dozens of dolphins of all different sizes. They have life preservers and flotation devices for those that are weak or poor swimmers. I felt very safe. The continental breakfast on the boat was good and the sandwiches for lunch were very good. After lunch we visited a reef and once again the experience was fabulous. On my next trip to the Big Island, I will definitely do this again.

Review by:   Sharon M,    September 2016
The crew was excellent! Very personable and concerned for the safety of all passengers. We got to swim with MANY dolphins! Snorkeling in the Bay was also fantastic! Great overall trip!

Review by:   Linda B,    December 2015
Captain Mike and his First Mate Katelyn were fantastic! The snorkeling spots were top notch and were everything they promised. We were able to swim with a large pod of dolphins, snorkeled in Captain Cook, which is the BEST coral and fish area on the Big Island!_br/_ Lunch was perfect fresh and many choices.._br/_ All in all a wonderful pick!

Review by:   Kelly P,    October 2015
This was a great day. We got to see dolphins and they got very close to us. Then we got to go to the coral reef and see some beautiful coral and very beautiful fish. They fed us a great lunch out on the boat. It was a very fun day

Review by:   Kevin M,    August 2015
GREAT TRIP!!!! The guides at Sea Quest Capt. Dave, his first mate, and snorkel guide - I just wish I could remember their names were GREAT!!! Got us to the spots where spinner dolphins were at. Unfortunately, some of the dolphins were on the move and we could never get in front of them long enough to swim with them and the second set of dolphins were swimming in a boating channel that made it too dangerous for us to swim it. We loved seeing them swim - just too bad we couldn't really get to, but that's the way it goes.

Review by:   beckyglaze,    June 2015
The captain and crew were great! Swimming with the wild dolphins was an amazing experince-- and we also saw Pacific bottle nose dolphins on our way back. Swimming at Captain Cook was also great fun. I would do this tour over and over again!

Review by:   William B,    May 2015
This was an aswome time out for us first time snorklers. We had an amazing day saw and swam with tons of dolphins. The crew on our boat were very entertaining and kept the flow of the day filled with laughs and knowledge of dolphin life as well as the sights and stops we were taken too along the way. They were super nice and took one of our tour guides back to the main land because of sea sickness. We were also shown caves and the coast and even went to a more secluded place to snorkel as well a the usual stop. Lunch and snacks were served as well. A must do for first timers.

Review by:   beckyglaze,    May 2015
The captain and crew were great! Swimming with the wild dolphins was an amazing experince-- and we also saw Pacific bottle nose dolphins on our way back. Swimming at Captain Cook was also great fun. I would do this tour over and over again!

Review by:   Stephanie C,    April 2015
Swimming with wild Hawaiian spinner dolphins is amazing!!! My kids (ages 11 and up) will definitely do this again and again. Fantastic crew, boat and equipment. What a wonderful day!!

Review by:   Marco d,    January 2015
We had possibly our most magical day on the island thanks to Mare and Dave, who were both cheery and very knowledgeable about what they are doing. We not only swam with Spinner Dophins more than once, and took in the majestic snorkeling in the bay, but we also had the good luck of seeing two humpbacks breech right in front of the boat. We'll never forget it. But again it was all made that much more fun by the great attitude (very kid friendly) of our hosts and guides! Thanks again! Highly recommend this as a must-do during your stay on the island.

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