Dolphin & Wildlife Watching

BIG ISLAND

Best Dolphin & Wildlife Watching On The Big Island

Ranked by traveller popularity

The 10 most popular dolphin & wildlife watching on the Big Island. What they actually deliver, who runs them, and what they cost.

10 Best Dolphin & Wildlife Watching On The Big Island

Kona Snorkel Tour: Captain Cook Reef Snorkel, Dolphin & Sea Caves

Kona Snorkel Tour: Captain Cook Reef Snorkel, Dolphin & Sea Caves - Kealakekua Bay and the Captain Cook Monument Area

1.Kona Snorkel Tour: Captain Cook Reef Snorkel, Dolphin & Sea Caves

Most Popular★ 4.5

Speedy small-group Zodiac snorkel to Kealakekua Bay for coral, sea caves, and Captain Cook sights, with included pineapple and water.

“This was so much fun! It was a smaller local tour. Sage &Chip were knowledgeable, organized, and entertaining!!! The fish 🐠 were amazing, and the fresh pineapple 🍍 was so refreshing after being in the water 💦. I would highly recommend them!!!”

1,411 reviews2 hours 45 minutes (approx.)From $71.10by Kona Snorkel Tours

Check Availability →Read the review →

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

Deluxe Snorkel & Dolphin Watch Aboard a Luxury Catamaran from Kailua-Kona - Timing and Where You’ll Be Waiting (The Pier Part You Can Control)

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

★ 5.0

Luxury catamaran snorkeling and dolphin watch from Kailua-Kona with included meals, reef-safe sunscreen, and fun water toys.

“An hour to get to our snorkel area, breakfast on the way (small vanishes, yogurt, fruit and granola-nothing special and left the kids wanting more), most of the staff was very attentive, respectful and knowledgeable. Lunch was good (burgers, chips of some sort-was meh). I guess with the hour there and another hour back, snorkeling…”

797 reviews4 hours 30 minutes (approx.)From $183.77by Body Glove Cruises

Check Availability →Read the review →

Kona Shore Excursion: Sea Turtles, Historic Kona & Coffee

Kona Shore Excursion: Sea Turtles, Historic Kona & Coffee - Getting off the tender: where your day starts at Kailua Pier

Kaimana Ocean Safari

Kaimana Ocean Safari - What makes it a true small-group ocean safari (not a cattle-call)

4.Kaimana Ocean Safari

★ 5.0

Kona ocean safari with small-group snorkeling in deep water search for turtles, dolphins, whales, manta rays, and more in 4 hours.

“This Ocean Safari from Kona exceed my expectations in a big way. I got on the water with a dozen Manta rays, what a magical experience. We saw spinner and bottle nose dolphins and several humpback whales. One whale came up to the boat to check us out it was epic! Cam and Dev were…”

265 reviews4 hours (approx.)From $200.00by Kaimana Ocean Safari

Check Availability →Read the review →

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

Dolphin, Sea Cave & Captain Cook Snorkel Combo in Kealakekua Bay - Stop 1 near Kona: Captain Cook Monument + sea cave country

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

★ 4.5

Small-boat dolphin and sea cave snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay near Captain Cook Monument, with fast zodiac rides, snacks, and whale/dolphin chances.

“The early morning outing with Danielle was fantastic! We had a fast, fun, hold on tight experience iver to the snorkeling site where the dive site gir the coral and fish was amazing and an hour to explore. On our return we explored, lava tube, water fireworks, and structures in the cliffs. Amazing morning. Danielle…”

220 reviews2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)From $83.95by Kona Manta Ray Snorkel Tours

Check Availability →Read the review →

Kona Shore Excursion: Wild Dolphin Reefs Snorkel and Sea Caves

Kona Shore Excursion: Wild Dolphin Reefs Snorkel and Sea Caves - Kealakekua Bay Snorkel Hour: What You’ll Do in the Water

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

★ 4.5

Kona zodiac snorkel in Kealakekua Bay for Captain Cook views, turtles and dolphins, plus sea-cave lookouts, lunch, and port pickup.

“Staff were really friendly the trip was well worth the money. The staff had great knowledge of the reef and animals The staff over ran so we could stay watching the dolphins longer Lunch was great and plenty of it. No need for suncream as they provide reef friendly cream.”

73 reviews3 hours (approx.)From $149.00by C Big Island Tours

Check Availability →Read the review →

Humpback Whale and Dolphin Watch in Kona

Humpback Whale and Dolphin Watch in Kona - The onboard naturalist and hydrophone moment

7.Humpback Whale and Dolphin Watch in Kona

★ 4.5

Kona’s winter whale watch with onboard naturalists, dolphins year-round, and humpbacks Dec–Apr, plus hydrophone whale-song listening.

“Awesome crew. They pointed out whales and dolphins. It was a great trip. We even saw flying fish. A lot of fun!”

62 reviews3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)From $109.00by Dolphin Discoveries

Check Availability →Read the review →

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

Dolphin, Sea Cave, Captain Cook, Kealakekua Bay Reef Snorkeling - Snorkeling Rhythm: when you’re in the water, when you’re on the ride

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

★ 4.5

A fast Zodiac snorkel outing from Captain Cook to Kealakekua Bay—gear, snacks, sea caves, and possible dolphins, in a small group.

“The boat ride & music was a blast! Erik & Lacey were great hosts and super accommodating for the snorkel experience. We plan to come back and do it again in April!”

47 reviews2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)From $89.00by Kona Manta Ray Snorkel Tours

Check Availability →Read the review →

4 Hour Big Island Dolphin Watch Boat Tour, Snorkeling & BBQ Lunch

4 Hour Big Island Dolphin Watch Boat Tour, Snorkeling & BBQ Lunch - Wildlife Watching From the Pacific: Dolphins, Manta Rays, and Seasonal Humpbacks

9.4 Hour Big Island Dolphin Watch Boat Tour, Snorkeling & BBQ Lunch

★ 5.0

Speedboat dolphin watch and 2 snorkeling stops off Kona, plus BBQ lunch and included gear on Iruka Hawaii’s small-group tour.

“The experience with Mitch & Lena was nothing but awesome. These guys made my family and I extremely comfortable sailing and venturing with them. They made my family and I feel like family. They made our experience the top highlight of our trip. The peace and excitement that these two provided was simply amazing and…”

44 reviews3 hours (approx.)From $150.00by Iruka Hawaii Dolphin

Check Availability →Read the review →

2-Hour Dolphin Watching and Double Reef with Snorkel in Hawaii

2-Hour Dolphin Watching and Double Reef with Snorkel in Hawaii - Snorkel Gear, Snacks, and Drinks That Make It Feel Effortless

Most recent

Explore Big Island

Kona Coast

Hilo & Waterfalls