
Beach Snorkel - Sea Turtle and Black Sand Lagoon
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.5/5
Based on 66 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Beach Snorkel - Sea Turtle and Black Sand Lagoon worth booking?
Beach Snorkel - Sea Turtle and Black Sand Lagoon is a 3-hour experience in Big Island of Hawaii, United States, from $136 per person. It scores 64 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 66 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 64 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (66)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $136 per person
Discover a world of marine science and one of the best snorkeling spots in the Hilo region at these two family-friendly beach parks, accessed from the shoreline. The only black-sand beach in the Hilo region provides rel
What you get
About this experience
Discover a world of marine science and one of the best snorkeling spots in the Hilo region at these two family-friendly beach parks, accessed from the shoreline. The only black-sand beach in the Hilo region provides relaxed swimming, sheltered rock pools for beautiful snorkeling and excellent surfing. Lava from Mauna Kea has formed a natural seawall at Richardson Ocean Park, making it a sheltered beach that is perfect snorkeling with giant sea turtles, monk seals and abundant sea life. Rock pools that fill at high tide make for shallow, detached swimming holes at low tide. Snorkel in the pools, without the stress of swell or currents.
What's included
Included
- Snacks
- Transportation from the check-in location to the snorkel site.
- All snorkel gear (mask, fins, and snorkel)
- Professionally Trained Snorkel Guide
Not included
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup & drop-off
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Big Island of Hawaii
Please check in 10 minutes before your tour departure time at the Hilo Ocean Adventures storefront (located at 1717 Kamehameha Ave. Hilo, HI 96720).
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Please check in 10 minutes before your tour departure time at the Hilo Ocean Adventures storefront (located at 1717 Kamehameha Ave. Hilo, HI 96720).
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Hilo Ocean Adventures
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- This tour is suitable for ages 8 and up. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 65 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
65 verified traveler reviews for Beach Snorkel - Sea Turtle and Black Sand Lagoon. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Beautiful Area, but Overpriced Tour
My boyfriend and I enjoyed our snorkeling trip, but it definitely did not feel like it was worth the price. We snorkeled in two locations for about three hours total, but there was very little guidance of where we should go or what to avoid. Even as we were driving to/from the snorkeling spots, the guide did not share any information about the area. It essentially felt like an uber service with a snorkel rental attached.
via Tripadvisor
We had great snorkeling...
We had great snorkeling adventure. We saw lots of sea life. Our guide was wonderful and very helpful.
via Viator
Not Satisfying services
Customer service was not willing to schedule to another site when they clearly had other activities in the area I was staying.
via Viator
Wonderful!
Our guide was great! We went to two different snorkel spots, and when we asked if we could try to find turtles, he went in search of a place where we could find them. The second place we stopped, Carlsmith Beach, had a turtle beached for us to view. Richardson beach was also amazing, and our guide was knowledgeable and very kind. We were supposed to stay out from 9:30-12:30 but didn’t get back until almost 1:30 pm. It was well worth the money, and a great day!
via Tripadvisor
Shoreline snorkeling
The tour is over-expensive for what is offered. It is not very well described as a shoreline snorkeling. There is no boat bringing you to the spots.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $136 to $154
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 23
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 64
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Beach Snorkel - Sea Turtle and Black Sand Lagoon: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Big Island of Hawaii.
How much does Beach Snorkel - Sea Turtle and Black Sand Lagoon cost?
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Prices start at $136 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Big Island of Hawaii usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Beach Snorkel - Sea Turtle and Black Sand Lagoon take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Big Island of Hawaii is not rushed.
Is Beach Snorkel - Sea Turtle and Black Sand Lagoon worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 64 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 66 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Big Island of Hawaii, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Beach Snorkel - Sea Turtle and Black Sand Lagoon?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Beach Snorkel - Sea Turtle and Black Sand Lagoon suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Beach Snorkel - Sea Turtle and Black Sand Lagoon?
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Around 23 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Big Island of Hawaii can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Big Island of Hawaii and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Beach Snorkel - Sea Turtle and Black Sand Lagoon start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Big Island of Hawaii within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Big Island of Hawaii?
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The Big Island is volcano country: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park tours, Mauna Kea summit stargazing, night manta ray snorkels off Kona, Waipio Valley lookouts and coffee farm visits. Summit tours have real altitude rules, so we weight safety detail. On Outty we rank every Big Island of Hawaii experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include KONA Manta Ray Night Snorkel - FREE re-ride if no Sightings, Big Island: Captain Cook Snorkel On A Power Catamaran With Lunch, Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Big Island of Hawaii?
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April to October, though the island runs year round. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Big Island of Hawaii?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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