Big Island: Marine Wildlife Excursion in Big Island of Hawaii, United States
Big Island of Hawaii, United States

Big Island: Marine Wildlife Excursion

Outty Ranking 70 4.8 · 29 traveler reviews4 hoursFrom $153
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Outty Ranking

70/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.8/5

Based on 29 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Big Island: Marine Wildlife Excursion worth booking?

Big Island: Marine Wildlife Excursion is a 4-hour experience in Big Island of Hawaii, United States, from $153 per person. It scores 70 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 29 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
70 / 100
Rating
4.8/5 (29)
Duration
4 hours
From
$153 per person

Whale season is never over for Captain Zodiac. Join us for a unique experience of a lifetime where we venture into the unknown! Enjoy a morning wildlife watching tour with our experienced Naturalist captains and crew, who share a passion & respect for the ocean and its inhabitants. Kona is one of the few unique coastlines in the world with numerous species of wildlife year-round. We have the opportunity to encounter 17 different resident whale & dolphin species, turtles, sharks, Hawaiian Monk seals, various species of birds and much more. Experience our military grade Zodiac Hurricanes – the same boats used by Navy seals as we explore the diverse habitat provided by Hawaii’s deep underwater geography, an ocean safari for the true adventure seeker!

What you get

    About this experience

    Whale season is never over for Captain Zodiac. Join us for a unique experience of a lifetime where we venture into the unknown! Enjoy a morning wildlife watching tour with our experienced Naturalist captains and crew, who share a passion & respect for the ocean and its inhabitants. Kona is one of the few unique coastlines in the world with numerous species of wildlife year-round. We have the opportunity to encounter 17 different resident whale & dolphin species, turtles, sharks, Hawaiian Monk seals, various species of birds and much more. Experience our military grade Zodiac Hurricanes – the same boats used by Navy seals as we explore the diverse habitat provided by Hawaii’s deep underwater geography, an ocean safari for the true adventure seeker!

    What's included

    Included

    • Picnic snack (potato chips, cookies, sodas, fruit juices, bring your reusable bottle for water)
    • Rafting expedition
    • Local taxes

    Not included

    • Hotel pick up and drop off
    • Gratuities
    • Cameras, please bring your own camera and/or go pro.

    What you'll see and do

    1. Captain Zodiac Raft Expeditions

      This is the original rafting company of Hawai'i, with our family run office set up for checking in each of our excursions. Our office allows indoor seating, air conditioning, convenient restrooms, reef safe sunscreen, children entertainment, souvenir shopping and one fluffy friendly golden retriever, if you are missing yours back home.

      15 minutes here

    2. Honokohau Marina & Small Boat Harbor

      This is the original rafting company of Hawai'i, with our family run office set up for checking in each of our excursions. Our office allows indoor seating, air conditioning, convenient restrooms, reef safe sunscreen, children entertainment, souvenir shopping and one fluffy friendly golden retriever, if you are missing yours back home.

      15 minutes here

    3. Kailua-Kona

      Travel down the Kona coast exploring the deep waters of the Pacific ocean looking for any one of our resident dolphin or whales.

      180 minutes here

    4. Kailua-Kona

      On your return journey from Kealakekua Bay travel along the rugged shoreline hugging the coast with our maneuverable Zodiac boats. Listen to the stories of old Hawai'i and how the island was formed while you view different geological features. Our captain and crew are always willing to give out recommendations of places to eat, things to see, or events that are happening around Kona, so don't be afraid to ask.

      45 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Big Island of Hawaii

    Captain Zodiac is located in the Honokohau Marina and small boat harbor, after turning onto Kealakehe Street make your first right then second left into a parking lot surrounded by chain link fencing and pink flowers with blue roofed buildings.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Captain Zodiac is located in the Honokohau Marina and small boat harbor, after turning onto Kealakehe Street make your first right then second left into a parking lot surrounded by chain link fencing and pink flowers with blue roofed buildings.

    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
    Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Captain Zodiac

    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
    • Not recommended for participants with back or neck problems
    • Pregnant women are not allowed on this tour
    • Minimum age is 4 years

    Photos

    Bottlenose Dolphins, Big Island: Marine Wildlife Excursion in Big Island of HawaiiShort-finned Pilot Whales, Big Island: Marine Wildlife Excursion in Big Island of HawaiiPantropical Spotted Dolphins, Big Island: Marine Wildlife Excursion in Big Island of HawaiiSeasonal Humpback Whales, Big Island: Marine Wildlife Excursion in Big Island of HawaiiMelon-headed whales, Big Island: Marine Wildlife Excursion in Big Island of HawaiiLaysan Albatross, Big Island: Marine Wildlife Excursion in Big Island of Hawaii

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 29 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    3 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    3 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Traveler reviews

    29 verified traveler reviews for Big Island: Marine Wildlife Excursion. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    26
    4 star
    1
    3 star
    1
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    1
    Sort
    Boaters63 · October 2026

    Beware - the ride on the military style raft is not for the faint of heart!!

    While the people involved (boat captain and tour guide) were great, the experience was a big let down. The "boat" was a military style rubber raft that required you to sit on its side tube, hold onto a rope to keep you inside, and it had no cushioning or padding at all. It is not the tour operators fault that the water was very, very rough (we were in the remnants of Hurricane Nolo) it was just plain ridiculous to be racing across this very rough water at the high speed we were and literally being bounced and thrown all over. There were 6 couples on this boat, and 4 of the 6 were senior citizens (as we were). I heard one of them say out loud "this ride is nothing less than violent". When I complained about the discomfort the captain said "oh, this is nothing. You should see it when its really rough". We didn't purchase this excursion to go out and set 'survivor type' records, we just wanted a marine life viewing experience. Again the captain and the tour guide were very nice and friendly, but this "boat" was not at all what we were expecting or told by our cruise excursion desk we would be getting. To anyone interested in a sight seeing marine type excursion, you should go with a standard glass bottom viewing type boat or excursion. The captain did adjust his driving for our trip back into shore and it was must different and enjoyable, but the ride out onto the ocean was just as the older couple sitting next to us said - just plain violent and extremely rough

    via Tripadvisor

    P6842XOmarks · March 2025

    Go on this tour!

    This tour is amazing! Shelby, Marco, and DeVante are the best tour guides. We had so much fun from start to finish. They were extremely informed and taught us so much about all the wildlife we saw. The zodiac boat was so epic and felt so great to just be out on the water.

    Response from the operator: Sounds the a pelagic success! For the captains this tour is a little break from the norm, we get to go out a little on our snorkel tours but on a pelagic the offshore has no restrictions. We get to spend our whole time out in the blue looking for marine mammals and sea birds. Its just a nice tour for captains and guests, that want to get off shore to find things. Thank you for enjoying it as much as we do.

    via Tripadvisor

    603lovelyr · November 2023

    Awesome!

    The tour was amazing! We saw whales and oceanic white tip shark! Captain Marco is very knowledgeable, funny, and did a very good job. What an experience! We'll definitely do it again. -Lovely and Robert

    Response from the operator: Sounds like a great day on the water! Mahalo for taking the time to leave a review and for mentioning your captain. We hope to see you two again soon.

    via Tripadvisor

    Sheri_C · October 2023

    Awesome upclose whale experience

    Our trip was awesome..".B" our captain was delightful. We had the privilegde of spending about 15 minutes with a pod of 4-5 beaked cuviet whales. It is a rare sighting,the best she ir anyone else on the raft had ever seen. They.came right up to zodiac to check us out..so close we could have touched them. Absolutely amazing. The rest of the tour was interesting and informative. It was obvious that there was every cobcern for our safety and enjoyment. Hoghtly recommended!

    Response from the operator: What a special sighting that day! Mahalo for taking the time to shout out Captain B and write about your time on the water. Our Pelagic tour is a great way to learn about all kinds of animals that rely on the ocean, from whales and dolphins to sea birds.

    via Viator

    38pt · June 2023

    No refund given after cancellation

    Had a cancelation through phone message and email way before 48 hrs that is necessary and they will not refund me even with proof that this was done before the 48hrs that is in their policy. very dishonest.

    Response from the operator: We appreciate you emailing us regarding your refund and were happy to work with you on it. There is a 48-hour cancellation policy in place, but we understand the unexpected happens (whether it be travel changes, illness, injury or other medical reasons) and this can prevent plans from happening. We simply ask that the proper notice or documentation be given to receive a refund. Again, mahalo for reaching out about this matter. Very glad that we could work together to get it resolved. CZ

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    4 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    10
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Captain Zodiac, who run 6 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 71.6.

    See everything Captain Zodiac runs

    Why this scores 70

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)84
    Review evidence (18% weight)44
    Booking momentum (14% weight)35
    Value for money (12% weight)90
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)54
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Big Island: Marine Wildlife Excursion: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Big Island of Hawaii.

    How much does Big Island: Marine Wildlife Excursion cost?

    +

    Prices start at $153 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 Big Island: Marine Wildlife Excursion take?

    +

    Plan for about 4 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 Big Island: Marine Wildlife Excursion worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 70 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 29 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 Big Island: Marine Wildlife Excursion?

    +

    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 Big Island: Marine Wildlife Excursion suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Big Island: Marine Wildlife Excursion?

    +

    Around 10 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?

    +

    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 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Big Island: Marine Wildlife Excursion start and how do I get there?

    +

    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?

    +

    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 Big Island: Captain Cook Snorkel On A Power Catamaran With Lunch, KONA Manta Ray Night Snorkel - FREE re-ride if no Sightings, 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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.

    What is included in Big Island: Marine Wildlife Excursion?

    +

    Included: Picnic snack (potato chips, cookies, sodas, fruit juices, bring your reusable bottle for w; Rafting expedition; and Local taxes. Not included: Hotel pick up and drop off; Gratuities; and Cameras, please bring your own camera and/or go pro. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Big Island: Marine Wildlife Excursion?

    +

    Captain Zodiac is located in the Honokohau Marina and small boat harbor, after turning onto Kealakehe Street make your f. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Big Island: Marine Wildlife Excursion offered in?

    +

    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Big Island: Marine Wildlife Excursion?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Big Island: Marine Wildlife Excursion wheelchair or stroller accessible?

    +

    The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers; and Pregnant women are not allowed on this tour. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Big Island: Marine Wildlife Excursion if the weather is bad?

    +

    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about Big Island: Marine Wildlife Excursion?

    +

    Across 29 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Big Island: Marine Wildlife Excursion.

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