
Kaimana Ocean Safari
Pick your date
Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
Loading live availability
Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 273 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Kaimana Ocean Safari worth booking?
Kaimana Ocean Safari is a 4-hour experience in Big Island of Hawaii, United States, from $255 per person. It scores 79 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 273 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 79 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (273)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $255 per person
At Kaimana Ocean Safari you'll be guided by professionally trained ocean guides, boat captains, and underwater photographers to observe and interact with various wildlife along the Kona coastline. Our vessel only takes 6
What you get
About this experience
At Kaimana Ocean Safari you'll be guided by professionally trained ocean guides, boat captains, and underwater photographers to observe and interact with various wildlife along the Kona coastline. Our vessel only takes 6 people max so you beat the typical tourist trap large vessels for a more intimate experience. We approach our unique tours “safari” style, meaning we cover vast areas of the coastline in search of marine life aboard our vessel. We believe “the search” is part of the fun and allows nature to deliver the adventure. Join us on an incredible journey leaving you with a lifetime of memories! Please visit some of our instagram accounts to view more of what you can possibly see. Please note we do not guarantee any sightings or refund for lack of sightings. Wildlife is unpredictable and we cover as much ground as possible to see as much as we can.
What's included
Included
- Snacks
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- Bottled water
Not included
- Towels, rash guards, sun protection are not included. Please bring reef safe sunscreen (zinc only).
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Big Island of Hawaii
Tours meet at Honokohau Harbor north side bathrooms 15 minutes prior to departure. Enter Kealakehe Parkway from Queen Ka’ahumanu Hwy, Make your first right & turn left after the gas station on your left. Park at the bathroom pavilion & meet staff.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Tours meet at Honokohau Harbor north side bathrooms 15 minutes prior to departure. Enter Kealakehe Parkway from Queen Ka’ahumanu Hwy, Make your first right & turn left after the gas station on your left. Park at the bathroom pavilion & meet staff.
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
- Kaimana Ocean Safari
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- We have a 4ft height limit for children
- We have an in-water weight limit of 300 lbs- must be able to climb ladder
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 273 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Small groups
3 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
273 verified traveler reviews for Kaimana Ocean Safari. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great day
Very interactive, small group on a boat people very helpful and professional but not cold, personal touches such as snack and soda or water
via Viator
Nice crew but too expensive for what you get
I give one star for the friendly and cool crew/guide, one star for the grey reef sharks and one for the pilot whales. Ofc you can never know what you’ll see but it was just too expensive for what we saw. I also found it too bad that we were only snorkeling in the water for about 5 minutes per stop (there were 3 stops in total) before having to get out quickly. I’d have appreciated more snorkeling time and there was still a quarter of an hour of the booked time left at the end. It was still a nice experience after all and I can recommend it.
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re sorry to hear the tour didn’t fully meet your expectations, though we’re glad you enjoyed our crew and the wildlife you encountered. We’d like to provide a little context for future guests about how our Ocean Safari differs from a traditional snorkel tour. Our primary goal is to locate wild marine life, which means covering large areas of ocean in search of animals whose locations change daily. On your trip, we traveled nearly 40 nautical miles in our search. This style of tour naturally involves time spent cruising, and operating a small six-passenger vessel in Hawaiʻi (with fuel and operating costs being among the highest in the country) allows us to offer a more intimate, personalized experience. During your safari, you encountered bottlenose dolphins, a pod of pilot whales, more than 10 juvenile grey reef sharks, and enjoyed an additional snorkel stop on the reef. That reef is also a location where manta rays are frequently seen, so we stopped there in hopes of finding even more marine megafauna, though wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed. We truly appreciate your feedback regarding the snorkeling time and will certainly take it into consideration. Guest experience is very important to us, and if you’re still disappointed, we’d love the opportunity to make it right. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly so we can discuss your experience further.
via Tripadvisor
Sharks and dolphins and mantas too
We loved every minute !! Our 8 year old snorkeled more than ever. I thought she never would and she came in for the mantas! We saw mantas, a shark and dolphins and the crew was so good with all 4 kids!
via Viator
A must do for adventurers
Absolutely amazing! Three young kids, two adults, so many cool spotting! Sharks, dolphins, rays, unforgettable! Wish we did it twice!
via Tripadvisor
Fantastic day on the ocean
Knowledgeable fun staff. Small boat and group make it way better than big boat tours for us. Getting in the open ocean with wildlife is such an amazing rewarding experience.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 96
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 79
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Kaimana Ocean Safari: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Big Island of Hawaii.
How much does Kaimana Ocean Safari cost?
+
Prices start at $255 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 Kaimana Ocean Safari 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 Kaimana Ocean Safari worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 79 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 273 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 Kaimana Ocean Safari?
+
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 Kaimana Ocean Safari 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 Kaimana Ocean Safari?
+
Around 96 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 Kaimana Ocean Safari 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 KONA Manta Ray Night Snorkel - FREE re-ride if no Sightings, Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History, Big Island: Captain Cook Snorkel On A Power Catamaran With Lunch. 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.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Kaimana Ocean Safari.
Pick your date




