Small Group Snorkeling Expedition South Kona in Big Island of Hawaii
Big Island of Hawaii, United States

Small Group Snorkeling Expedition South Kona

Outty Ranking 84 5.0 · 231 traveler reviews5 hoursFrom $200

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

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Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$200
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Outty Ranking

84/100

Exceptional. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 231 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Small Group Snorkeling Expedition South Kona worth booking?

Small Group Snorkeling Expedition South Kona is a 5-hour experience in Big Island of Hawaii, United States, from $200 per person. It scores 84 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional, based on a 5/5 rating across 231 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
84 / 100
Rating
5/5 (231)
Duration
5 hours
From
$200 per person

See parts of the Island most residents of Hawaii never see! Explore further down the pristine South Kona Coast than any other snorkeling tour company and snorkel at 3 incredible locations including Kealakekua Bay, the cu

What you get

    About this experience

    See parts of the Island most residents of Hawaii never see! Explore further down the pristine South Kona Coast than any other snorkeling tour company and snorkel at 3 incredible locations including Kealakekua Bay, the culturally significant Pu’uhonua O Honaunau, and a third remote location inaccessible any other way. Perhaps you’ll snorkel at a black sand beach and have it all to yourselves. Maybe a stone arch or a spectacular lava rock formation created thousands of years ago. Explore sea caves and lava tubes in our safe, exciting, and maneuverable custom vessels designed to get you up close and personal with the coast. Scout for marine life such as pilot whales as long as your boat, Hawaiian spinner dolphins, green sea turtles, and more. Lunch is provided, as are snacks, water & juice throughout the day. All the snorkeling gear and flotation devices you need as well. You simply show up in your swimsuit with your reef-safe sunscreen and towel in hand and away we go!

    What's included

    Included

    • Water & Juice
    • Bottled water
    • Snacks
    • Flotation Devices
    • Snorkeling Gear
    • Lunch

    Not included

    • Towels
    • Sunscreen

    What you'll see and do

    1. Sea Quest Hawaii

      Explore three snorkel destinations, Kealakekua Bay, Puʻuhonua O Honaunau, and a private black sand beach. Our captain and crew will share the history and culture as they adventure through sea caves and lava tubes.

      300 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Big Island of Hawaii

    Departure Point: Keauhou Bay, HI Address: 78-7138 Kaleiopapa Street Kailua Kona, HI 96740 Directions: FROM KAILUA-KONA/ALII DRIVE: Drive SOUTH on Alii Drive (Ocean on your right) Turn RIGHT at 1st STOPLIGHT (Alii Highway) Turn RIGHT at 2nd STOPLIGHT (Kamehameha III Road) Turn LEFT onto Dirt Road at Sea Quest Parking Sign Before Dead End Park in Dirt Parking Lot Walk Across Sandy Volleyball Court and small pier parking lot. Sea Quest is located within the white one-story building. FROM VOLCANO AND POINTS SOUTH: Take Highway 11 toward Kailua-Kona Turn LEFT on Kamehameha III Road (near mile marker 118) Drive THROUGH Two STOPLIGHTS Turn LEFT onto Dirt Road at Sea Quest Parking Sign Before Dead End Park in Dirt Parking Lot Walk Across Sandy Volleyball Court and small pier parking lot. Sea Quest is located within one-story building. Dates: See Availability

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Departure Point: Keauhou Bay, HI Address: 78-7138 Kaleiopapa Street Kailua Kona, HI 96740 Directions: FROM KAILUA-KONA/ALII DRIVE: Drive SOUTH on Alii Drive (Ocean on your right) Turn RIGHT at 1st STOPLIGHT (Alii Highway) Turn RIGHT at 2nd STOPLIGHT (Kamehameha III Road) Turn LEFT onto Dirt Road at Sea Quest Parking Sign Before Dead End Park in Dirt Parking Lot Walk Across Sandy Volleyball Court and small pier parking lot. Sea Quest is located within the white one-story building. FROM VOLCANO AND POINTS SOUTH: Take Highway 11 toward Kailua-Kona Turn LEFT on Kamehameha III Road (near mile marker 118) Drive THROUGH Two STOPLIGHTS Turn LEFT onto Dirt Road at Sea Quest Parking Sign Before Dead End Park in Dirt Parking Lot Walk Across Sandy Volleyball Court and small pier parking lot. Sea Quest is located within one-story building. Dates: See Availability

    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 14 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Sea Quest Hawaii

    Know before you go

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
    • Swimming Experience recommended
    • Snorkeling Experience recommended
    • Must be able to climb a short pool ladder

    Photos

    Small Group Snorkeling Expedition South Kona in Big Island of Hawaii, photo 2Small Group Snorkeling Expedition South Kona in Big Island of Hawaii, photo 3Small Group Snorkeling Expedition South Kona in Big Island of Hawaii, photo 4Expedition South KonaYellow Tang in Kealakekua BaySmall Group Snorkeling Expedition South Kona in Big Island of Hawaii, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 231 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    7 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Food and drink

    3 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Good for families

    3 mentions

    Reviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.

    The guide

    2 mentions

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

    Traveler reviews

    231 verified traveler reviews for Small Group Snorkeling Expedition South Kona. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    227
    4 star
    3
    3 star
    1
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    Laura_L · August 2026

    Fun in the sun

    Kevin and his crew were amazing today. Good vibes and patience with a strong willed kiddo. We saw turtles and a manta ray, so cool. Thanks for making it a great experience!! Loved this adventure. Highly recommend!!!

    Response from the operator: Aloha Laura! Thank you for choosing Sea Quest Hawaii! We are so happy to hear you had such a wonderful adventure with Kevin and our crew! It means so much to know they helped create a fun and welcoming experience for your ohana, especially with a strong willed keiki along for the adventure. Their patience and care truly make a difference. And what a special day on the water! Seeing honu and a manta ray during the same adventure is something you will hopefully remember for a long time. Mahalo nui loa for your kind words and recommendation. We are grateful you chose to explore South Kona with us and hope to welcome you back aboard again someday! With aloha, The Sea Quest Hawaii Team

    via Viator

    Dream56627907308 · August 2026

    A wonderful snorkel

    Our guides were wonderful! The fish were incredible. Our snack and lunch was delicious.

    Response from the operator: Aloha! Thank you for choosing Sea Quest Hawaii! Mahalo nui loa for your wonderful review! We are so happy to hear that you had such a great time exploring the South Kona coast with our crew. It means so much to know that our guides took great care of you and helped make your experience special. We are also glad you enjoyed the incredible fish, snacks, and lunch! We love being able to share the beauty of our ocean and coastline while keeping our guests well fed along the way. Mahalo again for spending the day with our Sea Quest ohana. We hope to welcome you back on the water again soon!

    via Tripadvisor

    Fearless54808324282 · July 2026

    Unforgettable Trip

    We had a great S. Kona snorkel trip with the two "B"s--Captn. B and 1st mate, Brooke. We saw a lot of beautiful fish and swam by a turtle! Brooke even dove down 40' to save my snorkel when it went overboard. Captn. B was bubbly, very positive and full of history, facts and information, and most importantly, when one of the snorkelers was stung by a man of war, she was extremely professional and immediately rendered first aid. After the snorkeler said she didn't want to head back early, saying she felt okay, B had the snorkeler stay with her the rest of the trip to make sure she was okay.

    Response from the operator: Aloha! Thank you for choosing Sea Quest Hawaii and mahalo nui loa for your wonderful review! We are so happy to hear you had an unforgettable South Kona Expedition snorkeling adventure with Captain B and Brooke. It sounds like your day was filled with incredible marine life, from colorful reef fish to a sea turtle, making for a truly memorable experience. We will be sure to share your kind words with Captain B and Brooke. They are passionate about sharing the beauty, history, and marine life of the Kona Coast, and they always strive to provide exceptional care for every guest. We especially appreciate you recognizing Brooke for recovering your snorkel and Captain B for her calm, professional response when another guest needed first aid. The safety and wellbeing of our guests is always our highest priority, and we are proud of how our crew handled the situation with such care and compassion. Thank you again for spending the day with our Sea Quest ohana. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure on the Kona Coast in the future. Mahalo!

    via Tripadvisor

    AlexS23462 · July 2026

    Absolutely amazing!

    Hands down, this tour was amazing! Great snorkeling sights, great lunch and snacks provided. Captain Chris and Brooke were so knowledgeable and helpful for everyone on board. The next time I visit the big island, we will do this tour again and the tour company in what they offer because they were so great. Thank you for such a great experience and making our day on the water absolutely fantastic!

    Response from the operator: Aloha! Thank you for choosing Sea Quest Hawaii! Mahalo nui loa for your wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that your South Kona Snorkeling Expedition was such an amazing experience from start to finish. We will be sure to share your kind words with Captain Chris and Brooke. They are passionate about sharing the beauty of the Kona Coast while making sure every guest feels safe, comfortable, and has an unforgettable day on the water. We know they will appreciate your thoughtful recognition. We are also so glad you enjoyed the incredible snorkeling, as well as the lunch and snacks provided during the tour. It means so much to us that you are already planning to join us again on your next visit to the Big Island and that you are excited to experience more of what Sea Quest has to offer. Mahalo again for your recommendation and for being part of our Sea Quest ohana. We look forward to welcoming you back for another fantastic adventure. With warmest aloha, The Sea Quest Hawaii Team

    via Tripadvisor

    B7028CGhannahp · April 2026

    Bachelorette party snorkel

    We took a group of girls bachelorette party for a day on the ocean. It was such a fun experience captain Skyler brought us to the black sand beach and we saw 2 different types of whales. It was truly an amazing unforgettable experience!

    Response from the operator: Aloha Hannah, Thank you for choosing Sea Quest Hawaii and for celebrating such a special day with us. We are so happy to hear you were able to be part of the bachelorette party and enjoy that time out on the ocean together. It sounds like an incredible day, from visiting the black sand beach to spotting two different types of whales. Those shared moments out on the water are what make experiences like this so memorable. Captain Skyler will be so happy to hear your kind words. He truly enjoys creating fun, unforgettable adventures for groups and special occasions. Mahalo nui loa for joining us. We hope to welcome you back again. With warmest Aloha, Sea Quest Hawaii

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    5 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
    81
    Verdict
    Exceptional

    Why this scores 84

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

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)99
    Review evidence (18% weight)70
    Booking momentum (14% weight)65
    Value for money (12% weight)86
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)78
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Small Group Snorkeling Expedition South Kona: questions travelers ask

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

    How much does Small Group Snorkeling Expedition South Kona cost?

    +

    Prices start at $200 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 Small Group Snorkeling Expedition South Kona take?

    +

    Plan for about 5 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 Small Group Snorkeling Expedition South Kona worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 84 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 231 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 Small Group Snorkeling Expedition South Kona?

    +

    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 Small Group Snorkeling Expedition South Kona suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Small Group Snorkeling Expedition South Kona?

    +

    Around 81 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 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Small Group Snorkeling Expedition South Kona 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?

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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 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?

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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?

    +

    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.

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