Kealakekua Bay Snorkel Tours, Compared

• Big catamarans (Fair Wind, Hang Loose) bring shade, restrooms, meals, slides, and flotation for nervous swimmers — the easy family choice.
• Sailing catamaran: Sea Paradise sails the Hoku Nui to the bay and, weather permitting, the Red Hill lava arches.
• Rafts: Kona Snorkel Tours’ fast raft (max 18) reaches sea caves and lava tubes the big boats can’t, with two snorkel stops.
• Small boat: Hawaii Oceanic caps groups at 11, with about 90 minutes of snorkeling — best for confident swimmers.
• Paddle: Kona Boys guides kayaks across the bay to the monument; Ehu and Kai Adventures paddles a traditional outrigger canoe with groups of up to 7.

The historic Kaʻawaloa Trail is the only way to reach Kaʻawaloa Flat on foot. It is steep, hot, and has no restrooms; bring plenty of water and pack out everything. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority also advises against recreational kayaking in the bay because of its impact on marine life — another reason to go with a permitted guide or a boat.

Hawaiʻi bans the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone or octinoxate, and in 2022 Hawaiʻi County passed an ordinance banning the sale on the island of sunscreens with any active ingredient other than zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Pack a mineral sunscreen and a rash guard. Never stand on coral, and give sea turtles at least 10 feet.

Prefer to swim in from the beach? Two Step at Hōnaunau Bay, just outside Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau, and Kahaluʻu Beach Park near Keauhou are the classic Kona shore snorkels. See our snorkel beaches guide.