Quick Details
Snorkeler
$ 179
Tour Rating
Moderate
You snorkel in open water off the boat and climb a ladder to get back aboard. Conditions change by the day. Our captain reads conditions every morning, picks the sites, and makes the call before we leave the harbor.
Book at your level. Check the rating and the local weather before you book. Be honest about your experience.
About the Tour
Reefs you can only reach by boat. We meet at the shop, fit your gear, and head to Wailoa Harbor to board Mālama i ke Kai. We run past the breakwall and stop at the snorkel sites the captain picks for the day. There is no set site. Swell and wind decide.
Your guide gives a safety briefing on deck, gets you fitted, and swims with the group. Float belts are included, so you can rest at the surface any time. When you are done, you climb the ladder back aboard.
This is Hilo’s windward coast: lava ledges, open water, and conditions that move. You do not need snorkel experience. You do need to be comfortable swimming in the ocean.
Price & What’s Included
Snorkeler
$179
Ride-Along (no snorkeling)
$89
Snorkeler Includes
- Captain, crew, and boat
- Guide in the water with the group
- Safety briefing and snorkel instruction
- Mask, snorkel, and defog
- Fins and float belt
- Fish identification
- Snacks
Need prescription lenses?
Prescription masks are available at no extra charge. Note it when you book.
Ride-Along Includes
- Captain, crew, and boat
- The full ride along the coast
- Wildlife watching from the deck
- Snacks
For friends and family who want the boat, not the water. Ride-alongs do not snorkel.
Ready to get off the beach?
Pick your date, add any ride-alongs, and note a prescription mask if you need one.
Requirements & What to Bring
Requirements
- Comfortable swimming in open ocean.
- Able to climb a boat ladder on your own.
- Under 60. Minors snorkel with a parent or guardian.
- Prone to seasickness? Take medication before the trip, not on the boat.
What to Bring
- Swimsuit, worn before you arrive
- Towel and dry clothes for after
- Reef-safe sunscreen and sunglasses
- Reusable water bottle
- Phone in a waterproof case (we sell them at the shop), or a GoPro
- Seasickness medication, if you need it
Tour Details
- Meet: At our shop, 1717 Kamehameha Ave.
- Boat: Mālama i ke Kai, departing Wailoa Harbor.
- Duration: About 2 hours.
- Sites: Chosen the morning of by the captain, based on conditions.
- Group size: Up to 6 guests.
- Entry and exit: From the boat, back aboard by ladder.
- Water: 75 to 80 °F (24 to 27 °C).
What You’ll See
Here is what guests commonly see on this tour.
- Reef fish and coral along Hilo’s volcanic coastline.
- Green sea turtles (honu).
- Lava ledges, overhangs, and coastal terrain.
- Seasonal visitors like rays and spinner dolphins.
We give wildlife room.
Stay at least 10 feet from honu and never touch them. Spinner dolphins are protected by federal law, so we watch them from at least 50 yards and never swim with them.
FAQs
Do I need snorkel experience?
No. Your guide teaches you on deck before you get in. You do need to be comfortable swimming in the ocean.
I wear glasses. Can I still see?
Yes. Prescription masks are available at no extra charge. Note it when you book so we can have one ready.
Can someone come who does not want to snorkel?
Yes. Book them as a Ride-Along for $89. They ride the whole tour, watch from the deck, and get snacks. They do not go in the water.
Will we see dolphins and turtles?
Honu are common. Dolphins sometimes pass by. Both are wild, so we cannot promise either.
Will I get seasick?
This is open ocean, so it is possible. If you are prone to it, take medication before the trip. It does not help once you are already sick.
What if I get tired in the water?
Your float belt keeps you up at the surface, and your guide is with the group the whole time. Signal and rest, or head back to the ladder whenever you want.
What if the ocean is rough?
Our captain makes the call before we leave the harbor. If it is not safe, we do not go, and we will work with you to reschedule.