Private Tour
4 hours
Mobile ticket
• Vessel Designed for Exploration: HAWAII MARINE LIFE CHARTERS uses a 31’ Ocean Craft
RHIB—the same "super-raft" used by military and law enforcement. This design offers
extreme stability, maneuverability, and a faster, smoother ride to Kona’s most remote
coastal gems.
• Size Matters: With a 10-passenger max, our private charters are more economical than
the 18 or 27-pack boats offered by competitors.
• All-Inclusive VIP Amenities. Other operators will nickle and dime their customers, but at
HMLC all of the extras are included in your tour price.
• Personal Concierge Experience: As a private charter, your crew focuses solely on you,
adjusting the itinerary to spend extra time with dolphins or find a secluded, crowd-free
cove.
• Local Expertise: A family-owned business, Captain Brian and his crew leverage 30+ years
of local knowledge to share Hawaiian history and "hidden gems" other tour operators
may miss.
Experience a private ocean expedition where your vision sets the course.
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Kailua-Kona
Experience the Kona Coast Your Way. Step aboard our 31’ Ocean Craft RHIB, featuring sun- shaded, forward-facing seats for ultimate stability and comfort. As a local, family-owned company, HAWAII MARINE LIFE CHARTERS offers a personalized experience where your vision sets the course. Personalized Itinerary Possibilities: • Captain Cook/Kealakekua Bay: Snorkel a 315-acre sanctuary of vibrant ocean reefs. • Hōnaunau Bay: Discover crystal-clear waters and sea turtles. • Coastal Exploration: View sea caves, lava tubes, dolphins, and seasonal whales. • Manta Ray Magic: Witness the "Underwater Ballet" of giant manta rays at night. All-Inclusive VIP Amenities means every detail is curated just for you—from GoPro 13 photography and top-tier snorkel gear to a gourmet lunch and premium refreshments—all of this at no extra charge. Whether we’re snorkeling pristine ocean reefs or finding a secret cove, this isn't just a tour—it's your own private ocean expedition. Ready to set the course?
The Captain Cook Monument
Explore beautiful Kealakekua Bay and the Captain Cook Monument with Hawaii Marine Life Charters. This protected marine sanctuary is one of the best snorkeling destinations on the Big Island, known for crystal-clear water, colorful tropical fish, vibrant reef, lava cliffs, and rich Hawaiian history. Our small-group Kona snorkeling tour gives guests a more personal and comfortable experience, with a maximum of 10 passengers. Enjoy a scenic ride along the Kona Coast before snorkeling in calm, clear waters near the famous Captain Cook Monument. Our friendly crew provides local knowledge, in-water support, and a strong focus on reef-safe, respectful ocean practices. This tour is perfect for guests looking for a memorable Kona snorkeling adventure with history, marine life, and true small-group hospitality.
Bottled water
Complimentary Wetsuit Jacket (upon request)
Towels
Use of Snorkelling equipment
Chips and Cookies
Hawaiian juices and GingerAle (no soda pop)
Gratuities
9 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
P9587JVruthg,Jan 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
What a remarkable experience! Brian and Skye were great guides- We saw humpback whales, swam with a manta ray, snorkeled in a private cove and had hundreds of spinner dolphins surrounding the boat. It was the highlight of a great trip here on the Big Island, I highly recommend this charter. Worth the price and beyond!!👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Adventure745284,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Great experience with Mitch and Sky! They were so helpful and knowledgeable. The tour was about 3 hours long. The boat is great because is fast yet designed in a way that you don’t get too wet as you typically do on speedboats.
Eric H,Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
We have kids ages 4, 5 and 7, the captain and crew treated us like their own family and costumized an adventure based on our requests. We were lucky and got to snorkel with manta rays and lots of fish , and saw a super pod of hundreds of dolphins up close. The trip was booked from 9am to 1130 but they extended our trip at no additional cost, 10/10 would highly recommend this charter !
larryy374,Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Great time! Brian a s Skye were well organized the Manta briefing was good definitely top ten activity, they waited a while not rushed, we spent a long time in the water with the mantas
389rossh,Oct 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Absolutely an outstanding experience! Brian and Trip were great hosts and showed me and my family an amazing time! Highly recommend for families with kids.
Rachael H,Oct 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
Absolutely an outstanding experience! Brian and Trip were great hosts and showed me and my family an amazing time! Highly recommend for families with kids.
671shawnaf,Jul 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Brian was an excellent captain and tour guide. He took care of us in every way. He provided a delicious lunch of pineapple, sandwiches, and chips and salsa. We had children on the boat and he made sure that they were comfortable and had fun. The boat was a very comfortable ride for our entire party. We saw mantas, spinner dolphins, and we snorkeled Kealakekua Bay. Thank you so much. We will recommend to all of our friends.
kimberly r,May 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Our group of 10, Rise & Shine, had the best time! The morning boating trip with Bryan and Riley was smooth and easy — they showed us everything around the island and provided everything we needed. The second trip, the Manta Ray night experience with Bryan and Sky, was truly unique and absolutely amazing. Highly recommend!


jennalU4929BJ,Feb 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
We had a great time with Hawaii marine life charters! We got to see lots of dolphins and whales as well as the beautiful surroundings of the Big Island. Brian and Jan were great hosts and very knowledgeable about the area and wildlife. Highly recommend!
Operated by Hawaii Marine Life Charters