Snorkeling and Kayaking Trips in the USA: Our Top 15

1.Half-Day Trip from Key West with Kayaking, Snorkeling & Sunset

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,683 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $115Our pick

Sail from 255 Front Street, then kayak through mangrove channels and snorkel in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Danger Charters supplies gear, snacks, drinks, and winter wetsuits. The afternoon trip adds a Key West sunset, while guides such as Micah, Katie, Laura, and Mary bring local history and calm, useful instruction.

“Great three part activity. Loved the sailing, kayaking and snorkeling! Staff was great and attentive! Enjoy the sights and family had a great time!”

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2.Kailua Bay, Oahu: Epic Kayak and Snorkel to Islands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,311 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $114

Paddle from Kailua Beach to Flat Island or the Mokulua Islands with a guide such as Mike, Evelyn, or Tupre, or choose your own route. You’ll receive a kayak, snorkel gear, dry bag, locker, showers, permits, and lunch. Expect beautiful water, bird sanctuaries, and a real upper-body workout.

“This was a fun experience; we were able to kayak on our own, and the lunch was delicious. The staff explain all the rules and address any potential issues.”

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3.Key West Full-Day Ocean Adventure: Kayak, Snorkel, Sail

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 767 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $152

Spend 6.5 hours aboard a 65-foot schooner with a crew such as Captain Joe, Captain Janet, or guide Daniel, depending on the departure. Sail through the Key West National Wildlife Refuge, snorkel in Florida Keys backcountry waters, kayak through mangroves, and enjoy a buffet lunch with unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks. The group is capped at 20.

“A nice way to get to do multiple activities at the same time. The snorkeling was better than my time at Cabo. All of our guides are great. Lots of food and drink.”

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4.Hanalei Bay Morning Kayak and Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 567 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $160

Start at 8 a.m. in Hanalei, then paddle tandem kayaks from a private dock down the Hanalei River and into the bay. Guides such as Gabe and Kolo share island history, help you spot turtles, lead a 45-minute snorkel, and serve a deli lunch on the beach. Gear, dry bags, water, and juice are included.

“Wonderful, fun experience. Great kayaking down and back up calm river. Turtle encounters while kayaking and nice lunch.”

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5.Maui Clear Kayak and Snorkel Tour: Swim with turtles (Makena)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 551 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $130

Meet guides such as Kyle, Curtis, Marc, or Michael at Makena Landing for a three-hour morning tour over shallow reefs. Paddle a clear-bottom kayak, spot turtles and tropical fish, then snorkel if you wish. The small group, safety focus, snacks, gear, and family-friendly pace make this a strong choice for first-time kayakers.

“Mark was a gentleman and extremely friendly. My wife unexpectedly got sea sick and he was very attentive to her needs. Great guide and experience despite the circumstances”

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6.3.5 Hour Kailua-Kona Ocean Kayak and Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 384 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $99Best value

Start early from Keauhou Bay with guides such as Ryan or Miles, then paddle a stable kayak along Kona’s coast. You’ll look for spinner dolphins, enter sea caves, snorkel among coral and more than 50 fish species, and possibly visit blowholes or cliff-jump. Groups average four to eight people.

“The guide is very understanding of prior experience. Goes at a group pace. Does a good job of engaging conversation.”

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7.Turtle Town Kayak and Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 345 reviews · 3 hours · from $120

Paddle about 1.5 miles across Makena Bay with a small group of up to 10 people, then snorkel among sea turtles, fish, coral, and other marine life. Guides such as Tyler, Jake, John, and Rabbit are praised for calm instruction and local insight. Early morning departures usually offer easier paddling conditions.

“Fantastic! Great snorkelling opportunity close to turtles and a wide variety of fish around the coral. Could even hear the whales singing underwater!!”

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8.Clear Kayak Tour with Pontoons and Optional Snorkeling-Unlimited

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 224 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $134

Paddle clear kayaks across Olowalu’s reef with Jason, Gabriel, and their family team. Pontoons add stability, and optional snorkeling lets you see turtles, fish, coral, and other sea life from the water. Rash guards, dry bags, sunscreen, water, snacks, and pineapple are provided. The morning lasts about three hours.

“Jason is an amazing, knowledgeable, compassionate guide. You get ocean 101 on this tour! We kayaked for the designated time listed then headed back to shore to leave the kayaks and snorkel for a couple of hours. He helped me get back to shore when my leg cramped up on me and I truly appreciated him for that. He checked in with everyone often and ensured our safety.”

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9.Kayak & Turtle Town Snorkel(Turtles Guaranteed) + Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 196 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $119

Paddle a tandem kayak from Olowalu with a guide such as Payson, Alec, Billy, Gene, Jon, or Robbie. You’ll snorkel at a turtle cleaning station, watch for humpback whales in season, and enjoy views of four islands and the West Maui mountains. Groups are capped at 10, with photos and videos available for an extra charge.

“Billy was awesome and very knowledgeable. Had a great time kayaking, snorkeling and seeing sea turtles. Would definitely recommend this excursion.”

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10.Morning Magic Kayak and Snorkel Adventure in Kealakekua Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 183 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $257

Start at 7:00 a.m. with Kona Boys and paddle across Kealakekua Bay toward the Captain Cook Monument. Guides such as Grant, Tyler, and Nate lead the way, share stories of the bay, and help you make the most of the snorkeling. Lunch, gear, and bottled water are included, with groups capped at 12.

“Worth it, 100% get up early and do this tour. We had a fantastic guide, Grant. 10/10 would just hang out with him again but besides getting along with our guide this tour felt really special and we were beyond so informed about the area and the history and the wildlife. Very respectful and respectable guide. We lucked into being a very small group so we made good time getting across and got so much time to snorkel, could've stayed in there all day looking at coral and fishes and out on the kayak chatting about anything and everything. It was a dream, thank you Grant and Kona Boys.”

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11.La Jolla: 2.5-Hour Kayak and Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 165 reviews · 2h 30m · from $129 per boat (seats 2)

You’ll kayak with an English-speaking guide to La Jolla’s sea caves, then snorkel around rocky reefs and sandy flats where garibaldi, rays, sea lions, and harmless leopard sharks may appear. Guides such as Zak, Jada, and Anthony are praised for clear instruction and humor. The tour suits swimmers age 8 and up.

“Had so much fun, guides (Jack and Nick) were helpful and very cool. Definitely recommend”

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12.South Maui: Premium Turtle Town Kayak and Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 113 reviews · 3h 30m · from $151

Spend a full morning kayaking about two miles along South Maui’s Makena coast, with two or three guided snorkeling stops in Turtle Town. Guides such as Miah, Tyler, John, and Steve are praised for patient instruction, marine-life knowledge, and helping first-timers feel safe. Winter outings may add humpback whale watching.

“rougher water but we all went for it. Jake was a fantastic guide and the turtles were beautiful. highly recommend.”

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13.South Maui: Whale Watch Kayaking and Snorkel Tour in Kihei

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 93 reviews · 3 hours · from $118

Paddle a sit-on-top kayak from Makena Landing with a small group of up to 10 people. Your English-speaking guide, such as Jake, Kyle, or Madison, teaches launching and snorkeling basics, shares island stories, searches for humpback whales, then leads you to a reef where green sea turtles and colorful fish are often found.

“It was absolutely amazing! Tyler our guide was very very good and informative and so accommodating. We had an amazing encounter with whales, followed by a great snorkel with some turtles!”

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14.Midday Meander – Kealakekua Bay Kayak and Snorkel Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 68 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $187

Meet Kona Boys in Kealakekua at 11:30 a.m. for a rules briefing, gear fitting, and orientation, then drive to Napoopoo Pier. Paddle about a mile to Kaawaloa and Captain Cook Monument, snorkel along a dramatic cliff, and return by kayak. Guides such as Evan, Michael, Grant, and Bamm bring patience, local stories, and steady safety support.

“Really nice people, passionate about the local culture and environment - very patient with beginners!”

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15.Beginner-Friendly Island Snorkeling by SUP or Kayak

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 61 reviews · 2h 30m · from $99

Learn to paddle a kayak or SUP, follow a guide through mangroves, then reach shallow Sandspur Island for snorkeling, fruit, drinks, and wildlife spotting. Safety vests make the water approachable for beginners, and guides such as Tony, Celia, Miguel, and Sydney have earned praise for patient instruction and friendly help.

“Adam and Ally were great! Super friendly and knowledgeable.”

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