From Hawaii: Eco-Friendly Snorkeling Experience with BBQ

Kona’s best feature is just offshore, where black volcanic coast meets clear Pacific water. This eco-certified cruise takes you about ten miles down the coast to a protected marine sanctuary, giving you a full morning at sea rather than a quick swim from shore. Dolphins are a possibility, not a promise, but the boat ride itself offers fine coastal views.

I like the generous setup: two hours of water time, prescription masks, paddleboards, flotation toys, a slide, and a high-dive platform. I also like that the crew works hard to include non-swimmers, young children, older adults, and wheelchair users. The main drawback is that you visit one snorkeling site, and the fish life can be modest on a given day.

Key points at a glance

• A full 270-minute outing: You get a morning cruise, breakfast, snorkeling, water toys, lunch, and a return ride.
• One protected snorkeling site: Conditions and fish variety can change, so the underwater show is not guaranteed.
• Dolphin watching is opportunistic: The crew may stop for spinner dolphins if a pod is spotted.
• More than snorkeling: Paddleboards, noodles, inner tubes, a floating relaxation station, a 20-foot slide, and a 15-foot high dive keep the boat lively.
• Good onboard comfort: Expect a shaded cabin, cushioned seating, three restrooms, freshwater showers, and free non-alcoholic drinks.
• Built for mixed-ability groups: A customized boarding ramp accommodates manual and electric wheelchairs and scooters.

Setting out from Kailua-Kona at 8 a.m.

You meet at Kailua Pier, with boarding beginning at 7:30 a.m. and departure at 8 a.m. Take that departure time seriously. Late arrivals are not eligible for a refund, so allow time to walk from the free parking at 75-5629 Kuakini Highway.

The boat travels roughly ten miles down the Kona coast. This is not dead time. It gives you a long view of the volcanic shoreline and a chance to settle into the rhythm of the morning before getting wet. The crew may also look for spinner dolphins along the route. If dolphins appear, the captain can pause so you can watch them, but wildlife sightings depend on nature and timing.

The early start works well in Kona. You get on the water before the hottest part of the day, and the schedule leaves much of your afternoon open. The tradeoff is simple: you need to be ready early, especially if you are staying away from Kailua-Kona.

Breakfast with Kona coffee and a wide ocean view

Breakfast is light but useful. You can expect tropical fruit, pastries, bagels, juices, tea, and Kona coffee. It is enough to take the edge off before swimming, though you may still want a substantial meal later, which is exactly what lunch provides.

The boat has a large shaded cabin with cushioned seating, three restrooms, and freshwater showers. These details matter more than they may sound. A snorkeling trip can become tiring when you are standing in the sun, waiting for gear, or trying to find a dry place to sit. Here, you have shelter and room to regroup.

Bring a towel. It is specifically recommended, and it will make the return ride more comfortable. Reef-safe sunscreen is supplied, but you should still protect exposed skin before boarding.

Reaching the protected marine sanctuary

Once the boat reaches its snorkeling area, the crew distributes masks, fins, and snorkels. Prescription masks are available, a valuable touch if you normally rely on glasses. A lifeguard-trained crew member gives beginners a short introduction before they enter the water.

That instruction can make a real difference. Snorkeling looks easy, but breathing through a tube while floating in open water unsettles some first-timers. The crew keeps watch and can help you back to the boat if you become uncomfortable. One guest described being overwhelmed in the water and receiving prompt assistance from a lifeguard, which is the sort of support you want on a family outing.

You receive about two hours of snorkeling time. That is plenty for a relaxed swim, though the exact feel of the session depends on conditions, water comfort, and how much you use the other equipment.

The site is protected, but protected does not mean every visit brings a spectacular wall of coral and fish. Some outings have produced clear water, turtles, jellyfish, dolphins, and a good range of fish. On other days, people have seen only a small number of fish types. You should book this for the overall day on the water, not for a guaranteed wildlife checklist.

There is another practical limitation: this is generally a single-site snorkeling trip. If you prefer visiting several reefs in one morning, this may feel less varied. The benefit is that you do not spend the whole outing motoring from one location to another.

Water time for swimmers, children, and non-swimmers

The boat is designed so that snorkeling is only one part of the fun. You can use noodles, life vests, inner tubes, and other flotation aids. Stand-up paddleboards are available at no added charge, and there is a floating relaxation station for people who want to sit in the water rather than swim laps.

Crew members can bring refreshments out to the relaxation station. That keeps the day easygoing, although you should follow crew directions and stay within the supervised area.

Children have a 20-foot waterslide and a 15-foot-high dive platform. These features give confident swimmers something active to do between snorkeling sessions. They are not suitable for everyone, so listen to the safety guidance and use the flotation gear that matches your comfort level.

The setup works especially well for groups with mixed interests. One person can snorkel, another can paddleboard, and someone else can stay shaded or float nearby. Families have also used the boat successfully with very young children, though parents should bring any special infant flotation equipment they require. One family brought its own infant life vest.

Lunch, drinks, and the ride back

While you are in the water, the crew prepares lunch. The included meal is a BBQ-style spread centered on hot burgers, with non-alcoholic drinks available throughout the trip. The burgers receive especially strong praise, and the meal is substantial enough to feel like real lunch after swimming.

After snorkeling, you can visit the full-service premium cash bar. Local brews, liquor, and mixers are available for purchase, but alcoholic drinks are not included in the $194 price. Keep that extra cost in mind if you expect to order several drinks.

Some people may wish lunch came later, during the ride home, since being called in from the water can feel abrupt. The return cruise is a pleasant part of the outing, with time to dry off, eat, and watch the Kona coast from the boat. Bring your camera in a waterproof case if you want pictures. GoPro cameras are not included.

What the $194 price really covers

At $194 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get into the water. You are paying for a complete boat day rather than a bare snorkeling transfer.

The price includes breakfast, lunch, non-alcoholic drinks, snorkeling gear, prescription masks when needed, about two hours of snorkeling, reef-safe sunscreen, paddleboards, flotation toys, the slide, and the high-dive platform. It also includes the services of a crew trained to help beginners and monitor the water.

For a family, the value improves because several people can enjoy the same ticket in different ways. A strong swimmer may spend most of the session snorkeling, while a child uses the slide and a grandparent stays in the shaded cabin. You are not paying separately for each water activity.

The price makes less sense if your only goal is a short, quiet snorkel at one reef. It also may not suit you if you do not care about breakfast, lunch, boat comfort, or family activities. But if you want food, gear, supervision, shade, and a social morning at sea bundled together, the cost is easier to justify.

The overall rating is 4.8 from 151 bookings, with repeated praise for the crew, food, clean boat, safety help, and family setup. The most consistent weakness is not service. It is the unpredictability of the snorkeling site and the lack of several separate reef stops.

Accessibility and practical comfort onboard

This cruise is described as 100% wheelchair friendly. A customized boarding ramp with portable extensions accommodates manual wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, and scooters. That is unusually specific and useful information, especially for a group planning a boat outing around mobility needs.

The boat also has restrooms, freshwater showers, shaded seating, and cushioned areas inside. The crew has helped wheelchair users and people who needed extra support in the water. Complete a liability waiver before boarding.

English is the tour language, and a live guide is provided. You should bring a towel and a waterproof camera. Alcohol costs extra, while GoPro cameras are not part of the equipment package.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies help if your Kona plans are still shifting, but they do not protect you from arriving late on the morning of the cruise.

Who will enjoy this Kona cruise most

I would recommend this outing to families, multigenerational groups, first-time snorkelers, and anyone who wants a full morning with meals included. It is also a good match for a couple where one person loves the water and the other would rather relax, eat, paddleboard, or watch the coast.

You will likely appreciate the crew if you are nervous in open water. Past outings have included hands-on help from crew members, with names such as Captain Bob and bartender Jon associated with especially attentive service. Staff members have also helped children, older adults, and wheelchair users feel included.

Solo visitors can enjoy it too, since the boat provides a ready-made activity without requiring you to arrange gear or find a snorkeling partner. The atmosphere is more social and activity-focused than private or romantic.

I would hesitate if you want a small, quiet boat, several snorkeling locations, or a guaranteed dolphin encounter. I would also think twice if your ideal Hawaiian morning means avoiding crowds and organized water toys. This is a comfortable group cruise with lots happening onboard.

Should you book it?

Book this Body Glove cruise if you want a dependable all-in-one water day from Kailua-Kona. The crew, meals, equipment, shade, accessibility, and range of water activities give it strong value for families and mixed-ability groups.

Book with realistic expectations about the reef. You might see turtles, dolphins, jellyfish, and many fish, or you might find the site less varied. The safest reason to choose it is the complete experience: a scenic boat ride, two hours in the water, a filling BBQ lunch, and a crew prepared to help you enjoy the morning at your own pace.

FAQ

Where does the snorkeling cruise depart?

It departs from Kailua Pier in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

Is parking available near Kailua Pier?

Free parking is available at 75-5629 Kuakini Highway, Kailua-Kona, a short walk from the pier.

What time does boarding and departure begin?

Boarding begins at 7:30 a.m., and the boat departs at 8 a.m. Late arrivals cannot receive a refund.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts 270 minutes, or about four and a half hours.

Is breakfast included?

Yes. Breakfast includes tropical fruit, assorted pastries, bagels, juices, tea, and Kona coffee.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is included, with burgers among the meal choices described for the cruise.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic drinks are available for purchase at the premium cash bar. Non-alcoholic drinks are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks, fins, and snorkels are included. Prescription masks are also available.

How much time do I get in the water?

The cruise includes about two hours of snorkeling and related water activities.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The boat is described as fully wheelchair friendly, with a customized boarding ramp and portable extensions for manual wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, and scooters.