Kona Hawaii Fishing/Snorkel Large Group Private Charter on OE II

Kona’s big-game fishing is the main event here. You could spend hours trolling offshore for blue marlin, bigeye tuna, spearfish, or mahi mahi, with the crew coaching you through every hard pull. Past trips with Bite Me captains have produced marlin from young fighters to fish weighing hundreds of pounds, though no charter can promise a bite.

I like two things right away: the boat is private for your group, and the price covers up to 10 people rather than charging each person separately. I also like the practical setup, with fishing gear supplied and a cooler already packed with ice. The catch is that you bring your own food, drinks, sunscreen, and fishing license, and a slow day on the water is always possible.

Key things to know before you book

• Private boat for up to 10: Your party does not share the charter with strangers, which makes this a good fit for families and groups of friends.
• Four to eight hours on the water: Choose a shorter outing or give yourself more time to find fish, depending on the booking available.
• Big-game targets: Kona waters can produce blue marlin, striped marlin, spearfish, tuna, mahi mahi, ono, and other fish.
• Crew coaching matters: Captains and mates give instructions for working the rod, fighting the fish, and bringing it safely to the boat.
• Bring your own supplies: Lunch and non-glass drinks go into the iced cooler. Adult beverages are allowed.
• Snorkel gear requires notice: Ask the office at least 24 hours ahead if you want equipment, and confirm how snorkeling fits into your charter plan.

Setting out from Bite Me Sportfishing in Kailua-Kona

Your day starts at the Bite Me Sportfishing office and logo store at 74-425 Kealakehe Parkway, Unit 1, in Kailua-Kona. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before departure. This is where you check in, meet the crew, and get any last instructions before heading to the boat.

The office also handles other Ocean Encounters trips, including reef snorkeling and manta ray night snorkeling. That makes it a useful place to ask questions if your group is considering more than one ocean activity during a Big Island stay. You can also pick up Bite Me clothing and other logo gear, though that is an optional extra.

The tour ends back at the same meeting point. You will need to arrange your own way there and back, since transportation is not listed as part of the charter. The location is near public transportation, but a private group should still allow extra time for arrival, parking, and getting everyone together.

What the private OE II charter gives your group

The most important feature is privacy. Up to 10 people can book the boat together, so you are not paired with another party that has a different idea of a good day. One family might want to focus on fishing, while another group may want to pause for a swim or look for marine life. A private booking gives you more room to discuss the plan with the captain.

That does not mean the captain can control the ocean. Fishing conditions, wind, sea conditions, and fish activity decide much of the day. You may hook a marlin soon after leaving the harbor, or you may spend a long stretch mowing the lawn, the fishing term for steadily trolling while waiting for a strike.

The boat comes with fishing equipment, so you do not need to pack rods, reels, or tackle. The captain and mate handle the working parts of the setup and explain what to do when a fish takes the line. That coaching is especially useful if you have never fought a large fish from a moving boat.

The cooler comes with ice, but food and beverages are your responsibility. Pack a lunch, plenty of water, and any other drinks your group wants. Alcohol is permitted, but glass bottles are not. Sunscreen is not supplied, so bring reef-conscious sunscreen and apply it before departure.

A fishing license is required. The supplied details do not specify how to obtain one or whether it is arranged through the operator, so ask the office before your departure date. That is a small item, but it is better to settle it before you are standing on the dock.

Trolling the Kona Coast for marlin and tuna

The fishing itself is built around the kinds of fish that make Kona famous. You may troll for blue marlin, striped marlin, spearfish, bigeye tuna, mahi mahi, or ono. The exact target depends on conditions and the captain’s judgment.

A strike can turn a quiet morning into a serious workout. One reported outing had a double marlin hookup, with one fish lost and the other brought aboard after a long fight. Another produced a 437-pound marlin after about two and a half hours of work. Those stories show both sides of big-game fishing: the reward can be extraordinary, but even a hooked fish may escape.

You should also understand that the crew cannot manufacture action. A good captain can read conditions, adjust the approach, and make smart choices when the bite is slow, but fish remain wild. One strong example came from a trip when the crew switched to trolling for ono close to shore and found a fish when the main bite was not active.

When you hook a fish, the crew takes over the technical guidance. You may be shown how to use the fighting chair or how to keep pressure on the line. Captains and mates named on past Bite Me trips include Brian Harnden, Darin Castoro, Cam, Jason, Cory, Tara, Nate, Lee, Curtis, Anthony, Taylor, Kalin, and Tiger. Your assigned crew may be different, but the repeated pattern is clear: the mate plays a major role in coaching, safety, photos, and handling the catch.

Some fish may be released. Blue marlin have been tagged and returned to the water, while other fish have been brought aboard and divided between the group and crew. If keeping a catch matters to you, ask the captain about current practice and what species may be retained. Do not assume that every fish will be available for dinner.

Marine life beyond the fishing lines

Fishing is the focus, but the open water may bring extra sightings. Past outings connected with the company have included pilot whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and a whale shark. One captain took extra time to let a group view a whale shark more closely, and another outing combined fishing with dolphin swimming and whale watching.

These encounters are possible additions, not scheduled guarantees. The captain has to balance wildlife viewing with the purpose of the trip, available time, and sea conditions. If your group cares more about snorkeling or wildlife than catching fish, say so at the start and ask how flexible the charter will be.

The same point applies to snorkeling. Snorkel equipment is not automatically included, but it can be requested if you notify the office 24 hours ahead. The supplied information does not promise a specific reef stop or a set snorkeling itinerary, so confirm the plan before booking if swimming is central to your day.

This matters for families with mixed interests. A parent may want to chase marlin while children hope to see dolphins or get in the water. The private format gives you a better chance to discuss those priorities with the captain, but the final plan still depends on conditions and the charter’s purpose.

How the four to eight hours may feel

The advertised duration is approximately four to eight hours. A half-day outing gives you a taste of Kona fishing without taking over the entire day. It can suit a first-time angler, a group with other plans, or anyone unsure how well they will handle time offshore.

A longer trip gives the crew more time to search and gives you more chances at a serious fish. Past full-day accounts included multiple hookups, long fights, and time for wildlife sightings. That extra time is valuable if catching a marlin is a major personal goal, but it also means more sun, motion, and waiting.

Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and light clothing that can handle spray. Eat something before you leave and pack a lunch that is easy to manage on a boat. Since no food is supplied, a group of 10 should coordinate provisions rather than leaving each person to guess what to bring.

If anyone in your party is prone to motion sickness, plan carefully. The supplied information does not list a seasickness policy or medication service, so bring any personal remedy you normally use and ask the operator what they recommend. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and most people can participate, but the trip remains a real boat outing rather than a passive sightseeing cruise.

What the price means for a group of 10

The listed rate is $1,938.82 per group, for up to 10 people. At full capacity, that works out to about $194 per person before any food, drinks, license costs, or optional extras. For a smaller party, the per-person cost rises quickly, so this charter makes the strongest financial sense when you can fill most of the available places.

The value comes from privacy and equipment. You are paying for a dedicated boat, captain, crew, fishing gear, and an iced cooler, rather than simply purchasing a seat on a shared excursion. If your group wants control over the pace and company, that can be worth more than a cheaper shared trip.

Still, this is not a guaranteed-catch purchase. The price buys time, equipment, crew skill, and access to Kona’s fishing grounds. It does not buy a marlin on the line. I would book it for the quality of the outing and the chance at a memorable fish, not because I needed a certain number of pounds in the cooler.

The catch may add value if you land something edible. Ono, tuna, mahi mahi, and some other fish have been portioned for groups on past trips. Policies and catch decisions can vary, so ask what happens with any fish you bring aboard.

Who will enjoy this charter most

This is a strong choice for a family reunion, birthday group, fishing club, or group of friends who want the boat to themselves. It also works well for mixed-experience groups because the crew can coach first-timers while more serious anglers settle in for the wait.

The private setup is helpful for families with children, but remember that this is not a guaranteed-action ride. Young passengers may love the excitement of a strike, yet find long periods of trolling less engaging. A shorter option may be the better choice if your group has limited patience or little experience on open water.

Experienced anglers may appreciate the chance to fish Kona without bringing their own equipment. First-timers may appreciate the crew even more. The examples connected with Bite Me include beginners landing blue marlin, children fighting fish, and groups sharing the work with the mate. That is the kind of instruction that turns a complicated sport into something you can try without arriving as an expert.

If your main goal is snorkeling, this may not be the right product unless the office confirms a suitable plan. Ask for gear at least 24 hours ahead and make sure the charter can include the water time you want.

Practical booking details that matter

Confirmation is provided at booking. Check in 15 minutes before departure at the Bite Me Sportfishing office, and expect to return to that same meeting point at the end.

Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but children need an accompanying adult. The experience is private, so only your own group takes part.

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made inside that window are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. Poor weather can cancel the charter; in that case, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book the OE II charter?

Book this if you want a private Kona fishing day, have a group large enough to share the cost, and can accept that the ocean decides the result. The strongest reasons are the private boat, supplied equipment, practical crew support, and the real chance of meeting a powerful fish.

Choose the longer option if a marlin or tuna is high on your wish list and your group is comfortable spending much of the day offshore. Choose the shorter option if you want a first taste of fishing or need room in your schedule.

Before paying, confirm three things: the assigned boat and crew, how the fishing license is handled, and whether snorkeling can be included. Pack your own lunch, drinks, sunscreen, and patience. If you do, this charter gives you a fair shot at the kind of Big Island day that people remember for years, fish or no fish.

FAQ

Where does the charter meet?

The meeting point is Bite Me Sportfishing at 74-425 Kealakehe Parkway, Unit 1, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How early should I arrive?

You should check in 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time.

How many people can join the private charter?

The rate covers up to 10 people in your group.

Is the boat shared with other people?

No. This is a private activity, so only your group participates.

How long does the experience last?

The charter lasts approximately four to eight hours.

What fish might we target?

Possible targets include bigeye tuna, spearfish, blue marlin, striped marlin, mahi mahi, ono, and other fish found along the Kona Coast.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. Fishing equipment, a captain, and crew are included.

Are food and drinks provided?

No. You should bring your own food and beverages. An onboard cooler with ice is provided, adult beverages are allowed, and glass bottles are not permitted.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkel equipment is available upon request, but you must notify the office at least 24 hours in advance.