snorkeling, whalewatching in Kona

[pfarmmom]

Can you knowledgeable ones please recommend an independent for us to go snorkeling with? We'd also like to combine it with whalewatching if possible. A friend of ours suggested Seaquest. Thanks

[hawaiilvr]

I went on the Captain Zodiac excursion while in Kona two weeks ago. They were great. You can reserve with them directly (google search for them). The excursion through the ship was $100, it is $90 through their website. It is a 16-person inflatable boat that is a great ride - bumpy, fast, and exciting. We saw dolphins - too early for whales. The snorkeling is at Kealakekua Bay which was fantastic. Can't recommend them highly enough - unless you have back or other health problems.

[mithryl]

You'll see the most whales off Maui.

[Parsp]

Just returned from POAM and did Fairwind II in Kona last Wednesday. Great excursion! Everyone's favorite day of the cruise! Nice ride on large boat as opposed to Captain Zodiac pp reported. Great sunning on upper deck, beautiful boat ride to same cove as pp. Wonderful hamburger/hotdog cookout. Great snorkeling, fun staff, fun boat with slide and high dive... lots of families having lots of fun! Booked directly online and received free t-shirt. No problems. $20 taxi ride each way and had taxi driver pick us up at 1:30 when it was over! Highly recommend and thanks to those who posted this earlier! Search for Fairwind if want to read more.

[CC Help Michell]

Just returned from POAM and did Fairwind II in Kona last Wednesday. Great excursion! Everyone's favorite day of the cruise! Nice ride on large boat as opposed to Captain Zodiac pp reported. Great sunning on upper deck, beautiful boat ride to same cove as pp. Wonderful hamburger/hotdog cookout. Great snorkeling, fun staff, fun boat with slide and high dive... lots of families having lots of fun! Booked directly online and received free t-shirt. No problems. $20 taxi ride each way and had taxi driver pick us up at 1:30 when it was over! Highly recommend and thanks to those who posted this earlier! Search for Fairwind if want to read more.

 

Always happy to see good reports on the Fair Wind II -- we loved her and our excursion on her. :)

[whale-watcher]

We are seriously considering this tour, Snorkeling with Dolphins in the Wild and they say you have a great chance of seeing Humpback Whales as well, sounds amazing to us!!!

sounds like fun...may have to re-think our kona plans!

[cuteyv]

We have booked our snorkelling trip with Sea Quest.. Their morning package includes Snorkel Kealakekua & Honaunau for about 35-45 minutes EACH, Explore Sea Caves and Lava Tubes, Watch for Dolphins & Whales Enroute, Learn Big Island Legends & Lore, Fruit, Chips, Cookies, Juices and Water

 

 

http://web.mac.com/sqhawaii/seaquesthawaii.net/Home.html

[Chupa Cabras]

We booked with Capt Zodiac for the afternoon run. The person I corresponded with said the time of day didn't change the chance of seeing dolphins/whales, but he said the benefit of going in the afternoon was that if the morning run found whales, they report where they are and then the afternoon run can go straight there (since they tend to hang out in the same area all day).

 

Not sure if we'll see any whales Dec 10th, but we're keeping our fingers crossed!

[sunquest76]

Any problems getting off the boat and/or to the Bay for the morning Sea Quest trip?

[cuteyv]

Any problems getting off the boat and/or to the Bay for the morning Sea Quest trip?

 

I hope not. We plan to get the first tender. Just another week before our sailing and we are excited. Will let you know how it works out once we are back