- most popular!
- 6+
- 1.5 hours
Gently slip into the ocean, relax and let our knowledgeable crew guide you to the areas to view the magnificent Kona Manta Rays. If you only have time for one snorkel trip while visiting Hawai’i this is the one to choose.
DOLPHIN DISCOVERIES
SNORKEL ADVENTURES & CHARTERS
IN KONA, HAWAII
DOLPHIN DISCOVERIES OFFERS UNFORGETTABLE OCEAN TOURS IN KONA, HAWAII. JOIN US FOR A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME ADVENTURE.
WHO WE ARE: DOLPHIN DISCOVERIES
Originally founded as a Dolphin & Whale watch company. Dolphin Discoveries has expanded into one the premier snorkeling companies in Kona, providing our guests with memorable ocean experiences along the Kona coast. We specialize in Manta Ray Snorkel Tours and Captain Cook Snorkel Trips. We are a Veteran Owned and Operated company. No matter which tour you book with us, you are ensured an experience of a lifetime.
Snorkel Kona Coast and Captain Cook with Dolphin Discoveries
If you’ve always wanted to snorkel the bays of the tropics, there is no better time than the present to book one of our highly rated snorkel tours on the Big Island. We will adventure around some of the highest rated snorkel spots in the world– featuring Cook’s Monument in Kealakekua Bay and the Place of Refuge; there is so much to explore along the Kona Coast and we will make sure to give you ample time in the water. Our tours are intermixed with the captain’s knowledge of the ocean, Hawaiian culture, as well as the history of the Big Island. We promise views of 100’s of different varieties of tropical fish along with an occasional “Honu” (Hawaiian green sea turtle) or local dolphins on all of our snorkel tours.
The Dolphin Discoveries Manta Ray Night Snorkel in Hawaii
Our most popular tour, the night snorkel with manta rays on the Big Island is something you’ll never forget. Let our experienced captain and crew guide you in and out of the water, as these magnificent creatures, with an average 12 foot wingspan, barrel roll and skim the ocean under and alongside you.
This has been voted the best tour that we offer. However, it is very popular so be sure to reserve your spot aboard the boat, today!
Our Dolphin Discoveries Private Boat Charter Experience on the Big Island, Hawaii
Ever wanted to charter your own boat, you’re in luck! Our private boat charters are available to you and are one of the best ways to experience the Kona Coast. These charters are all done at your own pace, with a knowledgeable captain and crew! Through booking this Private Boat Charter you open up the opportunity to snorkel in popular as well as private reefs, watch dolphins and other marine life top side, and learn more about Hawaiian culture and history!
Embark on Our Cornerstone Dolphin Discoveries, Kona Whale and Dolphin Watch Tours
Two of our foundational tours are our whale watching tour and dolphin watch & snorkel tours! Humpback whales are the Hawaiian Island’s favorite winter visitor; usually arriving between November to March in order to give birth and raise their young calves as well as mate– after about five weeks they then head back to the cold Alaskan waters. However, if you’d like to book this tour in the humpback’s off season, there are year-round whales that live around Hawaii, in the Pacific.
Our passion is dolphins; these year long marine favorites are some of the smartest mammals in the world. Our Wild Dolphin Watch and Snorkel combo is an amazing value! Our naturalists guides take you along the Kona Coast to view and learn about wild dolphins; from there we will go explore other ocean life that lives in the tropical waters around the island.
WHY BOOK WITH DOLPHIN DISCOVERIES?
At Dolphin Discoveries we provide a variety of ocean adventures to suit everyone. We provide ocean tours that entertain and educate our guests about Hawaii’s marine life and history. Let our naturalist crew guide you through fair seas, blue skies and spectacular views of the Big Island from one of our four fully outfitted rigid hull inflatable vessels on our quest to find marine life. Along your journey you may see dolphins, whales, manta rays, and sea turtles. Every day is different, we travel to the most frequented locations for sea life. Let us share it with you and your family!
Dolphin Discoveries is a leader in ethical dolphin treatment and dolphin education; we always put the interest and welfare of the dolphins in the forefront of everything we do. Our charters focus on observing dolphins, manta rays, and whales, while providing high-quality snorkeling experiences at Kealakekua Bay, home of the Captain Cook Monument and Honaunau Bay (Two Step).
SNAPSHOTS FROM OUR KONA ADVENTURE TOURS!
DOLPHIN DISCOVERIES REVIEWS
FOR 5 CONSECUTIVE YEARS, OUR SNORKELING TOURS IN KONA HAVE EARNED TRIPADVISOR'S CERTIFICATE OF EXCEL
What a fantastic way to spend an hour in the evening. We had 5 or 6 Manta's swimming within inches of us. The guide Jenn was excellent and helped keep us positioned for best viewing and helped some other guests that were not as experienced in the water and needed help with noodles. Captain Kai did a great job with the briefing and navigating around other boats with lots of folks in the water in the dark. Felt extremely safe and what a fun experience to have huge Manta's swim so close they rub against you. Highly recommend this experience and company.
– bikerron | TripAdvisor
The captain and crew/guides were great. At one point had 6 Manta Rays gliding under us. We had plenty of time to enjoy the graceful beauty the Rays shared with us.
– dean&lisa | TripAdvisor
This was by far the best ocean experience I have had on my trip. Captain Shelly and Conner were so knowledgeable and they made it fun!
– M B | TripAdvisor
The crew for Dolphin Discoveries were great in keeping us all safe and informed during our night snorkel. It was an amazing experience to see these beautiful manta creatures in their habitat. I would highly recommend this adventure for anyone kids and adults, an experience of a lifetime with my 13 year old daughter. We saw 3 gigantic mantas doing their thing up close and personal. Mahalo to the crew!
– Angelique R. | TripAdvisor
You cannot miss this opportunity if you are on the Big Island! It was truly one of the most amazing experiences my family and I have ever had. Not sure if we were just extra fortunate, but managed to see a constant flow of manta rays during the 45 minutes we were in the water. The experience felt so surreal as you watched these beautiful creatures swimming right below you - inches from your face.
– MelKid20 | TripAdvisor
It was such a wonderful experience! We saw so many manta rays! The guides were super helpful and kept us entertained all throughout the night. They made sure that everyone felt comfortable. They were very knowledgable and told us many facts throughout the whole trip. I've gone to other night manta ray snorkeling, but the tour with Dolphin Discoveries was by far my favorite! You can tell that the crew really care for their customers.
– Steph K. | TripAdvisor
This was a fantastic experience. We saw so many manta rays during this trip! Those 45min in the water flew by as we had multiple rays barrel roll right beneath us, sometimes less than an inch away. Well organized and exactly as described. Appreciated that they provided wet suit tops and snorkel gear. Our trip was the 7:30pm time slot and we were back to our car by around 9:30.
– Caitlyn K. | TripAdvisor
Such a cool activity!!!! We had a nervous snorkeler and they took such good care of him! It all felt very safe! The Manta’s dance right in front of you!!!! Its mind blowing!! Did I mention it’s only a 5 minute boat ride!!!!! BOOK IT NOW!!!!
– Ami L. | TripAdvisor