HOW TO PLAN A KONA SNORKEL TRIP: NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

A Kona Snorkel Trip is a fantastic thing to do while vacationing on the Big Island of Hawaii. Not only will you get the chance to come face to face with a vast array of tropical marine life but also the ability to explore more than just the reefs outside your hotel.

While knowing how to swim is important, a guided tour aboard an accredited boat is a great way to have your first oceanic snorkel experience– it is the safest, most fun, and all-around an exciting activity that Kona’s coast has to offer.

Planning a Kona Snorkel Trip for Beginners

We have previously written an article all about the basics of planning a Kona snorkel trip as a beginner while visiting Hawaii’s Big Island; however, it is important to note key takeaways as they can apply to any skill level.

We strongly recommend when planning your Kona snorkel trip, to book with an accredited company versus going about it on your own. Not only will the accomplished captains aboard the boat be able to guide you in and out of the water, but they will be able to place you at the perfect spot in order to facilitate a close encounter with the marine life. Apart from the catered adventure, booking with a snorkel tour company in Kona means you will have plenty of water readily available, a vital thing when out in the sunny and salty ocean, as well as an assortment of snacks when you get back aboard.

Where Will a Kona Snorkel Trip Go?

The parameters of your Kona snorkel trip truly depend on who you tour with, what time of the year, as well as the length of the trip that you have booked. For example, at Dolphin Discoveries we offer two distinct Kona snorkel trips. The shorter one only stops at Captain Cook Monument and allows for our guests to get ample time in the water as well as the ability to stop at the different lava tubes and sea caves scattered along the coastline. On the other hand, our Kona Snorkel Tour stops at Captain Cook as well as offers time in the water at the reefs of the Place of Refuge.

These two destinations are not only some of the most beautiful along the coastline, but they are easily accessible and available to beginner snorkelers. Offering shelter from the open waters, the bays provide warm shallows heavily populated with all sorts of marine life open to your exploration.

What is the Best Boat for a Kona Snorkel Trip?

The simplest answer is the best boat for a Kona snorkel trip is the one that meets your personal goals and needs. For example, if you are new to either snorkeling or swimming in the ocean in general– the best Kona snorkel trip for you would be on a boat with a small group of guests, this way you will ensure support from the captain and crew. Venturing out on a snorkel trip of Kona on a smaller boat also means the ability to truly explore all that the Big Island’s West Coast has to offer.

However, if you are a beginner, we suggest booking an intimate snorkeling tour for a shorter amount of time. While you would have less chances to get in and out of the water, you are solidifying enough time to the process of learning to use the mask and snorkel as well as maximizing your time in the water at a shallow reef like Captain Cook Monument.