THE 5 WAYS TO PREPARE FOR A KAILUA-KONA SNORKELING TOUR

If you are in the midst of planning your vacation to the tropical historic town of Kailua-Kona, then you most likely are looking into venturing out on one of their accredited snorkeling tours. The good news? When booking with a trusted local tour company, you will likely be outfitted with everything you need, taken to the best snorkeling spots, and even given some water and drinks!

However, there is still some preparation that you need to take either in case your tour is not outfitted with it, or to be sure that you are setting the entire day up for success! Here are our 5 biggest tips on how to prepare for your Kailua-Kona snorkeling tour.

1. Selecting the Right Kailua-Kona Snorkeling Tour

One important thing you need to keep in mind is researching and choosing a snorkeling tour that aligns with your preference and experience/skill. These play into important considerations such as the snorkel tour’s duration, the destinations, and the equipment provided aboard.

2. The Importance of Booking Your Kona Snorkel Tour in Advance

When looking into planning your Kailua-Kona snorkeling adventure, you will want to ensure availability and secure your spot. It is advised to book your snorkeling tour in advance, especially during peak travel times (which is usually during the summer and winter). A lot of reputable tour companies will make sure to streamline their booking and availability, especially through their websites or partnered with tour sites like TripAdvisor or Viator. If you are unable to find a company’s online booking software on their website- contacting the phone number on their pages or through their online booking form, and speaking with the tour operators directly is an option.

3. Gathering the Essentials for a Kailua-Kona Snorkeling Excursion

• Swimwear and Rash Guard:

  We highly suggest wearing comfortable swimwear as you will likely be in and out of the water as well as on board the boat for a long amount of time. If you are someone who burns easy– we highly recommend getting a rash guard!

• Sun Protection:

  Many snorkel tour boats out of Kailua-Kona provide reef safe sunscreen aboard but it is super important that you apply some as well before getting on the boat– allowing it time to soak in. If you are wondering what is considered reef safe, avoid any sunscreen that either doesn’t have the reef safe sticker or only has a “reef friendly” sticker. All in all, the reef safe sunscreens will have ingredients that you can pronounce.

• Towel and Dry Bag:

  Many snorkeling tour boats will not have towels on board, so it is always a good idea to bring a towel as well as a dry bag (if in desperate need you can use a zip lock) for all your valuable items. We don’t encourage packing heavy so only bring what you absolutely need (phone (for pictures), wallet, and keys if applicable).

4. Learning Basic Snorkeling Techniques Before Leaving on a Kailua-Kona Tour

Rest assured– the most popular snorkeling destinations that you will see while on a Kailua-Kona snorkeling tour, you will be venturing to the less wavy bays of the coast. It is important to know how to swim, even if your tour boat has swimming aids. If you’re new to snorkeling, take some time to familiarize yourself with the mask and practice breathing through the snorkel.

5. Staying Hydrated and Nourished While Snorkeling in Kailua-Kona

This is arguably the most important thing to keep in mind, other than making sure to breath through your snorkel and stay calm while swimming. Many tours will provide water and drinks aboard the boat, but you can always bring a water bottle with you– just make sure to drink it! Stay hydrated as the sun and salt water are sure to take it out of you.

If you choose to follow this guide, you’ll surely be prepared for the excitement that is a Kailua-Kona snorkeling tour.