Snorkel lava arches and shallow reefs in boat-only Pawai Bay
2 hours
Mask, snorkel, fins
Explore Pawai Bay's shallow reefs and lava rock arches on a boat-only Kona snorkel trip. Spend less time traveling and more time in the water, with the route dependent on ocean conditions.
Refundable tickets receive a full refund when canceled at least 48 hours before departure. Non-refundable tickets are final sale. With the Flexible Cancellation Upgrade, refundable tickets canceled at least 12 hours before departure receive a 50% refund. No refunds or rebooking for no-shows or late arrivals. Full refund if the operator cancels.
Yes. You need basic swimming skills to enter the water. If you don’t want to snorkel, you can stay on the boat and enjoy the views.
This trip is not suitable for expectant mothers, guests with regular back or neck issues, or anyone with current injuries or health issues. The crew may deny boarding or water entry if they feel it’s unsafe, and no refund will be offered in that case.
Complete the required digital waiver before arrival for check-in.
Picnic tables at Kona Snorkel Trips, 74-381 Kealakehe Parkway Suite E, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
<p>Tucked along the Kona Coast just north of Kailua-Kona, Pawai Bay draws snorkelers and divers with some of the clearest water on the Big Island. The bay sits within a protected marine reserve, so the coral formations are lush and the fish life is dense.</p><p>Pawai Bay is accessible only by boat, which keeps the crowds thin and the underwater world remarkably intact. Rays glide across sandy patches, sea turtles surface for air, and spinner dolphins occasionally pass through the outer waters.</p>
If manta ray encounters are on your bucket list, this is the operation to book. Reviewers consistently rave about getting up close with mantas, spinner dolphins, sea turtles, and even the occasional sandbar shark. The wildlife sightings sound genuinely spectacular, not just lucky one-offs. The crew gets called out by name constantly, with guides like Tori, Adam, Ty, Amy, and Shari earning praise for being knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and great at keeping groups engaged and safe. That personal touch seems to elevate the experience well beyond a standard boat tour. With nearly perfect ratings across thousands of reviews and zero consistent complaints to speak of, the pattern here is hard to ignore. The manta ray night snorkel in particular gets described as a trip highlight by almost everyone who does it. If you're on the Big Island and on the fence, the overwhelming consensus is pretty clear: just go.
Awesome tour! We saw several rays and the tour guide and captain were great!
Chris Ganun
July 7, 2026
Awesome tour! We saw several rays and the tour guide and captain were great!
Chris Ganun
July 7, 2026
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