Spend 2.5 hours viewing whales and dolphins off Kona and listen to their songs with an underwater hydrophone.
2.5 hours
Water, juices, light snacks
Head out along the Kona coastline on a 2.5-hour whale and dolphin watch. Observe, learn, photograph, and listen to marine mammal vocalizations with an underwater hydrophone.
Humpback whales are seasonal from December to March; dolphins may be seen year-round. Tours require a minimum number of guests to run. Cruises are barefoot; wear easy-off footwear and bring lotion sunscreen.
Cancel free up to 48 hours before departure; after that, no refunds. No-shows are nonrefundable. Private charters require 7 days' notice. Tours may be canceled for weather, ocean conditions, mechanical issues, or minimums; you may reschedule or get a full refund. Wildlife is not guaranteed; whale and dolphin watch has no refunds or reschedules if dolphins are not seen.
Kona, Hawaii
Travelers rave about the manta ray snorkeling experiences here, with the crew earning consistent praise across the board. Captains like Craig, Rob, and Dennis get called out by name for their expertise and welcoming personalities, while guides like Vinny and Voss make everyone feel safe and well-informed in the water. People genuinely appreciate how knowledgeable the staff is about the mantas and local history. The close encounters with these graceful creatures leave a lasting impression, with many describing it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The logistics work smoothly too. Unlike other operators requiring lengthy boat rides, this outfit gets you to the manta viewing spot in just minutes, meaning more time in the water and less transit. Check-in is straightforward and efficient even with larger groups. One reviewer noted the shop location isn't directly at the pier, requiring some extra driving and prep time, but this seems like a minor inconvenience compared to the overall experience. Return visitors confirm the consistency of quality, with one guest coming back three times in a year.
We came to Hawaii for vacation and knew how great the Big Island snorkeling was, so we found Dolphin Discoveries on another platform because we were in need of a cheap ticket for a group of 7. We did a Kona snorkeling tour with them and it was fantastic. When we hit the Captain Cook snorkeling spot we got to see dolphins twice as they swam beneath the boat ladder. That was just the cherry on top of a day where we saw all sorts of fish and beautiful reef. Honestly some of the best snorkeling in Kona Hawaii we could have asked for. We weren't planning on it but we didn't have anything going the next night so we took the offer for the discounted Kona manta ray snorkel. The manta ray night snorkel was great the first trip and even better the second even though it was much shorter. We saw like 10 manta rays and four at once doing flips around us. Such a great time for the family and the go pro was well worth it to capture all the cool moments. Craig and Braden on the night snorkel were super accommodating and made the short trip even more memorable. If you want a Kona snorkeling trip or a manta ray night snorkel on the Big Island, these are the folks to book with.
Hunter Goram
June 17, 2026
We came to Hawaii for vacation and knew how great the Big Island snorkeling was, so we found Dolphin Discoveries on another platform because we were in need of a cheap ticket for a group of 7. We did a Kona snorkeling tour with them and it was fantastic. When we hit the Captain Cook snorkeling spot we got to see dolphins twice as they swam beneath the boat ladder. That was just the cherry on top of a day where we saw all sorts of fish and beautiful reef. Honestly some of the best snorkeling in Kona Hawaii we could have asked for. We weren't planning on it but we didn't have anything going the next night so we took the offer for the discounted Kona manta ray snorkel. The manta ray night snorkel was great the first trip and even better the second even though it was much shorter. We saw like 10 manta rays and four at once doing flips around us. Such a great time for the family and the go pro was well worth it to capture all the cool moments. Craig and Braden on the night snorkel were super accommodating and made the short trip even more memorable. If you want a Kona snorkeling trip or a manta ray night snorkel on the Big Island, these are the folks to book with.
Hunter Goram
June 17, 2026
Explore Kona’s marine life, sea caves, and lava tubes on a two-stop snorkel outing
Snorkel after dark for a chance to see Kona's wild manta rays
Build snorkeling confidence with crew guidance and flotation support
Paddle Kona's coast to sea caves, coral gardens, and reef snorkel spots
Float above an illuminated manta viewing site on a Kona night snorkel
Small-group reef snorkeling aboard a Zodiac speed boat