If you are looking for an adventure on the big island of Hawaii, you have landed at the right place! The following guide is meant for thrill-seekers and those desiring to endure a once-in-a-lifetime Manta rays encounter! There is no surprise that Hawaii will show you a fantastic time with its magical natural beauty. There is no better way than hopping onto one of the Kona boat tours because a cruise will undoubtedly be the highlight of your memorable Hawaiian vacation!
Here’s a list of some of the best boat cruises on the big island:
Kona Coast Snorkel Tour- Hula Kai Vessel
This unique “vessel” will help you discover some of the most beautiful yet remote and unexplored locations that will make you fall in love with Hawaii’s grand culture and history. The five-hour-long cruise trip starts from Keauhou Bay and takes you through the stunning South Kona coast, ensuring fascinating stories about the various historic sites that the cruise travels along. The cruise has its gates open for adults and children above seven years, offering delicious plant-based tropical food to make the tour all the more worthwhile.
Manta Ray Night Snorkel- Hula Kai Vessel
Night snorkeling is a must-try activity for experienced snorkelers, as you’ll see how the majestic blues fill you up with that desired adrenaline rush under the night stars. Having this experience on the luxury vessel will make your Manta adventure super exhilarating and memorable. Mantas are incredibly gentle, having no teeth, stingers, or barbs. They are vast and stunning, with wingspans exceeding 15 feet wide! They visit the cruise every night to have the plankton drawn by Hula Kai’s gorgeous lighting, ensuring that you get the best possible view of their beauty.
Kealakekua Snorkeling Tours- Fair Wind II Vessel
Climbing aboard the Fair Wind II will undoubtedly enhance your trip to the big islands! The cruise will take you for a scenic morning or afternoon trip by Kona’s south shores to historic Kealakekua Bay. Jumping into the pristine and tropical blues of Kealakekua Bay, which is one of the best snorkeling sites in all of Hawaii, will take you on cloud 9. It is an excellent adventure for the entire family and snorkelers of all levels, allowing you to enjoy the authentic marine life coupled with a fresh island-style breakfast and lunch!
Private and Group tours- Fair Wind
From massive corporate parties to smaller wedding ceremonies, Fair Wind’s private charters will assuredly give your guests the most memorable ocean experience! There are numerous vessels to choose from, and therefore, you can easily find the most suitable one as per your requirement and preferences. The decades of experience attained by Fair Wind will ensure that you and your guests stay entertained throughout with their team of event managers. The cruise offers snorkeling equipment, underwater view boxes, and even delicious plant-based food.
Dolphin Discoveries And Ocean Adventures
As the name suggests, this is the kind of adventure the whole family will talk about for the rest of their lives. It’s a four-hour-long activity departing from the Kailua Bay, taking you to the top locations to spot the Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins. The opportunity to have more visits on the surface or in the water depends on the dolphins’ desire to interact. If the odds are in your favor and the location is suitable, they will initiate a quick snorkel, allowing you to actually “swim with the dolphins.” Apart from that, the company will offer you snacks, water, snorkel equipment, and naturalist guides.
Historical Lunch Cruise
The cruise mentioned above offers a three-hour-long sailing experience starting from Kailua Kona Pier. It goes up to the Kealakekua Bay and Captain Cook monument, revealing many exciting secrets related to Hawaii’s history on the way. The local historian shares engaging tales about the legends of the sites you will be passing by. Along with that, the impressive live Hawaiian music will be there to set the perfect vibe for you. Make sure that your cameras are ready for the occasional dolphin and whale watching. The authentic Hawaiian lunch positively adds to the luxurious experience.
Sunset Dinner Cruise
Catching a cruise at sundown is one of the closest things to absolute tranquility in Hawaii. The summery breeze, peaceful ocean, and stunning views make this a fabulous ambiance to relish a flavourful meal. Combining something you do each evening with something unique truly allows you to create the most unforgettable experience. On entering the cruise, you will be treated to a complimentary drink and the perfect setting to enjoy a route full of beautiful and historic sites. It’s a three-hour dinner cruise featuring live entertainment, loads of food, and incredible drinks from the cash bar.
Zodiac Raft Whale Watching Adventure
Winter is an ideal time to be at the big island, as it’s the season of the year during which hundreds of migrating humpback whales hit the Hawaiian islands. With this thrilling whale watching tour, you will get to feel the excitement of cruising aboard a high-speed raft and spotting a whale swimming right in front of your boat. For making things clear, no harm will be caused to the whales or passengers in any way because the cruise will be obeying all the federal laws. The raft shall not proceed beyond 100 feet, while it isn’t unusual for the whale to choose to swim up beneath the boat!
Atlantis Submarine Dive
Being featured on the National Geographic television channel’s special episodes, this submarine has created a way to experience underwater marine life without even getting wet. After hopping onto it, you are in for one unforgettable journey to explore the 25-acre extensive coral range and the marine dwellers present there. It departs from Kailua-Kona Pier to introduce a hidden view to the most unseen and isolated treasures underwater. We strongly recommend you book your seats well in advance as only 48 passengers can stay aboard at a time, and the cruise is also getting increasingly popular among tourists.
CONCLUSION
Indeed, the big island of Hawaii is remarkably diverse and, offering a generous amount of things to do, which suggests that there is something for everyone. You can surely do plenty of exploring and traveling on your own by simply renting a car and getting out there. You cannot do some things on your own, so booking a cruise to experience Kona’s richness is undoubtedly the best way forward. Treat yourself to some of Kona’s most beautiful and captivating scenery, stunning habitats, a vibrant ecosystem, rich corals, and abundant marine life.
Hop on one of the many cruise boats based on your choice, and you will create an experience that you will cherish for the rest of your life. We hope that the list curated above comprising some of the best cruise tours on the big island will help you figure out your best adventure. Happy cruising!
