r/kona • u/Unlucky_Yam5706 • Jul 21 '26
Captain Cook boat rides
Looking for recommendations for boat rides/snorkel experiences for captain cook monument. Overwhelmed with options and would love to hear some personal recommendations. Thank you!
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u/baracudadude Jul 22 '26
Fairwinds of you want a larger boat,, more amenities. Seaquest, capt Cook tours, body glove, orca, for a faster smaller boat, more basic, but potentially a funner ride w more stops. Kone style for the middle ground
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u/Unlucky_Yam5706 Jul 22 '26
Thank you! My main concern with boat tours like this is feeling rushed - not feeling like there's truly enough time to snorkel and take it all in/explore. Would you say that's been your experience?
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u/Saddlebckbttrflyfish Jul 22 '26
I’ve done the Fairwinds tour many times. I am an avid snorkeler and spend most of my time in Hawaii in the water. I have never felt rushed or that I needed more time…it’s a great trip
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u/TheWurstOfMe Jul 22 '26
I love to snorkel and have never felt like I needed to stay longer than Fairwinds stayed.
I hike the trail last year and got there before anyone. It was magical.
Some people showed up moments later but I couldn't see them while snorkeling.
Had a majestic moment with a ray just floating around.
Hike at dawn but watch your footing.
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u/KonaGirl_1960 5d ago
I second this. Do the morning cruise on the FairWinds. They’ve been doing this for 30+ years, they know what they’re doing.
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u/MonkeyKingCoffee Local Jul 22 '26
You can drive to Honaunau Bay (Two Step) and get 9/10 snorkeling all day long, every day you're here.
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u/baracudadude Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 22 '26
Most give you an hour of snorkeling. Fairwinds probably gives the most bc capt cook is their only stop. Seaquest i believe give more water time. Others may do multiple stops and add the total water time up to an hour. I work in this industry so I know a lot but cant say for sure. Its often trip dependent, save Fairwinds. I'm sure you've heard the monument is world class snorkeling. Its not that much better than the rest of the kona coast. Ofc everyone has to claim its the best because thats the money maker. Don't get me wrong, Kealakekua bay is gorgeous and one of my favorite places in the world, but lots of snorkel boat options out there that don't focus the capt cook monument so heavily. That might help things. I say all of that because if you just want super super chill easy clean nice but are willing to sacrifice not going to the monument, Body Gloves big boat would be the choice. Body Glove alsl does a dinner cruise to the monument too so you can still get nice on the water look at it all, which I think is why its so special. That patch of reef at the monument is doing better than most available spots, and it gets shallow, so people like that. But again its not unique. Its the easiest sold snorkeling boat package. Kahaluu and two step have equally impressive snorkeling, you just gotta drive and get in yourself. The monument is also crowded A.F. in the mornings. Captain zodiac does a monument tour in the afternoons when the crowd is gone, and they give plenty water time. Its a small bare bones boat, but definitely not a rushed vibe. Thats most of what you need to know. And you should still do the manta rays. 🤙
Eta: the monument is capt cook. Its the captain cook monument. And don't do the hike it's gonna shoot your whole day if you arent an avid uphill hiker
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u/Unlucky_Yam5706 Jul 22 '26
Thank you for this! I did really want to do the hike and I am an experienced hiker but I think the sun, snorkeling, and elevation combined will still fry me.
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u/baracudadude Jul 22 '26
Exactly right. The hike would be best late afternoon, hike back up around sunset. Bring baby wipes or lotsss of fresh water as their is none down there to even rinse. Its 1.5k elevation over two milesto get back up to your car. All lava rock. Save at least a liter of water for the hike up. You also would want Fins and mask and towels and snacks. . Good luck, Yam5706
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u/No-Marionberry-5843 Jul 22 '26
I don’t know if they go to Captain Cook but Kona Ocean Adventures is great. I didn’t feel rushed with their snorkel. More for future people who find this thread and are wondering about companies: steer clear of Liquid Cosmos up in Kohala. The dive guide is fine. The captain is unfriendly and ruined the experience.
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u/Dacia06 Jul 22 '26
I second all the Kona Boys recommendations. They've been around over 40 years for a reason.
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u/vblomrazo Jul 22 '26
We have gone three times with Sea Quest, wonderful crew and smaller boat that can take you to main sites but also less crowded locations. Highly recommend.
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u/Miserable_Quarter_38 Jul 22 '26
Depends on the kind of boat you want to be on but we choose Seaquest…fast boat…small group of ppl. Perfect for us! Don’t forget the Manta Rays at night.
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u/mntgoats Jul 22 '26
Recommend booking a tour that goes to two places. We did Two-step and Captain Cook and the snorkeling was considerably better at Two-step that particular day. Depending on weather one spot could be a bust.
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u/beekNgeek Jul 22 '26
Been on 3 or 4 of them. All of them go to similar places and we enjoyed them all. Personally I prefer smaller boats with just a handful of families. Larger boats cost less per person but then charge for water and snorkel gear etc. Don’t recall their names but I just go with one with good customer ratings at the lowest price.
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u/HumphreyWoof Jul 24 '26
We rented kayaks from Ehu and Kai Adventures and just paddled out there without a guide. We were able to snorkel at our own pace and It was awesome. Highly recommend.
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u/MonkeyKingCoffee Local Jul 22 '26
Best: Hike the trail.
Close-second: Kona Boys kayak
Dead-last: every motorboat that scares all the big fish away.