Kaimana Ocean Safari
5
Kaimana Ocean Safari
By Kaimana Ocean Safari
About
from per adult
$180.00
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 5-80, max of 6 per group
Duration: 4h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
English
Features animals
- Use of Snorkelling equipment
- Snacks
- We do not support single use plastic. Filtered water will be provided on the boat. If you have your own reusable bottle please bring that.
What's not included- Towels, rash guards, sun protection are not included. Please bring reef safe sunscreen (zinc only).
- Departure details
- 74 Kealakehe Pkwy, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA Tours meet at Honokohau Harbor north side bathrooms 15 minutes prior to departure. Enter Kealakehe Parkway from Queen Ka’ahumanu Hwy, Make your first right & turn left after the gas station on your left. Park at the bathroom pavilion & meet staff.
Return details- Returns to original departure point
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 263256P1- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- We have a 4ft height limit for children
- We have an in-water weight limit of 300 lbs- must be able to climb ladder
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- What you can expect during your visit
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Community- Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
- How much is Kaimana Ocean Safari?
- Kaimana Ocean Safari price starts from $180.00. Discover and book Kaimana Ocean Safari on Tripadvisor
- What is the Kaimana Ocean Safari cancellation policy?
- Kaimana Ocean Safari cancellation policy: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. Discover and book Kaimana Ocean Safari on Tripadvisor
- Which company provides Kaimana Ocean Safari?
- Kaimana Ocean Safari is hosted by Kaimana Ocean Safari. Read reviews, discover additonal experiences or contact Kaimana Ocean Safari on Tripadvisor. Discover and book Kaimana Ocean Safari on Tripadvisor
- How much time do I need for Kaimana Ocean Safari?
- On average, this experience will take approximately 4h. Discover and book Kaimana Ocean Safari on Tripadvisor
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 263256P1
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Similar experiences
About the operator
Kaimana Ocean Safari
180
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Joined in April 2020
#26 of 186 Boat Tours & Water Sports in Kailua-Kona
- sammyb95100Best tour company on the Big Island!My husband and I are frequent travelers to Hawaii (specifically Kona) have gone on countless tours over the years, but I can confidently say Kaimana takes the title for being the best. This small business is a family owned company & is women-operated (heck yeah) and Kayleigh & Morri know their STUFF! They are so passionate about what they do & wanted to give us the best tour possible. The swell was looking rough at first but after checking in with the group, we all decided to continue on and we are so thrilled we did. We found pilot whales, reef sharks, a manta and a WHALE SHARK! Regardless of all of that though, they were so cool to be around, it was a nice boat and I would have enjoyed the tour regardless of the wildlife — which is a big deal. I have been a fan-girl of Kayleigh’s for years now and she’s just as knowledgeable and kind as she seems online. Morri is also a rockstar and basically I’m a fan girl of this entire company now. Thank you for making our honeymoon so rad & giving us the trip of our lives!
- Keely R00Great Kona whale watch tour!We had a fantastic whale watch tour off Kona with this company. The whales were very active during this tour and we were so thrilled to get to see so much of them. Our guides were great knowing right where to go and explaining about their behavior and migration patterns. An all around fabulous experience!
- annalovotti00Amazing DayThis experience was incredible! The crew was so knowledgeable about the water creatures, their habits and behaviors! Such an amazing way to connect with the ocean safely and see creatures you wouldn’t get the chance to from shore! So grateful for this experience!
- I1399CQmargareth00Best trip, 100% would book again.The crew was awesome and this was the best excursion of my trip to Hawaii! Wildlife can't be guaranteed but they were able to find a manta ray, whales, and dolphins for us! Crew is very knowledgeable about ocean life and are dedicated to ocean conservation and clean up! I will always choose tours with people who really care about the Ocean over tourist traps. Couldn't be more happy with the safari tour. Would definitely book with them again.
- I8491VFkennetha00Overall Best Charter I’ve Done!PLEASE READ!!02/08/2023 Let me preface this by saying I do live on Oahu and do most ocean activities. With that being said this by far is the best experience from a charter I’ve ever had!! (Yes even better than the night manta ray dives, and even the na Pali coast boat tours!!!) When I book a charter I always try to find one that truly cares about putting the animals first (not forcing an encounter), and has a smaller capacity per trip to keep it more genuine! I HATE THE SHUFFLED AROUND LIKE CATTLE CHARTERS….. Kaimana Ocean Safari by far does it the best when it comes creating a friendly welcoming environment. Literally from the moment we stepped on boat to the very end it felt like we were just on the water with bunch of friends! They made sure to abide by all restrictions with distances from animals while also getting us crazy views of all ocean life we encountered! Which is exactly what I look for in any charter! Kaimana OS will definitely be seeing me in the future! We got to encounter on this Spinner Dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins, Humpback Whales, Manta Rays, and Green Sea Turtles! This one’s a no brainer this is the crew to book with!! (I have no affiliation with KOS btw) P.S. - KOS if you read do this. Cueing the background music every-time we encountered animals was a really nice touch!
- Andriana_marine00Amazing Whale Tour!I loved our whale watching tour! We were so lucky and got to see multiple humpbacks coming up to breathe and the best part is when they dive down and you get to see their tail! The tour is great at maintaining a safe distance and not following or trying to chase whales to get an interaction. Definitely want to do this trip again!!
- 799loris00Amazing Whale Watching!Such an amazing experience to see Humpback Whales, and on a smaller tour which makes the experience more intimate. The team at Kaimana have a ton of knowledge and make the experience so much fun along the way. The best whale watching tour on Big Island.
- deannak84200Experience of a Lifetime 🐳Such an awesome tour, smaller boat which creates a more intimate experience!! We saw so many whales🐳🐳🐳and the crew is so knowledgeable about the ocean wildlife!!! You have to book a tour, unbelievable time and and I guarantee you won’t regret it!!!
- Nikki M00Best Whale Watching Tour on Big IslandHands down the best whale watching tour on Big Island. I’ve been on other tours where they will stuff 30+ on a boat, people are pushing and shoving to get the best spot and auntie is blocking your view trying to take a picture with her iPad 🙈. With Kaimana you get a fun, knowledgeable crew and always a front row seat for all the whale action.
- Taylor H00Amazing Experience!Kaimana Ocean Safari is the best on Big Island! It’s very obvious each member of the staff cares greatly about the animals and they are FULL of knowledge! Although wildlife can be unpredictable, the staff works very hard and does everything they can to ensure you have an amazing (and fun!) experience. Listening to whales sing on the hydrophone is SO cool! One of my favorite things about Kaimana is the smaller boat size because that means LESS PEOPLE onboard, which is always a plus and makes the experience much more personalized and intimate! I would highly recommend a whale watching excursion with Kaimana Ocean Safari!
- zoen52900Incredible experienceI’ve gone on a few safaris with Kay from Kaimana now and I’ve loved it every time! They’re professional, knowledgeable, and wildly passionate about what they do. Definitely a must do if you’re on the Big Island!
- NomadicKnight00Highly recommend Kona ocean whale watching adventureHighly knowledgeable and friendly staff and excellent captain. We felt safe and comfortable while searching for humpbacks!
- nyfrogman202000Another Great Day on the Water!I have done several activities with Kaimana Ocean Safari. I started with the Ocean Safaris and then onto the Kealakekua Bay adventure and now the Whale Watching excursion, just in time for the Humpback Whale season in Hawaii. It’s always a great day on the water with Kaimana! They know exactly where to look for ocean wildlife and they are knowledgeable about the animals that are sighted. We had another fantastic time with the Humpbacks and we will definitely do it again. As always, I can certainly recommend Kaimana Ocean Safari without hesitation.
- watchmekickflip00Best whale watching in KonaFriendly and super knowledgeable crew! They clearly care about the wildlife, and we saw humpback whales! We saw a mom and a small baby, it made our trip!! We also heard them with the hydrophone, it was a beautiful experience. We will definitely do other trips with Kaimana, I 100% recommend them for any ocean adventure!
- Doncheadleofficial00Great tour!Crew was great! Fantastic experience and wildlife, we saw humpbacks and even a whale shark! Unforgettable experience! Would recommend to any traveler!
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
140 reviews
Excellent
136
Very good
1
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Sarah B
2 contributions
Nov 2022
If you're looking for an incredible ocean safari with ocean experts - this is it. From beginning to end, Kayleigh and crew were helpful, extremely knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about the ocean. I was worried that an ocean safari would put profit above the animals but Kaimana Ocean Safari holds human and animal lives as equals. We NEVER got in if it was dangerous or disruptive for us or the animals, so there was a moment that we couldn't jump in because it's harmful (and illegal) to disrupt a local pod of sleeping spinner dolphins. This is a very good thing (if you're ever on a tour with a company who puts profit over wildlife welfare, never book with them again). Instead, we watched the spinners from the boat until they were safely out of range for us to motor off again, this time to look for whale sharks.
Overall, we ended up snorkeling with some baby sharks (a great first snorkel spot for those who've never been in open water), and then found ourselves among pilot whales. This is where Kaimana impressed me the most. Instead of racing after the whales to jump in with them, they delivered us a little ways in front of their pod. After that, it was up to the pilot whales if they wanted to swim in to see us. We were lucky enough to see them cruise by from a safe distance, and then some oceanic whitetips followed. Before we got in, Kayleigh had been very clear and helpful about shark swimming etiquette so even though we were swimming in open water with a predator species, I never felt like I was in danger. Kayleigh is a mermaid with a camera and did a spectacular job keeping herself between us and the sharks at all times.
I would highly recommend this tour for more advanced (or at least adventurous) snorkelers. Beginner snorkelers may feel a little too nervous but I'd still recommend booking with them for the less adventurous snorkel moments (like manta rays or the smaller sharks). If nothing else, the less adventurous can always watch the action from the boat - it's still an amazing experience even out of the water. Mahalo to everyone on board! :)
Overall, we ended up snorkeling with some baby sharks (a great first snorkel spot for those who've never been in open water), and then found ourselves among pilot whales. This is where Kaimana impressed me the most. Instead of racing after the whales to jump in with them, they delivered us a little ways in front of their pod. After that, it was up to the pilot whales if they wanted to swim in to see us. We were lucky enough to see them cruise by from a safe distance, and then some oceanic whitetips followed. Before we got in, Kayleigh had been very clear and helpful about shark swimming etiquette so even though we were swimming in open water with a predator species, I never felt like I was in danger. Kayleigh is a mermaid with a camera and did a spectacular job keeping herself between us and the sharks at all times.
I would highly recommend this tour for more advanced (or at least adventurous) snorkelers. Beginner snorkelers may feel a little too nervous but I'd still recommend booking with them for the less adventurous snorkel moments (like manta rays or the smaller sharks). If nothing else, the less adventurous can always watch the action from the boat - it's still an amazing experience even out of the water. Mahalo to everyone on board! :)
Written November 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joshua A
1 contribution
Nov 2022 • Friends
Two of is showed up for a different charter. 5 minutes before 8am we got a text it was cancelled and to join him at noon. (Still trying to get refunded) Chase from Wild dolphins watch and reef snorkel is a joke. The 2 ladies we met by chance were amazing and had 2 seats available. We joined their character and glad we did. We saw a ton of sea animals. They put us in the correct spot that dollar and whales swam within feet of us. It was well worth the $ and time. We found so many places to swim with larger specials we didn't get to swim the reef, but it was a great trade off. I have friends fro. Reno I will bring back to do this with them again. Hell on our way back to the marina the ladies saw debris in the ocean and stopped to pick it up. They were knowledge and on it 100%. I wish I could remember their names. If I had to say 1 thing not perfect. They may be a lil over protective of their clients. It's not a bad thing. I just like a lil more freedom. If you get in the water stay with the group!
Written November 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lindsey Hanson
2 contributions
Apr 2021
Kayleigh and Cam go ABOVE AND BEYOND to ensure that their guests feel safe, welcomed and valued. The boat was clean and minimal, which in my experience.. makes for a less chaotic dive experience. They are mindful of what the guests are hoping to see during their tour and they do their very best to make it happen... It is the sea, and things do not always work out but in my opinion... the ride itself is worth it :)
All in all - I highly recommend this tour company to anyone hoping to escape the tourist crowd and get an incredible, intimate ocean safari experience.
I will absolutely be back again. Thanks Cam and Kay!
All in all - I highly recommend this tour company to anyone hoping to escape the tourist crowd and get an incredible, intimate ocean safari experience.
I will absolutely be back again. Thanks Cam and Kay!
Written April 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deanna K
2 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
Being on the water, and snorkeling with the Manta Rays and Spinner 🐬 Dolphins, Kayleigh and Cam are so welcoming with the Aloha🌺spirit, and a smaller group was great with more personable interaction….
I tend to get sea sick, but I did great and they made sure to keep me comfortable….all their knowledge of the ocean and wildlife was amazing, definitely recommend their tour, so much fun!!
Oh, and of course my other favorite was MAKO, the loving sea dog 🐶!!!
I tend to get sea sick, but I did great and they made sure to keep me comfortable….all their knowledge of the ocean and wildlife was amazing, definitely recommend their tour, so much fun!!
Oh, and of course my other favorite was MAKO, the loving sea dog 🐶!!!
Written August 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
noe ramelli
Zurich, Switzerland2 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
the trip was a complete failure. we have only see Mantas in the most mainstream spot and it was the last desperate move after navigating for hours without seeing anything. the crew was focused on making nice dive pictrure for those who paied the extra package.
if you want to see mantas go at night with a way cheaper tour and it’s 100 time more exciting.
this tour was a waist on money
if you want to see mantas go at night with a way cheaper tour and it’s 100 time more exciting.
this tour was a waist on money
Written April 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KaimanaOceanSafari
Aloha Noe! So sorry to hear you were disappointed in the the tour. Truthfully, we do not have control of what animals show up each day. Our tour is just as an African safari is, in that you go out hoping to see anything & be grateful and open minded for whatever does show up. We are grateful for any and all interactions we get even if we “only” see 6 manta rays and 1 spotted eagle ray as we did on your tour. I’m glad you wrote this so other guests joining us can see that we do not have any control of the ocean. It’s important not to place expectations on nature and wildlife but we hope you give nature another try next time. Mahalo.
Written April 5, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sara D.
4 contributions
Jan 2021 • Couples
My boyfriend and I went on a tour with Kayleigh & Cam and their dog Mako. They were great tour guides and extremely accommodating. We tried to find a rare sperm whale but after a riveting chase of one recently spotted by another boat, we decided it would be best to look for dolphins instead. We spent the next hour going down the coast and tracking spinner dolphins. We came across at least 3 different pods of dolphins and we stopped each time and they allowed us to jump in, taking beautiful underwater photos. The wild dolphins played with us in the water, did tricks right in front of us. Cam and Kayleigh were extremely friendly and even brought local snacks for us to munch on. We spent 3 weeks on the Big Island and this was by far the highlight of our trip! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
Written January 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patrick S
Denver, CO1 contribution
Nov 2022
My family and I went out on a morning charter with Kaimana, 5 of us, and 1 other lady that had booked solo. Warmed up by swimming probably 25 feet above a giant Manta Ray, which was so cool to just watch it dance in the water, and they taught us how to do some free diving, and get down there for a closer look.
From there we headed out to deeper water to see what we could find - they dropped 2 safety divers in the water to look for sharks, they found an Oceanic White Tip cruising around, and then put us in the water slowly 1 by 1. With 2 safety divers mostly staying between us and this beautiful shark, and the safety briefing they gave us, we all felt very safe in the water, and were able to thoroughly enjoy this once in a lifetime experience.
The solo that joined us was so moved by the experience that was was crying tears of joy after being in the water so close to an endangered shark species; none of us could stop smiling for the rest of the day.
We finished up the day snorkeling on a reef where we saw turtles, Octopus, and other fish - just a nice mellow way to cap off an epic day out at sea.
This crew is full of professionals, we had an amazing time that none of us will ever forget, highly recommend booking a time to go out with Kaimana!
From there we headed out to deeper water to see what we could find - they dropped 2 safety divers in the water to look for sharks, they found an Oceanic White Tip cruising around, and then put us in the water slowly 1 by 1. With 2 safety divers mostly staying between us and this beautiful shark, and the safety briefing they gave us, we all felt very safe in the water, and were able to thoroughly enjoy this once in a lifetime experience.
The solo that joined us was so moved by the experience that was was crying tears of joy after being in the water so close to an endangered shark species; none of us could stop smiling for the rest of the day.
We finished up the day snorkeling on a reef where we saw turtles, Octopus, and other fish - just a nice mellow way to cap off an epic day out at sea.
This crew is full of professionals, we had an amazing time that none of us will ever forget, highly recommend booking a time to go out with Kaimana!
Written November 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mitch R
1 contribution
Sep 2022 • Friends
The Ocean Safari was an amazing experience! The boat’s captain, Brenna, did an incredible job piloting the boat and had an eye for spotting rare wildlife. The entire crew from the beginning emphasized safety and responsible interactions with ocean creatures. I can tell that the crew members are passionate and enjoy sharing the experience with all participants onboard. I can’t recommend this enough.
Written September 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KaimanaOceanSafari
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review. We truly appreciate it! Hope to see you again soon!
Written November 8, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Charlotte H
1 contribution
Aug 2021 • Couples
I appreciated the small group size of 5 people as wild life sometimes disappear quickly and it’s great if you get into the water fast. Kayleigh was a great captain that spotted wildlife from fare away and kept am eye out for trash to keep the ocean clean. The team was very knowledgeable and provided great inside on how to behave around wildlife. I deeply enjoyed the 4h trip and highly recommend Kaimana Ocean Safari. We also booked the photo package and the pictures are just stoning, I will definitely book again with Kayleigh and her amazing team!
Written August 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heidi R
Portland, OR1 contribution
Nov 2020
We stayed in Kona for a month and the ocean safari was the last adventure we embarked on before heading back to the mainland. What a finale! Cam and Kay are knowledgable, kind, and have a fun vibe. We swam with manta rays and enjoyed watching humpback whales, dolphins, sea turtles and more. Truly phenomenal. You never know what you'll see, but they will make sure you have a great time on the water. They also stop to pick up any trash they see floating by, so I appreciate their love of our natural world in all that they do. And they have great stories of their time on the water. Definitely get the photo package as they take great pictures and you will want to retain the memories. Highly recommend you try a Kaimana Ocean Safari experience!
Written January 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Please can you confirm we have a paid reservation? Carrie Scheckelhoff
Viator cancelled another reservation on this trip without notifying us. Nightmare!! We called and left you are cell
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Kaimana Ocean Safari provided by Kaimana Ocean Safari
Product Overview: Kaimana Ocean Safari
| Prices From | $180 |
|---|---|
| Number of Reviews | 138 |
| Number of Photos | 91 |
| Duration | 240 minutes |



















































