On the Water
1–2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 96% of travelers
96% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$147
per adult
Sea Quest Hawaii
Sea Quest Hawaii
5
Scuba & SnorkellingBoat ToursDolphin & Whale WatchingNature & Wildlife Tours
7:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Full view
About
Snorkel the most pristine reefs in Hawaii! Explore sea caves and lava tubes along the rugged Kona Coast and observe dolphins and whales in their natural habitat as your US Coast Guard licensed captain shares with you the rich history, legends, and lore of the Big Island of Hawaii. For over 30 years we have specialized in snorkel tours designed especially for small groups creating an intimate and unique snorkeling adventure in one of the most beautiful and diverse places on Earth.
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Improve this listingTours and Tickets by Sea Quest Hawaii
Adventure Tours
3 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 98% of travelers
98% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$125
per adult
Adventure Tours
5 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 99% of travelers
99% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$201
per adult
Adventure Tours
4 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 99% of travelers
99% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$144
per adult
Adventure Tours
4–5 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 99% of travelers
99% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$165
per adult
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
5,844 reviews
Excellent
5,512
Very good
241
Average
38
Poor
22
Terrible
31
Scott H
Salt Lake City, UT10 contributions
Mar 2020
We did the Captain Cook Express and the Captain (whose name I can't remember, dang it) and Natalie were amazing from start to finish. At times it felt like the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland with the terrible/awesome jokes, but that never got in the way of a safe, professional trip.
The snorkeling was among the best that we had on the Big Island in the 2 weeks we were there with the added bonus of spinner dolphins putting on a show as we were leaving.
We booked this at the last minute after we realised that all the "promo" bargain snorkel trips you see advertised on Ali'i Drive were all time share scams. Luckily, we stumbled upon Brandi at Body Glove who hooked us up with Sea Quest.
We had already been out with them the week before for manta rays (also beyond awesome!) and they are super consistent in what they do: professional, knowledgeable, safe and most of all fun.
The snorkeling was among the best that we had on the Big Island in the 2 weeks we were there with the added bonus of spinner dolphins putting on a show as we were leaving.
We booked this at the last minute after we realised that all the "promo" bargain snorkel trips you see advertised on Ali'i Drive were all time share scams. Luckily, we stumbled upon Brandi at Body Glove who hooked us up with Sea Quest.
We had already been out with them the week before for manta rays (also beyond awesome!) and they are super consistent in what they do: professional, knowledgeable, safe and most of all fun.
Written March 12, 2020
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.
Deby M
Minneapolis, MN27 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
LOVED our snorkel tour with Liam and Kevin today! We had booked with a larger boat but the trip was canceled due to COVID19. Seaquest was the first company we found that had openings, so I booked it. We were slightly leery of being on such a small boat, but we were happy to just find an open snorkel trip at the last minute.
Liam was incredibly friendly and helped us to relax while he was driving the boat. Kevin did a great job getting all of the equipment ready. We went to 2 different snorkel spots and had snacks on the boat. Cut up fruit hit the spot and then we also had our choice of chips or cookies. Along the way back from snorkeling, Liam drove close to the coast and showed us some sea caves. We also hung around one of the snorkel spots so we could watch spinner dolphins in the area.
Both Liam and Kevin took time to talk to each of us on the boat and it gave it such a personal feel. There were 12 of us altogether and I don't think I would want to go back to the larger boat snorkel tour as we have done in the past. The intimate setting from today was perfect. Thanks for making our day!
Liam was incredibly friendly and helped us to relax while he was driving the boat. Kevin did a great job getting all of the equipment ready. We went to 2 different snorkel spots and had snacks on the boat. Cut up fruit hit the spot and then we also had our choice of chips or cookies. Along the way back from snorkeling, Liam drove close to the coast and showed us some sea caves. We also hung around one of the snorkel spots so we could watch spinner dolphins in the area.
Both Liam and Kevin took time to talk to each of us on the boat and it gave it such a personal feel. There were 12 of us altogether and I don't think I would want to go back to the larger boat snorkel tour as we have done in the past. The intimate setting from today was perfect. Thanks for making our day!
Written March 20, 2020
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.
heyheypippa
Seattle, WA114 contributions
Feb 2020
We selected the Captain Cook express tour in Kealakekua Bay with Cap'n Steve and Natalie. This company was recommended by our Kona friends. It was super fun! Didn't know how much time we'd like so the shorter, later morning tour suited us. Cap'n & his mate were friendly, interested in the 14 of us (14 is a full boat) having fun & wanted to share their experience/knowledge. We were in the bay snorkeling for 1 full hour, enough for me, because even though i had a long sleeve t-shirt, at 1 hour, I was starting to get cold. The smaller boat was nice as it was very maneuverable for the return trip when Cap'n snuggled into the coves near the shoreline to show us lava tubes, explain rock strata, and allow the spinner dolphins to show off! We enjoyed our time & would use Sea Quest again.
Written February 22, 2020
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.
Jack Walker
1 contribution
Mar 2020 • Family
From the very beginning of the trip where they get you fitted in your wet suit to the part where their driving you back on the boat, the crew was amazing and very knowledgeable about anything in the ocean. When we got to the area that we were going to see the manta rays, they gave very clear instructions on what to and how to handle anything that may go on in the water. Once you are in, they bring you to the areas that have the mantas in them. Then they swim you around on this magnificent light board that shines down into the water and attracts the plankton that they feed on. The mantas get close enough to touch, but as they tell you to please not touch them. Overall, I would love to give these guys a solid 6/5 stars if possible, totally worth every penny spent!
Written March 10, 2020
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.
trharsh83
1 contribution
Jun 2023 • Family
We highly recommend this snorkeling tour. After running into a problem with a different, unnamed, snorkel tour company, we had to scramble to re-book another snorkel excursion. "Sea Quest" has an office at the same marina, so we took a chance. They did not disappoint. They booked us at the last minute for the next morning on the 4 hour snorkel excursion with multiple stops at various locations. Captain Brendan, along with first mate Taylor, were fantastic and extremely knowledgeable at their craft. Captain Brendan has obviously been doing this job for a long time and is extremely educated in the history of the area and had no problem answering all questions that were thrown at him. Safety for all of his passengers is first and foremost. First mate Taylor provided all the extra support for the captain as she helped all passengers transfer from the water to the boat seamlessly and also provided us with delicious fresh fruit, snacks and drinks along the way. The snorkeling spots were coral reefs near the shore and had lots of colorful fish and sea creatures. We also got to stop at various other spots along the way and learn many wonderful facts and history about the island and the ocean. If you're thinking of booking a snorkeling trip, then look no further, as we highly recommend "Sea Quest". They are definitely a first class operation and provide an excellent experience from beginning to end.
Written June 23, 2023
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.
Aloha! We are so happy to hear that you ended up choosing Sea Quest Hawaii and we were able to save the day! We take pride in our team of knowledgeable and friendly captains and crew who are passionate about what they do. They work hard to ensure the safety and satisfaction of our guest, and it is always rewarding to receive recognition for their efforts. Mahalo nui loa
Written July 8, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Daly H
5 contributions
Aug 2022
My wife and I went the Big Island of Hawaii for our honeymoon and were struggling to decide between some different snorkel tour options. We were very happy we went with Sea Quest. The boat was comfortable and not too crowded (our tour had 14 passengers). There was a roof on the boat so we had lots of shade from the sun. Our stuff was stored in bins under the seats to prevent it from getting wet while on the boat too.
Our hosts (Jasmin and Kevin) were very welcoming and informative during our trip. They took us to 3 very unique spots along the coast and pointed out wildlife to look for. Kevin slowed down the boat when he spotted sea turtles and dolphins near our boat. He also answered questions about sea life, and explained some of the history of the area.
Our tour left at 8:30 am and was roughly 5 hours with 3 of those hours dedicated to snorkeling. We were provided fresh fruit after our first stop, water at any time, and a boxed lunch of sandwiches, fruits, veggies, and bags of chips after our final snorkel stop. They also had canned juice available.
Overall, we were able to see incredible views of the coast line from the water while also seeing unique underwater life and enjoying a fun morning out on the ocean. We had a lot of fun and thoroughly enjoyed our tour.
We would highly recommend that you go with Sea Quest for your Hawaiian snorkel tour!
Our hosts (Jasmin and Kevin) were very welcoming and informative during our trip. They took us to 3 very unique spots along the coast and pointed out wildlife to look for. Kevin slowed down the boat when he spotted sea turtles and dolphins near our boat. He also answered questions about sea life, and explained some of the history of the area.
Our tour left at 8:30 am and was roughly 5 hours with 3 of those hours dedicated to snorkeling. We were provided fresh fruit after our first stop, water at any time, and a boxed lunch of sandwiches, fruits, veggies, and bags of chips after our final snorkel stop. They also had canned juice available.
Overall, we were able to see incredible views of the coast line from the water while also seeing unique underwater life and enjoying a fun morning out on the ocean. We had a lot of fun and thoroughly enjoyed our tour.
We would highly recommend that you go with Sea Quest for your Hawaiian snorkel tour!
Written September 1, 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.
Dave W
Appleton, WI2 contributions
Mar 2020
Wow! What a great experience..... it really was the highlight of my trip to the Big Island. I never expected the Manta Ray's were so big and came so close, nearly rubbing up against you.
The Sea Quest Team was very professional getting everybody set up with wet suit's, snorkel equipment, and explaining the whole procedure getting people ready for the short ride just off shore from the Sheraton.
We spent about 45 minutes in the water, and once the Manta Ray's came it was almost nonstop action. It was so surreal with them coming up towards you and doing body rolls, almost as if they were putting on a show. Definitely do this trip you won't be disappointed.
The Sea Quest Team was very professional getting everybody set up with wet suit's, snorkel equipment, and explaining the whole procedure getting people ready for the short ride just off shore from the Sheraton.
We spent about 45 minutes in the water, and once the Manta Ray's came it was almost nonstop action. It was so surreal with them coming up towards you and doing body rolls, almost as if they were putting on a show. Definitely do this trip you won't be disappointed.
Written March 20, 2020
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.
FarAway538776
1 contribution
Feb 2020
The whales and snorkling were worth the trip but the real winner was the captain and her mate. Smart on any topic the guests inquired about, excellent historical references, very safety conscious without being condescending, really fun and enthusiastic about Hawaii's past and future. The big island really lacks turtles, compared to Maui, so our seeing a small one on this trip turns out to be it after 7 days of being on Hawaii. The pilot whales we observed were gorgeous from pretty close up. Snorkling was good in the 3 areas we stopped. Captain Cooks was too busy for my likes, but its history was very interesting. I would definitely seek out this captain for the Manta night dive. Apologies for not getting the captains name clear in my memory. She's from Templeton Ca., her mate was Jill. Excellent team
Written February 8, 2020
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.
Jordan J
1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Couples
We did the night manta snorkel two nights ago and it was an absolutely unforgettable experience. The staff were fantastic! Claire, John and Captain Nick, to name a few, were knowledgeable, entertaining and very hospitable. I work in hospitality and would recruit them any day! So helpful and proactive about making sure everyone was comfortable and had everything they needed.
My partner has a pretty strong fear of water but John and Claire were very understanding and took extra measures to make sure she was comfortable getting off the boat and over to the flotation device. They also answered any and all questions.
There were two or three mantas that night that made several passes as well as several other varieties of fish. The mantas came really close even bumping our elbows as we held onto the flotation device. Absolutely insane!
I would highly recommend this activity and Sea Quest Hawaii in specific. Some people have commented negatively about the size of the boat as some companies have much larger boats but I feel like this gave a much more personal experience/service.
Thank you again for everything, it really was unforgettable and a huge highlight of our ten days in Maui and Big Island!
My partner has a pretty strong fear of water but John and Claire were very understanding and took extra measures to make sure she was comfortable getting off the boat and over to the flotation device. They also answered any and all questions.
There were two or three mantas that night that made several passes as well as several other varieties of fish. The mantas came really close even bumping our elbows as we held onto the flotation device. Absolutely insane!
I would highly recommend this activity and Sea Quest Hawaii in specific. Some people have commented negatively about the size of the boat as some companies have much larger boats but I feel like this gave a much more personal experience/service.
Thank you again for everything, it really was unforgettable and a huge highlight of our ten days in Maui and Big Island!
Written January 26, 2020
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.
thesisks2019
Denham Springs, LA1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Couples
I cannot day enough good things about our experience with Sea Quest. They were flexible with their schedule, had competitive prices, and followed through with every single thing advertised. We saw some beautiful sea-life, explored a few caves (from the safety of our boat), and got some interesting information about the history of the land/sea we were visiting. It was a perfect day, 100% worth every penny, and I will not go back to Hawaii without doing an excursion with Sea Quest. Absolutely great.
Written January 18, 2020
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.
Is any of the tour times better? 6:30 vs 8:00?
Written July 24, 2024
Is any o the tour times better? 6:30 vs 8:00?
Written July 24, 2024
Which time is the better option for seeing the rays? 6:45 or 8:15?
Written February 26, 2022
I think either time would work. We took the earlier time and waited about 20 minutes until they all showed up, so the later time may be a little better. It's still amazing no matter what time.
Written February 26, 2022
Hello Mark - Does the boat have seats in it or do people have to sit on the side?
Thank you
Written May 16, 2021
We just did this tour and you sit on the boat. Picture a raft with a big motar. I liked the small sized boat and always felt safe holding on.
Written May 20, 2021
Hi,
My boyfriend gets sea sick and we were wondering how large the boat is for this excursion?
Thank you,
Chloe Lingle
Written December 16, 2018
It was about 20’ had 14 people
It was great 2nd time I have gone with them
Great experience
Written December 17, 2018
Hi,
My boyfriend gets sea sick and we were wondering how large the boat is for this excursion?
Thank you,
Chloe Lingle
Written December 16, 2018
The boats are more of a speed boat than something that ebbs and flows. It’s fast when moving so you do not feel the motion. Sea sick, been there done that got the T-shirt!! I think you will enjoy this.
Written December 18, 2018
How many passengers do you take on the night manta snorkel?
Written July 2, 2018
We had about 20-24 on our night snorkel and it seemed to be the boat capacity. They did a great job getting us all into the water and over to the lighted rafts. One of the guides was at the end of each raft telling us more about the Manta Rays. Definately worth it!
Written July 3, 2018
I want to bring my 3 girls, one 12 years old and 7 years old twins. Twin girls cant swim . . but would it be possible to enjoy the dolphin swimming safely? Do you help or guide kids 1:1 who cant swim at all? How many people participate in one boat and how mamy guiding persons?
Written July 23, 2017
Aloha,
Our dolphin swim experience does require a level of comfortability in the water. While the laws dictate that we have a single crew member for our operation we actually put two on board for this trip for the added benefit of the guest. One of our guides remains in the water with our guests for the entirety of the dolphin swim. That guide is happy to assist members of the party who need extra attention, however they do need to provide support for all members of the tour. Our tours take no more than 14 people on each trip (though the coast guard allows us to take 18). I hope this helps!
Written September 12, 2017
Also- wondering if sitting on the sides of a raft for 5 hours gets uncomfortable? Not sure how long we would be in the water.... other companies offer bigger boats but SeaQuest gets great reviews....
Written April 3, 2017
They have 2 benches with backs inside the boat. The kids like the outside. It does get bumpy but the fun outweighs it.
Written July 19, 2017
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