Seafari And Discover Pawai Afternoon Reef Snorkel Tour

Skip the crowds and discover our stunning local sites!

5/5 (209 Reviews)

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Snorkeling is a must-do activity when visiting Hawaii. The warm waters and vibrant coral reefs are home to a diverse array of fish, turtles, and other sea creatures. And there's no better place to snorkel than Pawai Bay. This secluded spot is accessible only by boat, and its shallow reefs are teeming with wildlife. Guests on our snorkeling trip will have the chance to see all sorts of amazing marine life, from colorful fish and spinner dolphins to sea turtles. We also provide educational briefings about the wildlife we encounter.

Age
5+
Duration
2-hour
Location
Kona, Big Island, Hawaii

Highlights
- No crowds - exclusive snorkel area
- Family-friendly
- Spot turtles and dolphins
- Wildlife and educational briefings
- All gear included

BOOK YOUR TOUR

2-Hour Seafari & Discover Pawai Afternoon Reef Snorkel From Honokohau Harbor
Starting at $99^.00 per adult

People
Ages 5+ $99^.00 + tax & fees

Seafari And Discover Pawai Afternoon Reef Snorkel Tour Features

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Amazing Wildlife

Snorkeling in Pawai Bay is incredible. The water is crystal clear, so you can see hundreds of feet. The reef is healthy and there is a variety of marine life here. You can snorkel around the reef, which is close to the shore, or you can swim out to the deeper part of the bay where you will find caves, arches, and swim-throughs. You might see lobsters, eels, and other animals in the darker depths. It is also common to see large schools of fish such as butterfly fish, goatfish, triggerfish, and mullet. Sea turtles are common, and even Spinner dolphins sometimes venture into the bay.

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Local Guides

Our guides will be happy to take you to the select spots and show you the unique marine life. Kona is home to the highest rate of endemic (found only in Hawaii) fish in the world. There are colorful long-nose butterflyfish like the Wili wili nuku nuku oi oi, and large puffer fish like the Kokala. Colorful reef fish are abundant here but there are also eels, sea stars, and the occasional large animal including turtles, manta rays, and spotted eagle rays. The protection of the reef allows many different critters to hide among it. Occasionally you will spot an eel head or a shy octopus poking out from under the reef!

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One of Kona's Best Snorkel Spots

The Big Island of Hawaii boasts numerous fantastic snorkeling locations, but while many flock to the popular, crowded spots, few are as exceptional or renowned as Pawai Bay. Each day, only a select few get to experience snorkeling in this exclusive spot, and you could be one of them! Situated on the northern edge of Kailua-Kona, Pawai Bay is a safeguarded area near the island’s western tip. This protected marine zone features some of the most intriguing underwater lava formations you'll find anywhere. This stunning coastline of lava rocks is reserved for native Hawaiian children and inaccessible to non-natives from the shore.

Seafari And Discover Pawai Afternoon Reef Snorkel Tour Details

Highlights

All gear included
Exclusive snorkel area
Amazing fish, lava rock arches, and gorgeous reefs
Spinner dolphin sightings!

2 Hrs. Sea-fari Tour
Guided And Family-Friendly
Retired Navy SEAL Boat
Available Every Day Of The Week

Description

The Big Island is the youngest of all the Hawaiian islands, and its Kona coastline is mostly rocky shore, which produces very little runoff. This make’s Kona’s waters some of the clearest in the world, and nowhere is this more apparent than Pawai Bay, just north of downtown Kona. Snorkeling here is incredible. The water is crystal clear and teeming with vibrant sea life. You’ll see colorful fish darting among the coral reef, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a sea turtle or two. Dolphins are also known to frequent the bay, so keep your eyes peeled for these friendly creatures.
Depart from Honokohau boat harbor aboard our comfy pontoon boat heading south around Kaiwi point. The coastline is rugged with no access from the shore. This means only boats can get to this unique area and you will love the adventurous nature of our retired Navy SEAL boat. It’s a short 15-minute cruise to reach this magical spot. We will moor in the bay and share the beautiful shallow reef wildlife and educational briefings with guests about the wildlife we encounter. You will spend most of your time in the water, but non-swimmers can have a great time too! If some guests choose to stay on the boat, they can enjoy the dramatic and spectacular Kona coastline while relaxing in the sun.
The beautiful lava rock coastline is set aside for the use of native Hawaiian children, inaccessible to non-natives. This secluded location is a true local gem and known as the most beautiful local spot in Kona.

Price & Availability

2-Hour Seafari & Discover Pawai Afternoon Reef Snorkel From Honokohau Harbor

PeopleAges 5+

$99^.00

1:30 pm Daily
Those under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Departure & Return

1:30 – 3:30 p.m
We depart from the Honokohau Small Boat Harbor, 74-381 Kealakehe Pkwy, Kailua, HI 96740
If you know where the harbor is just turn in and follow the road until you come to the two-story building with a red roof and gas station. Park and meet us at the covered picnic tables
Two-hour tours

Included

Quality snorkeling gear including: masks, snorkels, fins, and additional flotation

Cancellation

Any request for a refund 72 hours or more prior to the start of the tour or activity is honored with a full cash refund.

No refunds are issued for any cancellations inside the 72-hour period, prior to the start of your tour. There is no refund for no-shows. There is no charge for date change or tour change based on tour availability outside of the 72-hour cancellation period.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need any swimming or snorkeling experience?

Basic swimming skills are required (swim/stay afloat without assistance) to join the tours. It’s also preferred that some snorkeling experience be acquired before joining us on a manta tour. Join us on a morning snorkel first to get those skills down as it will make your manta tour a more enjoyable experience! Non-swimmers can join the morning snorkel trip to enjoy the iconic Kona coastline from the boat but will not be permitted to enter the water. Non-swimmers are not permitted on manta ray charters.
What should I bring with me on the boat?

For day trips: hat, sun-protective clothing, reef-safe sunscreen, towel, camera For evening trips: zip-up jacket, towel, underwater camera or GoPro A small dry bag is recommended as we have limited dry storage onboard and sea spray is normal. Kindly leave any extra items in your car or in our storage locker on the dock. Key storage is provided as well, so those don’t get lost!
Does the boat have a restroom?

At check-in there is an opportunity to use the facilities on land, however, we do not have a restroom on board.
What can I do to prevent seasickness?

The great thing about our boat is that it’s fast-moving and open-air. This means guests are less prone to seasickness. When we’re moving quickly, we avoid the swaying and sloshing movement that often causes that icky feeling. With that said, there are people who are more susceptible and we still want you to have a great time so it’s always better to be proactive. We sell acupressure Sea-Bands at check-in as a non-drug option.

How does the weather affect the trip?

Thanks to our location on the island and protection from Hualalai, the majestic mountain behind our town, we typically have great weather, calm seas, and few rain days per year. Some days cloud over then clear up quickly, or the mountain looks cloudy and we have gorgeous weather on the Kona coast. On the rare occasion, the weather is questionable, our team will decide whether or not the trip can go out safely. In the event we cancel we will do our very best to rebook you for another time. If we cannot accommodate you, we will give you a full refund. Kindly be sure you’re reachable via the contact information you provided.