EXPLORE THE BEST BIG ISLAND TOURS FROM KONA
When you’re visiting Hawaii, one of the most exciting ways to experience its natural beauty and rich history is by taking guided Big Island tours facilitated by trusted local tour companies. Kona, on the island’s west coast and serves as an excellent starting point for a wide range of unforgettable adventures. Whether you’re a volcano enthusiast, history buff, or underwater explorer, there are Big Island tours from Kona that cater to every interest! In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best tour options that allow you to delve under the ocean’s surface, explore iconic monuments and natural sites, and witness the incredible active volcanoes that define this amazing island.
Explore the Best Big Island Tours From Kona
If you are an underwater enthusiast or someone who loves to go on various marine adventures, then keep reading and we’ll cover what the best aquatic experiences are offered through Big Island tours leaving from Kona!
Go on a Snorkel Tour of the Big Island
A snorkel tour of the Big Island is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the island’s vibrant marine life and warm turquoise waters. These tours typically depart from Kona and take you to some of the best snorkeling sites, including the Place of Refuge and Captain Cook Monument. On one of these local tour boats, you can explore thriving coral reefs, swim among colorful tropical fish, and even have close encounters with Kona’s larger marine life. Knowledgeable guides provide insights into the marine ecosystem and ensure your safety throughout the adventure.
The Specifics of Embarking on a Kona Snorkel Tour with Big Island Guides
If you are staying in the historic town of Kona Hawaii, you will find the crystal blue waters off shore to be very inviting. Not only are the waters of the Big Island warm and pristine, but they are filled with an incredible and diverse array of marine life found nowhere else in the world.
Kona snorkel tours that explore the Big Island, Hawaii typically visit one to two snorkel destinations mentioned above, allowing around an hour to hour and a half to explore the coral reef. The overall tour ranges in time, some are as short as 2 hours and some as long as 6-8 hours– the good news is that these tours will provide a wide array of necessary gear and provisions to make sure the experience is top notch!
Set off on a Manta Ray Night Dive
For a truly enchanting and unique experience, consider a manta ray night dive off the Big Island’s Kona coast. These tours take you out after dark to witness the mesmerizing ballet of manta rays illuminated by your tour’s flotation device lights. As these gentle giants feed on plankton, you can observe their graceful movements while having an incredible and surreal close encounter. There are no other tours that can compare– make sure you read more about how you can find the best local tour in our other article.
Want to See the Sunset? Kona Tours Will Explore Big Island by Boat
There are few things more beautiful than a Hawaiian sunset. What’s even more stunning is seeing the vibrant sunset along the Pacific, while out on the water. A Kona sunset boat tour is not only romantic but a great way to see the island and possibly witness native spinner dolphins or humpback whales who have migrated during the winter, playing in the waters.
Explore the Big Island’s Monuments
If you are someone who isn’t looking to spend much time in the water or have a greater preference for all terrain adventures, the Big Island will not disappoint. While we are a snorkel and boat tour company, our team consists of locals– this means that we know the ins and outs of the best areas of the island and can provide some recommendations!
See the Active Big Island Volcanoes
No trip to the Big Island is complete without witnessing its dramatic volcanic landscapes. Guided volcano tours take you to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where you can witness the awe-inspiring power of Kilauea, one of the world’s most powerful active volcanoes. Walk along the rim of the massive Kilauea Caldera, visit the Jaggar Museum to learn about volcanic activity, and witness the captivating glow of lava flows at night– should there be an eruption. Exploring the active volcanoes of the Big Island is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that showcases the island’s dynamic geology.
Explore Captain Cook Monument
One of the most important sites in modern Hawaiian history is Captain Cook Monument; this is not only a popular snorkeling destination visited on our Captain Cook Snorkel Adventure, but the site where British colonist Captain Cook was slain.
There are multiple ways to arrive and explore the monument, the most popular is either through a snorkel tour or Kona Private Boat Charter that will drift through Kealakekua Bay. These tours are led by one of the Big Island’s expert guides who will be able to go through the human and ecological history of the area.
While we prefer to explore Kealakekua Bay by the water on our snorkel tours, there are other ways you can arrive at the bay. The Captain Cook Monument, perched on the rugged coastline of the Big Island, holds important historical significance within Hawaiian history as well as breathtaking natural beauty. Guided tours to this site offer a chance to explore the monument’s surroundings, learn about Captain James Cook’s legacy, and snorkel in the clear waters of Kealakekua Bay. If you would rather reach this monument by land– you will have to traverse the rugged trail to this landmark.
No matter what you choose– there is so much to do while vacationing on the Big Island. Be sure to read through various Kona tours offered on the Big Island and choose the one that fits best with the time of year you are visiting, your schedule, and who all you are bringing with you! The beauty of exploring the Big Island is you can rest assured that there is no shortage of the best tours, all of which leave from around the popular town of Kona!