All-Day Boating Excursions in Kona, Hawaii
- Living Ocean Adventures offers boat tours for fishing and whale-watching. The tours serve up to six passengers and can be used by one group exclusively or shared with other passengers. Fishing enthusiasts can use first class fishing equipment to catch species such as mahi mahi, ono or tuna. The whale-watching tours are shorter and last about three-and-a-half hours. Expect to see pilot whales and dolphins; you may also see humpback whales from December to May.
- Dolphin Discoveries -- located in Keauhou Bay, Kailua-Kona -- offers snorkeling tours as well as whale- and dolphin-watching boat tours. Take a snorkeling tour to the marine sanctuary at Kealakeua Bay. The same boat tour goes to The Place Of Refuge where you can go snorkeling among green sea turtles. Alternatively, take a dolphin- and whale-watching boat tour offered year-round to see bottlenose dolphins, spinners, spotted dolphins, pilot whales and, possibly, humpback whales.
- Ocean Eco Tours -- situated in Honokohau Harbor -- offers surfing, diving and whale-watching tours on the Kona coast. Surf tours begin with a two- or three-hour surfing class for beginners. The company offers private lessons, semi-private lessons for up to four people, and group surfing lessons. Other tours offered by Ocean Eco Tours include scuba diving among giant mantra rays, snorkeling or whale-watching. You can also choose to ride along just to enjoy the boat tour. Diving tours range from a one-tank dive to a three-day dive package.
- The Hula Kai, a Catamaran that accommodates 42 passengers, features a bar, two washrooms, a galley and showers. The boat tour leaves Keauhou Bay in the morning and returns later in the afternoon. Participants are taught how to snorkel and are given snorkeling gear. They are able to see tropical fish and stunning coral reefs up close. The same company offers two-tank scuba dives and provides diver propulsion vehicles.
