Top Big Island of Hawaii Wildlife Encounters

After dark is an excellent time to see manta rays in the waters around the Island of Hawaii. Make the most of your opportunity by joining this boat tour led by a guide who knows the area well. Enjoy watching the manta rays feeding at night and snorkeling close to them.

Have the opportunity to admire wild manta rays in their natural habitat on this evening cruise. Set sail after dark, when the manta rays come out to feed on plankton, and use a custom-made lightboard that attracts the rays. Float through the warm waters for up to 40 minutes, use your snorkel to watch as the rays swim and feed, and learn more about the majestic creatures from your guide.

Explore the waters off the Big Island on this exciting combo tour. Get your adrenaline pumping as you cruise out and along the coastline on a speedboat. Look for caves, cliffs, whales, dolphins and other marine life along the way. Afterwards, jump into the clear waters and explore the underwater world as you snorkel around. Snacks, drinks and snorkel equipment are all included.

Get up close with humpback whales near the Big Island of Hawaii on this guided, whale watching excursion. During Hawaii's whale season, the ocean is full of activity from humpback whales migrating from the Pacific Northwest to breed and nurse their young. Hear the whales with a hydrophone and learn about their behavior patterns from the certified naturalist guide. Snacks and light refreshments are provided.

There are few places in all of Hawaii more historic than Kealakekua Bay, as it's the spot where Captain Cook was killed in a skirmish with native Hawaiians, and the Hawaiian monarch, King Kamehameha III was born just a few miles away. The history aside, it's also one of the best places to snorkel on the Big Island of Hawaii, and you'll have the chance to experience the beauty on this snorkeling tour from Kona. Search for dolphins on the way to the bay while admiring the volcanic coast, and after scouring the red for coral and fish, climb aboard for a lunch that's served by the friendly crew.

This half-day boat cruise takes you to the two best snorkeling sites in Kealakekua Bay: The reef beneath Captain Cook's monument and the underwater lava formations of Red Hill. In addition to breakfast and lunch, your guides provide all necessary equipment, basic snorkeling tips, and identification charts to help you spot fish and dolphins in their natural habitat. Don’t forget your camera—the route showcases sweeping views of the Kona coastline.

Combine two must-do experiences to enhance your vacation in Hawaii. First, board a spacious catamaran for a sunset cruise along the Kona coast. Then slip into the ocean for a snorkel adventure with manta rays. Guides provide instruction and ensure your comfort with included snorkel gear, swim noodle, and a wetsuit. Afterward, enjoy juice, soft drinks, or hot cocoa with cookies; beer, wine, and cocktails are available to purchase.

Set sail down the Kona coastline aboard a trimaran, arriving in the Kealakekua Bay Marine Preserve for an afternoon of snorkeling. Splash into the turquoise waters near the Captain Cook Monument, and search for pods of spinner dolphins that frequent the bay. All equipment is provided along with light snacks and reef-safe sunscreen to make the trip convenient.

Embark on an evening adventure and swim near Hawaii’s manta rays. Start the tour with a sunset sail on a comfortable trimaran to ‘Manta Ray Village’. After a safety briefing, put on your snorkel gear and spend an hour in the water using a state-of-the-art, lit up flotation device to stay on the water’s surface and observe the manta rays bellow as they feed on plankton.

The Kona Coast is one of the most popular spots in Hawaii to see manta rays in their natural habitat. With this tour, set sail after dark, when the manta rays are most active. Hop onto a lightboard and watch as the manta rays come out to feed on plankton attracted to the boards, then head into the warm waters to swim and snorkel. Your guide will provide full instruction on how to safely swim and snorkel without disturbing the rays.

View dolphins in their natural environment with guides who respect these intelligent creatures’ boundaries during this cruise. The utmost respect and care are given to the dolphins to assure that this tour doesn’t disrupt their rest, nursing, and breeding behaviors. Depending on where the dolphins are seen, there may also be time for a quick snorkel at one of the many beautiful reef areas along the Kona coastline.

Sail along the Kona coast aboard a spacious catamaran during this half-day tour to Kealakekua Bay and take advantage of multiple amenities like the shaded cabin and sunny splash nets. Start with a continental breakfast, then build your own sandwich after a snorkeling session (equipment and instruction included).

The Hawaiian night sky is a grab bag of UFO activity, if you know how to spot it. On this tour, you’ll be set up with military-grade night-vision goggles to watch the skies, guided by pro UFO-spotters. Opt for the Expanded Spiritual UFO Tour, and you’ll learn how to raise your body’s vibrations to contact spacecraft—safe to say, you will not forget this experience.

This tide pool is my secret. It's off the beaten path. A miracle of nature. It's located in Pahoa (30 min. south of Hilo). We'll use a jungle & lava rock coastal trail. Each way takes 20-30 min. and is half a mile. You control how long we stay at the pool (typically 1 - 1.5 hours). - There's elevation gain on the hike, offering amazing views of the coast. - The pool is like an infinity pool overlooking the cliffs. You'll feel close to the wild ocean while being protected. - The conditions are unusually calm. There's a deep (4-7 ft.) & shallow (1-4 ft.) area. - The pool fills when waves hit the cliffs, sending water into the air like a blowhole upwards of 50 ft. - You can explore the exotic ecosystem, e.g., crabs, fish, shells, rocks, other creatures. The views from the lava rock border are chef's kiss. - The crystal clear water is mineralized by the lava rock. - You'll be alone at the pool because it's unknown. - Your experience will be customized. Only your group will participate.

Snorkeling in Hawaii is reliably fantastic; snorkeling with Hawaii’s manta rays is reliably next-level. With this tour, you’ll take a short boat ride out to one of the island’s hottest manta-ray hangouts, where you’ll get in the water and watch their majestic movements in their natural habitat. Underwater dive lights make the moment extra magical—and extra photographable.

Tasting local honey is great—but imagine donning a bee suit and handling the beehives yourself. You’ll get to do just that with this immersive classroom experience, following your pro beekeeper through an authentic Hawaiian apiary. You’ll also get to taste the honey from the hives, learn all about the bees’ habits, and perhaps catch some time with a friendly tortoise, too.

Offering private tours that are completely customized to you with your interests in mind. On Captain Chad's Charters we experience daily encounters with spinner dolphins, manta rays, turtles, whale sharks, as well as seasonal humpback whale sightings where we are able to encounter, watch, and listen to the humpback whales!