Sea Quest Snorkel Tours - Activities On Big Island Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

We went on the Dolphin Encounter with Sea Quest in Kona, Big Island. Our tour was on an inflatable raft with a top for shade. The raft has a maximum capacity of 14 passengers. There were only 8 passengers on the raft, so it was somewhat intimate. Captain Steve had a nice way about him. He was calm, dignified and professional.

He took us to where the spinner dolphins were. When we arrived, there were already a few tour boats with snorkelers in the water. Billy was in the ocean with us guiding us to the dolphins and keeping track of our group. Being able to see the dolphins up close is a life-changing experience. They were so beautiful and amazing!! The dolphins were not too active on that day, but it was still very exciting. Especially with a guide who happened to be a hunky off-duty firefighter! As we were leaving, we saw a baby dolphin jumping out of the water spinning over and over. You could almost feel the joy the baby dolphin was feeling. It was magical.

We traveled south towards south Kona all the way down to another popular snorkeling spot called “Two Steps”, which is beside Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park also known as the “City of Refuge”. We didn’t snorkel because the boats are allowed to bring snorkelers there, but Captain Steve gave us concise information about the area and it’s historical significance.

Along the way, we were served fresh fruit snacks, juice and water. The raft traveled quickly at around 30 miles/hour. It was bumpy but fun bouncing off the waves as we traveled from spot to spot. If you sit on the rubber part of the raft towards the back then it wasn’t too bumpy. I can see why they ask if you are pregnant or have a bad back.

We stopped at the Captain Cook Monument on Kealakekua Bay to snorkel on the reef. There were many colorful tropical reef fish, eels, sea urchins and several Crown of Thorns starfish along the shallow waters by the shores of the monument. Once you swim out just a little ways, the ocean floor drops quickly and you cannot see the bottom. It could be a little disconcerting swimming over the deep abyss, but the clear blue water is beautiful. Our tour was during the slow season so there weren’t that many tourists. I can only imagine how crowded it could get with all the tour boats stopping at the monument during the peak season.

After the snorkeling, we were served deli sandwich and chips. They sure tasted good after the dolphin swim and snorkeling. On the way back, Captain Steve steered the raft along the rugged coastline and he actually maneuvered the craft into caves for us to explore. It was spectacular and breathtaking.

It was a fun and magical day swimming with dolphins and snorkeling.

• General: Photo Opportunity	• Sightseeing: Dolphins	• Sightseeing: Whale Watching	• Sightseeing: Wildlife	• Tours: Boat & Submarine
• Tours: Charter / Private	• Tours: Guided	• Water Activities: Boats / Sailboats	• Water Activities: Snorkeling