Snorkel boat tour comparison

I%26#39;m trying to decide between snorkel boat tours to Kealakekua Bay. Does anyone know which tour company spends the longest time at Kealakekua? Most of the tours (SeaQuest, Dolphin Discoveries, Fair Winds, Sea Paradise) seem to make 2 stops (stopping at Kealakekua and Two-Step). I read online that they spend only about 40 minutes at Kealakekua. Since I can get to Two-Step on my own, without paying for a tour, I wanted a boat that goes only to Kealakekua. This seems to limit me to Captain Zodiac (they told me they spend 1.5 hours at the bay). But they don%26#39;t really get the best reviews. Any insights into this topic?

Snorkel boat tour comparison

Hi Leota1313,

Sorry I can%26#39;t help you with your specific questions, but here are my ';insights';/experiences.

Based on the many positive reviews here on TA, we chose Dolphin Discoveries and loved it. The tour operators were knowledgeable and professional. I especially was pleased that they cautioned all of us about protecting the reef (don鈥檛 stand on the coral, etc.) and the sea life.

Much to my happiness, we encountered a pod of dolphins. We did not chase them nor harass them; the tour guides simply turned off the motor and allowed the boat to glide with the pod as they swam around us.

Do be aware that there are some valid objections to this company--DD offers swim with the dolphin/whales excursions in other areas.

Snorkel boat tour comparison

I%26#39;m also interested in more specific info on these tours. I%26#39;m trying to decide if I should take one tour that goes to both spots or two different tours. I was also wondering the depth of the tours. Obviously getting closer to the reef affords better pictures and is more enjoyable. Is there one particular tour that stands out and or goes somewhere new? My only request is a bathroom. The smaller faster boats would be more a challenge to get in and out of so some kind of steps also. I know I would flip a kayak trying to get back in. Not graceful at all.

Sea Paradise as far as I know goes to Kealakekua Bay. It drifts around in the bay at present, so you can go most anywhere on the north side there (outside the earthquake safety rope). I cannot recall how long we stayed there on our several trips, but it is well over an hour. I actually think it is closer to two hours than one hour, but this is the kind of thing you can call them as ASK. http://www.seaparadise.com/dmsc.htm

It certainly is longer than almost anyone but me or and my husband spends in the water. We are always last into the boat.

The Sea Paradise web site says

Trip time: 4 hours, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

Sail south about 45 minutes along the scenic Kona coast to Kealakekua Bay.

This is the travel time, not the time at the bay.

Also, anyone wanting a bathroom, you need to take Sea Paradise or Fair Winds. The raft-type RIBS don%26#39;t have them. Some do not even have shade.

About ';close to the reef.'; Please google for and look at aerial pictures of the bay. It is a punchbowl-type area with coral lining the walls. The challenge there is to NOT TOUCH anything.

I%26#39;ve been on the Fair Winds several times and unless they%26#39;ve changed things they only go to Kealakekua. They take their times trolling down the coast to get there and back, so some of the time is ate up travelling. They spend at least a couple hours there.

I just checked Fair Winds website and the AM snorkel spends 2 1/2 hours at the bay. (you want the morning snorkel)

Yes, looking at he tours mornings look best. I do know the bay is close and we will love that. I have read reports where the people were unhappy with the depth. I%26#39;m just not sure where they were. With an 8 year old who wears glasses I want to first be safe, second not disturb the reef, and third be close enough for him to enjoy.

People ';unhappy with the depth'; in Kealakekua and Two Step may have been in the deeper parts of the bays when they got off the boat. You just kick to the shallower part. If you are terrified of deep water, wear a floatation vest. The deeper parts of Kealakekua let you see the wall of coral heading down over 100 feet toward the sand bottom, larger fish, etc. but they are not in your face. To be honest, the only time fish get in your face is if they are being fed, which is a no-no and reputable tours don%26#39;t do that any more. Even in shallow water, the fish hang around the coral because they feed and hide there.

Honu has shared some great info, Sea Paradise or Fair Winds spend the most time there. If I was bringing a child I would go with Fair Winds, in my opinion they are the most child friendly. In addition with a child (or anyone) who wares glasses I would suggest getting (with a child renting) a mask that has a ';script';, you can get standard ones, like those reading glasses you get at the pharmacy, that will allow you to actually see while snorkeling, it will make a big difference. Just bring a copy of your script with you, and while it will not be exact it will be close enough. The last time I went on the Fairwinds they had lots of floating things and viewers. The viewers were great because a person could float an have their head above water and see what is under there. It gives incentive to want to really snorkel to young ones.

That sounds good. I thought fair winds maybe to noisy to big to many people. My kid snorkels in the tub. He%26#39;s a freak, I know. haha. We snorkeled Cayman, Depths probably 12-18 where the fish were, no problem with seeing. Swimming closer to shore a great idea. Thinking about taking him on a shore dive with snuba. See if Scuba is in his future. Read people didn%26#39;t like the boat dive as you didn%26#39;t get close to anything and that is the point after all. We are good about not touching anything.