Dolphin Discoveries- Snorkel Tour Check-in and Boutique — Attraction in Hawaii

I cannot recommend the Kona Snorkel Tour enough. Unlike most snorkel tours, you get to snorkel at both Captain Cook and Two Step. The fact it goes to two locations is why I picked it. My brother and I took our dad for Father's Day, and I'm really glad I found Dolphin Discoveries. They were absolutely incredible and friendly and down to earth. I will gladly book with them again next time I'm in Hawai'i.

We were one of the first boats to the first snorkel spot, Captain Cook. This despite a small delay out of the hands of the tour operators. Our captain, Captain Shelly, assured us that we would still get our full time on and in the water despite the 15 minute delay getting started.

As we got ready to snorkel, we were offered pool noodles to help us float without splashing around too much and scaring the fish. It seemed odd, and I wasn't sure at first but decided to use it since it was recommended. And I'm really glad I did! I made focusing on the fish a lot easier. Little things like this made this Midwestern boy glad he paid for a tour led by experts.

After snorkeling for around an hour, we had a light snack of fruit and drinks (juice/water). Captain Shelly gave us a brief history of the Captain Cook monument while we ate. He then pointed out a group of spinner dolphins playing nearby - a wonderful bonus as we weren't expecting to see any on our snorkel tour.

We were departing for our second location when the big boats started to show up, meaning we missed most of the crowd. This was a big deal because the more people, the fewer fish.

Then the captain took us to see some lava caves on our way to the next snorkel spot. The small boat was able to get right up next to the cave, which was pretty impressive.

We then arrived at the second snorkel location - Two Step. I'm not sure if it was good timing, or if not many tours come down here, but this location also had very few other people snorkeling when we did. Added with the small size of the tour group (9 on our tour) and it felt like we had the bay to ourselves.

Captain Shelly explained where it was safe to snorkel, and where to avoid the rocks hiding just under the water - useful advice! He also gave us an overview of the bay, where different things to look at where located so you wouldn't miss them. It was so nice to have him share all these tips, they really enhanced the experience.

This location was quite different than the first one. The water was deeper. The coral was healthier and bigger. There were fewer fish overall, but there were schools of fish grouped together in some spots. It was really cool how different the two spots were, and why I recommend this tour over any other snorkel tour.

After an hour in the water, we climbed back into the boat for some trail mix, chips, and more drinks. Meanwhile, Captain Shelly gave us another history lesson - this time about Place of Refuge. It was so interesting, I went to visit Place of Refuge a couple days later.

Then it was time to head back. On the trip back, we went zig-zagging looking for more marine life. This was a nice bonus, as this was a snorkel tour not a sightseeing tour. We didn't see any, but I appreciated the attempt. Things like this, visiting the lava caves, and the history information are all little things they didn't have to do, but really added to the experience.

The small company and small boats make Dolphin Discoveries feel a lot more personal than the bigger companies. I cannot recommend them enough for a snorkel tour, and I cannot recommend the Kona Snorkel Adventure enough simply because it take you to two of the best spots in...

We did an evening mantra ray excursion.

The staff were friendly and helpful throughout.

There are some things we wished we were aware of as their website adverises this as “mesmerizing”, “thrilling excursion” , “nothing short of magical”, but our experience didn’t live up to the hype.

This is billed as a two hour experience but you need to understand that an hour is for checking in at a nearby strip mall, driving to the boat ramp, finding parking on the street and waiting to get on the boat. There are other companies that will meet you at the boat ramp.

Some people didn’t read the instructions and showed up at the boat ramp without going to the mall to get the wetsuit top and mask/snorkel first.

There is no parking lot at the boat ramp so you find a spot along the road where possible and walk down. As this is a popular excursion for this and other companies so the boat ramp is very busy and parking can be somewhat far away.

Upon mustering about two dozen people we were split into smaller groups to board the boat (front, left, right, back) and share a “light board” which shines a blue light into the water in the hopes of attracting the manta rays.

The boat goes out a few hundred yards perhaps and then everyone jumps into the water and float horizontally looking down with a noodle as your ankles. We spent perhaps thirty minutes in this position nor seeing anything until suddenly three manta rays swooped close by for about thirty seconds or so, and then were gone. Immediately thereafter it was time to head back.

Some of the guides were better than others at giving educational talks as we were in the water waiting to see the manta rays. Ours was on the quiet side.

Several guests had issues with leaking masks which the guides attempted to address, so would recommend to bring your own snorkel & mask if you have.

Being a wildlife viewing experience there is no guarantee of seeing anything, and we don’t know what it typical but it seemed a lot of time and effort for thirty seconds. Would we do this again? Possibly but with a smaller group and where you could meet at...

Tonight I had the pleasure of experiencing the “Snorkeling with Manta rays” tour with Dolphin Discoveries in Kona, HI, and it was nothing short of magical! The tour is an hour-long experience that allows for ample time in the water (around 45 minutes of snorkeling with the manta rays), as it’s only a short 5 minute boat ride to where you’ll drop into the water.

The tour offers a mesmerizing and close encounter with these magnificent marine creatures, unlike any other in the world. Manta rays, known for their graceful and gentle nature, can be observed gliding through the warm tropical waters of their home Kona. This unique experience is held in the evening, when manta rays are drawn to the area by the presence of plankton, making it an ideal time to witness these fascinating creatures in action. The most common thing you will see Manta Rays do on this night time snorkel trip is the “barrel roll”. This is where the mantas will do a large flip, skimming the water right under you! The Mantas do this as a way to feed off of the plankton that has gathered at the surface. If you are lucky during your night time snorkel adventure you may even be gently grazed by one of these amazing animals.

Dolphin Discoveries’ experienced captain and crew guide you in and out of the water, as these magnificent creatures, with an average 12 foot wingspan, barrel roll and skim the ocean under and alongside you. The tour is not just a snorkel trip; it’s a thrilling excursion into the incredible world of the ocean’s gentle giants under the starry Hawaiian sky. This experience is nothing short of magical, offering you the rarest opportunity to witness manta rays up close and in their natural habitat; truly the adventure of a lifetime.

Overall, I highly recommend Dolphin Discoveries’ Snorkeling with Manta rays tour to anyone visiting Kona, HI. It’s an unforgettable experience that you won’t want to...