Top Day Trips from Kona

Small-Group Big Island in A Day: Volcanoes, Waterfalls, Sightseeing, History

• 362 Reviews
• The Big Island of Hawaii has a diverse ecosystem unlike anywhere else on the planet, and on this day-long nature tour, you’ll experience the beauty of its black-sand beaches, thundering waterfalls, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. If you’re lucky, you’ll find Hawaiian green sea turtles basking on the coast. Since the tour only requires a moderate amount of walking, it's an educational adventure for travelers of all ages, with snacks and refreshments included.
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Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour

• 184 Reviews
• Experience big skies and incredible nighttime views on this Mauna Kea stargazing trip with a small group. Join no more than 28 guests for a pre-trip picnic at a historic Hawaiian ranch, proceeded by a ride in a 4x4 luxury van to the summit of the Big Island's tallest peak. After admiring a sunset view, continue down to 9,000 feet (2,743 meters) for a stargazing session, complete with a telescope, hot chocolate, and dessert. The trip also includes a guide and a hooded parka to keep you warm.
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Night Manta Ray Snorkel

• 98 Reviews
• Have a unique Big Island experience snorkeling with manta rays on this 2.5-hour tour. Led by a local guide, you’ll take a short cruise out to the manta site, where you’ll watch the beautiful Hawaiian sunset before dipping into the water to watch the manta rays up close. All necessary equipment will be provided for your excursion, as well as light refreshments and snacks to enjoy on board. Your tour will conclude at its original departure point.
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Dolphin Encounter and Kealakekua Bay Reef Snorkel

• 5 Reviews
• Enjoy two Hawaiian underwater adventures for the price of one with this 4-hour combination dolphin-swimming encounter and snorkeling trip. Start by exploring the 600+ species of marine life like sea turtles, coral and tropical fish that call the reefs of Kealakekua Bay home. Then meet up with a local pod of wild spinner dolphins for an optional swimming session. A trip choice without the dolphin swimming portion is also available.
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COMBO: Kealakekua Bay and Wild Dolphin Snorkel with Lunch

• 34 Reviews
• 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 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.
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Big Island Grand Circle Island Tour

• 207 Reviews
• This Big Island circle tour hits all the highlights of the stunning Big Island of Hawaii.  While riding in a comfortable minibus, watch out the window as the landscape changes with every bend in the road, from tropical, misty valleys full of ferns to a barren, black lava coast. This Grand Circle island tour includes round-trip transport from Kona, with pickup and drop-off at your hotel.
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Guaranteed Manta Ray Night Snorkel

• 6 Reviews
• Swim with giant manta rays in their nighttime habitat during this 2.5-hour activity in Kona. Travel out into the seas offshore to watch the colorful Kona sunset, then jump in to swim with the docile rays as they feed on microscopic plankton. Follow your guides around the manta habitat and watch as the animals are attracted to the bright lights, creating a "manta rave" of lights, bubbles and mantas. All snorkel equipment, including flotation devices and wet suits, is included. Manta sightings are guaranteed, or you will be given a voucher for another tour.
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Volcanoes National Park Adventure Tour from Hilo

• 11 Reviews
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is famous for its ever-flowing lava and the planet’s most massive active volcano. This tour journeys to top natural landmarks in and around the park. You’ll visit Rainbow Falls, Richardson black sand beach, Historic Banyan Drive, Liliuokalani Gardens, Hilo Bay Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory, Akatsuka Orchid Nursery, and the active volcano of Kilauea. You will also have the opportunity to walk through a lava tube.
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Big Island Snorkel Cruise Along Kohala Coast

• 18 Reviews
• On this 3.5-hour Big Island snorkeling cruise, experience the beauty of the Kohala coast from its colorful reefs to its beaches, as you scan the horizon for splashing dolphins or, in winter, humpback whales. In addition to colorful reef fish, there’s always the chance you could find Hawaiian green sea turtles while snorkeling the pristine coves. Enjoy the attentive, personalized service from your professional captain and crew, who also help serve you breakfast and lunch, and run the boat’s open bar.
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Oahu Day Trip to Pearl Harbor from the Big Island

• 64 Reviews
• On this day trip from the Big Island to Oahu and Pearl Harbor, experience the site of the Japanese attack that shook an entire nation, and stand in the spot on the USS 'Missouri' where the Japanese eventually surrendered. You’ll later experience historic sites in downtown Honolulu, from the gorgeous Westminster Abbey of the Pacific to America’s only royal palace. This moving Pearl Harbor tour from Kona concludes with a visit to Punchbowl Cemetery before heading back to the Big Island that night.
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Small-Group Big Island Tour: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Kona Coffee Farm

• 69 Reviews
• On this tour from Kona to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, you'll experience some of the Big Island’s best sights in a small group capped at 10 people. In addition to stopping at Punalu’u Beach Park to walk down a black-sand beach, you’ll have the chance to sip Kona coffee on the plantation right where it’s grown, as well as hike through a lava tube that was formed by Kilauea volcano. What’s more, you'll receive an iPad to use on the tour. Use it for photos, videos, and info, as well as playing games or watching movies while traveling between the sites.
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Kona Shore Excursion: Wild Dolphin - Reefs -Sea Caves -Kealakekua Bay Snorkel

• 10 Reviews
• Make the most of your time in port on this Kona shore excursion timed to your cruise's arrival and departure. Get picked up from the port and head out on a sailing adventure to the Captain Cook Monument and Kealkeaua Bay where you can snorkel, swim, and explore caves and lava tubes. Expect to see spinner dolphins, sea turtles, colorful fish, and ancient reefs. Lunch, snacks, and use of snorkeling gear are all included.
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Kohala Waterfalls Small Group Adventure Tour

• 14 Reviews
• Delve into Hawaii’s history and prepare to get wet on this full-day waterfall adventure tour of the Big Island’s Kohala coast. Begin with a drive up the Kona coastline past lava flows, and take in sweeping views from the old Kohala Mule Station lookout. Rumble through the rugged landscape in an off-road vehicle and hike along the tunnels and aqueducts of a historic sugar plantation. Admire the seven Kohala waterfalls and cool off with a dip under the final cascade. A picnic lunch and hotel transport are included.
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Big Island BIG Volcano Adventure from Kona: Small Group

• 2 Reviews
• Immerse yourself in the diverse landscapes of the Big Island of Hawaii on this guided tour that takes you to the rainforests and waterfalls along Mauna Kea's Hamakua Coast and to the summit of the active volcano Kilauea in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Choose between a small-group tour limited to six people or a private tour exclusively for your party and get insights into the geology, history, and culture of the island. Finish your tour watching Kilauea's lava lake glowing after sunset.
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Zodiac Raft and Snorkel Adventure

• 48 Reviews
• Splash into the crystal-clear waters of Kealakekua Bay on this Big Island snorkeling adventure! Dart in and out of sea caves and explore the gorgeous Kona coastline in an agile Zodiac raft. Snorkel among colorful tropical fish, and keep an eye out for other marine life like whales, dolphins and sea turtles. Along the way, learn about the island’s geologic history and local legends from your expert guide, and see the spot where Captain Cook first landed in Hawaii.
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Manta Ray Night Snorkel

• Snorkel with placid manta rays at night on this 4-hour evening tour from Kona. With the proper instruction from a guide and a boat ride to the location where the rays hang out at night, this activity is safe and easy. You'll be provided with snorkel equipment and learn all about the rays' biology and behavior through guided commentary.
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Kealakekua Bay Snorkel and Wild Dolphin Swim

• 2 Reviews
• Swim in the area known for dolphins in the wild and snorkel Kealakekua Bay Reserve with a half-day experience on the Kona Coast. Search for spinner dolphins in Keauhou Bay, and slip into the water to see them in their natural environment. Explore the sea caves along the Kona Coast then experience one of Hawaii’s best snorkeling spots; float above brilliant reefs that shelter a thriving population of fish, turtles and rays. Enjoy the personal experience of a small-group tour with an environmental focus so you (and the dolphins) can spend the day hassle-free.
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Manta Magic - Night Manta Ray Snorkel

• 6 Reviews
• Get up close with Hawaii’s graceful manta rays during this 4-hour nighttime snorkel experience along the Kona coast with a small group. Watch these gentle giants as they swoop and dive for plankton just below the surface during their evening feeding. An on-board manta naturalist from the University of Hawaii, along with a Red Cross-certified lifeguard, ensure an informative and safe experience.
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Small Group Tour: Deluxe Circle Island Experience with Restaurant Lunch

• Spend a full day exploring the Big Island with visits to waterfalls, beaches, tropical valleys, stunning viewpoints, and so much more. Learn about Kona’s coffee culture with visit to Kona Joe’s coffee farm, where you go behind the scenes and taste award winning locally gown coffee. See Hawaii’s natural beauty at Punalu’u Black Sands Beach, where you feel the unusual lava sand beneath your feet, and lookout for Hawaiian green sea turtles. Enjoy lunch at Kilauea Lodge, and then explore stunning waterfalls and a panoramic view of Hilo from Waipio Valley, before returning to your hotel.
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Manta Ray Night Snorkel Kona

• Swim alongside manta rays and under the moonlight on this night snorkel tour in Kona. A boat with an eco-friendly engine takes you out to the snorkeling location, where you can descend into the water on a step ladder or choose to stay dry on on board. Extra amenities such as a warm shower, snacks, and beverages make this tour as comfortable as it is memorable.
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NEW TO VIATOR

Dolphin Swim and Captain Cook Snorkel Combo

• LEARN * LOVE * PROTECTSlip in to the Big Blue and view these beautiful marine mammals in their natural environmentLearn about their behaviors in a respectful environment with naturalist guidesSnorkel beautiful Kealakekua Bay teaming with reef fish and corals!The ultimate dolphin and snorkel adventure!
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Kona Wild Dolphin and Reef Snorkel Adventure

• Limited to a maximum of six people, this guided snorkeling adventure by catamaran provides a more intimate experience of Hawaii’s marine life and coral reefs than is possible on a larger group tour. The schedule is customizable, but swimming near wild dolphins, coral reefs, lava tubes, and sea caves and trenches are typically on the itinerary. All snorkeling gear, snacks, and drinks are provided.
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Hawaii Combo: Wild Dolphin Swim and Kealakekua Bay Snorkeling

• 13 Reviews
• On this Kealakekua Bay snorkeling adventure, experience the thrill of swimming with dolphins in the crystal-clear waters off Kona. You’ll head to one of Hawaii’s best snorkeling spots to swim with tropical fish above colorful corals in a protected turquoise cove. Later as you cruise along the volcanic shoreline, look for lava tubes and sea caves, turtles. Throughout the 5-hour excursion, expect to see wildlife splashing in the water — in the winter months, you could even spot breaching Humpback whales. Groups are limited to 14 people, ensuring a personalized experience. 
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Kona Tour: Coffee Plantation, Kealakekua Bay, Kaloko-Honokohau Park, and Bee Farm

• 9 Reviews
• There’s much more to the Big Island of Hawaii than volcanoes, waterfalls and luaus, and on this informative tour of the South Kona region, you’ll learn the sacred history of this shoreline and sample the local honey and famous Kona coffee. With the help of a knowledgeable guide, you’ll visit petroglyphs, look for green sea turtles and visit sacred Hawaiian temples. Even better: you'll hear the legends, mythology and lore of ancient Hawaii through today. This tour is capped at 15 people, so you’re ensured a personalized experience.
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