Go above and beyond on your next Hawaiian beach day. Spend a day in the warm, Big Island water surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, SUPing, kayaking, and more. From Hilo, Kona, and Kohala coast, choose one of these top rated water activity tours.
Note: Please be respectful of marine life by wearing reef-safe sunscreen and not touching or removing any coral. We all want to keep Hawaii reefs and marine life to remain healthy and beautiful for decades to come. Mahalo!
Feature Image: Hawaii Ocean Sports Facebook
Kohala & Waikaloa
Manta Ray Advocates
Price: Starting at $145
Unlike other swimming with manta ray experiences on the Big Island, experiences with Manta Ray Advocates don’t require any travel by boat. Snorkeling tours begin on the beach, and small groups of up to seven people swim a short distance to an area where manta rays regularly feed. Staff are passionate about protecting manta rays; safety briefings cover everything you didn’t realize you should know about manta rays — they have no barbs or stingers and eat plankton —as well as prepare guests for what to expect when in the water, insuring a safe experience for swimmers and the gentle giants
Hulakai - Big Island Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Adventure & Lessons in Waikoloa
Check in: Hulakai Store at Kings' Shops in Waikoloa
Price: Starting at $157
Enjoy a 90-minute SUP ocean adventure as you glide across the tropical sea and take in the views of the amazing Kohala Coast. The local stand-up paddle professionals of Hulakai will teach you the ways of the water, and if you’re lucky you may see a turtle or dolphin too.
Ocean Sports Kohala Coast Snorkel Cruise with Lunch and Open Bar
Check in: Kawaihae Harbor
Price: Starting at $159
Adventure to some of the Big Island’s most remote snorkeling locations along the Kohala Coast. This cruis comes with a snorkel lesson, snorkel gear, snacks, beer and wins, and lunch.
Hulakai Hawaiian Canoe Paddling Adventure & Whale Watching Tour from Waikoloa
Check in: Hulakai Store at Kings' Shops in Waikoloa
Price: Starting at $157
Glide down the scenic Kohala Coast in a traditional Hawaiian canoe with a local expert guide. During winter, aka whale season, whale watching tours are also available.
Kona
Kona Honu Divers
Price: Varies per Charter
This dive shop does it all — scuba diving, snorkeling and even whale watching — along with sister company Kona Snorkel Trips. Advanced divers gravitate to Kona Honu Divers for its Black Water Night Dive tours. During this unique scuba diving experience, divers are tethered to a weighted rope so they can observe a diverse range of pelagic animals (think squid, cuttlefish, and jellies) that drift by. konahonudivers.com
Kona Diving Company
Price: Varies per Charter
Visitors come to Hawaii Island from all over the world to swim with Manta Rays. Family-owned Kona Diving Company offers two-tank dives at Makako Bay, also known as Garden Eel Cove and Manta Heaven. The first dive take place in the late afternoon, highlighting the area’s namesake Hawaiian Garden Eels and other sea life. After sunset, it’s back into the water to hopefully see mantas that come to the area to feed. Along with sought after manta ray dives, Kona Diving Company offers Discover Scuba classes for beginners, PADI certification courses, and reef night dives. A major perk — both of Kona Diving Company’s boats offer hot, fresh water showers!
Hawaii Lifeguard Surf Instructors - Kona Private Surfing Lessons
Check in: Hawaii Lifeguard Surf Instructor Office
Price: Starting at $180
Paddle out with Kona’s #1 surf School, Hawaii Lifeguard Surf Instructors! Bring a friend or get one-on-one attention with a private lesson.
Ocean Safari's Keauhou Bay Sea Cave Kayak & Snorkeling Adventure Kona
Check in: Keauhou Bay
Price: Starting at $94
Explore the beautiful Kona coast by kayak. Adventure into sea caves, along sea cliffs, over underwater lava tubes, and snorkel at Keauhou Bay. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, sea turtles, and manta rays.
Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Lesson at Keauhou Bay
Check in: Keauhou Bay
Price: Starting at $125
Tour the gorgeous waters of Keahou Bay on a stand-up paddleboard. This Kona adventure includes a proper lesson and is the perfect experience for first-time stand-up paddleboarders.
Hilo
Hilo Scuba Diving Tours - Introductory Shore Dives for Beginners
Check in: Hilo Ocean Adventures
Price: Starting at $172
Dive deep and get your scuba diving certification in Hilo. These professionally trained SCUBA instructors will guide you through the basics and introduce you to the underwater world.
Hilo Ocean Adventures - Black Sand Beach Snorkel Tour at Sea Turtle Lagoon
Check in: Hilo Ocean Adventures Store
Price: Starting at $124
Experience the beautiful black sand beaches of the Big Island. Swim and snorkel with turtles on this Hilo adventure.
If you book an activity Local Getaways might earn a commission — prices subject to change. Mahalo!
Click here for more on What to Do on Big Island!
