Big Island Snorkeling: Hula Kai

Advanced reservations prior to arriving on the Big Island are required if you hope to join them for a morning tour! A credit card is required to guarantee your reservation, but no charges are made at the time of your order. You pay for the tour when you check in on the day of your cruise. There's no reason to wait ... make your reservation today so your space is guaranteed!

Morning Snorkel Tour: $149 per person. Minimum age is 5, but there are no child rates. Everyone pays the same rate on this boat.

The Hula Kai is the Kona Coast's newest, most technologically advanced snorkel vessel. This boat uses  hydrofoil technology for improved stability and speed, and allows them to access more remote destinations including sea caves and lava flows that are less than 50 years old. Hula Kai is designed and built specifically for the ultimate snorkel and dive adventure.

Seating on board the boat is in comfortable lounge-styled seating with arm and head rests. The wide steps on each side of the boat provide easy access into the ocean. A fresh-water shower is available to rinse off when you finish your snorkeling. 

Morning departures are at 9:30am from Keauhou Harbor, about 10 minutes south of downtown Kailua-Kona. The trip includes breakfast, a BBQ lunch, and snorkel gear. The tour is 5 hours long. A cash bar is also available on-board. Tours are typically offered on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday with Monday through Saturday operations during the summer months from 6/30 to 8/20.

A one-tank Certified SCUBA dive is available as an option for an additional $75 with gear or $65 without gear. 

FW / R

CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS

The Hula Kai is available for cruise ship passengers whose itinerary shows a 7am arrival in Kona. A cab ride of 10-12 minutes from the cruise ship dock in Kona is required. Check-in time is 9am. Kona is a tendering situation, so ample time is required to make it to shore. If your cruise ship is scheduled to arrive at 7am or is spending the previous night in Kona, this tour will fit your schedule.

 

Activity Tips

My first impression of the Hula Kai is that this boat is FAST! I've never been on a snorkel tour on a large powered catamaran that offered the speed and range that this boat provides. Shortly after departing the bay we were passing a smaller fishing boat; they were cruising to their destination (probably at top speed) and we passed them like they were standing still.

The speed of this boat is really striking. This is the sister boat to the Fair Wind, which leaves from the same pier 30 minutes earlier. The Hula Kai arrived at Kealakekua Bay just a minute or so after the Fair Wind in spite of their 30 minute head-start. Kealakekua Bay (where the Captain Cook monument is located) is a wonderful snorkel spot, but the Hula Kai's range allows her to explore areas where tour boats haven't ventured before. If you've never snorkeled at Kealakekua Bay, I would recommend a trip on board the Fair Wind. The Hula Kai just stops there for a few minutes for a quick historical narrative and look around. Then she heads south, and the adventure begins.

We were blown away by HOW FAR south of Kona this tour goes. Our first snorkel spot was good ... I would say not as good as Kealakekua, but some good reef for those who are strong swimmers who can venture near the edge of the boundaries of the snorkeling area. The second spot was just excellent though ... a great section of reef perched right in front of the opening of a sea cave. LOTS of fish, a few Hawaiian green sea turtles, and incredibly clear water.

Food on board the Hula Kai is first-rate! They offer prime angus beef burgers, grilled chicken, veggie burgers, and a variety of salads. A cash bar on board has beer, wine, soda, and juice available for purchase.

This boat is a wonderful blend of sporty (it's high speed and sleek design) and luxury (it's comfortable seating, high quality food, and pleasant atmosphere). The folks at Fair Wind Cruises do everything right and offer a great new snorkel experience that will grab the attention of the most experienced Kona visitors. The minimum age for this tour is 5 but there is no child rate... this is to preserve the upscale atmosphere on board the boat. They figure that anyone willing to pay an adult rate for a 5 year old probably has a sophisticated five year old.

Two new features of the Hula Kai; they have recently replaced their deck umbrellas for permanent biminis which provide more shade for guests. And a new optional activity for which you can sign up and pay for on the morning of your cruise ... Take your snorkeling to the next level and ride a Sea Rocket! Only available on the Hula Kai, a Sea Rocket is an underwater propulsion vehicle designed for the advanced snorkeler who wants to go further and cover more extensive underwater topography. The Sea Rocket pulls you along through the water on a 30 minute guided reef tour for an additional $25 paid on board the boat.

Advanced reservations are REQUIRED to go out on the Hula Kai as a snorkeler or as a certified diver, so make your reservations today! The Sea Rockets are available to those going out on the Hula Kai and no reservations for this optional activity are taken in advance ... you just arrange that once you are already on the boat (for which you DO need an advanced reservation).

 

 

 

 

Big Island Hula Kai Reservations

Upon submitting your activity reservation for processing, one copy is sent to your e-mail address so that you have a record of your order. We will make reservations for you and send an e-mail confirming all of the details. These confirmations are often sent a few minutes after your reservation, but some activities take longer to confirm than others. You will receive an e-mail confirmation by the end of the next business day at the latest. There are no tickets that you need to pick up prior to your event. Your e-mail confirmation will have all the details you need to check in and enjoy your selected activity. This saves you precious time when you arrive in Hawaii. 

A credit card is required to guarantee payment for your reservations, but in most cases WE DO NOT charge your credit card when your order is placed. Your credit card is typically charged five days before you leave for Hawaii, and a voucher is faxed to the vendor. Some activities are charged at the time of check-in and your e-mail confirmation will inform you if this is the case. If you cancel your activity after your credit card has been charged you will receive a refund less 10% to cover our credit card processing costs.

We do have one vendor that requires payment at the time that your reservation is made. These activities are clearly marked on our website with the words, "Payment required at the time of reservation."

After making reservations, you may reschedule or cancel your activity up until 48 hours prior to its start (a few activities have 72 hour cancellation policies ... see your confirmation e-mail for details). Within 48 hours of the start of your activity all reservations are final and non-refundable (unless the event is cancelled by the vendor due to weather or other factors). Due to our incredible climate here, weather cancellations are rare.  No-shows and cancellations without adequate notice are charged in full on the credit card used to secure the reservation and are non-refundable.