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Kona might be the only place where the hardest diving decision is what time of day to get in the water. By day, you drop onto lava reefs so clear you can see 80 or 100 feet down a wall. By night, the same coast turns into something else entirely. Manta rays circle in the…

Everyone books Kona for whale season. We get it — a breaching humpback is hard to beat. But ask our captains their favorite time to be in the water, and a lot of them will say summer. By late spring, the humpbacks have swum back to Alaska, and what they leave behind is a coast…

Quick Takeaways From May through September, the Kona coast has calm seas, water temperatures of 75 to 80 degrees, and visibility often past 90 feet. Expect to see endemic reef fish like yellow tangs and the humuhumunukunukuapuaa, plus green sea turtles (honu) and spinner dolphins. Manta rays live off Kona year-round, with more than 300…

Quick Takeaways A 2-tank dive is two morning dives over lava tubes, coral arches, and reefs, running up to about four hours with a surface interval between dives. The day starts at Honokohau Small Boat Harbor, about 15 minutes from the Kona airport, with departures at 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The 2-tank day dive…

Of all the wildlife encounters available along the Kona Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island, few are as consistently joyful as an encounter with wild spinner dolphins. Named for their signature behavior — launching themselves into the air and spinning along their body axis in breathtaking aerial displays — spinner dolphins are among the most acrobatic…

Snorkeling in Kailua-Kona is one of those experiences that never quite matches your expectations — because it’s always better. The Big Island’s western coastline sits in the rain shadow of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, delivering clear skies and calm waters far more reliably than Hawaii’s windward shores. The water clarity in Kona’s coastal bays…

For many travelers, snorkeling in Kona is one of those bucket list experiences that can make a vacation truly special. At Kona Ocean Adventures, we love sharing the unique beauty of the Big Island through snorkeling and scuba diving trips for all ages. Kona’s waters are full of amazing wildlife, including manta rays, tropical fish,…

If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii and want the best snorkeling in Kona, you’re in luck! Located on the west side of the Big Island, Kona offers some of the world’s most amazing underwater wildlife experiences. During your visit, you might see Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins, Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, colorful fish, and even humpback…

If you’re planning on scuba diving for the first time, there’s truly no better place than Hawaii. With its warm water, vibrant reefs, and huge diversity of marine life, the islands are an ideal place to start your scuba diving journey. At Kona Ocean Adventures, we have the privilege of introducing lots of beginner divers…

Boasting calm and warm waters, colorful coral reefs, and incredible marine life throughout the seasons, Kona is often considered one of the best places to snorkel in Hawaii! While it’s true that snorkeling in Kona is amazing year-round, some times of the year just stand out as truly special. At Kona Ocean Adventures, we offer…

Whale watching in Kona, Hawaii, is truly an experience you will never forget. Not only will you get to experience phenomenal views of one of Hawaii’s most beautiful coastlines, but you’ll also get up close and personal with one of the largest animals on Earth! At Kona Ocean Adventures, we’ve been providing travelers and locals…

Kona is truly like no other place on Earth! Located on the western coast of the Big Island, Kona boasts some of the world’s best coffee, incredibly beautiful island scenery, and a deep connection to Hawaiian tradition and history.  The waters around Kona are also some of the most biodiverse in the world, teeming with…