About this tour
When Jake from our team booked Kona Ocean Adventures' private charter, he got a boat to himself and up to five mates for the full four hours. Based off Kona's coast on Hawaii's Big Island, this is genuinely customisable — you can chase wild dolphins, anchor at reefs most tourists never see, dive Kealakekua Bay, or just float and snorkel depending on what your group fancies. The crew (a captain and snorkel or dive guide) handles all the gear, meals come with it, and you're never fighting crowds or sticking to someone else's itinerary.
Highlights
- Entire boat charter — no strangers, no set route, you decide what happens
- Certified and discovery dives both available; snorkel gear included
- Lunch catered to dietary specs: vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, Kosher options
- Access to private reefs and beaches only reachable by boat
- Two crew on board: captain navigating, guide in the water with you
- Fresh local fruit, beer, and bottled water throughout the four hours
- No experience required — beginners and certified divers welcome
What to expect
Jake's day started with a pier pickup in Kona early morning, meeting the captain and guide who'd handled the boat setup. Once aboard, the three of you sketched out the day's plan — dolphin spotting, a reef dive, and a quiet anchorage for lunch. The boat ride out takes you past volcanic coastline and into open water where swells pick up; if you're prone to seasickness, pack tablets. The water's warm and clear, though visibility varies with season and swell. Snorkelling and diving happen in stages with breaks between; the crew gears you up and stays close. Lunch is a proper meal set up on deck, not a packed sandwich. By mid-afternoon, you're heading back to port.
Pacing is relaxed — no rushing between fixed stops. The crew reads conditions and your group's energy to decide which reefs or bays actually work on the day. Weather and swell can reshape plans, which is honest sailing. Kids under 10 tend to get tired; the boat doesn't have shaded cabin space, so sun protection matters.
Good to know
This works brilliantly for groups who want flexibility — families, dive clubs, honeymoons. You're not herded around with 40 strangers. Dietary needs are genuinely catered for if you flag them at booking. All snorkel and dive gear is supplied and fitted properly. Crew expertise is solid.
You're paying for a private boat, so it's pricier than group tours. Four hours is tight if you're two+ hours' drive from Kona (travel time cuts into water time). Pier pickup only — no hotel collection. Rough swells happen, especially winter months; seasickness is real. Spinal injury sufferers shouldn't go. Kids must be with an adult, and tiny ones need to sit on your lap. If your cruise ship runs late, refunds don't apply. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a rash guard, and seasickness tablets if you're prone.
Group up to 6 people. Gratuities aren't included. All snorkel gear, wetsuits, lunch, snacks and water are covered. Certified dives require proof of certification (or do discovery dive instead); divers must be 10+. Book early to nail dietary requests.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.