Kona reefs, manta rays and marine life

Ocean Encounters

Ocean Encounters operates from Honokohau Marina in Kailua-Kona, with Big Island snorkel tours, manta ray night snorkels, dolphin-focused ocean tours and seasonal whale watching along the Kona Coast.

Ocean Encounters is located at Honokohau Marina, five miles south of Kona Airport and a quick drive from Kailua-Kona hotels. From this protected harbor the crew points the bow down the leeward coast, where clear water, lava coves and spinner-dolphin pods turn the ride itself into part of the adventure.

Morning reef snorkel cruises reach Kealakekua Bay in about 45 minutes. Calm conditions and visibility that often tops 100 feet let you drift over coral towers bright with yellow tang and parrotfish. Gear, flotation noodles and patient in-water guidance come included, so first-timers can relax while more experienced guests hunt for octopus dens along lava ledges.

Midday excursions cover a shorter loop to reefs such as Makalawena and Pu'u Ali'i, spots prized for vibrant coral and lighter boat traffic. A shaded cabin, wide aft deck and big swim step with sturdy ladder keep the up-and-down easy even when you are wearing fins.

Night-time manta encounters are the headline thrill. The catamaran reaches plankton-rich shallows off Keauhou, crew deploy a floating light raft and giant mantas glide in slow barrel rolls within arm's length of snorkelers. If a tour ends without a single manta—or if the daytime dolphin scouts come up empty—you receive a free return ticket, one of the strongest wildlife guarantees on the island.

All tours operate on the 46-foot Delta sport-fisher Ocean Encounter, refitted for comfort at sea. The vessel carries up to 35 guests yet feels roomy thanks to a shaded main cabin, an upstairs viewing deck and storage cubbies that keep bags dry. A restroom, fresh-water rinse and complimentary masks, fins, wetsuits, snacks and soft drinks come standard; you are welcome to bring a reef-safe lunch or your favorite camera rig.

Check-in is 30 minutes before departure at Slip 39. Free parking and easy dock access make boarding stress-free; guides hold lifeguard and first-aid certification and adjust reef time to match ocean conditions without trimming headline sights.

Ready to trade pool decks for coral gardens or glowing manta loops? Reserve a morning cruise through our Big Island snorkeling tours, claim a twilight seat on Big Island manta dives, or explore other Big Island tours and activities to balance reef color with volcano craters and starlit summits.