A Snorkeling + Kayaking experience by Adventures in Paradise. Back to all Big Island tours.
Tour Summary: A state permit grants access to Kaʻawaloa Cove at the Captain Cook Monument, an area closed to self-guided kayakers. Spinner dolphins appear on more than half of tours.
The paddle from Nāpōʻopoʻo Pier to the monument crosses open water; morning trade winds run north to south along the bay. 
tate permits limit who can land at Kaʻawaloa Cove; Adventures in Paradise holds one of the few issued. Image: Adventures in Paradise. The snorkel site sits at the base of a 600-foot cliff face, directly below the monument. Image: Adventures in Paradise.
5 Tour Highlights:
- State permit required to land at Kaʻawaloa Cove: self-guided kayakers cannot access this area or snorkel the monument site
- Snorkel at the Captain Cook Monument in clear, protected water at the base of a 600-foot cliff face
- Spinner dolphins on more than half of tours; guides explain federal approach rules before anyone enters the water
- Real open-water crossing from Nāpōʻopoʻo Pier: intermediate to advanced paddling skills required, with ocean self-rescue ability
- Humpback whales visible in winter months; green sea turtles common at the reef; tropicbirds along the cliffs during the paddle
Important: No free cancellation! This tour is non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled.
Tour Information:
| Price: | Adult |
|---|---|
| (excluding taxes & fees) | $79.95 |
Tour Provider: Adventures in Paradise
Activity: Snorkeling + Kayaking
Tour start time: 10:00 am
Duration: 3 hours
Location: Kealakekua Bay
Pick-up available? No
Included: State of Hawaii permits which are required to land & snorkel at the monument. Wide, stable open-deck tandem kayaks & quality mask, snorkel & fins. Bottled water and drinks and snacks - no need to bring lunch
Cancellations: Non-refundable, cannot be rescheduled. Once purchased, tickets cannot be refunded and cannot be rescheduled because your space is being guaranteed at the event. Activity may be canceled by the seller due to severe weather. The activity usually runs in light rain and other moderate weather conditions, but the seller may cancel the activity up to an hour before the start time in the event of severe or unsafe weather conditions. If the seller cancels the event due to severe weather at the scheduled tour time, ticket-holders will be allowed to reschedule tickets (subject to availability) or receive credit for a future event or receive a refund. Trips may also be canceled if minimum guest numbers for the day of your trip are not met. When minimum numbers are not met, guests receive full refunds.
Read more: about snorkeling in our Big Island snorkeling guide.
Read more about this tour
Adventures in Paradise holds a state permit to land at Kaʻawaloa Cove. Self-guided kayakers cannot legally access this area. That permit is the reason this tour exists and the reason the snorkel site is worth the effort of getting there.
The paddle from Nāpōʻopoʻo Pier to the Captain Cook Monument is real open-water kayaking across a bay that can carry swells and wind chop. The operator requires intermediate to advanced paddling skills, proof of ocean wave self-rescue ability, and the ability to swim. Age limits apply: participants must be between 10 and 60, and under 250 lbs. If you are a strong, confident paddler, the crossing is direct and manageable. If you are not, this is the wrong tour.
When the group reaches the monument, the snorkel site sits at the base of a 600-foot cliff face, in sheltered, clear water. The coral is intact, the fish variety is real, and reviewers across more than 1,200 ratings independently describe this as the best snorkeling they have encountered anywhere.
What to Know Before You Paddle
Spinner dolphins appear on more than half of tours. Guides explain the specific federal rules around dolphin approach before anyone enters the water, so you understand what is and is not permitted before it matters. Humpback whales are present from roughly December through April. Green sea turtles are common around the reef.
The morning trade winds on the Kona coast run north to south along the bay. The outbound paddle runs into the wind; the return has it at your back. On a calm morning the crossing is straightforward. On a day with 10-15 mph trades it is a sustained effort, which is part of why the operator’s skill requirements exist.
At the Monument
The snorkeling happens directly at the base of the cliff, in the shadow of the monument itself. The water is calm by bay standards, protected by the cove’s natural shape. Guides brief the group on reef conditions before entry. The 3 hours tour includes all gear: tandem kayak, mask, snorkel, fins, bottled water, and snacks. No lunch is needed.
Price is $79.95 per person for ages 13 and up.
The paddle from Nāpōʻopoʻo Pier to the monument crosses open water; morning trade winds run north to south along the bay.
Who This Tour Is Right For
The skill requirement here is real. If your last kayaking experience was a flat-water lake rental, this is not the tour. If you are a confident paddler who can self-rescue in open water, and you want access to a snorkel site that is closed to everyone without a permit, this is the most direct way to get there on the island.
Go in prepared: arrive at least 20 minutes early, verify your cancellation terms at booking, and confirm the operator has a working contact number for you.
About Adventures in Paradise
Adventures in Paradise holds a state-issued permit to operate in Kealakekua Bay, including the right to land at Kaʻawaloa Cove. That permit is not available to self-guided paddlers or charter operations without the same authorization. The company has operated guided kayak and snorkel tours in the bay for decades and carries a 4.8-star rating across more than 1,200 TripAdvisor reviews. We list this operator because the permit gives guests access to a site that is otherwise closed, and because guides are consistently rated as safety-focused and knowledgeable about local history and reef conditions.
Affiliate Disclaimer
Booking through this page costs you nothing extra and is made directly with Adventures in Paradise. We earn a commission from the operator, not from you, and it is what pays for the research that keeps lovebigisland.com free and free of paid placement. We only list operators we would send a friend to. Details on our affiliate links are here.