From Hawaii: Eco-Friendly Snorkeling Experience with BBQ

The star of this Kailua-Kona cruise is its easygoing mix of ocean time and boat comfort. You travel about ten miles along the Kona coast to a protected marine sanctuary, with a real chance of seeing spinner dolphins on the way, then spend about two hours using snorkel gear, paddleboards, floats, and a 20-foot waterslide. I especially like the included breakfast and filling BBQ lunch, plus the crew’s careful support for beginners and families.

I also like that this is not a snorkel trip that forgets everyone who would rather stay dry. The shaded cabin, three restrooms, freshwater showers, relaxation station, and free water toys give non-swimmers plenty to do. The main consideration is the single snorkeling location: conditions and fish variety can be excellent, but some departures see only a few kinds of fish, and lunch may cut into water time.

Key points at a glance

• A full morning on the Kona coast: The 270-minute trip includes the boat ride, breakfast, about two hours of water time, lunch, and the return cruise.
• Built for mixed-age families: Kids can use the waterslide, high-dive platform, paddleboards, noodles, vests, and inner tubes while adults snorkel or relax.
• A protected marine sanctuary: The setting offers clear Hawaiian water and marine life, though sightings depend on conditions and location.
• Strong safety support: Lifeguard-trained crew members offer a snorkeling introduction, watch swimmers, and help anyone who feels uncomfortable.
• Good onboard comfort: A large shaded cabin, cushioned seating, three restrooms, freshwater showers, and a floating relaxation station make the boat more than a ride to the reef.
• Accessible boarding: A customized ramp with portable extensions accommodates manual and electric wheelchairs and scooters.

Leaving Kailua Pier before the day heats up

Boarding begins at 7:30 AM, with departure at 8:00 AM from Kailua Pier. That early start matters in Kona. You get cooler morning hours on the water and a useful first activity before the rest of your day fills up.

You need to be on time. Late arrivals are not eligible for a refund, so allow enough time to park and walk to the pier. Free parking is available at 75-5629 Kuakini Highway, a short walk away. The practical routine is simple: park, walk to the pier, complete the liability waiver, and board.

The boat ride itself is part of the outing, not just transportation. The cruise runs roughly ten miles down the Kona coast, giving you time to settle in, eat, and watch the water. On some departures, Captain Bob has spotted spinner dolphins and paused so everyone could watch them. That is a welcome bonus, but you should treat dolphins as a possibility rather than a promise.

Breakfast arrives early in the trip. Expect tropical fruit, pastries, bagels, juices, tea, and Kona coffee. It is light rather than elaborate, but it takes the edge off an early departure and gives you something to eat before swimming.

A boat designed for people who do not all want the same day

This Body Glove cruise works well for a family or group with mixed interests. One person can snorkel while another uses a paddleboard. A child can play on the slide while a parent sits in the shade. Someone who has no interest in getting wet can use the floating relaxation station and still be part of the day.

The boat has a large shaded cabin with cushioned seating, three restrooms, and freshwater showers. Those details become important after time in salt water. You can rinse off, find shade, and change your pace without feeling trapped on a small open deck.

The relaxation station is a particularly nice touch. It lets you float away from the boat without having to swim back every time you want a drink. Crew members can bring refreshments out to you, though the full-service premium bar charges for alcoholic drinks.

For families, the water equipment makes a major difference. Along with masks, fins, and snorkels, you can use noodles, flotation vests, inner tubes, and other toys. Stand-up paddleboards are included. Children who are not strong swimmers still have ways to enjoy the water, although parents remain responsible for watching them and should bring any preferred infant flotation gear. One family specifically brought its own infant life vest.

Reaching the protected sanctuary and getting ready

Once the boat reaches its snorkeling area, the crew hands out equipment and explains how to use it. Prescription masks are available, which is a valuable detail if you cannot comfortably snorkel with standard goggles and cannot wear your glasses in the water.

If you are new to snorkeling, take the short introduction offered by the lifeguard-trained crew. It covers the basic equipment and gives you a chance to get comfortable before heading away from the boat. You also receive safety guidance before entering the water.

That support is more than a formality. One person became overwhelmed after entering the ocean, and a lifeguard noticed quickly and helped them back aboard. If you are nervous, tell the crew before you enter. You can use a vest or noodle, stay near the boat, or simply try the water for a short time.

Reef-safe sunscreen is included, but bring a towel. A waterproof camera is also sensible if you want pictures. GoPro cameras are not included, so bring your own if you have one.

About two hours in the water, with plenty beyond snorkeling

The advertised snorkeling time is about two hours, though the exact balance can shift as lunch is prepared and served. Some people find that ample time. Others wish lunch were served on the return ride so they could stay in the water longer.

The underwater scene depends on the day. You may see reef fish, sea turtles, jellyfish, or dolphins during the wider cruise. The clearest water can offer a lovely look at Hawaii’s underwater life, but the snorkeling site is not always packed with different species. Some outings produce more variety than others, and one location means you do not get a second reef for comparison.

That is the central tradeoff. The boat offers a great deal of entertainment, but it does not promise a wildlife checklist. If your main goal is to spend the entire morning searching for many kinds of fish, a smaller, more specialized snorkel trip may suit you better. If you want an active family outing with snorkeling as one major part of the day, this format makes more sense.

The 15-foot high-dive platform and 20-foot waterslide add a playful edge. Children, confident swimmers, and adults who enjoy a splash can use them. If you prefer a quiet swim, the floats and relaxation station let you avoid the busiest action.

The crew keeps an eye on the water and checks on people during the outing. That attentive approach has been especially useful for older swimmers, beginners, and anyone who needs a little help with equipment. The trip is also wheelchair friendly from the start, with a customized boarding ramp and portable extensions for manual chairs, electric chairs, and scooters.

BBQ lunch, Kona drinks, and the ride home

While you are in the water, the crew prepares lunch. The meal centers on grilled burgers, with non-alcoholic drinks included. The food is not merely a snack between activities. It is filling enough to make the $194 price easier to assess, especially when combined with breakfast, gear, reef-safe sunscreen, and several hours aboard.

The lunch timing can be a small frustration. If you are having a good swim, being called in for food may feel premature. You can treat lunch as a useful break, but do not expect every minute of the two-hour water period to be uninterrupted snorkeling.

After swimming, you can visit the premium cash bar. Alcohol is not included, but the bar offers liquors, mixers, and local brews for purchase. The onboard service has been singled out by name on some trips, including bartender Mayara. Crew members such as Chris, Celina, Calvin, Cosmo, Channing, Jon, Cara, and Maddison have also been praised on different departures, though staffing can change.

The ride back to Kailua-Kona is a pleasant final chapter. You can dry off, eat, watch the coast, and enjoy a more relaxed pace. Some people find the return ride one of the prettiest parts of the outing, especially after the activity in the water.

What the $194 price really covers

At $194 per person, this is not a bargain-basement snorkel boat. You are paying for a half-day package rather than a simple ride to a reef.

The price includes:

• Breakfast and lunch
• Non-alcoholic drinks
• Snorkel mask, fins, and snorkel
• Prescription masks
• About two hours of snorkeling time
• Reef-safe sunscreen
• Paddleboards and flotation equipment
• A 20-foot waterslide
• A 15-foot high-dive platform
• Access to the boat’s shaded cabin, restrooms, and showers

Alcohol costs extra, and you need to bring your own GoPro or waterproof camera. You also need to factor in the early start and transport to Kailua Pier.

I think the value is strongest for families and mixed groups. A family can split up without paying for separate activities: one person snorkels, another lounges, and children play on the equipment. The included meals also reduce the need to buy food during a long morning.

For a couple focused only on the most dramatic coral and fish variety, the value is less certain. The snorkeling location may not be the day’s best possible site, and the cruise format puts equal weight on food, comfort, and recreation.

Who will enjoy this Kona cruise most

I would choose this outing if you want a well-organized first snorkeling experience, especially with children or relatives who do not snorkel. It is also a sensible choice for solo visitors who want an easy social activity without arranging equipment, food, and water access separately.

The trip suits:

• Families with young children
• Mixed groups of swimmers and non-swimmers
• Beginners who want instruction and flotation help
• Older adults who value shade, seating, restrooms, and crew support
• Visitors using wheelchairs or scooters
• People who want snorkeling plus a boat day, not snorkeling alone

You should think twice if you dislike early mornings, organized group activities, or paid onboard drinks. You should also keep expectations realistic about wildlife. Dolphins and sea turtles may appear, but nature sets the schedule. Fish variety can change with conditions, and there is no guarantee of seeing spinner dolphins.

Booking and preparation tips that matter

Arrive early enough to park and walk to Kailua Pier. Boarding starts at 7:30 AM, and the boat leaves at 8:00 AM. Late arrival means losing the booking without a refund.

Bring a towel, a waterproof camera, and any personal infant flotation gear you prefer. The boat supplies standard snorkel equipment, prescription masks, reef-safe sunscreen, flotation aids, and paddleboards.

Wear something suitable for getting wet, and remember that alcohol is available for purchase but is not included. All participants must complete a liability waiver before boarding.

The activity is conducted in English and is wheelchair accessible. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your Hawaii plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Body Glove cruise?

Book it if you want a polished, family-friendly morning with snorkeling, food, wildlife possibilities, and plenty of ways to stay entertained. The crew’s strongest feature is its care: beginners receive help, swimmers are watched, and people with mobility needs can board with a proper ramp.

Skip it if your top priority is finding the most varied reef in Kona and spending every available minute underwater. A single site can be hit or miss, and lunch may end your swim earlier than you would like.

For most families, first-time snorkelers, and groups with different comfort levels, the $194 fare is reasonable because it covers far more than equipment and a boat ride. You get a full half-day on the Kona coast, with enough food, shade, safety support, and water toys to make a slow morning feel like a proper Hawaiian outing.

FAQ

Where does the snorkeling cruise leave from?

The cruise departs from Kailua Pier in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Free parking is available at 75-5629 Kuakini Highway, a short walk from the pier.

What time should I arrive?

Boarding begins at 7:30 AM, and departure is at 8:00 AM. Late arrivals cannot receive a refund, so arrive with enough time to park, walk to the pier, and complete the liability waiver.

How long is the experience?

The activity lasts 270 minutes, or 4.5 hours. It includes the cruise, breakfast, about two hours of snorkeling, water activities, lunch, and the return trip.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Mask, fins, and snorkel equipment are included, along with flotation aids. Prescription masks are also available.

Is snorkeling instruction available?

Yes. A lifeguard-trained crew offers a short introduction to snorkeling for beginners and provides safety guidance before you enter the water.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. The cruise offers the chance to see dolphins and other marine life, but wildlife sightings depend on conditions and animal activity.

Are food and drinks included?

Breakfast, lunch, and non-alcoholic drinks are included. Alcoholic drinks are available at the premium cash bar for an additional charge.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The cruise is described as 100% wheelchair friendly. A customized boarding ramp with portable extensions accommodates manual wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, and scooters.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and a waterproof camera. GoPro cameras are not included. You must also complete a liability waiver before boarding.