Kona Hawaii Fishing/Snorkel Large Group Private Charter on OE II

A blue marlin can turn an ordinary Kona morning into a family story told for years. On this private OE II charter, you fish the Big Island’s Kona Coast for bigeye tuna, spearfish, marlin, and other game fish, with an experienced captain and mate handling the boat and gear. Wildlife sightings, from pilot whales to dolphins, are possible extras, not promises.

I like two things right away: your group gets the boat to itself, and the crew supplies the fishing equipment and ice. That makes the trip easy for families, mixed-age groups, and friends who want their own pace. I also like the freedom to bring your own lunch, soft drinks, and adult beverages, with no glass bottles.

The main consideration is simple: fishing depends on weather and luck. A full day gives you more time on the grounds, but it does not guarantee a catch. This is a working fishing trip, not a scripted show, and some time may be spent trolling while the crew searches for a bite.

Key points before you book

• Private boat for up to 10 people: The quoted $1,938.82 covers the whole group, not each passenger, so the value improves sharply with a full party.
• Four to eight hours on the water: Choose the shorter outing for a taste of Kona fishing, or give yourself more time for serious game fishing.
• Captain and mate provide the fishing setup: Rods, tackle, and practical coaching are included, which helps first-time anglers.
• Bring your own picnic and drinks: The onboard cooler comes with ice. Adult beverages are allowed, but glass bottles are not.
• Snorkeling needs advance planning: Snorkel gear is available upon request, but you must notify the office at least 24 hours ahead.
• A fishing license is required: Confirm the current license details when booking, since the tour price does not include it.

What a private Kona charter is really like

This is best understood as a flexible ocean day, not a fixed sightseeing circuit. The boat leaves from Kailua-Kona, and your captain decides how to use the available hours based on sea conditions, the target species, and what your group wants to do.

The headline catch list includes bigeye tuna and spearfish, while blue marlin, striped marlin, mahi mahi, ono, and other fish have also come aboard on company trips. That variety matters. You are not signing up for one narrow fishing method, though the crew still has to work with what the ocean offers that day.

A private charter gives you more say than a shared boat. If one person wants to fish hard while another prefers to watch for whales or dolphins, the captain can shape the outing around the group, within practical limits. A private booking also helps when your party includes children, older family members, or people who are new to offshore fishing.

Still, private does not mean personalized luxury at every moment. The boat may spend long stretches trolling or moving between productive areas. If you need constant action, this may feel slow. If you enjoy the quiet, the open water, and the suspense of waiting for a line to go tight, that waiting is part of the appeal.

Starting at Bite Me Sportfishing in Kailua-Kona

Your day begins at Bite Me Sportfishing, 74-425 Kealakehe Parkway, number 1, in Kailua-Kona. Check in 15 minutes before departure. The crew meets you there, and the trip ends back at the same meeting point.

The office also sells Bite Me Sportfishing logo gear and can arrange other Ocean Encounters outings, including a morning reef snorkel, a midday snorkel, and a manta ray night snorkel. That is useful if you want to add a separate water activity to your Kona plans, but it is not part of this fishing charter.

Arriving early is worth it. You will want time to gather your food and drinks, confirm the fishing license requirement, ask about snorkel equipment, and make sure everyone knows the plan. Since this is a private group departure, a late arrival can affect your own time on the water.

The meeting area is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can participate, but the company does not promise that every sea condition will suit every passenger, so speak with the office if anyone in your group has mobility or health concerns.

Fishing for marlin, tuna, ono, and spearfish

Kona has a serious reputation for big-game fishing, and this trip is aimed at that experience. You may troll for pelagic fish such as tuna, marlin, ono, and spearfish, with the crew watching the lines and adjusting the plan as conditions change.

The crew’s role is more than driving the boat. They set up the equipment, explain what to do, and coach you through the fight when a fish strikes. That guidance matters most for first-time anglers, who may not know how to work the rod, manage line tension, or use the fighting chair.

Past catches show the range of possible days. One family hooked a blue marlin estimated at 160 pounds, a striped marlin of about 65 pounds, and a second blue marlin near 250 pounds. Another outing produced an 84-pound blue marlin and a mahi mahi. A separate trip landed an ono after the captain shifted tactics close to shore, showing why the crew’s judgment can matter when the bite is quiet.

There have also been very large fish. One blue marlin weighed 437 pounds after a fight lasting about two and a half hours. That kind of battle is not normal for every departure, but it explains why you should treat this as physically active fishing rather than a casual boat ride.

Some fish may be released, tagged, or kept. When a fish is retained, the crew may cut and portion the meat for the group and crew. Ask the captain about the plan for any catch that comes aboard, since regulations, fish size, species, and the wishes of the group can affect what happens next.

The most useful attitude is patience. A crew can improve your odds by selecting productive water and using the right method, but it cannot force fish to bite. The longer eight-hour option gives you more fishing time and more room to adjust when the morning starts slowly.

Snorkeling and wildlife are possible additions

The title includes snorkeling, but the supplied details place fishing at the center of the trip. Snorkel equipment is not automatically included. You must request it from the office at least 24 hours before departure, so do not assume you can decide at the dock.

That distinction is important when planning for a mixed group. If some people want to fish all day and others hope to snorkel, call ahead and confirm what the crew can provide, how much time can be set aside, and whether ocean conditions allow it. The captain has the final say on safe water activities.

Wildlife encounters may become a memorable part of the outing. Past company trips have included pilot whales, dolphins, a sea turtle, a whale shark, and groups of whales. One family combined fishing with dolphin swimming and whale watching, while another group saw dolphins and whales before catching a spearfish.

Treat these sightings as good fortune, not scheduled stops. You may see marine life while traveling or fishing, but no responsible operator can promise a whale, dolphin, or whale shark. The fishing itself remains the dependable purpose of the booking.

What to pack for the OE II

The onboard cooler includes ice, so you only need to bring the food and beverages you want for the day. Pack a lunch that is easy to eat on a moving boat, along with plenty of water. Adult beverages are allowed, but glass bottles are not.

Sunscreen is not included, so bring your own. You will also want sun protection such as a hat and a light cover-up, although the supplied information does not specify what clothing is provided. Keep personal items compact and secure, since space on a fishing boat is practical rather than generous.

Bring any medication you normally need, along with a phone or camera if you want pictures. Keep electronics protected from spray. The crew may help with photos around a catch, but do not expect the captain or mate to act as a full-time photographer while they are managing lines and the boat.

If you plan to snorkel, confirm the gear request 24 hours in advance. If you plan to fish, handle the license requirement before departure. These two small checks can prevent avoidable trouble on the morning of your trip.

Is $1,938.82 good value for ten people?

The price is $1,938.82 per group, for up to 10 people. That is a large single charge, but it is not a per-person rate. Split among 10 people, the cost is about $194 per person. With six people, it works out to about $323 each, and with four people, about $485 each.

That math makes the charter most attractive for a full family group or a large circle of friends. You are paying for a private boat, captain, mate, fishing equipment, cooler, and several hours at sea. Compared with paying individual fares on a shared boat, the value depends heavily on how many people actually join.

The private format adds real value when your group wants control over the day. You do not have to match the pace of strangers, and children or older relatives can be part of the same outing. It is also easier to celebrate a birthday, family milestone, or first big fish when the whole boat belongs to your party.

The price is harder to justify for two or three people who are mainly curious about fishing. In that case, a shared trip may cost less, though it will not offer the same privacy. The full eight-hour option also makes more financial sense if your group is serious about fishing, since you are buying additional time for the crew to find fish.

Food, drinks, sunscreen, snorkel equipment unless requested, and the fishing license are extra or your responsibility. Include those items in your budget rather than treating the advertised price as the complete cost of the day.

How long should you book?

The experience is listed at approximately four to eight hours. A four-hour trip suits a first attempt, a family with limited patience, or a schedule that includes other Kona plans. It gives you time to get offshore, fish, and return without giving the whole day to one activity.

The longer option is the better choice if your main goal is a marlin, tuna, ono, or spearfish. Offshore fishing can involve quiet periods, and more time gives the crew a better chance to change areas or methods. A full day also leaves more room for wildlife sightings or a possible snorkel stop if the captain and conditions allow.

The stories from longer outings show why time matters. One family left around 6:30 a.m. and caught its first blue marlin by about 7:30 a.m., while another group waited roughly four hours for a double marlin hookup. The ocean can reward you early, late, or not at all.

Ask yourself how your group handles open-water time. An eight-hour charter can feel glorious when lines are running, but long when the sea is quiet. For a first fishing trip, four to six hours may be the sensible middle ground. For a bucket-list marlin attempt, choose the longest option your group can comfortably manage.

The crew makes the difference

The company has used several captains and mates, so the specific crew for your departure may vary. Names associated with past outings include Brian Harnden, Darin Castoro, Cam, Jason, Cory, Nate, Lee, Taylor, Curtis, Anthony, Kalin, and Tiger.

The strongest pattern is the crew’s coaching and attitude. Brian and Cam were praised for keeping the mood relaxed, while Darin, Jason, Cory, Lee, Anthony, and others were credited with clear help during fish fights and careful attention to safety. Captain Taylor was described as handling a mixed-age family group that wanted fishing, whales, and dolphins in one day.

You should not book on the assumption that one named captain will be assigned unless the office confirms it. The useful takeaway is that the operation has experienced staff who can coach a beginner and manage a serious fish when one appears.

That matters because landing a large fish is a team task. You may be the person holding the rod, but the captain positions the boat and the mate manages the line, gives instructions, and helps bring the fish aboard. Good coaching can turn a first-timer’s nerves into a successful catch.

Weather, cancellations, and the practical fine print

This experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.

Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The cutoff uses local Hawaii time, so keep that in mind if you are arranging plans from another time zone.

Confirmation arrives at booking. Since the activity returns to the starting point, you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer. The boat trip itself begins and ends at Bite Me Sportfishing in Kailua-Kona.

Who should book this Kona fishing trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to families and friend groups of six to 10 people who want a private day on the water. The group rate can make sense, and the boat gives you room to mix fishing with conversation, wildlife watching, and possible snorkeling.

It also suits first-time anglers. You do not need to bring rods or know how to fight a marlin. The crew supplies the fishing setup and gives instructions, while the captain handles the strategy.

This is less suitable for anyone who needs guaranteed snorkeling, guaranteed wildlife, or guaranteed fish. It may also be a poor fit for a small party that cannot share the cost or for someone who dislikes long stretches of waiting on the ocean.

Should you book the OE II charter?

Book it if your group values privacy and wants a real chance at a big Kona fish. The combination of a private boat, included equipment, onboard ice, and hands-on crew coaching gives the trip solid value when divided among a large party.

Choose the longer option for a serious fishing day, and the shorter option if you want to sample the experience without giving up your entire schedule. Bring food, drinks, sunscreen, and patience. Request snorkel gear early, confirm the fishing license, and accept that the ocean sets the terms.

The best reason to book is not the promise of a trophy fish. It is the chance to spend several hours with your own group, learning from a capable crew while Kona’s open water provides the setting. If the lines run, you may come home with fish. If not, the day still gives you a clear taste of Big Island sportfishing without sharing the boat with strangers.

FAQ

Where does the charter begin and end?

You check in at Bite Me Sportfishing, 74-425 Kealakehe Parkway, number 1, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the private charter?

The group rate covers up to 10 people. Only your private group participates in the activity.

How long is the experience?

The charter lasts approximately four to eight hours. The available duration depends on the option selected at booking.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. The captain and crew provide all fishing equipment, along with a cooler and ice for your food and drinks.

Do I need to bring food and drinks?

Yes. Food and drinks are not included, so you should bring your own. Adult beverages are allowed, but glass bottles are not.

Is snorkel equipment included?

Snorkel equipment is available upon request, but you must notify the office at least 24 hours before the trip.