15 Big Island VIP Tours Worth Booking

1.Deluxe Snorkel & Dolphin Watch Aboard a Luxury Catamaran from Kailua-Kona

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 797 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $183Our pick

Cruise from Kailua-Kona along the Gold Coast, watch for dolphins and whales, then spend about two hours snorkeling near Red Hill. Body Glove provides gear, reef-safe sunscreen, breakfast, BBQ lunch, water toys, a slide, high jump, showers, shade, and attentive crew support.

“The staff were awesome. They were always there to help and answer questions. They made delicious meals, always plenty for everyone.”

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2.Deluxe Volcano Experience with Restaurant Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 620 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $341

Spend a full day crossing the Big Island with a small group of up to 13 people. Sample Kona coffee, visit Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, explore Volcanoes National Park with a park-certified guide, and finish with dinner at Kīlauea Lodge. Guides such as Grant, Dave, Toby, and Shelby are often praised for their island knowledge and storytelling.

“Our guide David was entertaining and knowledgeable. A great experience. I would recommend this tour.”

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3.Deluxe Sail & Snorkel to the Captain Cook Monument

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 535 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $177

From Keauhou Bay, Sea Paradise takes you along the Kona coast to Red Hill and Captain Cook Monument. Expect a continental breakfast, lunch, snacks, reef-safe sunscreen, flotation noodles, fish charts, and about 90 minutes of snorkeling, with crew support for first-timers.

“This was so much fun! Great crew. Very attentive . They are very invested in providing a great experience”

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4.Deluxe Sail & Snorkel to the Captain Cook Monument

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 472 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $179

Start at 8:15 am from Keauhou Bay for a 4.5-hour catamaran cruise along South Kona. You’ll snorkel near the Captain Cook Monument and, weather permitting, at Red Hill, with breakfast, lunch, gear, reef-safe sunscreen, and attentive crew support included.

“Great locations and experience. Nice boat. Wonderful people. They need to make clearer how to get to the boat.”

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5.Kealakekua Bay Captain Cook Snorkel Exclusive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 380 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $124

Spend about three hours with Sea Quest Hawaii on a small boat tour from Kailua-Kona to Kealakekua Bay. Your captain and crew provide gear, flotation aids, snacks, and guidance, with time to snorkel near Captain Cook Monument and see lava caves along the coast.

“Great experience very kind knowledgeable staff!!! would definitely recommend this If you are with your family and want some afternoon fun!!!”

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6.Two Reef Snorkel Trip-See Captain Cook Monument & Sea Caves

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 347 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $119

Set out from Kailua-Kona on a small RHIB boat for about five hours of snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay and Honaunau Bay. Captains such as Dennis, Rob, Bryce, and Craig share Hawaiian history, point out lava tubes, and may find dolphins or whales along the coast.

“Dennis was an extremely helpful and knowledgeable guide and captain of our small boat. The snorkeling in both places was magical! The ride out and back was exhilarating, but be prepared to hang on tight! On the way back, Dennis showed us several interesting locations along the shore and gave us great stories and historical context. He also provided great snacks which he had ready for us to eat each time we emerged from the water. Lots of snorkel time! A full hour at each location.”

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7.Deluxe Morning Snorkeling Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 325 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $143

Set out from Kailua-Kona with a crew such as Captains Natalie, Skylar, or Steve for two snorkel stops at Kealakekua Bay and Honaunau Bay. Expect clear water, reef fish, possible dolphins or whales, sea caves, lava tubes, local snacks, and patient instruction for first-time snorkelers.

“It was an amazing trip, The captain gave a very good tour, The fish were amazing,I'm very happy, The next time I come back I will do it again”

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8.Luxury Kona Coast Snorkel Tour Including Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 309 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $204

Cruise South Kona aboard the comfortable Hula Kai, stopping at two weather-dependent snorkel sites near Pali Kaholo, Puʻu Ohau, or Kealakekua Bay. You’ll get gear, reef-safe sunscreen, breakfast, lunch, paddleboards, showers, restrooms, and a cash bar during this five-and-a-half-hour outing.

“SNUBA diving was an awesome experience but Rebecca made it ten times better as she was so easy going it made learning a breeze. The captain and crew also made the whole trip better by making sure we were comfortable and having a good time. At the end of the tour, on our way back we spotted a pod of dolphins and the captain gave us more time to cruise alongside them.”

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9.Umauma Falls Deluxe ATV Waterfall and Swim Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 198 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Drive a Honda ATV or UTV across Hamakua ranch land with guides such as Chloe, Kiana, and Landon. After practice time and scenic stops, enjoy snacks and a swim in a private freshwater pond beneath Umauma Falls. Expect dust or mud, photo stops, and a short but memorable waterfall visit.

“We had the best time. Our operator guides Cloey and Rusty were awesome. We drove around on some nice land with beautiful views.. We got to swim in a secluded pc of water with a beautiful waterfall. My fiancé and I had the best time with this experience. Thank you again for all you had to offer. There was also a beautiful garden that we got to see with beautiful plants and flowers after the tour is over with. The whole pc of land there was magical. We had quite the experience!!!”

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10.Premium Kona Coast Morning Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 179 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $164

Set out from Kailua-Kona at 9 a.m. aboard a covered boat for Kealakekua Bay and Hōnaunau. Sea Quest crews such as Brendan, Natalie, Mike, and Skylar share shoreline stories, help with gear, and serve lunch, fruit, snacks, and drinks during this small-group outing.

“Outstanding snorkeling-beautiful coral, many species of fish, urchins, and moray eels too! Our guides were very accommodating, and knowledgeable regarding the sea caves, lava tubes and cliffs we saw close up on our way to/from the 2 snorkeling spots. Well worth the price.”

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11.Luxury Private Boat Charter in Big Island Hawaii

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 56 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Meet Captain Ko and crew at Kailua-Kona Harbor for a private half-day on the Pacific. Snorkel at Kealakekua Bay or another chosen site, look for dolphins, turtles, whales, or manta rays, and enjoy included gear, drinks, and snacks on a well-kept boat.

“Koichiro and Ken were the best guides for our trip and we could not have wished for more. Super nice, very knowledgeable, beautiful boat, good amenities, and most importantly, genuinely kind people--truly the best. Would highly recommend them and we plan to see them again when we return to the island.”

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12.Kona Deluxe Catamaran Whale Watch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 55 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $109Best value

Cruise Kona’s coast aboard the Spirit of Aloha, a comfortable catamaran with shaded seating, restrooms, and a full premium bar. The crew, including Captain Kirk, Stan, John, and James, watches for humpbacks, dolphins, and false killer whales during this 90-minute afternoon trip.

“Seeing the momma and baby whale The captain and crew where great. Would take the same trip again with them”

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13.Premium group surf lessons- Kona’s Best Surf Lessons

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 45 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $169

Meet Chad, Alex, Elijah, or another Kona Mike’s instructor at Kahalu’u Beach Park for a 90-minute beginner-friendly surf lesson. Small groups, supplied equipment, and hands-on coaching help you work toward your first ride at Kahaluu Bay.

“Great experience! Chad was so helpful and encouraging. He was very patient with each of us. We all were able to ride a wave a far distance.”

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14.Kona Luxury Catamaran Yacht Snorkel & Sail

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $449

Meet Hawaii Nautical at Honokohau Harbor for a four-hour catamaran outing along the Kona Coast. With room for only six people, you can snorkel at spots such as Pawai Bay or Makalawena, use prescription masks and fresh-water showers, and enjoy lunch with drinks aboard the No Wiki.

“Stan and Nicole were amazing! A absolutely perfect day, I did not want it to end. I would recommend this trip to all.”

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15.Exclusive Landing with Spectacular Big Island Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · 2 hours 20 minutes (approx.) · from $1,134

From Waikoloa, Blue Hawaiian Helicopters carries you over Kohala, Mauna Kea, Kilauea, Hilo, and Akaka Falls. The highlight is a 20 to 25-minute landing at Laupāhoehoe Nui beside a 1,200-foot waterfall. Pilots such as Matt, James, Greg, and Shane provide narration through noise-canceling headsets.

“Everyone at Blue Hawaiian Helicopters acted professionally and seemed to have safety and visitor comfort at top of mind. Matt was an awesome pilot and did a fantastic job telling us about the terrain and the different island features we were seeing. We luckily had gorgeous weather for the day (early August). The headphone soundtrack was an appreciated touch and the the waterfall landing was of course the highlight of the trip. $900 pp may seem expensive, but everything in Hawaii is. You will forget the fancy meals and crowded luau's in a few months. However, you will not regret splurging on this because it is a memory that will…”

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