The Dolphin Discoveries Kona two-stop snorkel tour is a 5-hour morning trip from Keauhou Bay to Kealakekua Bay and Honaunau Bay (Two-Step), with snacks, gear and wetsuits included from $119.99. It suits confident swimmers aged 6 and up who want two reefs in one morning. Drawbacks: an 8:00 AM check-in, no restroom on board, swimming required.
Highlights
Two snorkel stops: Kealakekua Bay at the Captain Cook Monument (reef 5–15 feet) and Honaunau Bay beside Pu'uhonua o Honaunau, with deeper reef and larger coral heads (operator site, October 2026)
5 hours including prep; VELTRA's schedule shows 8:00 AM check-in, 9:00 AM departure and 1:00 PM return
Mask, fins, snorkel, pool noodles, wetsuits, snacks, fruit, juice and bottled water included; from $119.99 on the operator site and Expedia
Groups of 6–20 on a RHIB-style ocean raft; spinner dolphins often seen on the way but not guaranteed and not refundable
Operator shows 4.8 from over 5,100 TripAdvisor reviews and 9.6/10 on Expedia as of October 2026
What to Expect
You check in at the Dolphin Discoveries store in Keauhou Shopping Center at about 8:00 AM, get fitted for gear and drive to Keauhou Bay by about 8:30 AM.
The raft departs around 9:00 AM and heads south past sea caves and lava tubes while the crew shares local history and looks for spinner dolphins.
The first snorkel is at Kealakekua Bay near the Captain Cook Monument, a marine sanctuary with calm, clear water and over 100 fish species.
The second snorkel is at Honaunau Bay (Two-Step) beside the Place of Refuge, with coral shelves and sandy patches where green sea turtles are often seen; the operator says swimming experience is required here.
Snacks, fruit, juice and water are served on board between and after the stops.
You return to Keauhou Bay at about 1:00 PM and drive back from the bay yourself.
What's Included
Mask, snorkel, fins and pool noodles
Wetsuits
Snacks, fresh fruit, juice and bottled water
Crew safety briefing and in-water guidance
What's Not Included
Gratuity
Towel and cover-up
Reef-safe sunscreen
Hotel pickup or drop-off
What to Bring
Swimsuit worn under clothing, towel and cover-up
Reef-safe liquid sunscreen (no aerosol on board)
Hat, sunglasses and a sweatshirt or light jacket for the raft ride
Signed electronic waiver before the tour
Restrictions and Requirements
Minimum age 6; minors accompanied by an adult at all times
Weight limit under 285 lb (Expedia) or under 280 lb (VELTRA)
Must be comfortable treading water and swimming unassisted, and able to climb a metal ladder to re-board
Not recommended if pregnant or with spinal, neck or cardiovascular problems
No restroom on the boat; may not run with fewer than 4 participants
Cancellation Policy
Not stated on the operator's website. VELTRA's listing for this tour charges 100% for cancellations or changes made after 3:00 PM local time 3 business days before the activity; Expedia shows only a 'free cancellation' label with no terms. Checked October 2026 on VELTRA and Expedia; confirm with the operator before booking.
Check-in at the Dolphin Discoveries store, Keauhou Shopping Center, 78-6831 Ali'i Drive, Suite F-146 (door sign reads 174), Kailua-Kona, HI 96740; boarding at Keauhou Bay, 78-7130 Kaleiopapa St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Check-In
About 8:00 AM per VELTRA's schedule; exact time in the booking confirmation email, no early arrival needed
Parking and Getting There
Park near Tropics Tap House or KTA Grocery at Keauhou Shopping Center and walk to the courtyard; instructions in the confirmation email
Ratings from every source we could find
TripAdvisor
4.8
5,100 reviews
Other
4.8
1,100 reviews
Google Maps — Summarized by Our Team
Two-stop snorkel trips in Kona are generally well received for variety, with the main trade-off being shorter time per site.
Last checked 2026-09-15
Ratings and review counts are checked periodically and may not reflect same-day changes on each platform.
What the Reviews Say
We read 1 review with text for Dolphin Discoveries (Greetwell, 5 stars, August 2026) plus Greetwell's aggregated summary, which is too little to identify patterns for this tour. Ratings below are public listing scores as of October 2026.
About the Operator in General
Dolphin Discoveries shows 4.8 from about 1,100 Greetwell reviews (unlabeled breakdown 970 / 37 / 17 / 9 / 22) and cites over 5,100 TripAdvisor reviews at 4.8 as of October 2026. Greetwell's summary praises named captains and crew and efficient check-in; one reviewer noted the shop is not at the pier, so there is extra driving.
Our Verdict
Tripreviewall's Take
For $20 more than the operator's single-site Captain Cook tour, this trip adds Honaunau Bay and about 1.5 hours, which makes it the better value for anyone who swims confidently. Two-Step's deeper reef and coral heads give a real contrast to Kealakekua's shallow sanctuary. The early 8:00 AM check-in, the self-drive between shop and bay and the lack of a restroom are the practical costs; weak swimmers should take the single-site tour instead.
Book This Tour If…
You swim confidently and want two different reefs in one morning
You want the best chance of green sea turtles, which the operator associates with Honaunau Bay
You are happy with an 8:00 AM check-in and a 1:00 PM return
You want snacks and fruit included rather than a bare-bones boat ride
Skip This Tour If…
You are a weak swimmer; the operator says swimming experience is required at Honaunau Bay
You need a restroom during a 5-hour outing
You weigh over 280 lb or have back, neck or heart problems
You want an afternoon departure; this tour runs only in the morning
Tips From Reviewers and Operator Notes
Allow time to check in at the shopping center and then drive to Keauhou Bay; one Greetwell reviewer was surprised by the extra driving
Use the restroom at the shopping center before leaving, since the raft has none
Pack liquid reef-safe sunscreen and a jacket; aerosol sunscreen is banned and the raft ride is windy
Compare prices before booking: the operator site and Expedia listed $119.99, Greetwell $137.44 and VELTRA $145.33 in October 2026
Assessed by the Tripreviewall editorial team, last reviewed October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Dolphin Discoveries Kona two-stop snorkel tour?
The Dolphin Discoveries Kona two-stop snorkel tour starts at $119.99 per person on the operator's website and Expedia as of October 2026, while Greetwell lists $137.44 and VELTRA $145.33. Gear, wetsuits, snacks, fruit, juice and water are included; tips, towels and sunscreen are not.
Which two snorkel spots does the Deluxe Kona Snorkel Adventure visit?
The Deluxe Kona Snorkel Adventure visits Kealakekua Bay at the Captain Cook Monument, a marine sanctuary with reef 5–15 feet deep, and Honaunau Bay, known as Two-Step, next to Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, which has deeper reef, larger coral heads and frequent green sea turtle sightings.
How long is the two-stop Kona snorkel tour and when does it leave?
The two-stop Kona snorkel tour is listed at 5 hours including prep time. VELTRA's schedule shows check-in at 8:00 AM at Keauhou Shopping Center, departure from Keauhou Bay at 9:00 AM and return at 1:00 PM; the operator's own text also describes it as a 4-hour adventure plus check-in.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer for the two-stop snorkel tour?
You need to be comfortable treading water and swimming unassisted for the two-stop snorkel tour, and the operator states that swimming experience is required at Honaunau Bay in particular. Pool noodles and wetsuits are provided, and the minimum age is 6 with an adult present.
What is the cancellation policy for the Deluxe Kona Snorkel Adventure?
The cancellation policy is not published on the operator's website. VELTRA's listing for this tour charges 100% for cancellations or changes after 3:00 PM local time 3 business days before the trip, and Expedia shows a free-cancellation label without terms, so ask Dolphin Discoveries directly. Checked October 2026.
Contact
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