From Hawaii: Eco-Friendly Snorkeling Experience with BBQ

Kona’s best feature on this cruise is that the boat itself becomes the beach club. You can snorkel in a protected marine sanctuary, watch for spinner dolphins on the way, then switch to paddleboards, flotation toys, a high-dive platform, or a shaded seat without packing up and moving on. I especially like the two hours of water time and the crew’s careful attention to beginners and families. The included breakfast, BBQ lunch, drinks, gear, and reef-safe sunscreen also make the $194 price easier to justify.

The main catch is that the quality of the snorkeling site depends on ocean conditions and the day’s chosen location. Some people see turtles, jellyfish, dolphins, and a good range of fish, while others find the fish life fairly limited. If your only goal is serious reef snorkeling, this may feel too much like a party boat. If your group wants a full morning on the water with plenty to do, it makes much more sense.

Key points at a glance

• A protected marine sanctuary: Cruise about ten miles down the Kona coast to a designated snorkeling area.
• More than snorkeling: Use paddleboards, noodles, inner tubes, flotation vests, a 20-foot waterslide, and a 15-foot high-dive platform.
• Food from start to finish: Begin with tropical fruit, pastries, bagels, juices, tea, and Kona coffee, then finish with a hot BBQ lunch.
• Strong support in the water: Lifeguard-trained crew members offer a basic snorkeling introduction and keep watch during water activities.
• Good access for different abilities: A customized ramp with portable extensions accommodates manual wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, and scooters.
• A real boat, not just a transfer: You get a shaded cabin, cushioned seating, three restrooms, freshwater showers, and a floating relaxation station.

Why this Kona cruise works for mixed groups

The best reason to choose this trip is simple: your group does not have to agree on one activity. Strong swimmers can head out with mask and fins, while children can play on the slide or use flotation toys. Someone who dislikes snorkeling can sit on the floating relaxation station, try a paddleboard, or stay aboard with a drink.

That flexibility matters in a family group. A one-year-old, a nine-year-old, parents, grandparents, and experienced swimmers can all find a comfortable way to spend the morning. You will still need to supervise small children closely, but the boat carries equipment for different ages and swimming abilities.

The crew’s attitude is a major part of the experience. Names that appear on past departures include Captain Bob, Chris, Celina, Calvin, Cosmo, Channing, and bartender Jon. Crew rosters can change, but the pattern is clear: expect staff who help with gear, check on passengers, explain the water activities, and watch for anyone who feels uncertain.

That last point is important. Snorkeling can feel surprisingly stressful the first time, especially when waves push water against your mask or snorkel. The crew offers a short introduction, provides flotation aids, and can help you get back aboard if the ocean feels like too much. You do not need to be an expert to participate.

The early start at Kailua Pier

Boarding begins at 7:30 AM, with departure at 8:00 AM from Kailua Pier. Be on time. The operator does not offer refunds for late arrivals, so this is not the morning to cut things close after a slow hotel breakfast.

Free parking is available at 75-5629 Kuakini Highway, a short walk from the pier. Allow enough time to park, walk to the meeting point, complete the liability waiver, and board before the boat leaves. Bring a towel and a waterproof camera. GoPro cameras are not included, so bring your own if you want underwater video.

The 270-minute schedule gives you roughly four and a half hours from boarding through return. That is long enough to feel like a real outing rather than a quick swim stop, but not so long that the boat day takes over your entire Kona schedule.

Once aboard, you can settle into the large shaded cabin with cushioned seating. Three restrooms and freshwater showers are practical touches, especially for families and anyone who wants to rinse off salt water before returning to shore.

Breakfast with Kona coffee, then the coastal cruise

The morning starts with a light breakfast. Expect tropical fruit, assorted pastries, bagels, juices, tea, and Kona coffee. It is not a full restaurant meal, but it gives you something to eat before the boat reaches the snorkeling area.

The boat then heads about ten miles down the Kona coast. The trip is part sightseeing, part preparation. You have time to enjoy the shoreline, listen to the crew’s brief stories, and watch the sea for dolphins.

Dolphin sightings are possible, not guaranteed. One departure included a short stop to watch a pod of spinner dolphins, while another did not see them. That is the honest way to think about this part of the cruise: treat dolphins as a welcome bonus rather than the main reason to book.

The ride can also be affected by the sea. Conditions may be calm, cloudy, rainy, or rough on the way out. The sheltered cabin gives you a place to sit if the motion bothers you, though anyone prone to seasickness should consider appropriate preparation before boarding.

Snorkeling in a protected marine sanctuary

The main water stop is a protected marine sanctuary. You receive a mask, fins, and snorkel, with prescription masks available. Reef-safe sunscreen is included, which saves you from bringing a separate bottle and helps reduce the impact of sunscreen on the water.

If you are new to snorkeling, take the short lesson from the lifeguard-trained crew. It covers the basics you need to get comfortable: how the mask fits, how to breathe through the snorkel, and how to use flotation support. The staff also keeps watch while people are in the water.

The listed water time is about two hours. That is generous for a boat excursion, though lunch may be announced while you are still having fun. One practical tip is to enter the water early if you want the longest possible snorkeling session before the meal.

What will you see? Conditions vary. The water can be clear, with colorful fish and the chance of a sea turtle or jellyfish. Some days offer a more limited view, with the same few fish appearing again and again. You may not visit several reefs or multiple snorkel sites, so this is not the best choice for someone determined to compare different underwater habitats.

The protected setting still has value. You get access to ocean conditions chosen by the crew, safety support nearby, and equipment supplied on board. You are not trying to find a beach, rent gear, or organize a separate boat trip.

Paddleboards, floating mats, and the high-dive platform

The cruise earns its family-friendly reputation from the number of ways you can use the water. Along with standard snorkeling gear, the boat provides noodles, inner tubes, flotation vests, and other toys.

Stand-up paddleboards are available at no extra cost. You can paddle around the boat, use a mat or floating chair, or simply stretch out at the floating relaxation station. If you want a cold drink while floating, crew members can swim refreshments out to you.

Children and confident swimmers have the most fun with the 20-foot waterslide and 15-foot high-dive platform. These features change the mood from quiet nature viewing to lively water play. You can expect music and a social atmosphere rather than a silent wildlife expedition.

The high-dive platform is not for everyone, and nobody needs to use it. That is the point of the boat’s layout: you can choose your level of excitement. Parents can stay near the shaded cabin, join the water, or watch from the deck.

BBQ lunch and the premium cash bar

While you are in the water, the crew prepares lunch. The meal is described as a BBQ lunch, and burgers are a frequent favorite. You also get nonalcoholic drinks as part of the outing.

After snorkeling, you can use the full-service premium cash bar. It offers liquors, mixers, and local beers, but alcoholic drinks cost extra. Bring a payment method if you want to use the bar, and remember that the $194 package already includes the food and nonalcoholic drinks, not alcohol.

The lunch helps make the price more reasonable. You are not paying $194 for a short snorkel and a boat ride alone. The package includes breakfast, lunch, gear, two hours in the water, reef-safe sunscreen, the slide, the high-dive platform, and the crew’s assistance throughout the trip.

Still, value depends on how much you use. If you spend most of the time in the water, eat both meals, use the equipment, and have a group with different interests, the package can replace several separate costs. If you only want a quiet snorkel and do not care about food, slides, paddleboards, or the bar, a smaller snorkeling trip may be a better fit.

Access and comfort aboard the boat

This cruise is fully wheelchair friendly. The customized boarding ramp, with portable extensions, is designed for manual wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, and scooters. That is unusually useful for a boat excursion, where boarding often creates the biggest barrier.

The crew can also help passengers who feel nervous in the water. One past passenger described being assisted back aboard after becoming uncomfortable while snorkeling, with staff noticing the problem quickly. You should still be clear about your needs before boarding, but the setup is designed to include more people than a basic beach rental.

Three restrooms, freshwater showers, cushioned seats, and a large shaded cabin make the boat practical for a long morning. Bring your own towel, and remember that all passengers must complete a liability waiver before boarding.

The return to Kailua-Kona

The ride back to Kailua-Kona is not dead time. The crew continues the coastal sightseeing, and you can dry off, eat, relax, or enjoy a drink. The return trip gives you a quieter part of the morning after the activity at the snorkel site.

You may appreciate this rhythm: energetic water time first, then an easy ride back. Families can settle down, children can warm up, and adults can enjoy the coast without having to drive immediately after swimming.

The cruise ends back at the harbor in Kailua-Kona. Since the total activity lasts 270 minutes, you should have much of the afternoon free for another activity, a beach stop, or a relaxed meal.

Who should book this $194 experience

I would choose this cruise for a family, a multigenerational group, or friends with different ideas about a perfect day. It is also a good option if you want a boat with restrooms, shade, showers, supplied gear, food, and staff support all in one package.

It works particularly well for first-time snorkelers. Prescription masks, flotation equipment, a short orientation, and attentive water supervision remove several common worries.

It is less suited to a serious snorkeler who wants several reef locations, extensive fish variety, or a small, quiet boat. The chosen site may be excellent or merely adequate on a given day, and the trip puts equal weight on water games, food, and social time.

The $194 price is high for a half-day outing, but the inclusions are substantial. You get breakfast, lunch, drinks without alcohol, equipment, reef-safe sunscreen, two hours of water access, dolphin-watching possibilities, and a boat built for comfort. For a group that will use the whole package, the value is solid.

Should you book the Body Glove cruise?

Book it if you want a full-service Kona boat day, not just a snorkel stop. The crew support, flexible activities, accessible boarding, food, and comfortable boat make it easy for a mixed group to have fun together.

Think twice if your priority is the most varied marine life possible. The snorkeling site can be limited on some days, and the cruise does not promise dolphins or multiple reefs.

For most families and casual snorkelers, I would book it. Arrive early, bring a towel and waterproof camera, take advantage of the full two hours in the water, and treat dolphin sightings as a bonus. You will get the best value by using the boat’s many options rather than spending the entire trip focused on one fish count.

FAQ

Where does the snorkeling cruise depart 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 are not eligible for a refund, so arrive early enough to park, walk to the pier, complete the waiver, and board.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The tour includes a mask, fins, and snorkel, along with flotation equipment. Prescription masks are also available.

How long do I get to snorkel?

The activity includes about two hours of snorkel time. The exact experience can vary with conditions and the timing of lunch.

Are meals and drinks included?

Breakfast, lunch, and nonalcoholic drinks are included. Alcoholic drinks are available for purchase at the premium cash bar.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The boat is described as 100 percent wheelchair friendly, with a customized boarding ramp and portable extensions for manual wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, and scooters.