4 Sea Turtle Tours on the Big Island We Would Put on an Itinerary

1.Kona Shore Excursion: Sea Turtles, Historic Kona & Coffee

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 324 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $149Our pick

From Kailua Pier, ride with a local guide to a Kona coffee farm, St. Benedict’s Painted Church, a casual local lunch stop, and Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park. The turtle walk crosses easy but uneven ground, and sightings are never guaranteed. Guides have included BJ, Kelvin, Rusty, Marissa, and Jessica.

“A good tour but if we had gone to the turtles later maybe they would have been out of the water. Edmond was an excellent driver and guide. Recommend this tour”

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2.Hilo: Sea Turtle Lagoon and Black Sand Beach Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 119 reviews · 3 hours · from $150

Spend three hours snorkeling two Hilo-area sites with Hilo Ocean Adventures. Your English-speaking guide teaches you how to use the gear, points out turtles, coral, fish, eels, rays, and other sea life, and explains Hawaii’s volcanic coast. Beginners age eight and up are welcome, but you must swim unassisted in open ocean.

“The 2 snorkeling spots were very good. Guide was very knowledgeable of wildlife and underwater features. With us being the only 2 felt like a private tour. Well worth the time for the Hilo side of the island.”

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3.Beach Snorkel – Sea Turtle and Black Sand Lagoon

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 62 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $153

Meet Hilo Ocean Adventures in Hilo for a three-hour, small-group shore-snorkeling trip to two nearby sites. Your guide supplies gear, instruction, local juice, snacks, and transport between the meeting point and water. Sea turtles and reef fish are common here, but sightings and water conditions vary.

“Devin was an awesome tour guide, super laid back and made us feel like a friend was showing us around and didn’t seem annoyed like some guides can sometimes. Our group was small and all pretty competent so that probably helped”

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4.2 Tank Shore Dive at Sea Turtle Cove

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 19 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Spend about 4.5 hours on a certified-only, two-tank scuba outing near Hilo. You’ll receive tanks, weights, gear guidance, snacks, local juice, and transport to the site. Each underwater session lasts about 35 to 55 minutes, with reef fish, corals, and possible Hawaiian green turtles in view.

“Amazing dive master! Beautiful scenery and even saw some turtles swimming along! Diving is like opening up a whole new world of adventure.”

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