Big Island Excursions

Our Big Island excursions are the best way to make the most out of those stunning Hawaii days. Here on the west side, we’ve been guiding people through these waters for over 50 years, and we still get excited every time we launch. There’s no better way to fall in love with Hawaii than from one of our rafts.

Whether you’re joining us for a snorkeling tour, hoping to spot dolphins or whales, or booking a private charter for your crew, we design every tour to feel like the best part of your vacation, not just something to check off your list.

Big Island Excursions: Join Us on a Real Ocean Adventure!

Our Big Island excursions are small-group tours, which means no fighting for elbow room, no megaphones, and no feeling like you’re one of a hundred. Our boats are Zodiac-style rafts, the same kind Navy SEALs use. They’re fast, low to the water, and just flexible enough to dip into sea caves or glide across reef ledges without disturbing a thing.

Our tours are designed to get you closer. Closer to the wildlife. Closer to the lava tubes and coastlines. Closer to the stories behind this island. We don’t rush. We don’t stick to a script. We follow the vibe, the weather, and the wildlife, and we do it with guides who are passionate about what they do.

Discover Snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay

If you’ve never snorkeled before, don’t worry, we’ve got you. If you’ve snorkeled a hundred times? You’ll still be impressed.

On our snorkeling Big Island excursions we take guests to some of the clearest, most protected waters on the island, and we bring all the gear (yes, even prescription masks if you need one). Our crew walks you through everything before we hit the water, so you feel confident and comfortable.

Once you’re floating, the underwater world kind of speaks for itself. Beautiful coral gardens, fish in every color of the rainbow, maybe a sea turtle drifting by if we’re lucky. It’s all there. And the best part? You get time to explore, relax, and really soak it in. While we do offer a quicker Express Snorkeling option, most of our tours are designed to give you the space to slow down and truly enjoy the experience. This is your time, and we want it to feel unforgettable.

We’re All About Wildlife, But On Their Terms

Our guests often ask if they’ll see dolphins or whales on our tours, and the answer is: maybe. If they want to be seen. That’s the thing about wild animals in Hawaii, they’re free to come and go as they please, and we treat that with the respect it deserves.

That said, there are some pretty magical moments. Spinner dolphins are often spotted cruising the coast. Humpback whales sometimes sing right beneath the raft. And now and then, we’ll come across rays, turtles, or even monk seals. But no matter what we see, or don’t see, we make sure it’s a respectful, responsible encounter. No chasing, no feeding, just coexisting.

Learning About Big Island History and the Native Wildlife

When you choose our Big Island excursions, you’re not just getting a captain, you’re getting a storyteller, a marine life nerd, a local historian, and an all-around ocean enthusiast.

Our crew is made up of people who grew up on this island, studied its waters, or just fell in love with the place and never left. As we cruise the coast, we “talk story”, sharing legends, history, and hidden facts you won’t find in a brochure. Whether it’s the story of a lava flow that created a cliff face or the legend of a shark god who protected a cove, you’ll leave knowing the Big Island on a deeper level.

Private Boat Charters on Big Island: Your Day, Your Way

We’re not here to turn your trip into a lecture or make you wear matching life vests (unless you want to, we’ve got those). We’re here to make this fun. We laugh, we splash, we have tons of fun! We’ve had kids spot their first fish with us, couples get engaged on our private charters, and families tell us it was the best day of their trip.

It’s a laid-back, salt-in-your-hair, sun-on-your-face kind of day, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Private Charters = Your Day, Your Way

Sometimes you want to snorkel. Sometimes you just want to explore. Sometimes you want the boat to yourself so you can dance, propose, or just cruise with no schedule at all. We offer private charters for exactly that reason.

You bring the people, we bring the boat and the good vibes. Want to spend more time snorkeling? We’ll do it. Want to chase the sunset or just hug the coastline? That works too. Our private charters are all about giving you the space to have your own Big Island moment, whatever that looks like. 

Ready for Your Ocean Adventure on Big Island? We’d Love to Have You!

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or coming back for your tenth trip, there’s always something new to experience from the water. Our Big Island excursions aren’t just about snorkeling or spotting whales, they’re about connection. To the island. To the ocean. 

So if you’re looking for something more than just a boat ride, come spend a few hours with us on the water with Captain Zodiac. We’ll handle the details. You bring your sense of adventure.

See you out there!