My Kona Adventures

My Kona Adventures is a Kailua-Kona boat tour operator that works especially well as a compact Big Island ocean outing. It stands out for small-group trips and for the kind of guided access that can turn a single Kona evening or half-day into a memorable anchor activity: manta ray night snorkeling, daytime reef time, and seasonal whale watching, all from one of the island’s most reliable coastal bases.

The signature draw: small boats, close guidance, and a big-water payoff

The company’s defining feature is scale. Trips are run on a 23-foot rigid hull inflatable boat with a maximum of 12 passengers, which gives the experience a more personal feel than a large-craft cruise. That smaller footprint matters in Kona, where the ocean itself is the main attraction and the right guide can make the difference between a routine ride and a genuinely engaging outing.

The manta ray night snorkel is the headline experience. It is one of the most iconic water activities on the Big Island, and My Kona Adventures leans into it with in-water crew support and a format designed for close viewing rather than free-form drifting. During day tours, the focus shifts to snorkeling, marine life, and Hawaiian history, with routes that can include Pawai Bay and the Captain Cook area. Seasonal whale watching adds another option when conditions and calendar line up.

How it fits into a Kona itinerary

This is an easy activity to build around a Kailua-Kona stay. Departures are from either Keauhou Bay or Kailua Pier, both convenient for travelers based in the Kona area. The shorter manta snorkel works well as an evening centerpiece, while the day snorkel and whale watch excursions can serve as half-day blocks that leave room for lunch, beach time, or a relaxed drive elsewhere on the coast.

Expect the experience to feel ocean-first rather than resort-like. That is part of the appeal. Guests should plan to arrive early, and parking can be a real consideration, especially in the afternoon. Keauhou Bay is near the Sheraton area, and the Kona trolley can be a useful backup if staying nearby without a car. Because the tours are limited in size, advance reservations make practical sense, particularly for manta season and other high-demand dates.

Good fit for strong swimmers who want a more personal ocean trip

My Kona Adventures is best for travelers who want a guided marine outing with room to breathe and ask questions. The crew’s role in the water adds confidence and structure, and the educational side of the trip gives the experience more depth than a bare-bones snorkel shuttle. The company’s emphasis on Hawaiian history and marine life also makes it a strong choice for visitors who want their time on the water to feel connected to place, not just to scenery.

There are, however, a few real tradeoffs. Participants need to be experienced swimmers, so this is not the right pick for nervous beginners or anyone hoping for a very low-effort float. The manta snorkel is especially memorable, but manta sightings are never guaranteed, and night water can be a different experience from a daytime reef trip in terms of comfort and visibility. Motion sickness is also worth factoring in, since small boats and open-water conditions can be more noticeable here than on larger vessels.

For travelers who prefer roomy boats, lots of onboard amenities, or a looser resort-style excursion, a different operator may be a better match. For everyone else—especially couples, families with confident swimmers, and anyone who wants one of Kona’s signature marine encounters in a more intimate format—My Kona Adventures is an easy activity to justify early in a Big Island stay.