Hula Kai

Hula Kai is Fair Wind Cruises' premium snorkel and ocean-adventure vessel, sailing out of Kailua-Kona on the sunny Kona Coast of Hawaiʻi Island. The kamaʻāina rate makes this higher-end snorkel experience — including one of the islands' best-known manta ray encounters — more accessible for residents who want to spend a day, or a night, on the water close to home.

The kamaʻāina deal

• Save 20% on Hula Kai Kona Coast Snorkel & Manta Ray Adventures
• Discount applies to any Hula Kai ocean adventure
• Valid Hawaiʻi ID required

What to expect

Hula Kai runs snorkel trips along the Kona Coast's lava-lined shoreline aboard a sleek, high-performance vessel, with stops that can include the clear waters of Kealakekua Bay — home to the Captain Cook Monument and long known as one of the Big Island's premier snorkel spots. The boat also offers a manta ray night snorkel, when lights draw plankton to the surface and manta rays glide in to feed just below swimmers, a signature Kona Coast experience found in few other places in the world. Tours include quality snorkel gear, flotation devices, and an attentive crew for guests of varying comfort levels in the water.

Good to know

Hula Kai operates under Fair Wind Cruises, which has run tours on the Kona Coast for 55 years. The operation is built around caring for the ocean it works in — reef-safe practices, reduced single-use plastics onboard, and guides who share cultural context about the waters and shoreline being explored. Kealakekua Bay itself is a state marine life conservation district, so the reef and fish life there are especially protected, which is part of why the visibility and marine life tend to be so consistent.

Who it's best for

Residents looking for a step up from a typical snorkel outing — whether that's hosting visiting family and friends, marking a special occasion, or simply taking an evening off to see the manta rays most people only hear about. It also suits anyone who prefers a smaller, higher-touch boat experience over a larger tour operation.

How to book

Book direct at fair-wind.com, and bring a valid Hawaiʻi ID at check-in to receive the kamaʻāina rate. Confirm current pricing, tour times, and any blackout dates directly with Hula Kai before booking.

A valid Hawaiʻi ID is required for kamaʻāina offers. Terms and blackout dates may apply — confirm current details with the business. Listed via the Hawaiʻi Visitors & Convention Bureau.