Comprehensive Body Glove Kona Review: Snorkel Tour & Dolphin Watch

Booking & Arrival

Booking the Body Glove Snorkel Tour and Dolphin Watch online was easy and instructions given were clear. 

We were to meet the boat at Kailua Pier, which if you booked a stay at the Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel is conveniently located right next door. 

However, I was driving in from Naalehu, so I took advantage of the free parking in front of Body Glove’s office at ‘Ilima Court just a short walk away. Given the high parking fees and limited free parking options on Ali’i Drive, this was perfect.

My mom and I arrived around 7:30-45am and were one of the first people to check-in and board their 65-foot catamaran, the Kanoa II. 

>> Check Rates & Availability for Body Glove Here! <<

All Aboard!

I immediately snatched a booth table on the first level of the boat.

I think most people wanted the upper deck’s benches for a 360 degree view, but it was a bit more crowded with less “personal bubble” space or shade.

I’m glad we got our booth at the beginning because later on in the cruise other people were eyeing these coveted seats. 

The self-serve breakfast bar was already laid out with plenty of fruit, yogurt, granola, and pastries. I of course had to get a cup of Kona coffee to go with it.

We then set sail to our snorkel destination, cruising along the coastline, listening to classic rock which added a party-vibe to the trip.

Snorkel Time

While this tour is typically scheduled for snorkeling at Red Hill, the day we went was just after some rough weather and the ocean was pretty rocky, so they diverted the tour to Pawai Bay, which was only about a 20-minute boat ride away (as opposed to an hour away).

I was actually grateful for the shorter boat ride to this snorkel spot as I was beginning to feel seasick not even 10 minutes into the trip, despite having taken Dramamine prior.

Once we “parked” the boat, the crew gave a thorough safety briefing and we learned specific signals to give if we needed help in the water. 

Snorkel masks were handed out ahead of time, but the fins we had to find in the correct sizes on our own from the boxes under the benches.

Entering the water was easy from the back of the boat and crew members were there to help us off the platform if we needed.

Other crew members hung out close to the shore to make sure people stayed a safe distance away and not get caught up in a wave and slammed against the rocks.

I have to admit—I struggle with snorkeling. It’s not that I’m inexperienced, but I have a bit of thalassophobia, fear of deep bodies of water. After a bit of minor hyperventilating, I managed to calm myself and face the underwater world.

Pawai Bay’s snorkeling was decent, with lots of colorful yellow tangs. 

There might have been better spots had I ventured further from the boat. But with my increasing seasickness I only lasted about 15-20 minutes before getting back on board.

>> Check Rates & Book Body Glove Here! <<

Chillax and Lunch

Although I couldn’t stomach much of the snorkeling that day, it was entertaining to watch others jump off the 15ft high-dive platform and go down the 20ft water slide. I was really looking forward to going down the slide, but seasickness had gotten the best of me, so I spent most of my time laying on the bench.

People were also enjoying all the water toys that were provided like inner tubes, pool noodles, and paddleboards.

The bathrooms on board are spacious enough for changing into dry clothes if you wish. Most people just air dried from their swimwear and wore coverups. 

Lunch was a burger bar with freshly grilled burger patties, taro chips, and chocolate chip cookies. The full-service bar was open with local alcoholic drinks, so my mom grabbed a Blue Hawaiian cocktail, which she wished was stronger.

We stayed in Pawai Bay for about 2hrs before moving on to the second half of the tour.

Whale Watching Bonus

Because I was there in January, it was prime whale season. 

Usually this tour just keeps an eye out for dolphins to and from Red Hill, however, because we did Pawai Bay which was closer to Kona with less “drive time”, they filled the remaining 2hrs doing a whale watch tour instead. 

The captain found a few pods of whales to follow. Sadly, we didn’t see any breaching. But, we saw a male humpback slapping its tail and a mother with its calf hanging out.

⚠️ Word to the Wise: Keep your phones secure when photographing the whales! I witnessed someone drop theirs and helplessly watch it slide through a drain hole, right into the ocean, and gone forever in the blink of an eye.

We whale watched for over 1.5hrs before heading back to the pier and concluding our tour. 

And we actually didn’t see any dolphins.

>> Check Rates & Book Body Glove Here! <<

Things That Stood Out About Body Glove

Despite seasickness dampening my boat experience, if given the option, I would definitely book with Body Glove again.

Reasons why:

• The crew was super friendly all around. One even offered me ginger chews for my seasickness. 
• Despite hosting around 50 people, it never felt too crowded
• The food was surprisingly really good with generous portions (Body Glove has their own chef and commercial kitchen)
• MOST OF ALL, I was impressed with the bang-for-buck. It felt like a two-for-one boat tour because it was both snorkeling and whale watching plus TWO meals. 

Whale Watching Cruise

Humpback whales migrate to Hawaiian waters from Alaska during the winter to breed, calf, and nurse their babies. 

From December to March you can take a whale watching cruise with Body Glove to get up close and personal with these giant mammals. A naturalist will narrate the way, pointing out whale behaviors, and let you listen to the whales singing through the hydrophone. 

If you don’t see any whales, your next tour is free!

What Should You Bring on the Snorkel Tour?

You don’t need to bring much on the Body Glove Snorkel Tour. Essentials would be: 

• Towel 
• Swimwear
• Camera or GoPro – Make sure it’s waterproof and secured if bringing in the water with you
• Seasickness Precautions – If you’re prone to seasickness, take Dramamine before boarding or use patches, wristbands, or other aids that work for you
• Cash or Card – For purchasing alcoholic drinks at the bar
• Light Cover-up – To stay warm after snorkeling
• Change of Clothes – In case you want to change into dry clothes after snorkeling

Most of the gear like snorkels, masks, fins, and even reef-safe sunscreen are provided on board.

They offer wetsuit rentals.