Big Island Activity Guide
Kona Tours and Charters By Company
Hawaiian Adventures Kona
Hawaiian Adventures Kona understands that first-hand experiences are key to cultivating connections between communities and wildlife. We hope that our tours can inspire this respect for marine life in those visiting Hawaii, a respect that the Kona community embodies. We are excited to be a part of a community that understands the health of our oceans is tantamount to our own well-being, and play our part to promote this mindset. Come join us on the water, and experience the connection with the whales and wildlife that has inspired our family for the past 25 years.
Hawaiian Adventures Whale Watch Tours
Hawaiian Adventures holds a 20-mile USCG certification, offering a wider search range than most Big Island ocean tours. Unlike boats restricted to three miles from shore, we can safely access and explore Kona’s unique pelagic zone. This area is where we’ll search for over a dozen cetacean species, including pilot whales, false killer whales, sperm whales, beaked whales, melon-headed whales, and so much more. Unlike humpback whales, which are seasonal visitors to the Hawaiian Islands, these resident species provide consistent year-round sightings. Dive into our whale report to read about our weekly encounters!
Paradise Sailing Hawaii
PARADISE SAILING HAWAII is a local small business, family owned and operated by captains Eric and Yumi Wakely. After 20 years of running boats for other charter businesses in Hawaii, we have launched our own company. Our mission is to provide a SAILING oriented charter opportunity on a comfortable size, fast, modern catamaran with plenty of space for our guests to stretch out and relax. Our Kurt Hughes 36, Kōlea, has plenty of shade, nice clean toilet facilities, ample seating and tables with drink holders. We don’t care for being herded onto a big “cattle-maran” any more than our guests do. We specifically chose our 36′ x 24′ Kurt Hughes designed cat because she is the perfect size boat for a small to medium size group of up to 24 passengers max.
Paradise Sailing 4 Hour Private Charter
Have their beautiful catamaran all to yourself and spend the morning sailing, snorkeling & looking for wildlife. Snorkel equipment and refreshments are provided. BYOB
Paradise Sailing Private Kona Sunset Cruise
Sail into the sunset aboard Kōlea on Paradise Sailing’s Sunset Sail and enjoy the beautiful Big Island Sunset. Refreshments are provided. BYOB
Skillet Sportfishing
Skillet Sportfishing and Captain John Burke wish you a warm welcome to Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Captain John is a seasoned angler with over 5 decades of fishing, the majority of which he has spent fishing in Hawaii. He invites you to join him aboard on a trip to the area’s beautiful offshore waters and discover the richness this fishery has to offer. The captain will do everything he can to provide an enjoyable and productive trip for each of his guests, regardless of their skills and fishing experience. Bring your family or friends and have a memorable time fishing in Hawaii.
Charter guests and the crew can target many different Marlin and Tuna species, Mahi Mahi, Sailfish, Mako Shark, Spearfish, and Wahoo. To reel them in, you can use heavy tackle, deep sea fishing, and trolling. You can choose whether you want to take your catch home or simply return it to the water.
The crew will have all the fishing tackle and bait ready for you. Fish cleaning is also included in the trip price.
Skillet Sportfishing Charters
Skillet Sportfishing offers three different charters departing out of Honokohau Harbor — 4 hours, 6 hours, or 8 hours!
Kona Dream Sportfishing
Kona Dream is a beautiful 40 ft Buddy Davis Yacht, meticulously maintained and newly upgraded. The exterior is designed for big fishing adventures and the Cockpit is well equipped with a Live-Well, In-Deck Fish Box, and new Custom Release Marine Fighting Chair. The Fly-Bridge is open and very comfortable with Twin Pedestal Release Marine Helm Seats and Forward Bench Seating. The Interior is bright with a step-down galley and a dual AirConditioned Salon which includes an L-shaped Settee, Armchair, Dinette, Queen Stateroom, Smart TV, DVD, Blue Tooth capable Audio System, and new Marine “Head.” The Galley includes a Sink, Refrigerator, Freezer, Microwave, and Keurig coffee machine.
Captain David Borges, Jr. is a lifelong resident of Kailua-Kona with a Hawaiian family fishing history going back multiple generations. David has been recreational, commercial, and sport fishing the Hawaiian waters since he was 10. David’s sport fishing experience not only includes big-game fishing in Kona, but he has captained and crewed boats on the Great Barrier Reef as well as in Madeira, Portugal. David is a licensed USCG OUPV/Six-Pack Captain and is CPR and First Aid certified.
Kona Dream Sportfishing Charters
If your time is limited the shorter trip will provide you with an exciting sport fishing adventure that will fit into your schedule! The longer trips can experience the most tide changes and allow Capt. Borges to fish the greatest area of the Kona waters to maximize your catching potential! Trips usually depart at 6:30 am. However, depending on fishing conditions, an earlier departure may be recommended to optimize your fishing experience.
Maverick Sportfishing
The Maverick is as close to a first class Kona charter fishing boat as possible. Immaculately maintained and meticulously clean and well-apportioned, the Maverick is the perfect boat for finding the fish, and having a comfortable, relaxing day on the water. With full, 3/4 and half day charters available, we offer an unparalleled luxury fishing experience on the Maverick.
The 38’ Bertram custom boat features a full air-conditioned galley, a salon with HD television, WI-FI and all the comforts one could imagine in a charter boat. Add to that, top-level gear and electronics and you have a world-class boat ready to fish. Our goal is to get you to the fish and provide you with Kona fishing memories to last a lifetime–all in the comfort of a top-notch boat guided by an experience captain and crew.
Maverick Sportfishing Charters
Captain James has been fishing the waters off the Kona coasts since childhood. His lifetime of Kona fishing experience will help you the catch the Marlin, Spearfish, Ahi (Tuna), Mahi-Mahi, Wahoo (Ono) and other game fish that populate the crystal clear, pristine water of Hawaii Island. Knowledge, professionalism and an easy-going personality make James on of the top captains of the Kona fleet.
The Maverick with Captain James is a family-friendly fishing chart in Kona. Whether it is a group of guys, a couple or a family with children, the Maverick is a great choice for your day, half-day or ¾ day Kona fishing charter.
Trust the Charter Desk
Whether you’re from the Big Island or planning your next vacation, Kona Charter Desk has you covered. We know there are lots of tours to choose from, and that’s where we come in! Let us find the right tour for you so you can maximize your time and have an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re looking for whale watching, snorkeling, fishing, or something else entirely, Kona Charter Desk has the best tours on the Big Island.