The waters around Kailua-Kona are teeming with marine life. On a day trip you may encounter gregarious spinner dolphins or seasonal humpback whales. At night, join a tour to experience the graceful ballet-like movements of manta rays.

But no matter what you see, it’s important to respect marine creatures. Here are some tips to help you do just that.

Keep Your Distance

As much as it is exciting to see the incredible marine life on a Kona snorkel tour, you should always keep your distance, according to Kona Snorkeling Tours. Getting too close can be dangerous for you and the marine life, as well as disruptive to their natural behavior. The rule of thumb is to stay 10 feet away from marine animals to avoid any unnecessary harm.

This applies to all sea creatures, including dolphins, manta rays, and turtles. The smallest gestures like chasing, touching, or swimming too close can cause stress, which is not good for either you or the marine life. In addition, it is important to keep in mind that coral reefs are fragile, so you should not touch them or step on them. Instead, you can admire them from a safe distance with your eyes or by taking underwater photos.

Likewise, you should not feed fish, as doing so can be hazardous to their health and can lead them to become dependent on humans for food. It is also a violation of wildlife law, so it is best to leave the feeding of fish to the professionals.

While it is possible to snorkel in Hawaii without a professional guide, many visitors prefer the convenience and safety of joining an organized tour that includes everything from transportation to snorkeling gear. In addition to providing you with the best chances of seeing marine life, a tour will also help you understand and respect the ocean’s delicate ecosystem.

Some of the best snorkeling tours in Hawaii include trips to Kealakekua Bay and Red Hill, where you can experience the dazzling reefs and underwater lava archways and tubes. You can find tours through travel companies or book online with the company directly.

Don’t Feed

When you snorkel in Hawaii’s pristine ocean environments, it is important to remember that the marine life you encounter is wild and should be left undisturbed. Feeding marine animals alters their natural behavior and can disrupt the delicate ecosystem. It also can harm the animal you are feeding.

One of the biggest reasons to avoid feeding marine wildlife is because it can affect the health of coral reefs, and even humans who come into contact with them. A healthy coral reef is essential to the life of marine organisms as well as people.

During your Kona snorkel tour, you will have the opportunity to observe native spinner dolphins in their natural habitat. These beautiful animals play, chase, and swim through the waters with their pods. The best way to enjoy dolphins is to join a small-group whale watch tour that respects them by keeping a safe distance and not chasing them.

You can see a variety of marine life on your Kona snorkel tour including fish, moray eels, and Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu). To protect these endangered animals, please do not touch them. Instead, take photos from a distance and encourage others to do the same. If you spot an animal that appears to be entangled, stranded, sick, or injured, report it.

Snorkeling in Hawaii is a unique and rewarding experience. Make your trip even more memorable by following these tips to help preserve our island’s pristine ocean environments and marine creatures. Then, when you return home, share your memories of Hawaii’s awe-inspiring underwater world with friends and family. And, don’t forget to book your next tropical snorkel adventure in paradise! Aloha!

Don’t Collect

When exploring the ocean, remember to leave shells and rocks where they belong – in the ocean. Taking marine souvenirs can be problematic for the ecosystem and even illegal in some cases. Your tour guide will make sure that you do not collect anything during your adventure, ensuring the natural beauty of the ocean is preserved for future generations to enjoy.

On a tour with a trusted local snorkeling company, you will have the chance to see beaches, reefs, sea tubes and lava caves that many Big Island residents have never even been to before. This is the best way to explore the wonders of Hawaii’s underwater world.

Kealakekua Bay and Captain Cook Monument are among the most popular snorkeling locations in Hawaii, but some tour companies will go above and beyond. For example, a nighttime manta ray snorkel is a popular experience. It is an incredible sight to behold, as the beautiful creatures gather around your boat attracted by the lights that collect plankton from the surface of the water.

While the chances of a manta ray encounter are higher at night, it is important to remember that their presence is no reason to disrupt the delicate coral reefs in the area. Even if you are only there to observe, it is still important to keep your distance, as the reefs are home to hundreds of different species of fish and can be easily damaged by even a touch.

Other marine life to keep an eye out for includes spotted eagle rays, moray eels and Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu). All of these animals have a symbiotic relationship with the ocean, and their existence relies on the ability of visitors like snorkelers to respect their natural environment.

Don’t Disturb

A snorkel tour gives you a front row seat to the underwater world of Hawaii’s coral reef systems. You’ll hear the soft crushing rock sound of eels ducking into coral caverns, and perhaps see or hear a honu (Hawaiian Sea Turtle) cruise by from time to time.

A tropical coral reef ecosystem is fragile and delicate. It’s important to avoid touching or disturbing marine life to minimize your impact on the environment. When you see a marine creature, keep a 10 feet distance between yourself and it to avoid scaring or harming the animal.

Snorkeling tours with a trusted local company are a great way to explore the best of Kona’s reefs, lava caves, and hidden beaches. A local guide will be able to share stories about the ocean’s inhabitants while keeping you safe and guided throughout your tour. Local guides are more than just tour guides; they embody the spirit of Aloha, which is a respect for the land and its ocean residents.

While it might be tempting to feed the fish swimming around you, this can have devastating effects on the wildlife. Feeding fish alters their natural behavior, disrupts the ecosystem, and may cause the fish physical harm.

You’ll also want to make sure you don’t disturb any marine life that’s nesting or laying eggs in their habitat. If you see a marine mammal that’s nesting or hatching, please stay away. Chasing, harassing, or trying to touch a marine animal is illegal, dangerous for you, and can damage the animal itself.

Don’t Disrupt

The ocean is a fascinating ecosystem, but it can be easy to get carried away and forget about the delicate balance of life that exists underwater. By observing marine life from a respectful distance and practicing reef-friendly behavior, you can help ensure that Hawaii’s underwater treasures remain pristine for generations to come.

Snorkeling is an exciting and rewarding way to explore the awe-inspiring marine environment. From stunning coral reefs to mysterious lava tubes and sea caves, the waters of Kona are brimming with natural wonders. But to make sure that you’re enjoying your snorkeling tour as safely and responsibly as possible, it is important to be prepared for your adventure by taking the time to prepare beforehand.

This means ensuring that you have all the proper equipment to promote safe and enjoyable snorkeling, as well as learning about what you hope to see so that you can better appreciate this amazing natural phenomenon. Luckily, if you book a tour with a reputable Kailua-Kona snorkeling company, your tour will be outfitted with all the gear you need and will be taken to the best snorkeling spots in the area.

However, if you plan on booking your own tour, you should know that it is essential to do some research ahead of time to find the right operator for you. The old saying “you get what you pay for” definitely applies to snorkeling tours, and it is not worth the risk of booking a cheap tour with an unreliable operator!

There are many great snorkeling opportunities around the island of Hawaii, and it is worth spending a little extra to ensure that you have an unforgettable experience. For example, if you’re planning on visiting Manta Rays in Kealakekua Bay, consider booking a manta ray snorkel tour with Fair Wind Cruises! Our tour boats offer first-class comfort, a tropical breakfast and savory lunch, and most importantly, an intimate encounter with a majestic manta ray.