Big Island Ocean Adventures
Small crew, big aloha — discover the Big Island’s marine world up close.
Aloha and welcome to Liquid Hawaii!
We’re a small, family-run crew who grew up on these waters and love sharing the ocean the way locals experience it — relaxed, respectful, and full of aloha. Whether you’re joining us for a guided snorkel, an unforgettable night with the manta rays, or a winter whale encounter, we keep our groups small so every guest feels like part of our ʻohana.
Book our main vessel Kai Lani by the seat (12 person max)
Get the most adventure out your Hawaiian vacation with our
Nestled in the small oceanfront community of Puakō on the Big Island, we’re just a quick drive—less than 10 minutes—from Waikoloa and the major resort areas. But once you’re out here with us, it already feels like a different world: quieter, more local, more connected to the ocean we grew up with.
At Liquid Hawaiʻi, we keep our tours small on purpose—no more than 12 guests—so you get that true, quality small-group experience. It’s the way we’d want to explore our own island: plenty of space, plenty of aloha, and guides who actually have the time to get to know you.
Come jump in with us on a Guided Snorkel Trip, join our Small-Group Manta Ray Night Snorkel, or experience whale watching the way locals do—slow, respectful, and full of awe. And if you’re looking for something more personal, our private charters let you shape the day exactly how you want it.
Trip Advisor’s Best of the Best for the last 8 years…
Excellent rating
Based on 569 reviewsVerified Kona Manta Ray experience The Manta Ray experience was fantastic. The small group atmosphere made for a very personalized and special experience. The boat captain and crew member in the water with us were incredibly knowledgable about the Manta's and other ocean life. It was a highlight of our trip to the Big Island.Verified 10 stars Absolutely great. Kirin and Mckenna were perfect hosts, knowledgeable, welcoming and genuine. They clearly love their jobs, and it comes thru in their approach. We've done snorkel and diving tours all over the world and this one ranked among the very best.We will definitely be back with Liquid Hawaii, and that's the best recommendation I can give.Verified Loved it, can't wait to do it again Vasi and Kiani provided insightful information as well as a true passion for the rays. This was planned as part of a honeymoon trip and we were amazed at the amount of rays we saw that night. It was low key and perfect. Several rays showed up and we learned a ton from our guides. My wife and I were both speechless on our ride back to where we were staying. Highly recommended over the packed tours in Kona. They were personable and attentive to any of our needs. Avoid the big crowds and put your money towards those who really care for the animals and their well being. Hoping to come back and tour with them again.Verified Unforgettable experience! This tour was incredible from start to finish. On the day of our tour, we received a text from Vasi, our captain, with all the information we needed prior to arrival. Once we arrived, we received our wetsuits, and were briefed before heading out to our snorkel spot. We spent 45 minutes in the water with a constant show by these incredible Mantas. McKenna, our guide, was a wealth of information and shared a lot of interesting facts with us while we snorkeled. We were drawn to this company because of the size and we certainly did not regret it. Our boat included us (family of 5) and 2 other people. No other boats in the area and nobody else in the water with us; it felt like a private tour. This company was fantastic; would highly recommend!Verified Liquid Hawaii provides intimate snorkeling with Manta Rays Had the best time with Azure and Kieran snorkeling with manta rays at sunset. Small boat provided an intimate experience for the seven people on our tour. A great way to see and learn about Hawaii’s gentle giants.Verified Amazing experience We had an amazing time snorkeling with the Manta Rays. Vossy and Kiki (Kiana) were great educators and guides. Bonus was we stayed on the north side of the coast and they were running out of Kawaiihee Harbor so the boat ride was much shorter. Smaller group size was nice and you could tell how much they enjoyed these gentle giants and knew them all by name. We had very active rays the whole time we were out there!Verified Saved The Day! My family and I had the opportunity to snorkel and dolphin watch on the Kohala Coast, but it almost did not happen……5 months before we made our way to the Big Island of Hawaii we booked a snorkel trip through “Another (I can not name the) company” who charged my credit card and sent me an email with instructions for the day of our adventure. To our disappointment, the tour operator never showed up:(. We were about to head back when I noticed a boat going into the water at the launch. The boat captain who was launching was nice enough to talk to me and let me know that his company- Liquid Hawaii- was about to go out on a similar tour and if he had room would take us out. Turns out they had just enough room! We were able to pay on the spot, fill out our waivers and get geared up for a 4 hour tour of the coast. The experience was amazing! Our guides Kirin (the boat captain) and McKenna drove us to two great snorkel spots, found a large pod of spinner dolphins and made sure there were plenty of snacks and waters for our family. All of this was on the shortest of notice to them, but they treated us like we had originally booked with them. Both Kirin and McKenna were knowledgeable, friendly and confident. What could have been a total letdown thanks to the failure of the original booking company turning into the highlight of our vacation to the Big Island! I would recommend booking with Liquid Hawaii and will only use this operator for future trips. Thanks again Kirin and McKeena! Your were awesome!1Verified Unforgettable Manta Ray Night Snorkel – Liquid Hawaii is the Best! Liquid Hawaii provided hands down the best nighttime manta experience I’ve ever had in Hawaii. I’ve done a few on the Kona side, and they don’t even come close.Captain Kieran and McKenna were amazing — super friendly and incredibly knowledgeable. The ride to the snorkel site was quick (maybe 10-15 minutes), which gave us nearly an hour in the water with three mantas who stayed with us the entire time! Other boats tried luring them away, but our setup kept them right with us — a sign of great equipment and expertise.McKenna also helped capture 12 awesome GoPro videos for me and was especially great with my 7-year-old nephew — helping him into the water and staying by his side until he felt safe. Incredible service.The manta rays came so close — rubbing against us while they fed. Truly magical. If you’re coming to the Big Island, do not miss this. I’ll be booking with Liquid Hawaii every time I return!Verified Manta ray is evening magic We had the best Manta ray experience with Kieran and Kiana. They rescheduled our initial trip because the waves were too big, and I’m so glad that we waited and went the next day. The water and experience was perfect. They are top notch. Thoughtful, helpful and knowledgeable, and so nice to have as guides. The night dive was unforgettable! My wife also accidentally left her sunglasses on the boat and Kieran was so kind and responsive in helping us retrieve them the next day.I cannot recommend them enough!Verified Awesome Experience! Really incredible experience! They took great care of us, shared valuable information about the rays and got us up close and personal!
Ohana owned by “Ulua” Matt and Christi Ferino
What sets Liquid Hawaiʻi apart is simple: intimate encounters with the ocean’s wildlife and real, one-on-one attention from a crew that truly cares. Out here, you’re not just another passenger—you’re part of our ocean ʻohana for the day.
Learn more about our family story, company and sustainability on our about us page!
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We were a family of 8 who did the Manta Ray excursion with McKenna and Vossy just days ago. What an incredible adventure. Such a bucket list experience. It was thrilling and yet we felt safe every moment of the trip. We felt connected to the Manta Rays, we learned their behaviors and how each one is marked differently. Without a doubt McKenna and Vossy love what they do and their work supports the Manta Rays livelihood.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I was incredibly nervous to do this excursion but Kiani and Fossy were very patient and kind. I ended up feeling calm and was able to do it because of them. Saw a lot of fantastic and it was amazing! Do the 5pm so you get the sunset during the fall season.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Amazing private area well worth the experience a ocean wonderPosted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. What an awesome experience, the entire crew were great and super knowledgeable. They took great care of us and were very informative about the rays.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Trip Review: Snorkeling Adventure with Kirin and McKenna This snorkeling adventure was nothing short of spectacular, largely thanks to the compassion and expertise of our guides, Kirin and McKenna. Their familiarity with the local waters truly enriched our experience. Personalized Experience Kirin's approach to choosing our snorkeling spots based on where he believed the water life would be the most vibrant was refreshing. The three-hour journey felt tailored to our experience, allowing us to connect intimately with the underwater world. Dolphin Encounters One of the highlights was our final snorkeling area, where Kirin mentioned dolphins frequently visit. As if on cue, a family of dolphins swam right beside and beneath our boat, creating an unforgettable memory. Later, as we were reboarding, a massive school of dolphins gracefully glided through the water around us, thrilling both us and our guides. The shared excitement made the moment even more special. Exclusive and Intimate Atmosphere What stood out most was the lack of other snorkeling boats in the area. This small, intimate company prioritizes the experience of their guests, focusing on the beauty of marine life and the rich history of the island. It felt like a hidden gem. Conclusion Kirin and McKenna's dedication to showcasing the wonders of the underwater world, combined with their enthusiasm, made this trip a highlight of our visit. It will undoubtedly be our go-to snorkeling company on our next trip back.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our Kohala Coast Dolphin Watching and Reef Snorkel Expedition was incredible! Kieran and McKenna were so knowledgeable and passionate, sharing marine life facts, local history, and ensuring every need was met. We saw manta rays, turtles, a shy octopus, and even snorkeled with dolphins—an unforgettable, personalized experience!Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. If you are staying in Kona or areas north on the Big Island of Hawaii you should consider a trip with Liquid Hawaii. Small group snorkeling tour that includes a free diver in addition to the captain. The free diver guides the snorkelers around and dives down to find amazing creatures to view. We saw turtles being groomed by fish (the "turtle car wash"), an octopus you can interact gently with, and a cushion star (Culcita novaeguineae). They also do small boat whale watching and night manta dives. Great company.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Such an amazing experience! The crew was excellent and very pleasant. Snorkeling with the rays was great and such a calming experience and it was not a crowded event, so rays were very chill. would definitely do this again! Loved it!
Excellent rating
Based on 153 reviewsVerified Swimming with Manta Rays is a must do. Kieran was a fantastic captain and Azure was an extremely knowledgeable first mate. They made the experience relaxing, exciting and fun. Seeing the manta rays up close and personal was something that we won't forget. If you have the chance, definitely book an excursion through Liquid Hawaii.Verified The Manta Ray Snorkeling tour was absolutely amazing! The staff was very knowledgeable, friendly and put us at ease snorkeling with the Manta Rays. It is a bucket list adventure that you will always remember.Verified Kieran and team are top notch, thoughtful and responsive. They did their best to ensure we had the best experience possible, even letting us know when waves were a little too big to enjoy our Manta ray experience. We rescheduled and had the best time watching the rays the next evening. When my wife left her sunglasses on the boat, Kieran was super helpful and responsive in helping us get them back. Even though I'm sure he was very busy! Highly recommend!Verified Ulua Matt, Capt Voss and deckhand Kyle were the best. Very educational and amazing time in the water. Don't hesitate to book a trip with Liquid Hawaii. 100/10! Memory of a life time for my daughter. Mahalo nui loa and Aloha Liquid Hawaii.Verified Matt and his crew provided an incredible manta ray snorkeling experience. They were friendly, fun, very knowledgeable about manta rays and the history of manta sightings around the Big Island. And of course they delivered an outrageously cool time floating inches above the enormous dancing mantas. Highly recommend Liquid Hawaii, particularly for anyone staying in a hotel north of Kona (eg. Fairmont), as they're the only crew that sails from a harbor near those hotels. This means you not only have a shorter drive, but you get the mantas to yourself (instead of being surrounded by a dozen other boats). Word of caution - The water can be choppy, so anyone who gets seasick might have a tough time.Verified We did the night manta ray tour and had a wonderful experience! We had two separate boats, but the guides worked together. When the other boat spotted the first manta, they moved us over and we connected. It felt like we were a small group and not part of a massive group. We went out by the Mauna Kea resort so there were not as many boats. Guides were very knowledgeable! They explained everything before we got in the water and were super friendly! You can tell they cared for the mantas and got along with each other. Also, not sure if this happens nightly, but a guide took videos and shared them after the trip so I could truly experience the trip and not worry about holding a phone. I had heard this before and it was a big reason why I picked this company! The overall experience was well worth it. Seeing the mantas in that element and that close was a magical experience!Verified We really enjoyed our trip with Liquid Hawaii. We had or 8 and 6 year old with us and they gave them extra attention and made them comfortable in the water. Plan on booking them again for the nighttime manta ray tour.Verified Here's a polished version of your message that maintains your excitement while adding clarity and flow: --- Had an absolutely amazing time--10/10 experience! The guides were fantastic, everything felt super chill, and it was well worth the cost for the small group setting. We had the water to ourselves with no other boats around, which made the encounters even more special. We spent about 45 minutes in the water, and when our kiddo decided not to go in, the team was incredibly kind and understanding. Couldn't recommend it more!Verified We had the most spectacular experience on this snorkeling trip and couldn't recommend this family-owned business more highly! We swam beside sea turtles and above a manta ray, held an octopus, and saw whales (a mother and her calf)! This experience was SO worth it. There were 8 people on our boat, so we had plenty of time with the guides whenever we had questions. We were given very clear instructions for getting to the launch spot and returned to land right on schedule. They also provided snacks and beverages, which was a very nice touch. If you're not sure which company to snorkel with, choose Liquid Hawaii! If we ever make it back to the Big Island, we'll definitely snorkel with them again!Verified Amazing tour 10/10 recommend. They were so great with my 8 year old first time snorkeler. Snorkeling we saw so many tropical fish, turtles, and even a shark. The best part was cruising back with a school of 100s of dolphins.
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