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 577 reviewsVerified Truly unforgettable day! Didn't even make it back to shore before we were discussing our next trip with Mathew and his crew at Liquid Hawaii. Keiran and Genevieve (Matts crew for our trip) made our time on the water truly unforgettable. We have a family of 10 ranging in age from 19-85 and everyone enjoyed our time on the Reef Tour. We were safe and comfortable the entire trip and all had first time experiences. This group cares deeply about the natural world they share with you and it shows. No need to look elsewhere this is THE tour company you want to spend your day with. Thank you Liquid Hawaii.Verified Incredible experience! One of the best snorkeling experiences I have ever had! We saw so many whales would highly highly recommend! The guides were incredibly knowledge of the area, marine life , and the island as a whole.Verified Book. Quit thinking..... How can I even put into words about this amazing experience. Genevieve and Kieran and literally the best guides around. I promise you won't find a better company. I have been on several other snorkeling trips before and they just let ya go without any education. We went as a group and were educated on the marine life we were witnessing. We saw everything. Manta, whales, octopus, starfish, sharks, and massive amounts of fish. They really cared about our experience and cared about us.Verified Mantaray snorkel trip The nice thing about this tour is it's not as popular as the tours down South near Kona. This means that there's a good chance it will be only your tour group, and the intimacy can be nice. They supply drinks, snorkel equipment, and wetsuits on the trip. It should be noted that 2/3 of our party were on the skinny side and felt very cold while in the water as the wetsuits are 3/4.The downside of this trip for us was the amount of time we spent out on the water bobbing up and down in waves reading from a book about whales and manta rays waiting for the sun to go down. I understand that there is always the possibility of seeing a whale, which is more than likely one of the reasons for choosing this location. I did not however find the information interesting. I believe the other reason for this part of the tour being included was to make you feel like you were getting something for the amount of money we spent ($189 per person). While the staff read enthusiastically from a book, they didn't feel like they truly knew the material and it felt like they were painfully bumbling through it. I would have much rather suffered this on a dock where my group could have avoided becoming seasick. This whole ordeal unfortunately left my group feeling green and vomiting up their lunch. While the captain was very gracious in cleaning it up and providing ginger ale, it unfortunately meant that much of my group was to weak and cold to participate in the manta ray portion we had paid for. The remainder of the 35 minutes was spent vomiting, shivering, and waiting in the dark for the rest of the tour group who were not sick and enjoying the manta rays.My advice for the tour guide is skip the presentation, or vastly improve it where you don't feel like you are being read to. My advice to tourist is to consider beach approach tours if sea sickness is a concern (several people from the resort we parked 30 yards in front of just snorkelled out to where we were for free...$600 savings). Also, if you don't mind the crowds, the southern tours near Kona draw bigger manta rays (this was my 3rd tour), and manta rays here were about 10 ft, compared to 14 ft near Kona. Finally, many of the tours which are more established near Kona are cheaper and offer guarantees of manta ray sightings ($139 for adults and $109 for kids).Verified Ok experience. Only saw one manta. This is a review for the manta ray snorkel. My own personal experience was not great through no fault of the company. (The boat bobs around a lot and I got very seasick). But unfortunately my group also did not really see any manta rays. We saw one on the surface as we were boating out, which was cool, but then once in the water, the group only saw one manta ray maybe 15 feet below them. And the water was quite cloudy so it was hard to see.My one piece of feedback for the company would be to maybe do the orientation on land. Once you get to the manta ray spot, the guide spends about 20 minutes on the boat telling you about manta rays and how you should position yourself. It's interesting information, but I think it might be better to do all that on land so that once you get out to the spot you're able to get into the water.The good parts of the trip were that the guides were really nice and the group is small.Verified If on the big island, this is a must do! Just an epic experience, got to see 4 different Manta’s and the entire crew were awesome, I would highly recommend this night activity if you are on the big island.Verified Intimate Personalized Snorkeling Adventure Trip Review: Snorkeling Adventure with Kirin and McKennaThis 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 ExperienceKirin'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 EncountersOne 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 AtmosphereWhat 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.ConclusionKirin 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.Verified Comfortably captivating This tour is a diamond in the rough!!!!! It is an isolated tour away from the hustle and bustle of tourists. We had the area to ourselves!! The guides, Vasi & Azura, were sweet, energetic, and highly knowledgable of these gentle giants..the Mantas. Azura stayed in the water with us the whole time, providing names, plus loving & intimate commentary about each Manta’s life journey…her babies. They were highly aware & highly attentive to each individual need throughout the experience. Just loved the two of them. If you are in the area of Waikoloa I can NOT recommend this one enough!!!!!Chris from Nebraska, USAVerified 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.
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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