Quick Details
1-6 Passengers
$ 1,500
7-12 Passengers
$ 1,850
13-18 Passengers
$ 2,250
Why Choose a Private Charter in Kona
Want the boat to yourselves? This private boat charter on the Big Island of Hawaii gives your group its own boat and crew for a more personal day on the Kona coast. Departing from Honokohau Marina, it’s a straightforward option for families, friends, and groups who want time on the water without joining a shared tour.
What You Can Do on a Private Charter
A private boat charter gives you more control over the day. Some groups want a relaxed Kona snorkel trip with time to eat, look for marine life, and enjoy the coastline. Others want more time in the water, a few scenic stops, or a mix of snorkeling and sightseeing.
That flexibility is the main reason to book private. Instead of joining a fixed tour, you get a trip built around your group, your pace, and the ocean conditions that day.
Private charters are a good fit for:
- Families and friend groups who want a private snorkeling trip to places like Kealakekua Bay (Captain Cook Monument)
- Visitors who want to sightsee along the Kona coast near Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau, Kaloko-Honokōhau, and other historic shoreline landmarks
- Guests hoping to spot marine life, including dolphins, sea turtles, tropical reef fish, and seasonal humpback whales
- Couples, families, or small groups celebrating birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, or other special occasions on the water
- Mixed groups with different comfort levels, whether some guests want to snorkel and others prefer to relax and enjoy the scenery outside Kua Bay or Magic Sands
Not sure if a private charter is right for your group? Contact us and we’ll help you plan a snorkeling, sightseeing, or custom day on the water.
Why Book Your Private Charter with Torpedo Tours
Trusted by guests on the Kona Coast
Rated 4.8 out of 5 on Tripadvisor from 755 reviews and recognized with the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice 2025 award. Guests choose Torpedo Tours for private charters because the experience feels safe, welcomed, and well looked after by the expert crew. Whether you want a family-friendly snorkel trip, a more customized day on the water, or a private outing led by a crew that knows the Kona coast deeply, Torpedo Tours has built a strong reputation for delivering exactly that.
Owner-operated
Torpedo Tours is owner-operated, which means more accountability, better planning, and a more hands-on experience on the water.
Decades on the Kona coast
Captain Mike, Captain Rachel, and Torpedo Tours have been taking guests out on Kona waters for more than 30 years. That kind of local experience matters when you are choosing where to go and how to spend your time on the water.
A boat set up for comfort
The boat is a USCG-certified 38-foot vessel with a restroom, hot water shower, large swim step, and long ladder with hand rails for easy water entry and exit.
Flexible, not canned
This trip is built around your group, not a fixed script. Whether you want more snorkel time, more coastline, or a more relaxed pace, we can plan for that.
What's Included
Your private charter includes:
- Fresh fruit and pastries
- Bottled water, sodas, and snacks
- Fresh sandwiches and cookies
- Mask, snorkel, and fins
- Wetsuits & scuba equipment rental
- A catered lunch that can be adjusted for dietary needs
- Please note: Towels are not provided, make sure to bring your own
You are also welcome to bring alcoholic beverages.
Know Before You Go
- Departure: Private charters leave from Honokohau Marina in Kailua-Kona.
- Parking: Parking at the harbor is free.
- Water access: Guests who want to snorkel should be comfortable in the water, able to stay afloat without assistance, and able to use the boat ladder to get in and out.
- Non-swimmers: Guests are welcome to stay on board and enjoy the ride, but anyone getting in the water should have basic swimming ability.
- Sea sickness: If anyone in your group tends to get seasick, it is worth planning ahead. Bonine is a common over-the-counter option and should be taken at least 12 hours before the trip.
- What to bring: Bring towels, reef-safe sun protection, and a small bag for any personal items you want on the boat.
- Food and drinks: Snacks, drinks, and a catered lunch are included. You are also welcome to bring alcoholic beverages.
- The plan for the day: We can shape the route, snorkel stops, and pace around your group and the ocean conditions that day.
Kona Private Charter FAQs
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We will call you the night before your charter to customize your day based on your group. Here is a sample itinerary you can use in your planning:
Approx. Time Tour Activity 8:00 am Check in, load up, boat safety briefing, and departure 8:15 am Cruise looking for dolphins, whales, and more! Enjoy fresh cut fruit, and beverages. 8:45/9:00 am Pull into our first secluded snorkel spot, whether its a marine sanctuary, offshore bouy, or lava tube adventure! Snorkel equipment provided and slide into Konas pristine ocean! 10:00 am Out of the water, hot freshwater shower enjoy snacks and drinks sunbathing on the deck while we head to our next adventure location. Cruise the beautiful coastline looking for marine life. 10:30 am Second snorkel spot, private white sand beach, or check out kealakekua bay and the captain cook monument! 11:00 am Lunch is served, which is catered to your dietary restrictions. Typically we have deli sandwich platters, veggie platter, charcuterie, and cookies/brownies, and more! 12:00 pm Back to the harbor. -
We depart from Honokohau Marina in Kailua-Kona. Full directions are on our Contact page, and parking at the harbor is free.
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Bring a towel, sun protection, and a small bag with any personal items you want on the boat. If you bring sunscreen, please make sure it is reef safe.
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Each private charter runs for 4 hours and can accommodate up to 18 guests. Pricing is based on group size.
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Before your trip, we'll talk through what your group wants to do, your experience levels, and the kind of day you have in mind. From there, we'll shape the charter around your group and the ocean conditions that day.
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Snorkel equipment, wetsuits, scuba equipment rental, full catered lunch, snacks including chips, nuts, cookies, and rice krispy treats, and assortment of soft beverages, sparkling water, and bottled water.
Towels are not included
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Yes. You're welcome to bring alcoholic beverages for your private charter.
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A private charter gives your group its own boat and a more flexible pace. Aquatic Safari is the shared version: a 4-hour trip with snorkeling, marine life watching, and a lower per-person price.
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Safety comes first. We may need to cancel or rebook if conditions are unsafe. If we cancel due to weather or mechanical issues, you will not be charged. We encourage you to book your charter for early in your vacation so there is time to reschedule if necessary.
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Private charters require 7 days' notice to cancel. Cancellations made 7 days or less before the charter are charged 100% of the reserved space. To cancel, you must call and receive confirmation.