How do you want to explore wildlife on Big Island?
Boat, Dive, and Snorkel Tours
Kayak, Stand-Up Paddleboard, and Snorkel Gear Rentals and Guided Tours
Go On Your Own
Hotel Partners
Visit Our Partners
These businesses on the Big Island are recommended because they are helping extend the reach and impact of this campaign to encourage people to know and care about maintaining distance from protected species and respecting our oceans.
Boat, Dive, and Snorkel Tours
Captain Zodiac — For over 45 years, offering adventurous and entertaining tours that create connection to the past, present, and future through sustainable travel.
Aquatic Life Divers — Empowers people to become better stewards of our marine environment while making memories of a lifetime through a variety of tours, SCUBA, and opportunities to participate in citizen science.
Body Glove — Offers a variety of cruises along the Big Island of Hawaii's Kona Coast, including dolphin adventures, dinner cruises and whale watching tours.
Jacks Diving Locker — A family-run dive shop that aims for perfection in sharing the underwater world, with a focus on friendship, a spirit of adventure, and a commitment to safety, the environment, and our community.
Liquid Cosmos Divers— Small group private charters for certified divers of all levels who want to “get off the beaten path” to explore incredible coral reefs.
Kayak, Stand-Up Paddleboard, and Snorkel Gear Rentals and Guided Tours
Kona Boys — Amazing opportunities to explore the Kona Coast, learn about the Hawaiian culture and have the best day of your vacation whether through guided tours or beach and ocean gear rentals.
If you are an entity that would like to help extend the reach and impact of this campaign, we may be able to provide you materials and list your business on our website. Businesses must demonstrate a commitment to following and/or encouraging others to follow NOAA laws and guidelines for protected marine species. Please reach out to amazingfromafar@gmail.com
Places You May See Protected Species from Afar
Here are a few places you may see sea turtles, spinner dolphins, or humpback whales on the Big Island, Island of Hawai‘i. Monk seals are a bit more unpredictable.
Have a contingency plan if parking is full, as can often be the case. Mind your manners and carefully consider your impact on these local communities.
✅ Before you go, join others like you who want to be a respectful tourist by taking the Kind to Oceankind pledge (consider taking the Pono Pledge, too).
Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach
Best for a brief stop or picnic to see basking sea turtles. Never get closer than 10 feet (3 meters). Life guarded beach. Parking, restrooms, and outdoor showers available. Stop on the way to/from Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
Richardson Beach Park — in Hilo
Black and green sand beach with sea turtles, snorkeling, swimming, parking, and amenities. Sea turtles can be found during low tide in tidal pools. Remember, never get closer than 10 feet (3 meters) from sea turtles.
Kealakekua Bay — near Kona
For the adventurous equipped to take a difficult 4-mile hike down and back up Ka'Awaloa Trail (Captain Cook Monument Trail) or paddle out on a guided kayak tour. For guided kayak tours, we recommend Kona Boys. Few parking spots roadside and no bathrooms if hiking the trail. Bring 40-60 ounces of water per person and good walking shoes. The hike back up is when you will need the most water. Come prepared to leave no trace with all of your waste. Spinner dolphins sometimes rest in the bay here; never get closer than 50 yards. Humpback whales can be seen here usually about a third to a half mile off shore in the winter months, but sometimes they do come closer. Always keep 100 yards from humpback whales.
Not prepared for this level of adventure? You might catch a view of them in the early morning and learn about Hawaiian history at Hikiau Heiau. You can also go by boat with most of our tour boat partners.
Ho'okena Beach Park — near Kona
Snorkeling and sandy beach area with parking, bathrooms, and outdoor showers. Camping available. Spinner dolphins sometimes rest here near the cliff side; never get closer than 50 yards.
