Hilo Ocean Adventures

Bethany Spizzirri

2024-04

This tour was amazing. Our guide, Aukai, went out of his way to make sure everyone in the group was accommodated for and enjoying the experience. I would recommend this tour for anyone looking to have a great time swimming/snorkelling with sea turtles. Expect to do some walking, with some uneven terrain, and lots of swimming in the ocean. Our tour was on April 22nd and it was the perfect weather, which made the experience even better.

Rick Ellis

2024-04

Birthday dive was fantastic! Mark was a great guide and I highly recommend this dive company! I seen so many turtles and beautiful fish. We both got selfies with turtles! There were whales and dolphins breaching in between dives! I couldn’t have asked for a better day or guide! Looking forward to going out with them again next season when I return!

Mike Cristello

2024-04

Wonderful company to dive with! They were very responsive predive and communicative on the day of. I did two shore dives at Sea turtle cove and we had to dive off lava rocks and it was a bit tricky to get in and out. But there were lots of marine life to be seen, including turtles. The water was a bit murky that day but the diving was still great. Thanks Mark!

Tom Rogers

2024-02

SCUBA certification - Mark was an amazing instructor, and Leech (his assistant) was also helpful and made things fun! We got our certification AND had time for fun dives to see turtles, al kinda of fish, eels, and a few whales on the horizon! Highly recommend!

Sandra Carpenter

2024-01

First time ever using a paddle board. My friend and I came in just in the last part of the day to rent boards. This place has excellent customer service, and prices were reasonable. We were signed up and out the door quickly to utilize the most of our alloted time. They helped us load up and unload and were so friendly. Thanks for making my first rental experience smooth and easy so I could get on the water.

Emily Chin

2023-11

A great team of kind and knowledgeable people! We had an excellent SUP tour with Dylan, who not only shared some amazing insights but also super fun stories about family time on the Big Island and his varied tour experiences! We loved the facility too, airy and open and well-equipped. Thanks, Hilo Ocean Adventures!

Rene Braun

2023-12

Kayak rental - quick and great! Walked in, quick chat with the friendly staff while paying for a 3 hour rental and walked out with a kayak rolling. The put in was about 50 yards away. Kayaked the bay, coves and mini islands, saw sea turtles and manta rays…caught healthy sunburn in the face to make me look happier as I returned the kayak back to the shop. If you only have a few hours have a mini adventure I wholeheartedly recommend Hilo Ocean Adventures

jenny long

2024-04

We had a great time whale watching. Didn’t think we were going to see any humpbacks but right when we were finishing up, we found mama and baby! Our captain and first meet were so cheerful and wonderful. We would definitely recommend it and do it again next time we are in Hilo.

Sara Foster Booth

2023-05

We went on the boat & snorkel tour and it was great! The swells were a little high so we couldn’t make it into one spot, but we got to see some amazing views of waterfalls, a lagoon, and an old sugar cane plantation. We also got to see dolphins that decided to follow our boat around for a few minutes. The other two snorkel locations we went to were amazing! The ocean on this side of the big island is definitely less calm so I was really grateful to have knowledgeable guides.Husband did get a little sea sick but that was mainly due to how high the swells were that day. The crew was super helpful and accommodating to ensure he still had a good experience. He still snorkeled which helped a lot and had a great time! They have updated the boat they use for tours which is super nice and they only take out a max of 6 people at a time on the snorkel tour which is awesome.

Lindsey Darr

2024-04

I don't every write reviews, but felt like I had to give kudos to this amazing experience. Could not have asked for a better experience getting our scuba open water certification. Mike was absolutely a pleasure to work with, took plenty of time with us and made sure we were ready to go even in our crazy weather conditions. Julia, you are going to be an amazing dive master one day! We can't thank you all enough for working with us and getting us set up for success on our entire trip. Every person that worked there were so friendly and accommodating. 10/10 would recommend them again and again. Thank you all so so much for such a wonderful experience!!

Jerid Rathore

2024-04

Signed up for a scuba dive, having zero experience. I apologize, for not remembering the young lady who helped me. She is very knowledgeable and incredibly friendly. Mike was my instructor and Gabriel helped out for part of my intro. Both were incredible. Patient and encouraging . Showed me the necessary skills for my first dive. My goodness was this worth every penny. Shout out to our driver. Oh no, I forget his name. He is a tall young Hawaiian man. Very friendly and helpful. Wonderful people make you feel like you've known them your entire life. Adds another level of enjoyment to the experience. Not to mention the turtles, fish and corral of all kinds! Mahalo for a beautiful experience

Katie Marie

2023-10

Everyone here was Amazing!! Our tour guide Adam was hands down the best person we have met so far on this island!! He is funny and kind, just basically a down to earth guy having fun helping people enjoy life outside a little more!! We will definitely be coming back to Hilo ocean adventures again!!I don’t recall the name of the guy that helped us, I want to say Devon. Lol. I could be wrong however he was so knowledgeable about what snorkel gear to get that will last and what to not waist our money on. Everyone here made our experience worth while for sure! If you are in Hilo or ever plan on coming here I recommend these people for all your ocean adventures Hilo had to offer!Again my family will be coming back here!!! I can only give a 5 star when I want to give 1000 stars!! Definitely an experience of a life time!!

Rob Jodi Reid

2024-03

What a wonderful day we had with our guide, Matt. He led us on a tour, giving instruction and history/legends of the area. We had a nice break and jumped off ruins from a fort. Then had a nice snack.We needed it for the trip back with the beginnings of some wind! We were pleasantly sore and happy after our excursion. The office staff was very helpful and communicative. Beautiful office/store with everything you need from apparel to lessons and changing rooms/showers. Thank you Hilo Ocean Adventures!! Very memorable trip!

Colleen Toohey

2024-04

I went on the whale watching tour with Captain Devin on March 22, 2024. It was excellent! Devin was very safe, knowledgable about humpback whales and cognizant of people's ability to handle the choppy water. We were on the water for an hour and a half. Devin knew exactly where to find the whales. We started spotting some whales right out of the break. We saw a family of whales with a calf that breached several times! Mama also breached! There were only 8 guests on the boat, so it did not have that cheesy touristy feel. Josh, the crewman was also very good! They even provided a snack box with some Hawaiian snacks. Thank you for such an awesome trip!

Jenna Smith

2023-05

Julia was great! I was lucky to have a 1:1 snorkel tour last weekend. Right off the bat, we saw 11 turtles at a gorgeous green sand beach. Saw plenty of fish there, then stopped at another great swim spot afterward. She also gave me quite a few good recommendations for food and things to do nearby afterward.

Faisal Khokhar

2024-02

Halo Ocean Adventures: A Trustworthy Choice for Family Snorkeling**Recently, my family and I took a trip to Hawaii and decided to try snorkeling with Halo Ocean Adventures. As someone who cannot swim, I was initially concerned about the safety of my three children, aged 8, 10, and 13, in the water. However, my worries were quickly put to rest thanks to the exceptional care provided by the instructors at Halo Ocean.What stood out the most was the instructors' vigilance. The lead instructor, along with his assistant, kept a close watch on my kids throughout the snorkeling session. Their hawk-like attention and constant presence around my two younger ones gave me immense peace of mind. It was reassuring to see professionals who were genuinely committed to ensuring the safety and enjoyment of every participant.Another highlight was the company's inclusive approach. Unlike some other companies we considered, Halo Ocean Adventures did not restrict us from participating in the snorkeling adventure just because I couldn’t swim. This inclusive attitude, coupled with their friendly and helpful demeanor, made our experience exceptionally pleasant.I would wholeheartedly recommend Halo Ocean Adventures to any family, especially those with children who can swim and parents who cannot. Their professionalism, safety measures, and welcoming nature make them a standout choice for a family-friendly snorkeling experience in Hawaii.

Nancy Frappier

2024-04

We had two great outings with Hilo Ocean Adventures—humpback whale watching and snorkeling. Adam, our guide was knowledgeable, kind and quite interesting as he shared information about the humpbacks, snorkeling as well as his life on the Big Island. Very memorable! I highly recommend these excursions.

Sharon Colson

2024-04

I had high hopes for our baby's first swim lesson at Hilo Ocean Adventures, but unfortunately, our experience fell short. While the booking process and front desk service were pleasant and attentive, the actual swim lesson left much to be desired. We were assured that the pool was heated, but it didn't feel warm at all when we arrived. Our instructor, who mentioned she had no experience with infants, seemed unsure of what to do, leading to a lesson that mainly involved walking around the pool while holding our baby. The lack of heating became a significant issue when our baby started turning blue and shivering, prompting us to end the lesson earlier than expected. This was disappointing, especially since we were told we'd have the best instructor for babies when we made the reservation.

Markita Rogers (Goddess Ki)

2024-04

Great staff! Wonderful experience! Highly recommended! I took my 6 month old for her first swim lesson and we both enjoyed learning from Courtney

Randal Potter

2024-02

What a great experience! Snorkeling with the sea turtles was awesome, and the guides were fantastic! Specifically, when my daughter was too cold to continue on to the second part, one of the guides took her on a walk along the beach and they saw over 20 sea turtles themselves! The flexibility and focus on everyone having a good time was superior. I would recommend these guys to anyone!

Giselle I.

2024-04

Wonderful place to teach your kids how to swim with the best swim instructors ever! They are so patient and kind with the little ones! And they have the ability to work with kids of all levels, including special needs children! I highly recommend you give them a try, your child will be learning pool safety skills in no time!

Jean Kirkeleit Davis

2024-03

Hilo Ocean Adventures was a fantastic experience. Their communications during and after the reservation of the whale watch boat adventure was EXCELLENT. They sent updates and responded to all questions from me. The boat was exquisitely clean; the folks running the boat and entire operation were knowledgeable and friendly. They offered drinks and snacks during the trip.FIVE stars for sure!!! Will use this company again in the future.

Bev P

2024-03

my sister and I were in Hawaii celebrating my 70th birthday, and we enjoyed a whale watching expedition. It was wonderful. The boat was not overcrowded like so many whale watching companies do. The crew was very confident and lead us to several sites where we enjoyed watching whales. This is a wonderful experience. Don’t miss out.

Nakita Cotta

2023-08

We had a great experience on our snorkling adventure. Morgan was great and very knowledgeable!! My 8 year old daughter had a great time, he made sure we saw lots of cool things and he made sure my daughter was safe and showed her cool things so I didn't have to worry and I could enjoy my time as well. I highly recommend.

Stephanie Schwartz

2023-08

My 9 year old daughter and I had a great time on the walk-in snorkel tour! Our guide, Devin, was super knowledgeable & made our trip so fun! He also knew where to find little hidden creatures that we could take. Closer look at. We felt safe, our masks, snorkels and fins worked great and The snacks they provided were yummy too! We had plenty of time in the water and I have to say I wasn’t too sure how snorkeling on the Hilo side would be since I had only been in Kona but it did not disappoint!Great option for a dual beach & snorkel day without having to take a boat. Thank you!!

maria florencia salinas

2024-04

Had an amazing dive with Gabriel! I did my refreshing with him after 3 years no diving.And was so good and patient.It was my first shore diving! Super fun. A real Hawaiian adventure

Chris H

2023-08

Great snorkeling experience with Morgan! This morning, my partner and I did the Sea Turtle & Black Sand snorkel. We saw several turtles right away and schools of fish. It was our first time snorkeling in Hawaii, and Morgan did a great job as a guide. He pointed out cool features, like when a turtle was about to bowl us over! Would totally recommend, especially for first timers.

Monica Boland

2024-04

Friendly knowledgeable staff. My kids had a great experience, and look forward to more experiences with them. Dive instructor was patient and trustworthy.

Priyanka Wali

2024-04

I unfortunately didn’t see any whales during our tour. But it wasn’t just that. The boat ride was rather problematic. We ended up getting soaking wet from the waves while being freezing cold out at sea. The staff was also playing Spotify music extremely loud on speakers throughout the entire experience which made it harder to connect with peaceful nature. They also did not have Spotify Premium so we were listening to radio advertisements while being out in the sea, freezing cold and wet. It was some sort of hellish capitalistic nightmare. After we docked, we were so wet and cold that we had to take our clothes to a laundromat to dry them before we headed home. I wish someone from the company had told us to wear a bathing suit to the whale watching tour. One other passenger had to take her hearing aid off during the tour because the boat was so rocky and wet. I was also told beforehand (when we paid money to sign up) that if we didn’t see whales, we would be shown waterfalls, but we weren’t shown any waterfalls ever.

John Wise

2024-04

The crew was great. The equipment was good. My complaint was is that the seas were too rough to actually complete the dive in the first place they were 5 to 6 feet and the boat is not set up for diving so it’s a little awkward even though I took Dramamine, it’s the first time in, my dive history that I got that sick and they had to take me back. The dive never should’ve been attempted in the first place in fact, the three other divers that chose to go in 20 minutes because they were so nauseous and the dive was so murky.