Kona Hawaii Fishing/Snorkel Large Group Private Charter on OE II

Kona’s offshore waters can turn a family outing into a serious fishing story fast. On this private OE II charter, you might troll for bigeye tuna, spearfish, marlin, or other game fish, with the crew coaching you from first cast to landing. One family outing produced blue marlin, striped marlin, and a 250-pound blue marlin in a single day.

I like the private format, since your group of up to 10 gets the boat to itself and can shape the day around fishing, wildlife, or possible snorkeling. I also like the practical setup: all fishing gear is supplied, and the onboard cooler comes with ice for the lunch and drinks you bring.

The main trade-off is the nature of offshore fishing: a long stretch of trolling can pass before a fish strikes. The full-day option gives you more time, but it also asks for patience, sun protection, and comfort on a moving boat. A fishing license is required and is not included.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue marlin is a real possibility: Past trips have included marlin from roughly 65 to 437 pounds, along with mahi mahi, ono, tuna, and spearfish.
• Your group gets a private boat: The rate covers up to 10 people, so you do not share the charter with unrelated passengers.
• The crew does the hard teaching: Captains and mates such as Brian, Darin, Taylor, Curtis, Anthony, Nate, Lee, Jason, Cory, Kalin, and Tiger have helped first-timers fight and land large fish.
• Bring your own day on the water: Food, non-glass drinks, sunscreen, and a fishing license are your responsibility. The boat supplies tackle and an iced cooler.
• Snorkeling needs advance planning: Snorkel gear is available upon request, but you should notify the office at least 24 hours ahead.
• Four to eight hours changes the feel: A shorter trip may suit casual fishers, while the full day gives you a better chance to wait out slow periods and pursue larger fish.

What a private OE II charter feels like

This is not a quick harbor cruise with a fishing rod added at the last minute. It is a working sportfishing trip along the Kona Coast, where the crew sets lines, watches for signs of fish, and coaches you when something takes the bait.

The private booking matters most for mixed groups. One person may want to chase a marlin, another may be happy with tuna or ono, and someone else may mainly want time on the ocean. With only your party aboard, the captain can listen to those priorities instead of following a fixed group schedule.

The boat accommodates up to 10 people, though the practical comfort of any boat depends on how active everyone wants to be at once. A family with children, parents, and grandparents can enjoy the day together, but children must remain with an adult. Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed.

The advertised duration is about four to eight hours. That wide range is useful when planning, but you should confirm the exact departure length when booking. Fishing is not a timed show, so the longer option gives the crew more room to adjust tactics and gives you more chances at a bite.

Checking in at Bite Me Sportfishing

You begin at the Bite Me Sportfishing office and logo shop at 74-425 Kealakehe Parkway, number 1, in Kailua-Kona. Check in 15 minutes before departure, then meet the crew and get ready for the boat.

The office is also where you can ask about other Ocean Encounters outings, including morning reef snorkeling, midday snorkeling, and the nightly manta ray night snorkel. Those are separate activities, so do not assume they are included in this fishing charter.

The check-in point is useful for last-minute questions. Confirm the day’s plan, ask about the expected duration, and make sure the crew knows if snorkeling is important to your group. The supplied snorkel equipment is not automatic, so request it at least 24 hours ahead.

The charter returns to the same meeting point. That makes the end of the day simple, especially if you have dinner plans in Kailua-Kona.

Fishing the Kona Coast for marlin, tuna, and ono

Kona is famous for big-game fishing, and the crew’s main job is to put your group in the best position possible. You may troll for blue marlin, striped marlin, spearfish, bigeye tuna, mahi mahi, or ono. The exact catch is never guaranteed, which is the central truth of any fishing charter.

The strongest fishing stories from this boat range from first-time anglers landing young blue marlin to long fights with very large fish. One documented catch weighed 437 pounds after a two-and-a-half-hour battle. Another group landed an 84-pound blue marlin and a mahi mahi, while a separate outing produced a beautiful ono that provided enough meat for two dinners.

Those examples show the range of the trip. You might get a major fish, several smaller catches, or a quiet day with plenty of open water. A captain’s skill helps, but it cannot force fish to bite.

When a fish strikes, the mate gives you instructions and helps you work the rod. That support matters more than fancy equipment for a first-time angler. A young person or novice can take a turn in the chair while the crew manages safety, technique, and the difficult final moments near the boat.

The crew may also help prepare a legal catch for you to take home. Fish has been cut and portioned for groups, with some families cooking it on their final night. Ask the crew about current handling arrangements and what you can reasonably keep, since the catch and regulations can vary.

Why the full-day option may be worth it

Fishing often starts with a stretch of what experienced anglers call mowing the lawn, trolling through open water while waiting for a strike. That can feel slow if you expect constant action, but it is part of the sport.

The full-day trip gives you more time to cover water and wait for conditions to change. One family had a blue marlin early, a striped marlin soon after, and another blue marlin later in the day. Another large marlin required hours of work after the initial hookup.

I would choose the longer option for a serious fishing goal, a bucket-list marlin attempt, or a group that wants to maximize time offshore. It also makes sense for a private group with a wide range of interests, since there is more time for fishing and wildlife watching.

The shorter option suits a group that wants a taste of offshore fishing without committing most of the day. It may also work better for young children or anyone unsure about seasickness. Still, the shorter trip gives fish less time to find your lines, so manage your expectations.

The crew makes the difference

The fishing gear comes with the charter, but the crew’s instruction is the part you cannot pack in a suitcase. Captain Brian Harnden and mate Darin Castoro, for example, coached a family through several marlin encounters, including the release of a roughly 160-pound blue marlin and a 250-pound fish.

Other successful outings have included captains Brian, Taylor, Curtis, and Nate, with mates such as Cam, Anthony, Lee, Jason, Cory, Kalin, and Tiger. Crew assignments can change, so you should not book on the assumption that a specific captain will be aboard unless the company confirms it.

The best part of the crew’s role is the calm coaching. First-timers have been shown how to handle the rod, control the fish, and stay safe while the mate works close to the water. That turns a frighteningly large fish into a shared task instead of a confusing struggle.

Good crews also keep the mood relaxed during quiet periods. Captain Brian has been noted for playing music and keeping the tone easy while watching for fish. That balance is useful: the crew takes the fishing seriously without making the boat feel tense.

Wildlife and possible snorkeling time

Fishing is the main purpose, but the Kona Coast can add wildlife moments. Past outings have included pilot whales, porpoises, sea turtles, dolphins, and a rare whale shark. One captain took extra time to let the group get a closer look at wildlife, and another family combined dolphin swimming, whale watching, and fishing during one private day.

Treat these sightings as possible bonuses, not guaranteed stops. The captain must balance wildlife viewing with sea conditions, fishing plans, and safety. Tell the crew at the start if seeing dolphins or whales is a high priority.

The charter is described as a fishing and snorkeling experience, but the practical details require a question at check-in. Snorkel equipment is available upon request with 24 hours’ notice, and food and drinks are not supplied. Ask how much of your booked time can be used for snorkeling and where the crew recommends going that day.

The office separately offers reef snorkeling and manta ray night snorkeling through Ocean Encounters. Those are distinct products, so confirm exactly what your OE II booking includes before you arrive.

What to pack for the cooler and the sun

Bring lunch and drinks for the full time you will be aboard. The cooler is supplied with ice, so your food and beverages have a place to stay cold. Adult beverages are allowed, but glass bottles are not.

Sunscreen is not included, and it is strongly recommended. I would also bring a hat, sunglasses, a light cover-up, and clothes that can handle spray or fish handling. Keep your packing compact, since the boat has to serve your whole party.

A fishing license is required and is not included in the price. Confirm how to obtain the license before departure so you do not discover a missing requirement at the dock.

The boat and crew provide fishing equipment, which saves you from transporting rods and tackle. You still need to plan for your own comfort, food, drinks, sun protection, and any personal medication.

The price and who gets good value

The private rate is $1,938.82 for up to 10 people. At the maximum group size, that works out to about $194 per person before any additional costs such as the fishing license, food, or drinks. For a smaller party, the per-person cost rises quickly.

That price makes the most sense for a family reunion, birthday group, wedding party, or group of friends that would otherwise book several seats on a shared trip. You pay for privacy, flexible attention, supplied equipment, and the chance to shape the day around your own group.

The value is less clear for one or two casual fishers. A shared charter may cost less per person, though it would not provide the same control over the pace or who shares the boat.

I especially like the value for groups with mixed experience. One person can take a turn fighting a fish while others watch wildlife, take photos, or enjoy lunch. A private boat also makes a big catch easier to celebrate together.

Remember that the rate does not promise a catch. You are paying for time on the water, crew service, gear, and a serious opportunity to fish Kona’s offshore grounds. If your only measure of value is the number of fish brought aboard, no charter can guarantee satisfaction.

Weather, timing, and the sensible booking choice

The activity requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

You may cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, and cut-off times use local Hawaii time.

I would avoid stacking an important evening reservation too tightly after the charter. Fishing trips can run toward the longer end of the four to eight-hour range, especially when the crew is working a fish or conditions slow the return.

The meeting point is near public transportation, but the provided details do not promise hotel pickup. Plan to reach the Bite Me Sportfishing office on your own and arrive 15 minutes early.

Who should book the OE II charter

I would recommend this trip to a group that wants a private Kona fishing day and can accept uncertainty. It is a strong fit for families with children and adults, experienced anglers bringing beginners, and anyone who sees landing a marlin as a major vacation goal.

It also suits people who want more than a fixed fishing script. The crew may help you pursue fish, look for dolphins or whales, and discuss snorkeling, depending on conditions and the plan you agree on.

I would think twice if your group dislikes open-water travel, needs guaranteed wildlife sightings, or wants a fast series of activities with no quiet periods. Fishing includes waiting, and larger fish can require serious physical effort.

For the best chance of a rewarding day, choose the full-day length if your budget allows, bring enough food and water, request snorkel equipment early, and ask the captain to explain the fishing and snorkeling plan before leaving the dock.

Should you book this Kona fishing charter?

Book it if you want a private boat, serious fishing equipment, patient instruction, and a real chance at marlin, tuna, ono, mahi mahi, or spearfish. The record of large catches and strong crew coaching makes this more than a casual harbor outing.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed catch or prefer a low-cost, short activity. The private price is easiest to justify with six to 10 people, and the full-day option is best for anyone chasing a big fish rather than simply filling an hour.

For a well-prepared group, OE II offers a memorable way to spend time off Kona: bring your own lunch, protect yourself from the sun, keep your expectations flexible, and let the crew do the hard work when the line finally runs.

FAQ

How much does the private OE II charter cost?

The rate is $1,938.82 for a private group of up to 10 people.

How long does the charter last?

The experience lasts approximately four to eight hours. Confirm the exact duration when booking.

Where do I meet the crew?

Check in at Bite Me Sportfishing, 74-425 Kealakehe Parkway, number 1, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740. Arrive 15 minutes before departure.

Does the boat return to the same place?

Yes. The activity ends back at the Bite Me Sportfishing meeting point.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. All fishing equipment is included, along with an experienced captain and crew.

Do I need to bring food and drinks?

Yes. Food and drinks are not included. You may bring adult beverages, but glass bottles are not allowed. An onboard cooler with ice is provided.

Is snorkel equipment included?

Snorkel equipment is available upon request. Notify the office at least 24 hours before the trip if you need it.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.