Top 15 Snorkeling and Kayaking Trips in the USA

1.Half-Day Trip from Key West with Kayaking, Snorkeling & Sunset

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,683 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $115Our pick

Spend about four and a half hours with Danger Charters sailing from Key West, kayaking around mangrove islands, and snorkeling in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The crew supplies gear, snacks, drinks, and winter wetsuits. Choose the afternoon trip for sunset.

“It was a great great experience - everything that was promised was delivered. Kayaking through the mangroves, snorkeling in the sea and the sunset all were amazing! However, I would recommend this for someone who has already been to the Keys at least once.”

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2.Kailua Bay, Oahu: Epic Kayak and Snorkel to Islands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,311 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $114

Paddle from Kailua Beach to Popoia or the Mokulua Islands, snorkel near Lanikai, explore a bird sanctuary, and enjoy lunch. Choose a self-guided outing or a small guided group of up to eight. Guides such as Mike, Evelyn, Alex, and Tupre have earned strong praise for safety and local insight.

“Unfortunately, it was a really windy day.But also, you have to walk your kayak.All the way down a long walk to the beach and back on a cart.No real beach service guy helped us steady.The kayak in the water.But that's it.The neat little area lunch was okay.I'm glad they had vegan option.A really windy day, which made it hard for kayaking and snorkeling.So mother nature didn't cooperate, but if I would have known.We had to walk that far with the kayak.I would have never did it”

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3.Key West Full-Day Ocean Adventure: Kayak, Snorkel, Sail

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 767 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $152

Spend about 6.5 hours aboard a 65-foot schooner with a professional crew, sailing through the Key West National Wildlife Refuge, snorkeling in Florida Keys waters, kayaking mangroves, and enjoying a buffet lunch with unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks. Groups are capped at 20.

“They were so sweet and very kind. Would love to take a trip with them again when I come back. 10/10 will come again.”

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4.Hanalei Bay Morning Kayak and Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 567 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $160

Join guides such as Gabe and Kolo for a five-hour Hanalei outing that combines river kayaking, bay views, turtle spotting, 45 minutes of reef snorkeling, and a beach lunch. Gear, dry bags, water, and instruction are included. Children must be at least five.

“We LOVED this kayak tour! The guide were incredibly helpful and informative on Hawaiian cultural, plants, and tips about the town of Hanalei. Such a beautiful experience to kayak the river, and end in the bay to snorkel and have lunch. 13/10!”

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5.Maui Clear Kayak and Snorkel Tour: Swim with turtles (Makena)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 551 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $130

Meet guides such as Kyle, Curtis, Marc, or Michael at 7am in Makena for a three-hour clear-kayak and snorkel trip. Paddle over shallow reefs, look for turtles and tropical fish, and snorkel if you wish. The group is capped at 10, with snacks, water, gear, and instruction included.

“Experienced, knowledgeable, local tour guides with emphasis on safety for participants, ecosystem and wildlife. They took time to know our names, where we were from and what they could do to make the tour special.”

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6.3.5 Hour Kailua-Kona Ocean Kayak and Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 384 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $99Best value

Start early at Keauhou Bay with a lifeguard-trained guide such as Ryan or Miles. Paddle stable kayaks along Kona’s coast, visit sea caves and blowholes, snorkel over coral, and possibly cliff jump. Small groups of four to eight keep the outing personal.

“Such a fun experience and Ryan was an awesome guide. We learned how to get in and out of the kayak, saw a ton of dolphins, and ended the trip snorkeling over a reef. Excellent time!”

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7.Maui: Turtle Town Kayak and Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 345 reviews · 3 hours · from $120

Paddle about 1.5 miles through Makena Bay, then snorkel among Hawaiian green sea turtles, fish, coral, and other sea life. Guides such as Tyler, Jake, John, and Kyle help beginners feel safe. Early departures offer calmer water, while winter trips may include humpback whales.

“Rabbit was a great tour guide. We saw lots of turtles, many fish and beautiful underwater plants. Definitely a must-see snorkeling spot 😊”

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8.Clear Kayak Tour with Pontoons and Optional Snorkeling-Unlimited

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 224 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $134

Meet Jason, Gabriel, and their family at Olowalu Beach for a three-hour clear-kayak outing across Maui’s Mother Reef. Pontoons add stability, and optional snorkeling lets you see turtles, coral, and fish at a relaxed pace. Rash guards, dry bags, water, sunscreen, and snacks are provided.

“Small group. Great for beginners up to medium ability. Family run. Great snorkeling equipment provided.”

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9.Kayak & Turtle Town Snorkel(Turtles Guaranteed) + Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 196 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $119

Paddle a tandem kayak from Olowalu with a guide such as Alec, Billy, Gene, Jon, or Payson, then snorkel at a turtle cleaning station. Expect a small group of up to 10, good equipment, island views, optional photos and videos, and whale watching when conditions and season allow.

“Amazing sea turtles, corals and fishes and your guides are very cool and they provide history of the islands.”

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10.Morning Magic Kayak and Snorkel Adventure in Kealakekua Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 183 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $257

Start early with Kona Boys in a group of no more than 12, then kayak across protected Kealakekua Bay to the Captain Cook Monument. You will snorkel among coral and fish, watch for spinner dolphins, hear stories from guides such as Grant, Tyler, or Nate, and enjoy a Coffee Shack lunch before returning.

“Worth it, 100% get up early and do this tour. We had a fantastic guide, Grant. 10/10 would just hang out with him again but besides getting along with our guide this tour felt really special and we were beyond so informed about the area and the history and the wildlife. Very respectful and respectable guide. We lucked into being a very small group so we made good time getting across and got so much time to snorkel, could've stayed in there all day looking at coral and fishes and out on the kayak chatting about anything and everything. It was a dream, thank you Grant and Kona Boys.”

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11.La Jolla: 2.5-Hour Kayak and Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 165 reviews · 2h 30m

Paddle from La Jolla Shores to the sea caves with an English-speaking guide, then snorkel over rocky reef and sandy flats. You may see garibaldi, leopard sharks, rays, sea lions, and rockfish. Guides such as Zak, Jada, Anthony, and Vanessa are praised for clear instruction and local insight.

“Our guides were excellent. Nick and Kalyan(spelling?) on Wednesday July 25th kayak and snorkel trip. Got to swim with sea lions!!!”

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12.South Maui: Premium Turtle Town Kayak and Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 113 reviews · 3h 30m · from $151

Spend about 3.5 hours kayaking roughly two miles along South Maui, then snorkel two or three sites in Makena Bay’s Turtle Town. Your English-speaking guide handles the safety briefing, gear, reef-fish details, snacks, and drinks. Winter trips may add humpback whales.

“Jake, our guide, was super cool! We enjoyed his comedic and outgoing personality! THANKS JAKE!”

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13.South Maui: Whale Watch Kayaking and Snorkel Tour in Kihei

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 93 reviews · 3 hours · from $118

Paddle from Makena Landing with an English-speaking guide such as Jake, Kyle, or Madison, watching for humpback whales before snorkeling over Maui’s reef. You’ll use easy-on, easy-off sit-on-top kayaks, with instruction, gear, snacks, water, and juice included.

“I had a great day kayaking and snorkeling in Maui! We were able to see humpback whales close up from our kayaks and our guide, Jake, seemed really knowledgeable and shared lots of great info with us. When it came time to snorkel, we went to a great spot and saw a little of everything! Sea turtles, a reef shark, octopus, and lots of fish! Our guide Jake was personable and kind and overall made it a great experience. I couldn’t have asked for a better day out on the water in Maui!”

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14.Midday Meander – Kealakekua Bay Kayak and Snorkel Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 68 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $187

Meet Kona Boys in Kealakekua, then drive to Napoopoo Pier for a guided kayak crossing to Captain Cook Monument. Snorkel along Ka'awaloa’s coral coast, watch for dolphins or whales, and return after a Coffee Shack snack. Guides may include Evan, Grant, Bamm, or Michael.

“Our guides Evan and Michael were extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and funny. We had a wonderful time kayaking to an amazing snorkeling spot.”

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15.Miami: Beginner-Friendly Island Snorkeling by SUP or Kayak

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 61 reviews · 2h 30m · from $99

Start with a short SUP or kayak lesson, then paddle through mangroves toward Sandspur Island for shallow-water snorkeling. Guides such as Tony, Gabby, Miguel, and Sydney help beginners feel at ease while you watch for raccoons, iguanas, fish, rays, and other wildlife. Fruit, water, soda, and Gatorade are included.

“not much could be improved. Gabby was an amazing guide but the raccoons stole the show. highly recommend the experience.”

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