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1 hr 30 min
Descend over 100 feet below the Pacific in a real submarine to explore Hawaii's vibrant coral reefs.
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2 hr 30 min
Float above feeding manta rays as underwater lights illuminate these gentle giants in Hawaii's night ocean.
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2 hr
Glide through Kona's dark waters and watch gentle giants spiral beneath you on this unforgettable evening cruise.
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The landmarks, rooms, and views travelers on this tour remember — all visible on a single visit.
Explore a 25-acre ancient reef garden created by volcanic activity that hosts thousands of tropical fish species.
Experience crystal-clear views through oversized portholes designed for panoramic underwater sightseeing.
Observe how repurposed vessels have become thriving artificial reefs that attract eels, yellow tangs, and barracuda.
See the advanced battery-powered technology that allows the vessel to navigate 100 feet deep silently.
Enjoy a scenic boat ride along the Kona shoreline before descending for the big island submarine tour underwater portion.
These activities serve different preferences; travelers who enjoy observing reef ecosystems from a climate-controlled vessel prefer the big island submarine tour, while those seeking active engagement often choose the snorkel adventure.
| Feature | Top pick Kona Submarine | Manta Ray Snorkel |
|---|---|---|
Experience Type |
Pressurized cabin viewing | In-water swimming |
Physical Exertion |
None (seated) | Moderate (swimming/treading) |
Marine Life Interaction |
Passive observation | Active proximity |
Accessibility |
High (ADA compliant) | Requires swimming ability |
Dry vs Wet |
Dry and climate-controlled | Fully submerged |
Age Suitability |
All ages | Ages 6+ |
| See tickets → |
Verdict: Securing your big island submarine tour tickets provides a relaxed view of deep-water habitats, whereas the snorkel offers a visceral encounter with Pacific giants as part of your Hawaii big island submarine tour tours itinerary.
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Arrive at the entrance, show your voucher on your phone, and walk in. Most tickets include priority or skip-the-line access.
Practical details for your visit straight from our verified partners — hours, access, rules, and how to get there.
Wear comfortable clothing and sensible footwear suitable for boarding a shuttle boat. Sturdy, flat shoes are recommended for safely navigating the ladder on the big island submarine tour.
Keep belongings to a minimum as there is limited space on the shuttle boat and the submarine. You must present the physical credit card used for booking along with a matching photo ID at check-in for the big island submarine tour.
Photography is permitted throughout the big island submarine tour, both on the shuttle boat and from your seat inside the vessel. Ensure your camera is secure and ready for low-light conditions to capture the best marine life shots.
Passengers must be physically capable of ascending and descending a nearly vertical ladder without assistance to board the submarine. Due to these maritime safety requirements, the big island submarine tour is not wheelchair accessible.
Children must be at least 36 inches tall to participate in the big island submarine tour. Families will appreciate the educational narration provided for each guest.
Food and beverages are not provided during the big island submarine tour. Please ensure you have hydrated before arriving at the check-in desk.
Best time to go, insider tips, nearby landmarks, and the cancellation fine print — flip through to skim what matters to you.
Flexible, no hidden fees.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. No-shows or cancellations made within 24 hours are charged the full 160.41 USD entrance fee.
The Atlantis submarine fleet began operations off Kona's coast in 1988, making Hawaii the first state to offer civilian underwater tours aboard Coast Guard-certified passenger submarines. Each 64-passenger vessel descends to depths of 100 feet, far beyond the range of recreational scuba divers, where sunlight filters through blue water onto vertical lava walls that drop into the abyss. The submarines follow a fixed route along a reef system shaped by the 1801 Hualalai eruption, whose lava flows created underwater cliffs now colonized by black coral, wire coral, and sponge gardens that thrive in low-light conditions. Kona's leeward position shields the dive site from prevailing trade winds, delivering calm surface conditions year-round and exceptional underwater visibility that often exceeds 100 feet. The submarine tour allows passengers to observe species rarely seen from snorkel depth: whitetip reef sharks resting in lava tubes, schools of pyramid butterflyfish moving in synchronized formations, green sea turtles grazing on algae-covered boulders, and occasional manta rays gliding past the viewport. The route passes a sunken fishing vessel deliberately placed as an artificial reef, now encrusted with orange cup coral and patrolled by schools of yellowfin goatfish. Atlantis Adventures operates the only passenger submarine service in Hawaii, holding federal permits that restrict dive sites to preserve fragile coral ecosystems. Each vessel undergoes daily safety inspections and carries oxygen reserves sufficient for 72 hours, though typical dives last 45 minutes from submersion to surface. The submarines maintain neutral buoyancy through ballast tanks, allowing pilots to hover motionless beside reef formations while passengers rotate through viewing ports spaced along both hull sides. Surface support boats remain tethered throughout each descent, and pilots maintain constant radio contact with shore-based operations centers. The Kona submarine tour departs from Kailua Pier, where passengers board a shuttle boat for the short transit to the dive site. The experience suits all ages and requires no swimming ability, making underwater reef access possible for travelers who cannot snorkel or dive. Morning departures offer the clearest light penetration, while afternoon tours frequently encounter larger pelagic species moving inshore to feed. The submarine's air-conditioned cabin maintains surface pressure throughout the dive, eliminating decompression concerns and allowing immediate return to sea level activities.
"The submarines descend along lava walls from the 1801 Hualalai eruption, now colonized by black coral and sponge gardens that thrive in low-light conditions."
A step-by-step walkthrough of the visit — what you'll see, how long each stage takes, and the details that matter.
You check in at the Kailua-Kona office 30 minutes before your scheduled departure, receiving a wristband and boarding pass for the shuttle boat. The surface vessel carries you three miles offshore, where the submarine waits at the surface, its white hull bobbing gently in the swell. You descend a ladder into the cabin, taking your assigned seat along a row of viewports that curve along the submarine's length. The pilot floods the ballast tanks and the vessel tilts forward, submerging slowly as blue water rises past your window. Sunlight dims as you descend through 20 feet, then 40, then 60, until the depth gauge reads 100 feet and the seafloor comes into view. A lava wall rises vertically beside the submarine, its surface covered in orange sponges and clusters of wire coral. A whitetip reef shark lies motionless in a crevice, its sleek body perfectly camouflaged against the dark rock. The submarine hovers beside the artificial reef—a sunken fishing vessel now entirely covered in coral polyps and surrounded by schools of butterflyfish. A green sea turtle glides past your viewport, close enough to see individual scutes on its carapace. The pilot rotates the vessel slowly, giving both sides equal viewing time. The cabin remains cool and dry, the only sound the hum of electric motors and the pilot's narration over the intercom. After 45 minutes, the submarine ascends, blue water brightening to turquoise as you return to the surface and the waiting shuttle boat.
The office is open daily from 08:00–17:00.
Participants must be able to climb a nearly vertical ladder without assistance, making the big island submarine tour inaccessible to those with limited mobility.
Yes, arrive at the check-in office 30 minutes prior to your tour time, ideally within the 08:00–14:00 arrival window.
Yes, children are welcome provided they meet the 36-inch height requirement for the big island submarine tour.
You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before your scheduled big island submarine tour departure.
It is best to bring only essentials, as there is no storage for large bags during the big island submarine tour.
Photography is allowed and encouraged during the big island submarine tour to capture the reef life.
The all-inclusive adult rate for the big island submarine tour is 160.41 USD per person.
The office is located at 75-5660 Palani Rd. #304, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, inside the Courtyard by Marriott.
No, food and drinks are not included or available on the big island submarine tour vessel.