Captain Cook Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay

Spending time on the open waters along the Kona Coast is one of life's most memorable experiences! It’s even more special when you embark on a thrilling and romantic cruise. The Captain Cook Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay is a 3-hour adventure from that takes you 12 miles down the stunning coast, visiting some of the most scenic attractions in all of Hawaii. Commemorating its namesake, the cruise takes guests to Captain Cook’s monument and many additional historic sites and other points of interest, while your cruise narrator highlights each location with bits of intriguing information.

When booking your dinner cruise, you can choose a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday sailing to fit your schedule. 

One of the most essential details of this once-in-a-lifetime cruise is the delicious buffet dinner! What better way to enjoy the stunning sights of Kealakekua Bay than to do so while feasting? The buffet offerings are designed to accommodate all diets. In addition to succulent meat choices, there is a wide variety of dishes that are vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free.

Here are some typical menu choices for your dinner cruise experience:

Appetizers

Mauna Loa Big Island Macadamia Nuts

Main Course

(Vegan/vegetarian entrée is available on request at the time of booking)

Kona Coffee Braised Short Ribs served with Creamy Mashed Potatoes (GF)

Thai Coconut Curry with Hamakua Sweet Potatoes, Hawaiian Breadfruit, Carrots, & Bell Peppers (Vegan/GF)

Steamed Jasmine Rice (Vegan/GF)

Island Baked Coconut Dinner Rolls served with Butter (Vegetarian)

Dessert

Chocolate Torte with Strawberry Coulis  (Vegetarian/GF)

100% Kona Coffee

*Vegan/GF dessert option available upon request

Savvy travelers who cruise with us get to see more in a few hours than many people do on their entire vacation! Setting sail towards the bay, you catch views of places settled by native Hawaiians many hundreds of years ago. The cruise offers passengers insightful information, entertainment, dinner…and a lot of fun! Along your journey keep an eye out for intriguing wildlife such as the playful spinner dolphins and dramatic manta rays. If you're visiting in the winter time, you may even be lucky enough to see majestic humpback whales on your cruise!

Everything has been designed with you in mind, from the initial complimentary cocktail to the delicious buffet-style Hawaiian dinner at Kealakekua Bay with the amazing sunset as a backdrop. Adding to the charm of this tropical experience is live entertainment, making your cruise even more special. This is an excursion that is great for couples, families, and groups vacationing in Hawaii.

The Kona side of the Big Island is one of the most popular areas in Hawaii, due to its breathtaking landscapes and brilliant waters. Along the way, you catch some stunning views of some of the most fertile coffee plantations in the world. Resorts and other prime pieces of real estate share the coast and showcase the history and beauty of Hawaii. Throughout the cruise, your guide shares lots of details about Big Island traditions and culture, as well as stories of the Polynesian voyagers who first sailed to this remote island chain.

Nearly ten million visitors came to the state in 2018, seeking to immerse themselves in the beauty and culture that makes this place a unique paradise. Our Captain Cook Dinner Cruise is sure to be one of the highlights of your trip. We know that getting the most out of your time is important, so we’ve planned a cruise that's filled with music, delicious cuisine, and nautical sights that can only be seen on Kealakekua Bay!

The Captain Cook Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay has been voted Best Cruise on the Big Island for a reason! Our attention to even the smallest details is what make this trip so special. Everything works together to help you make beautiful memories of your time with us. You can see this attention to detail in our cruise boat, Kanao II. The 65-ft catamaran has two separate decks, a 15-ft high dive platform, and even a thrilling water slide! The vessel is also wheelchair-friendly with a customized boarding ramp.

This is one of the most popular activities in Kailua-Kona, which is why reserving your spots well in advance is a must. We recommend that you arrive at check-in at least 30 minutes prior to departure time. There is a 48-hour cancellation policy in effect for this cruise experience. Let us take you on a journey you'll never forget! 

Unique Hawaiian Landscapes

Along the way to Kealakekua Bay you see lush landscapes that are part of what makes the area unique. Included in these are sacred lands where major archeological finds have been discovered, as well as more recent historic landmarks. Kealakekua Bay is probably best known as the place where Captain James Cook first came ashore in Hawaii and later lost his life in a skirmish with the natives. The monument dedicated to Cook is not accessible by road, so a cruise is a perfect solution for seeing this landmark.

The cruise departs in the mid-afternoon, giving you plenty of opportunity to see the open waters and the stunning coastline. These are terrific places to take lots of photos to commemorate your time in Hawaii. 

We’ve thought of all of the amenities you would expect from a premier dinner cruise. After enjoying your welcome cocktail, feel free to sit back, relax, and enjoy the lush, tropical surroundings. Sample our selection of refreshing beverages, such as local craft beers and tasty tropical drinks.

A Rich Hawaiian History

We’ve designed this cruise to include not just a tour narrator, but a true historian of the area. You'll be transported back in time to the times of King Kamehameha the Great. This rich recounting of the history of the area is sure to make you feel immersed in the culture of our beautiful state. In addition to Captain Cook’s Monument, guests can also capture shots of awe-inspiring lava tubes, royal burial caverns in the sheer sea cliffs, and much more during the cruise.

Here are some of the things you see on the cruise:

• Kailua Bay
• Holualoa Bay
• White Sand Beach
• Keauhou Bay
• Kealakekua Bay
• Captain Cook’s Monument

Maintained by the British Navy, Captain Cook’s Monument sits on over five thousand square feet at Kealakekua Bay. Throughout the cruise your guide and history expert share surprising facts about Hawaiian landmarks, attractions, and history.