FAQ About Body Glove Cruises in Kona

What is the experience like from start to finish on the Body Glove morning snorkel?

Great question. The Body Glove morning snorkel is an excellent way to experience the Hawaii ocean safely. Boarding will begin at 7:30 am for the 8 am departure. You’re welcome to begin boarding right at 7:30 am if you so desire. Complimentary coffee, water, and soda are available right away. Alcohol is available for purchase. Feel free to find seats while waiting for other passengers to arrive by the 8 am departure. At 8 am, the boat will leave the Kailua Pier and head 40 minutes south toward the snorkel site. Body Glove Cruises snorkels at Red Hill. On the way to Red Hill, the crew will serve a light continental breakfast to everybody on board while you enjoy stunning views of the Big Island coast. Be sure to bring your camera!

Once you arrive at the snorkel site after a 40-minute boat ride, you’ll be ready for the beautiful Hawaii ocean. Just a few safety instructions first! Body Glove Cruises will provide everything you need for snorkeling except a towel and bathing suit. Even prescription snorkel goggles are available on board.

After some brief safety instructions, you’re ready to hit the water and begin snorkeling in Hawaii’s beautiful blue waters. After about 2 hours in the warm and welcoming ocean water, the Body Glove Cruises crew will invite everybody to eat lunch. At the time of writing, Body Glove Cruises serves hamburgers on their morning snorkel. After eating, you’re welcome to jump back in the water. Eventually, you’ll make your way back to the Kailua Pier, where you’ll be back on land by 12:30 pm in Kona town, where you started.

What is the Body Glove dinner cruise like?

The Body Glove dinner cruise is an educational, beautiful, and tasty experience  Boarding begins at 3:30 pm for the 4 pm departure, and you’ll be back at the Kailua Pier at 7 pm. The dinner cruise offers sunset views, a live musician, and a historian. The Historian will educate everybody on points of interest along the coast as the boat travels to Captain James Cook Monument. On the way to the monument, you will enjoy a full dinner while listening to a live musician.

As of May 2022, the Body Glove dinner cruise menu is as follows: the appetizer is a macadamia nut salad. The main course is pork ribs with steamed jasmine rice and vegetable curry. For dessert, everyone will enjoy a lilikoi cheesecake. All adults 21+ will receive a complimentary alcoholic beverage (or non-alcohol smoothie) with more available for purchase. Click here to view the latest menu.

Does Body Glove Cruises snorkel at Kealakekua Bay?

Body Glove Cruises does not go to Kealakekua Bay. The snorkel site is Red Hill. Body Glove doesn’t use Kealakekua Bay because of overcrowding and not having an exclusive mooring to anchor the boat. For these reasons, Red Hill is used. Red Hill offers similar reef structure and wildlife sightings as Kealakekeakua Bay. Please search Google for photos of the Red Hill snorkel site to see the beauty that awaits you on the Body Glove Hawaii snorkel trip.

Can I bring a stroller on the Body Glove Cruises boat?

Yes! Strollers are allowed on the Body Glove boat for any of the Hawaii cruises.

Can I bring a wheelchair on the Body Glove Hawaii boat?

Yes, wheelchairs are welcome aboard. However, giving the crew a heads up may be helpful by calling (808) 326-7122. Typically, parking on the pier isn’t allowed. However, if you have a handicap placard on your vehicle, contact Body Glove directly to see if you may use a handicap spot on the pier to avoid walking to the boat from their regular parking lot.

Does Body Glove Cruises provide transportation?

Body Gove Cruises does not provide any form of transportation. Passengers are responsible for getting to the Kailua Pier on time (30 minutes before departure). Refunds are not offered for late arrivals. Please don’t rely on Uber or Lyft for transportation to the Body Glove boat. Sometimes, these drivers cancel, causing passengers to miss the boat entirely. Instead, Body Glove passengers should use a traditional taxi service to schedule transportation to their Hawaii ocean adventures.

Where should I park for Body Glove Cruises?

Free parking for Body Glove Cruises is available at their office. You’re welcome to park anywhere in that parking lot. Enter this address into your GPS: 75-5629 Kuakini Highway Illima Court Shopping Center, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740.

That address (their office) is the closest free parking to the boat. From that parking lot, the Kailua Pier is about a five-minute walk and you’ll be at the boat.

Closer paid parking is available through the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. There are also private paid parking lots along Ali’i Drive. You cannot park on the pier; this is a Coast Guard rule and is strictly enforced.

When does Body Glove Cruises do whale watching in Kona, Hawaii?

Whale watching begins around December 15th every year. The goal is to offer whale watching until April, but sometimes the season ends early. Body Glove Cruises offers Hawaii whale watches until there are three days in a row of no whale sightings. In that event, the season is canceled. If you don’t see a whale, no worries! Body Glove will keep your information and get you back on board until you see a whale. This guarantee never expires. The company has been around for 30+ plus years and will honor your “no-whale raincheck” even if it’s years from now.

Can I rent out the Body Glove boat for a private party?

Yes, Body Glove Cruises allows private parties. You can rent the entire boat for whatever occasion you like. For these rates, please email Body Glove or call (808) 326-7122. They have a team member dedicated to private group bookings. Her name is Margie, and she is happy to help seven days a week. Feel free to call the office anytime from 7 am to 5 pm to make a private booking. The sooner the notice, the better.

Where is the Body Glove Cruises boat located?

The Body Glove Hawaii boat, also known as Kanoa II, is located on the Big Island at the Kailua Pier in downtown Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Kanoa II is a two-story 65-foot white catamaran with “Body Glove” in big black lettering on the vessel’s side.

Where’s the best place to sit on the Body Glove boat?

A favorite spot to sit on the Body Glove boat is anywhere on the left-hand side. This is your left while boarding… top/bottom level; it doesn’t matter. The left-hand side will face the land as the boat makes its way, which is especially helpful during the dinner cruise as the Historian explains points-of-interest. This side also faces the horizon to enjoy the sunset views. Chances are you’ll be able to get up and move around. Seating is first-come, first-serve. The downstairs seating has the most shade and is closer to the bartender, musician, and bathrooms. The top-level offers partial shade.

Does Body Glove Cruises do manta night dives in Kona, Hawaii?

Body Glove Cruises does not offer manta ray night snorkel on their boat. However, you can book a manta ray snorkel tour using Body Glove. Call (808) 326-7122 and ask for Katie; or, if you’d prefer, you can email Katie and let her know you’d like a manta ray snorkel tour. She’s happy to work with you through email, as well. She lives here on the island, works for Body Glove Cruises, and is an expert on the tours. In fact, she can book just about anything on the island for you! So feel free to give her a call or email anytime. She will make your Hawaii vacation even better… guaranteed!

Does Body Glove Cruises have afternoon snorkeling?

Body Glove Cruises offers afternoon snorkels during nonwhale watch season as a replacement for their afternoon whale watch. Check their website to see if this seasonal afternoon snorkel is operating. The morning snorkel operates year-round.

How big is the Body Glove boat? How many people does it hold?

The Body Glove boat can hold up to 150 people. Before the pandemic, Body Glove would sell 110 tickets. Nowadays, Body Glove limits ticket sales to only 85 people, even with the capacity for many more. A minimum of 20 people are required to operate the boat. Therefore, you can expect anywhere from 20 to 85 people on board with you.

What does Body Glove Cruises do if it’s raining? Will the cruise be canceled?

Hawaii weather reports are an exciting thing, especially in Kailua-Kona. Unfortunately, there are times Body Gove Cruises must cancel a tour due to poor weather. In this event, Body Glove will issue a 100% refund or reschedule you… whichever works best. The weather reports often show rain for Kona because there’s rain at the higher elevations in the mountains. But only at the higher elevations might it be raining. Meanwhile, it could be totally dry at the coast!

For this reason, the Kona weather can be showing rain despite the sun shining down at the coast where you’ll be. Also, the captains can often navigate away from the clouds and the rain. Most Body Glove cruises travel away from Kona. The captains and management watch the weather exceptionally closely. Advanced notice to passengers will be provided in the event of poor weather causing a cancellation. For more immediate updates on weather or to pre-emptively reschedule, contact the Body Glove Hawaii offices at (808) 326-7122.

Is Body Glove Cruises on other Hawaiian islands?

Body Glove Hawaii only operates on the Big Island of Hawaii from a single location in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. If you accidentally booked a Body Glove ocean tour but are on a different island, call the reservations team at (808) 326-7122. You aren’t the first person to do this, so no worries.

Are there any Body Glove Cruises discounts?

Body Glove Cruises does not use promotional codes. The best rates are available by booking directly with Body Glove Hawaii and avoiding third parties like TripAdvisor/Viator or GetYourGuide. Body Glove Hawaii offers discounts such as AAA, senior, etc. The reservation must be made directly over the phone to secure these exclusive rates.

Repeat Offender Discount

If you’ve been on the Body Glove boat, you’ll receive 15% off for life! Any repeat passenger is considered a “repeat offender.” The repeat offender discounter is higher than any AAA or senior discount on Body Glove Hawaii cruises.

Does Body Glove Cruises offer a kamaʻāina discount?

Yes, Body Glove Cruises does offer a 15% kamaʻāina discount. The kamaʻāina discount is more than 15% off on the morning snorkel. The Body Glove morning snorkel is $98 before taxes with the kamaʻāina discount. The dinner cruise and whale watching are 15% off the price, unlike the higher kamaʻāina morning snorkel rate.

What should I wear on the Body Glove dinner cruise? Is there a dress code?

This is a popular question. There is no dress code on the Body Glove Hawaii boat. You can wear anything you’d like on the dinner cruise. The same is true for their whale watch and snorkel tours. On the dinner cruise, you will stay dry the entire time. Some passengers on the Body Glove dinner cruise may be dressed up if celebrating something like a honeymoon or anniversary. Other passengers are dressed casually. The choice is yours. Open-toed shoes are also ok. Feel free to wear your flip-flops (or “slippers” as they are called here.) You won’t feel too overdressed or too undressed. It’s part of the Hawaii magic. Just come as you are, and the rest will surely fall into place.

I am not a good swimmer. Can I still go on the Body Glove snorkel?

Swimmers of all comfort levels are welcome on the Body Glove boat. The Body Glove snorkeling tour is the only tour you’d get in the water. You will stay dry on the whale watch and the dinner cruise. Life jackets and flotation devices are available for all passengers. Additionally, at least four lifeguards are nearby to help. Keep in mind that a lifejacket only helps you float. The lifejacket won’t make you a strong swimmer, so please stay close to the boat. You can still enjoy the Hawaii ocean by floating. Give it a try!

Will I get wet on the Body Glove boat?

You will only get wet on the snorkeling if you enter the water. You will not get wet on the Body Glove dinner cruise or whale watch.

Are infants and babies allowed on the Body Glove boat?

Yes, infants and babies are allowed on board. Infant-size lifejackets are available on board.

Are there bathrooms on the Body Glove Cruises boat?

Yes, there are three large bathrooms on the Body Glove boat. All three are located on the bottom level. At least one bathroom is wheelchair accessible.

Can I bring my own food on the Body Glove boat?

You may bring your own food. However, it is cheaper to purchase the alcohol for sale at the bar onboard. To bring your own alcohol, Body Glove will charge a corking fee. Please contact the reservations team beforehand to let them know you’re bringing food or alcohol. Again, you will pay a corking fee for any alcohol you bring on board.

What is the cancellation policy for Body Glove Cruises?

Body Glove Cruises has a 48-hour cancellation policy. For larger group sizes, more notice is required. For more specific cancellation information, please get in touch with the reservations team.

Here is the official Body Glove cancellation policy from their website:

“For parties of nine or fewer we have a 48 hour cancellation policy on all of our cruises. That means you can cancel your reservation without penalty up to 48 hours before your reservation date. Once inside the 48 hours prior to your tour, if you choose to cancel your reservation, you will still be responsible for payment in full.

Parties of 10-19 are required to give at least 72 hours prior to your reservation date for a refund.

For parties of 20 or more kindly give us at least seven days notice to obtain a full refund.”

Is there a waterslide and high jump?

There is a waterslide and high jump on the Body Glove boat. Children and adults are welcome to enter the beautiful blue Hawaii ocean in this exciting, adventurous way!

Does Body Glove Cruises offer prescription snorkel masks/lenses?

Prescription masks are available, so you don’t have to wear your glasses while snorkeling. These are on the boat and don’t cost any extra. You can also purchase prescription masks at the Body Glove retail office where you park.

Should I bring a jacket on the Body Glove historical dinner cruise? Will it get cold?

You do not need to bring a jacket, but you’re welcome to do so. Chances are you’ll stay warm, but you’ll be back after sunset. Of course, by then, the temperature will have cooled down a little bit.