About Ocean Encounters

En route to Honokohau Marina, tall and slender palm trees line the road, and white sails peak on the horizon. After a couple turns, the sapphire-blue Pacific appears, telling visitors they've made it to Ocean Encounters.

Once aboard the company's 46-foot boat, they find unimpeded views of Kona's calm waters on the upper deck and shade inside the cabin. But perhaps the most important feature of the vessel is its most nondescript: a sturdy swim step, which they use to climb into and out of the ocean on snorkeling tours.

During four-hour daytime trips, they get to swim with colorful schools of tropical fish and pods of spinner dolphins through the coral reefs of Kealakekua Bay. On evening trips, they venture farther from the coast to watch the sun set, then mingle with glowing manta rays in the sea.