We'll be on the Big Island in July. We love boat trips and would like to find a speed boat trip. We also want to do a snorkeling trip, but we'd like to do a fast boat trip, too. What is the best company for this? (We don't want to go out on our own -- we'd like a captain.) Also, what would you consider the best snorkeling boat trip? Thanks!

Of the two boat trips we have done on the Big Island, the power-raft trip from www.seaquesthawaii.com was faster and involved more tricky coastline feature exploring, see on above website.

On the other hand if you're looking for a party atmosphere on a larger, power catamaran we also enjoyed the calm voyage aboard www.fair-wind.com/snorkel_am_deluxe.htm

We've been on the Fairwind snorkel trip twice (morning trip) and it's excellent.

Good food, friendly helpful crew and plenty of time to snorkel in the crystal clear water.

I second the positive experience with Sea Quest.

We've looked at both of these boats, but I was wondering if there was a speed boat trip we could take on the Big Island. Maybe there one we could charter (with a captain) for half a day or so?

We probably want to do one snorkeling boat trip and one boat trip where we're just going from place to place. We're really not interested in a party boat.

Thanks!

We did the Fairwind snorkel trip and loved it. If I had a chance, I would use Fairwind again.

I would NOT categorize it as a party boat.

Can't go wrong with the Fairwind!