Big Island Luau, and Fairwinds trip
 

I would love some advise about luaus on the big island. Am currently booked at the Kona resort, however tropical drinks aren't included, and I do love my Mai Tai's. Has anyone done any of the others? Also am planning to go on the FairWind snorkel boat. Has anyone been on that trip? ANy advise or recommendations?
Thanks
Joyce

I assume you mean the Royal Kona Resort? It's not a bad luau, right on the water and lots of dancing, but it's way too touristy for my tastes. In my opinion the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel has the best luau on the Big Island. It's more intimate, the food is better, not as many people, and unlike the RKR one doesn't get a strange feeling that one is being wheeled in on some huge conveyor belt, shown some dancing, and then being wheeled out again.

I was actually talking about Kona Village luau,which is supposed to be highly recommended. I hadn't heard about the mauna kea luau. It would actually be more convenient,since we are staying at the Hapuna prince

I've not stayed at that hotel but give a big two thumbs up to the Fairwinds. My 8 year old enjoyed it more than the swim w/ dolphins. Enjoy!

Our family took the Sea Quest snorkel boat in November last year, but I think we would have preferred the Fairwind. The only reason for this is that the Fairwind spends more time in Kealakekua Bay, which is excellent in terms of scenery, snorkeling, and dolphins.

Sea Quest took us to 2 different locations, but that decreased the total snorkel time. They also spend a lot of time driving their raft in and out off sea caves, which is fine, but in retrospect, I would have preferred additional time in the water.

Make sure you take the morning trip, which has the advantage of lasting an hour longer than the afternoon trip, and possibly having calmer water. You can get 2 for 1 coupons for the afternoon trip, but there's a reason for that.

We booked our Fairwind II trip after arriving on the Big Island and could only get into the Afternoon trip to Capt. Cook.

Nonetheless the snorkel trip was awesome, the clearest water and best coral and variety of fish we have seen in our travels to 5 of the 8 ((R))Hawaiian Isles((R)). If FairwindII sold out you can always try snorkeling at Honaunau Bay next to "Place of Refuge" see Hawaii-The Big Island Revealed Guidebook for more info.:S-
http://www.wizardpub.com/bigisland/bigisland.html