I have read some rave reviews on the Fairwinds snorkel excursion and so so reviews on the Body Glove snorkel..the dilemma is that I have 2 entertainment coupons for 2 for one tickets .. there are 4 of us so it would be a savings of $188.00!..any opinions from anyone that has been on the
Body Glove would be appreciated...thanks

If Body Glove is a smaller boat, then I would go with that. I did Fairwinds. All the boats go to the same place, hook up to their anchor and you snorkel around at will. I was envious of those on smaller boats - less of a "cattle car" feel.

I was curious so I checked it out. Body Glove is a big boat and it goes to Pawai Bay - not Kealakekua Bay and Captain Cook's Monument. My bad.

Next time, I plan to go to K Bay on a smaller boat. I have no idea what the snorkeling is like at Pawai Bay.

If that's where the Four Seasons takes their catamarran, I would NOT go there. I was on a very pricey excursion via outrigger canoe to a "private" beach - that did not remain private for long. The 4S catamarran as well as other boats showed up and the water was far too rough. We took our snorkel gear along and could barely handle the waves in the bay. Friends on the 4S cat another day got very seasick.

Go to K Bay no matter what. When we went Fairwinds offered "snuba" - snorkeling attached to an oxygen line in a raft. Kinda cool.

We (family of 4) kayaked in to Captain Cook Monument, which I thought was the best. But our 2nd choice (if we had not kayaked) would be Sea Quest since their boats go into caves along the way, and they only take a few people.

We've been on the Fairwinds cruise two times and would go again in a heartbeat! Lovely, big boat--we never felt crowded, VERY helpful friendly crew, the kids loved the waterslide off the boat when they got tired of snorkeling and hubb enjoyed the high dive during his snorkel breaks. If your snorkel stuff is bein stubborn they really try to help make it work for you and there's also the 'window'boogie boards. Nice BBQ lunch at the bay. Yes it's pricey but we felt worth it---nice surprise was the 'repeat customer' discount even though our first time was two years ago!

The above posts illustrate a good point. Whether something is "best" or "good" or worth it depends on what one's expectations are.

I travel with my own snorkel gear and am looking for the best snorkeling experience. I would choose a small boat that gets there before the big boats. Lots of people splashing around, high diving, coming off a water slide = scaring the fish I came to see away is and not what I'm looking for.

Some look at the excursion as entertainment. Fair Winds has a reputation as a party boat. That appeals to some...and repels others. It confirmed for me that I'm not a cruise kind of a person.

So, as you choose, choose on the basis of your expectations. Is the snorkeling the most important part or do you want an entertainment excursion?

From what I can tell, Body Glove is a big boat too. Maybe someone can tell you what Pawai Bay is like.

Thanks for all your replies..I guess I'm looking for someone who has been on the Body Glove snorkel ..Half the price of the Fairwinds sure looks tempting!

Are you comparing similar trips? Does Body Glove include food and how long is the trip (broken down into getting to the snorkel area and actual time allowed for snorkeling).

We did the Fairwinds morning trip which included breakfast and lunch plus ample time to snorkel. We went on a busy day and there was plenty of space and loved it. The slide was a bonus for the kids and didn't disturb the fish I was watching.

I do wonder how long these trips will continue as inevitably they have an effect on the environment....

You could do the Body Glove one and use the savings and go on a horseback ride in Waipio Valley.

Is the "snuba" option available with Body Glove, or only Fairwind? No prior experience snorkeling nor scuba either one - - I am a fairly strong swimmer, my wife slightly less so. Neither of us really "athletic".

Advice on this? or should I repost with "snuba" specifically in the message header (I found this post by searching snuba).

Thanks in advance...

and..

Best wishes,

Rex

Rex-

see my response to the "Snuba in the Big Island" thread.

I don't know how to post a link, sorry.

Snuba is available off the Fair Wind
www.fair-wind.com/snorkel_scuba.htm

Don't know about B.G.

Yes, I understand about the Fairwinds - - also read some (minor?) disparaging remarks about it being a little bit "cattle-car" (100 passenger catamaran). Snuba is also available from http://www.snubabigisland.com (already sold out for Jan 4, 5 and 6 - - I telephoned them - - but they do have Jan 3, our first full afternoon on Hawai'i). I guess I should simply telephone Body Glove.

Would still appreciate any personal experiences relevant (any company).

Oh, and I meant to add that http://www.snubabigisland.com does not go to "K" bay (Capt Cook); they have a spot they like not far from the marina at Kona (how far is that from the Fairmont Orchid where we will be staying?) - - K bay is prohibitively far from where they keep their boat (2 hours each way), evidently.

Okay - - Body Glove does not offer snuba, period. and more over, November-April they do not offer afternoon snorkel trips either - - substitute whale watching in the afternoons. Snorkel trips are still offered in the mornings.

Rex,

I did not find Fairwinds to be "cattle-car" like at all and I hate crowds. I can't comment on snuba, because I only snorkeled, but I found the experience to be fantastic. Once in the water everyone spread out so there was no crowding. The slide seemed to be used mainly after everyone had their fill of snorkeling. I was impressed watching a 70+ year old woman take the plunge off the slide. It appeared that everyone enjoyed the trip and BBQ lunch. Maybe I was with a boring crowd, but I would not call it a party boat at all like a previous poster. In fact, on the trip back it was quiet as most of the guests just relaxed and enjoyed the scenery. I would take another trip without any second thoughts.

Reply to rex, www.mapquest.com lists drive from Fairmont Orchid (1 N Kaniku Dr, Kamuela, HI 96743) to Kailua-Kona as ~32 miles, while drive to Keauhou Bay (&Fair Wind) is slightly further ~38 miles.