Historic Dinner Cruise from Kona – Body Glove Hawaii’s Storytelling Tour

We’ve gotten to enjoy several boat tours with Body Glove Hawaii, but I think the one that surprised us the most was actually the historical dinner cruise from Kailua-Kona on the Big Island. Spending so much time on the water and getting to know the Island of Hawai’i deeply, it’s always nice to have a fresh experience, both in terms of tourism activities and learning. The historic dinner cruise on the Body Glove Hawaii catamaran was a great surprise. The food was excellent (which was not necessarily expected; more on that below) and the local music and history presentation really created a wonderful Hawaiian experience.

Have you been on the historic dinner cruise from Kona? I usually like to have my meals on land, but this is one boat trip that I think should be a part of anyone’s time in Kailua-Kona. We’ve got the full scoop on what makes this particular boat trip interesting and worthwhile, as well as more recommendations for getting on the water with Body Glove Hawaii (I really like this company). If you have any questions about either this tour or other things to do when you’re here on the Kona Coast, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’d be happy to share more and are always ready to help others plan an unforgettable Aloha trip.

Highlights of the Kona Historic Dinner Cruise

Any chance I get to have short ribs which listening to Hawaiian music and watching whales off the bow of a ship, I’m taking. I don’t know why I initially wasn’t excited for Body Glove Hawaii’s historic dinner cruise. I think I was expecting a cheesy, 1990s style, casino-night type of event on the water (I don’t know why). What we got really was a great experience. Before we had even left the Kailua Pier we were already getting a historic narration from a local about Kamehameha I and then about Queen Liliuokalani and the Hulihe’e Palace. Some of it was history I already knew (I spend a lot of time in Kona) and other info was brand new to me.

Add to the history continual wildlife watching and the time on the water was great. Shortly after we finished our meals, which were quality, plated short ribs with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables, we made it to our destination of Kealakekua Bay, where we also visited for our Super Raft safari snorkeling. A bit more history including the stories of Captain Cook and then we were greeted by a giant manta ray in the bay. We were able to watch here as she swam around and then we were joined by two humpback whales. It was magical. Overall, the Body Glove Hawaii historic dinner cruise surpassed all expectations from the food and entertainment to the wildlife.

Book the Kona Historic Dinner Cruise here!

Tips for a Great Dinner Cruise from Kona

Arrive on time or early to check in for your historic dinner cruise from Kona. Even though you’ll just be boarding the boat and sitting at the pier until it’s time to leave, this will give you the best selection for seating on either deck of the boat. Body Glove Hawaii uses their double decker catamaran for the dinner cruise, the same boat they use for their Kona whale watching tour. You’ll have seating options on the first level at one of the booths, which are shared so you might need to make a friend or two, or you can sit upstairs.

The upstairs seating is benches (with backs) and tables and they go around the whole deck. There’s not a bad seat in the house and wherever you sit you’ll still have table service from the crew. To keep the evening chill and easy for guests, there is plenty of staff circulating delivering the different courses of dinner and taking drink orders. You can open a tab or pay as you go.

Even though the dinner cruise from Kona stays fairly close to the shore, you need to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife as you go. The crew is amazing at spotting whales and dolphins, but having the extra eyes of the guests makes for an even better wildlife experience. I know, you’re on the boat for the dinner and the history and music, but you can so easily add the joy of whales and such by supporting the crew with your own eagle-eyes.

Being Prepared for Your Dinner Cruise from Kona

Since you’re leaving from the Kailua Pier before sunset, you’ll still get a lot of sun off the water. If you’re sensitive to the Hawaii sunshine, put on your sunblock before you get on the boat. If that’s not a concern for you, cool, just maybe sit in the shade a bit during the brightest part of the evening.

I also recommend bringing a light jacket for the evening sailing. While you do start the historic dinner cruise in the heat of the late afternoon, before you return to Kona the sun will have gone down, the wind will have picked up and the temperature will have dropped significantly. I think a sweater or windbreaker is a must-have for a nighttime sailing. I recommend the same if you’re doing a nighttime manta ray snorkeling trip.

And don’t forget your camera for your Kona dinner cruise. Between the wildlife and the epic sunset you’ll definitely need it. I was actually able to photograph the Green Flash on this trip, which I’ve never successfully done before. It was awesome!

Parking for the Body Glove Hawaii Dinner Cruise

You’ll catch the Body Glove Hawaii historic dinner cruise from the Kailua-Kona Pier, just next to the King Kamehameha Hotel. If you’re staying on Ali’i Drive or nearby, you can easily walk to the pier when it’s time for your tour. If you do need to drive, there is free parking at the Body Glove Hawaii office just up from the pier (address below). You can check in at the office and then walk the two blocks to your departure point. Free parking and a changing room at the office are both nice to have.