Body Glove Cruises welcomes Kona Explorer super-raft to its fleet

A leading Big Island activity company is unveiling its newest boat fleet member just in time for the arrival of Hawai’i’s annual visitors — humpback whales.

The Kona Explorer is Kona-based Body Glove Cruises’ new 41-foot super-raft. It joins its sister ship, the Kanoa II, a 65-foot luxury catamaran, operating commercially from Kailua Pier.

The Kona Explorer is outfitted with two Suzuki 350 engines to take it farther and faster than most boats without sacrificing the comforts of a bigger vessel: cushioned bench seating, shade, storage for belongings and a restroom. Guests aboard the Explorer can experience multiple locations and sights along the Kona Coast — including historical sites, lava flows, caves, snorkel spots and wild marine life along the Kona Coast — not accessible by most tour operators because of distance and accessibility.

The Kona Explorer is designed for offshore adventures.

While at sea, guests are treated to delicious and locally sourced snacks and lunch and accompanied in the water by experienced crew who can also serve as guides and impromptu naturalists. The Kona Explorer is also available for private charters.

Operations manager Capt. Jeremie Betts and crew brought the vessel more than 170 miles from Ko Olina on O‘ahu to Kona in record time, a total of eight hours, arriving Aug. 5 at Kailua Pier.

Founded in 1990, Body Glove Cruises offers a variety of cruises along the Kona Coast, including dolphin adventures, dinner cruises and whale watching tours. For more information, click here.