About Fair Wind Cruises
The Best Kona Snorkeling Cruises and Manta Ray Tours
FAIR WIND CRUISES
Our mission at Fair Wind Cruises is to Malama (care for) the islands and world we live in, from fostering mindful experiences with our guests to promoting conscious operational initiatives; at Fair Wind, we embrace environmental kuleana (responsibility) and leadership to inspire pono (righteous) solutions for healthier coral reefs, oceans, and the planet as a whole.
The original Fair Wind trimaran was built in 1969 by Michael Dant. It was 50 feet long, with a blue and white sail. In 1971 he began sailing with his wife Janet and crew of nine from California to Hawaii.
Their South Pacific trip was cut short when the Fair Wind sustained damage just off the Kona coast of Hawaii. The Dants were met with true aloha spirit, numerous random acts of kindness, and a genuinely positive attitude from within the community while repairing their vessel, prompting Michael and Janet to consider residing in Kona permanently.
After a few years of hard work, Michael and Janet developed Fair Wind into a snorkeling business with adventurous snorkel excursions to Kealakekua Bay. The Fair Wind Snorkel Cruises exploded with popularity therefore they began offering nightly dinner cruises. Often sailing two times a night to meet the demand of the tour groups.
In 1974, their son Puhi arrived in Hawaii. While on vacation, he found his heart and home in Kona and decided to join the family business.
By 1974, the Dant family began focusing on the best possible activity they could offer. To achieve this goal the Fair Wind saw many changes. In 1975, the vessel’s cabin was raised and given a water slide for additional fun. They updated her sails to a fun, colorful rainbow that soon become Fair Wind’s trademark. And upgraded lunch from the traditional tuna sandwich to a first-class barbeque meal.
In 1983 Puhi and his wife Mendy purchased the Fair Wind business from Michael and Janet and continued hosting the best snorkel excursions in Hawaii. Keeping with the tradition of his boat-building family, Puhi added a second vessel, the Ho’okele.
The Ho’okele was a custom-designed, 55-foot trimaran. They named this second vessel after their first son. Ho’okele – translating to “Navigator” in Hawaiian. The Ho’okele began service in November of 1987 and took the place of the original Fair Wind as she was pulled from the ocean for a long dry dock. The Ho’okele carried out Fair Wind Cruises’ reputation of being the Big Island’s best snorkel tour.
Unfortunately, in September 1992, the Ho’okele was destroyed in Hurricane Iniki. She broke loose from her mooring in Keauhou Bay, and the pounding storm smashed her upon the rocks. Luckily, they had the original Fair Wind nearby to continue operations, while their newest vessel, the Fair Wind II, was being built in Vancouver, Washington.
In 1994, the Fair Wind II was complete and started its run, continuing Fair Wind Cruises tradition of fun and superior service. This custom-built 60-foot catamaran fully stocked with the best amenities and equipped with its classic sail, high jump platforms, two 15-foot water slides, two freshwater showers, two onboard restrooms, and two staircases descending directly into the water for easy entry into the water.
In 2001, Fair Wind’s fleet had grown to include the Orca Raft Adventure for those looking for more adventure and exhilarating speeds. They also added a custom-designed 11.5-foot mini vessel, the Fair Wind Tug – a fully operational vessel that was featured in numerous community parades and later donated to a local school.
Fair Wind sold the Orca Raft in 2005 to make way for its new crown jewel, the luxurious Hula Kai. The vessel caters to snorkel enthusiasts with the thrill of speeding to exotic locations along the remote South Kona coast. The Hula Kai is a 55-foot hydrofoil catamaran packed with first-class amenities like individual seating, two onboard restrooms, stand up paddleboards, underwater sea rockets, and a commercial grill used to prepare gourmet meals.
In 2009, the Hula Kai started operating a nightly Manta Ray snorkel, which the Travel Channel calls “One of The Top Ten Things to Do in Your Lifetime.” The night Manta Ray snorkel allows guests to experience the beauty of the Manta Rays up close and personal, creating memories to be cherished forever. Exclusively for the Manta Ray snorkel, they began serving hot & homemade plant-based soups with dinner rolls and hot cocoa.
In 2013, Fair Wind acquired the “Capt. Jack,” a spacious 43-foot Powerboat Flybridge sport fishing boat with a reputation for its expansive size & comfort.
More upgrades were made to the Fair Wind II in 2014. The mast and sail were removed and replaced with Bimini tops for a sleeker look that also provide passengers with additional shade.
The Fair Wind II, Hula Kai, and Capt. Jack were updated with a sophisticated, dark blue paint in 2015. This luxurious appearance is consistent with the first-class activities offered by Fair Wind Cruises.
In 2020, Fair Wind Cruises pledged to elevate environmental needs and act as a leader in ocean stewardship. Part of that mission meant becoming the first tour company in the state of Hawaii to offer plant-based meals to guests on excursions. As leaders in ocean tourism, we take the responsibility of solving environmental issues seriously. With an eye to the future, our focus is to provide an example for marine mammal and reef health education.
We have changed various aspects of our business by:
Please join us in making lifestyle changes to save our planet! With more updates and innovations on the horizon, the Dant Ohana looks forward to continuing to build upon the renowned Fair Wind legacy. Stay tuned for exciting developments in the future.
With more updates and innovations on the horizon, the Dant Ohana looks forward to continuing to build upon the renowned Fair Wind legacy. Stay tuned for exciting developments in the future.