RIB Boat Tours in the USA: Our Top 11

1.Kauai: Nā Pali Coast Zodiac Raft Expedition and Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 736 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $237Our pick

Join Na Pali Riders in Waimea for a four-hour Zodiac trip along Kauai’s Nā Pali Coast. Captains such as Brandon, Mac, and Kassie share island stories while you watch for dolphins and winter whales, enter sea caves when safe, and snorkel or swim when conditions permit.

“Crew was amazing, lots of fun for the family! Take Dramamine and be prepared for a fun bumpy ride. We had an 11 and 13 year old with us.”

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2.Maui Ma’alaea Sunset Prime Rib or Fresh Island Fish Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 533 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $149

Board the three-story Calypso at Maalaea Harbor for a two-hour sunset cruise with table service, Hawaiian-style music, two included alcoholic drinks, and dinner choices such as prime rib, mahi mahi, ribs, smoked chicken, or pasta. Whale sightings are possible, especially in winter, but never guaranteed.

“It was an excellent evening. The crew was very helpful. The food was great and the whales were amazing”

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3.Kealakekua Bay Snorkeling Tour – 4 hour Kona Zodiac Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 508 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $130

Captain Zodiac takes you from Honokohau Marina to Kealakekua Bay on a fast, bouncy 24-foot Zodiac raft. Expect coastal history, lava tubes, sea caves, about 90 minutes in clear water, and possible dolphins, turtles, whales, or rays.

“If you like higher speed rafting on the Pacific Ocean, this is for you! Very fun. Ocean friendly Sunscreen is provided”

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4.Zodiac Raft Whale Watching Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 456 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $113

Set out from Kailua-Kona with Captain Zodiac for a three-hour whale-watching ride in a fast, open Zodiac raft. Your captain-naturalist, such as Shelby, Marco, Ashley, or Rick, scans for humpbacks, spinner dolphins, turtles, and manta rays while sharing Hawaiian history, whale behavior, and volcanic geology. A hydrophone lets you hear whales underwater.

“Wow what a ride!!!! Absolutely fantastic. Very adventurous ride in a 24’ zodiac, not for the faint of heart. Must be able to hold on. This is not a cushy light boat ride. We saw bottle nose dolphin, whales and schools of fish. Very cool, worth the cost and I would do it again in a heart beat. Mahalo Ashley and Cameron you did an amazing job.”

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5.Kauai’s Ultimate South Island Zodiac Boat Snorkel Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 394 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $161

Join a captain and snorkel guide aboard a 25-foot Zodiac from Poipu. You will cruise past Spouting Horn, watch for dolphins, and visit two snorkel sites with turtles, yellow tang, butterfly fish, and Hawaii’s humuhumunukunukuapua’a. Gear, instruction, snacks, and safety support are included.

“Beautiful day on the water. I would recommend this adventure to anyone who loves to see marine life.”

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6.Up-Close Dolphin & Whale Watching Zodiac Adventure in Dana Point

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 353 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $99Best value

Set out from Dana Point Harbor aboard a Coast Guard-certified Zodiac with a captain and marine naturalist. You may see dolphins year-round, plus gray, blue, humpback, fin, or minke whales. Recent captains include Marie, Gary, Chuck, and Jamie.

“Absolutely the BEST whale watching I have done in my life. We saw 6 fin whales, 20+ dolphins, and 2 gray whales all within 2 miles from the coast. The first mate was experienced in bio marine life and I learned a lot about whales. Such nice people and I plan to go again when I visit Laguna. Thank you to the captain and first mate for an amazing experience!!! I’ll never forget it!!”

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7.Wilderness Zodiac Quest

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 247 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $255

Drive your own Zodiac RIB through George Inlet with a private guide such as Emily, Jaden, or Brandon leading the way. Expect a rainforest walk, historic cannery visit, wildlife viewing, glacial scenery, safety gear, cruise-terminal transfers, and local beer, wine, soda, and snacks afterward.

“We loved being out on the water. Morgan was a great guide. We got to see seals and eagles. We enjoyed the refreshments from Forty Ninth State Brewing too!”

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8.South Maui: Sunset Prime Rib or Island Fish Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 242 reviews · 2 hours · from $149

Sail from Ma’alaea Harbor on a triple-decker catamaran for a two-hour sunset dinner cruise. Choose prime rib, Mahi-Mahi, chicken, ribs, or vegetarian pasta, then enjoy live music, two alcoholic drinks, and views of Lanai, Kaho’olawe, Molokini, and Maui’s mountains. Whales may appear from December through April.

“Dinner cruise was amazing! Food was great, the drinks were strong, and the singer/entertainer set just the right mood. Service was spot on - and the sunset was fabulous. This was definitely the highlight of our trip to Maui!”

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9.Kauai: Nā Pali Coast Zodiac Raft Sea Caves + Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 166 reviews · 4 hours · from $237

Take a four-hour Zodiac raft trip from Waimea to Kauai’s Nā Pali Coast with Na Pali Riders. Expect a fast, bumpy ride, sea caves, waterfalls, snorkeling when conditions allow, and possible dolphins, turtles, monk seals, and winter whales. Captains such as Brandon and Cassie are praised for safety and lively narration.

“The guides were excellent. And the scenery was incredible. This excursion is a must!”

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10.Kauai’s South Side Whale and Dolphin Zodiac Boat Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 163 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $158

Set out from Kukuiʻula Harbor Beach in Poipu aboard a 25-foot Zodiac with up to 14 passengers. From December through May, your captain and crew search Kauai’s south coast for humpback whales, spinner dolphins, turtles, and seabirds. Expect speed, spray, snacks, and a bumpy ride, not a quiet cruise.

“My wife and I took our 14 and 6 year old kids on the late afternoon trip. Kristina and Captain Rich were awesome, made sure everyone was safe and had a good time. Our 14 year old also had a really good time ( and we all know how hard it can be to get a teenager to admit that!). We saw a mamma humpback with her baby, and their male escort! It was memorable to see those majestic creatures. Rich was very knowledgeable about the history of the different places on the coast, so I highly recommend making sure you soak in that knowledge. Kristina was awesome with our…”

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11.Anacortes Whale Watching Adventure Tour – Zodiac Boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 149 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $149

Set out from Anacortes with Blue Kingdom Whale and Wildlife Tours for about 3.5 hours on an open-air Zodiac boat. Guides such as Amanda, Austin, Tyler, and Lucy share details about orcas, humpbacks, birds, and the Salish Sea. Cruiser suits, hats, gloves, and an onboard bathroom are included.

“We had a lovely time! Lots of knowledge and information! We saw so much wildlife and learned all about orcas”

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