Best RIB and Zodiac Boat Tours in the USA — Our Top 15

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

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

Join Na Pali Riders in Waimea for a fast, open-air Zodiac trip along Kauai’s Nā Pali Coast. Captains such as Brandon and Mack share island history while you watch for dolphins and seasonal whales, visit sea caves when safe, and snorkel or swim if conditions allow. Expect spray, tight seating, and a rough ride.

“This was a super fun way to see the NaPali coast. The boat ride was fast and bumpy, exhilarating! We got super close to the caves this day but unfortunately the water was too choppy to go inside. Still an unforgettable experience! The captain and crew were awesome as well!”

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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 a head

Board the three-story Calypso at Maalaea Harbor for a two-hour sunset cruise with table-side dinner, Hawaiian-style music, and a full bar. Choose prime rib, fresh fish, ribs, smoked chicken, or pasta. The captain may point out whales in season, and photographer Marley is sometimes aboard. Seating is first come, so arrive early.

“Always good food, drinks and hospitality. Our trip this time was rough but crew made the best of it.”

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

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

Ride a 24-foot inflatable Zodiac from Honokohau Marina along the Kona coast to Kealakekua Bay. You’ll snorkel for about 90 minutes among coral and tropical fish, visit the Captain Cook monument, and look for dolphins, turtles, whales, and other sea life. The ride is fast and bumpy, so it suits active visitors who are comfortable on the open ocean.

“Amazing snorkeling spot and super fun ride out and back! Great for people who don’t mind a bumpy ride.”

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4.Zodiac Raft Whale Watching Adventure

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

Join Captain Zodiac from Kailua-Kona for a fast, open-air ride along the Big Island coast. A captain-naturalist such as Shelby, Marco, Ashley, or Rick scans for winter humpbacks while sharing Hawaiian history, geology, and marine-life facts. The raft carries up to 16 people, with a hydrophone, drinks, snacks, and a real chance to see dolphins, turtles, manta rays, and whales.

“Shelby and Marco were great! We had such a unique and awesome whale watching tour and got to see so many whales. One male whale was directly under us. It was breathtaking and we had so much luck!”

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

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

Join a small group of up to 13 people for a three-hour Zodiac cruise and snorkel trip from Poipu. Your captain and guides, including Drew, Ona, Shelby, and Shane, may point out Spouting Horn, Queen Emma’s residence, dolphins, turtles, and colorful reef fish. Gear, instruction, snacks, and beverages are included.

“Drew and Brett were amazing! We had a great time with lots of fun and adventure. Brett was so great with his knowledge of snorkeling and Drew was an amazing and knowledgeable captain. We had a great time!”

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 353 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $99 a head

Join Captain Dave’s two-hour Zodiac safari from Dana Point Harbor, limited to 20 people. Captain Marie, Captain Gary, and other crew members may take you near pods of dolphins, gray whales, blue whales, seals, sea lions, and mola mola. A marine naturalist provides live commentary, and if you see no whales or dolphins, you can return free within one calendar year.

“We rode with Captain Marie on the Zodiac so much fun. We were so close to the dolphins it was a really magical experience!”

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7.Wilderness Zodiac Quest

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

Take the wheel of a small Zodiac boat in Ketchikan’s George Inlet, following a private guide through rainforest scenery and quiet water. You’ll visit a historic cannery, see Mahoney Falls’ glacial cirque, and look for eagles, seals, sea lions, otters, salmon, and deer. Guides such as Emily, Jaden, and Brandon add strong local insight. Expect rain gear, snacks, and beer or sodas afterward.

“This tour was so fun!! Our tour guide, Turkey, first took us through a small path in the rain forest of Ketchikan. We got to see local plants and talk about some local animals. Then we boarded our speed boats. They are super easy to drive, and Turkey provided excellent instruction. It was a gorgeous day so the ride was super smooth, and we could go as fast as we wanted. My group of 10 split up into four in one boat and six in the other. There were three drivers in each boat (you have to have a drivers license and be 25 or older to drive). We got…”

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

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

Sail from Ma’alaea Harbor aboard Calypso Molokini Charters’ triple-decker catamaran for a two-hour sunset dinner cruise. Choose prime rib, Mahi-Mahi, chicken, ribs, or vegetarian pasta, with two drinks and live music included. You’ll see Maui’s mountains, Lanai, Molokini, and possibly humpback whales from December through April.

“The whole experience was very nice...food, servers, etc.”

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

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

From Kukuiʻula Harbor, you’ll ride a 25-foot Zodiac with up to 14 passengers along Kauai’s South Shore. Guides such as Justin, Lindsay, Brandon, Jane, and Rich may point out humpback whales, spinner dolphins, turtles, seabirds, and Spouting Horn. Expect speed, spray, snacks, and no snorkeling.

“Great crew great knowledge they interacted well with everyone and were genuinely interested in finding whales felt like hanging out with my buddies hunting”

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10.Anacortes Whale Watching Adventure Tour – Zodiac Boat

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

Set out from Anacortes with Blue Kingdom Whale and Wildlife Tours for a 3.5-hour Zodiac trip in search of orcas, humpbacks, gray whales, and minkes. Guides such as Amanda, Austin, Tyler, and Lucy explain the wildlife as you ride in a small open-air boat capped at 17 people. Suits, hats, and gloves are included.

“Such an awesome experience! Amanda and Austin were great! We saw the resident orca family and followed them (at a safe distance) for almost 2.5 hours observing their behaviors and hunting. The zodiac was comfortable and the smaller group size was great! Highly recommend this company and activity!”

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11.Ultimate Na Pali Coast Zodiac Boat Snorkeling and Sea Cave Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 101 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $257 a head

Set out from Kīkīaola Harbor with a small crew and up to 14 people for a fast Zodiac ride along Kauai’s Na Pali Coast. Expect sea caves when conditions allow, guided snorkeling, waterfalls, dolphins, turtles, and island stories from captains such as Justin, CJ, Rich, and Shane. You will get wet, so dress for an active ocean day.

“If you are looking for a phenomenal activity at sea, this is the one! A neat Zodiac style boat that can go where larger boats cannot, do this! Captain Rich and Brett took us on a wonderful trip! Unfortunately the swells/waves were too much, so we received an amazing site-seeing tour of Napalia Coast seeing bottlenose dolphins that swam right beside the boat! I highly recommend!”

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12.Nā Pali Coast Zodiac Raft Sea Caves Expedition on Kauai

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 100 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $225 a head

Ride with Na Pali Riders from Waimea into Kauai’s Nā Pali Coast, where Captain Brandon, Mack, Dakota, and other crew members guide a fast, rough Zodiac trip past cliffs, waterfalls, rare beaches, and sea caves. The three-hour afternoon outing includes drinks, fruit, chips, a dry bag, and a maximum of 28 people.

“It was AWESOME!!! So beautiful and the company and music were awesome. Definitely be prepared for a wild ride but so worth it. Breathing taking.”

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13.Ketchikan Zodiac Boat Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $219 a head

Follow a guide in your own four-person Zodiac through Ketchikan’s rainforest islands and Inside Passage. Danielle, Teddy, Ben, Stan, and other local guides lead the way while you watch for eagles, seals, sea lions, whales, and tide-pool life. Wet-weather gear, transportation, and hot drinks are included.

“This excursion was so memorable. Even though we didn’t see any wildlife other than a couple of bald eagles, just riding around in these breathtaking waters was amazing. Our boat guide Danielle was full of information about the area, and Teddy, who drove us to and from Ward’s Cove to the resort where the Zodiacs launched from, was so amazingly friendly and upbeat that we were immediately put at ease for the whole experience. We highly recommend this tour!”

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14.Small-Group Zodiac Wilderness Adventure from Ketchikan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 48 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $179 a head

Take the wheel of a 14-foot Zodiac on a three-and-a-half-hour Ketchikan outing with local guides such as Jared, Sarah, Cade, and Andy. Follow your guide through forested islands and sheltered bays in search of whales, seals, sea lions, eagles, and bears. Gear, hotel transport, snacks, and a boatman certificate are included.

“We had an awesome time on our shore excursion in Alaska! Driving our own small boat was so fun, and the views were absolutely stunning. Every turn revealed beautiful mountains and coastline. Our guide was great, super friendly, and full of fun facts. This trip was definitely a highlight of our Alaska adventure. We loved every minute of it!”

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15.Guided RIB Boat Adventure of Portland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 35 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Leave Portland at 4:30 pm for a 90-minute RIB boat ride around Casco Bay. With space for only 14 people, you get clear views of islands, lighthouses, forts, seals, eagles, and porpoises. Guides such as Sydney, Randy, Keith, John, and Wes have added history, wildlife spotting, and plenty of speed to the trip.

“Sydney and Randy were great guides and really made it a wonderful experience Only four of us on boat saw everything clearly”

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