Best snorkeling tour ever!
You have many different tour companies that offer a night snorkel Manta Ray experience. After extensive research, we booked with Coral Reef Adventures, and I recommend you do as well. They offer many advantages over the larger “cattle” boats. With a maximum of six, you will all fit around one compact light board. You spend more time enjoying these graceful magnificent creatures, and less time waiting your turn to swim to your spot. We selected the 8:00pm “moonlight” slot, that had us at a site with only a dive boat as a neighbor, sweet! Their earlier tour was raving how awesome it was during our check in, a very good sign. This tour exceeded all expectations. The crew were first rate professionals. Everything moves quickly with this outfit , check in at the pavilion, on the boat, change into the 1mm front-zip “shorty” high quality wetsuit. “E-ticket” boat ride to the site, in the water, then manta’s OMG!! Everyone in our group laid out flat and barely moved. This is important, as pointed out by our extremely knowledgeable guide, Eric. Inexperienced newbies flailing about, can inhibit them from moving closer to the surface. The provided “floaties” wrapped around each ankle w/velcro, helped to aid buoyancy. We all watched about a dozen mantas glide directly under us, rolling over and over again. They came within inches of us. Eric explained this behavior is unique to the Kona area. Letting us linger around 45 minutes, we boarded for the brisk ride back. Although my older waterproof camera did capture some good images, their rental GoPro Hero 9 would have been worth the additional cost. Great website with lots of info. Booking is a breeze. Responded via text to our concerns with pending weather. Follow their detailed directions to the check in pavilion at Honokohau Harbor. Well lighted with adjacent clean restrooms (none available on the boat). These were locked by the time we returned just before 10:00 pm. The harbor operations staff needs to be a better partner to these tour groups, seriously! HELPFUL TIPS: • DO NOT BE THAT PERSON WHO SHOWS UP LATE! 15 min early is good. • Eat a lighter meal well before departure time, avoid alcohol. • Take any seasickness medication about 1 hour before tour. • Wear swimsuit under clothing, baggy knee length board shorts ill-advised. • Bring a small tote or back pack for towel, gear, wallet, keys, clothing. • If you bring your own mask & snorkel, you won’t need the fins. • Wear simple flip-flops, you will leave them on the dock. • If you bring a camera, set flash to OFF. It is harmful to manta rays. • Follow guide’s instructions in the water, for manta’s safety. • Padded benches at stern for less bumpy, in the seated cabin for less windy. • PLEASE TIP YOUR CREW!! Cash is good…. Mahalo
Reviewed by maitaimike2015 - 2022-09-17
Awesome!
My husband and I had a fabulous experience. We both highly highly recommend!! Jake and Jeff were great!
Reviewed by W3454IMjenniferb - 2022-09-16
Amazing!
We had an amazing time on this tour! Our guide (Jacob) and captain (Jeff) were both great with our family (2 adults, 2 teens, and a tween). Jacob was very personable and friendly. We did the first evening tour, and got to enjoy a beautiful sunset on the boat ride out. We saw 5 manta rays (spread out and even all at once!), and they came right up close to us! We rented a GoPro, and are so glad we did. We didn't get to see what kind of footage we captures for 2 weeks when we returned home from vacation, and it was fun to watch what we experienced! This was in my husband's top 3 must-dos in Hawaii before we went, and definitely stayed at the top afterwards, too. The only negative is that we wish we could have stayed longer.
Reviewed by JMF2003 - 2022-09-14
Doing the Manta Swim the right way !
Jacob and Jeff provided the best experience !! This was our second trip with Coral Reef, first one was on our honeymoon in 2014. So glad we chose to go back with them. Arrived to checkin and were surrounded by the masses going on the "big boat" tours - more on that later. Jacob texted us that day to keep us updated and informed of where to meet and when, he was very helpful as the departure area can be confusing. I'm convinced that a small boat / group experience is the way to go. We chose the 8pm time and we were off on time, first boat to arrive, and most importantly, first in the water. Jacob was great getting us around in the water and keeping us on the rays. 30 minutes in the water (plenty of time) and for the first 20 minutes we had our own private experience with up to 6 rays at one time (this time). The large boats arrived shortly after we were there but thankfully took quite awhile to do their safety brief and get organized (made a better experience for us). This is a must do when on the Big Island and I can't emphasize enough how much better your experience will be with this group !!
Reviewed by DJM66 - 2022-09-08
Once in a Lifetime Magical Manta Swim!!
Captain Jack and Jacob were excellent guides and put us right on to 3 big mantas that spent the full time with us. It was truly magical and we highly recommend. Also loved we were only with 4 other people and not a boat load of tourists. Cannot recommend this experience highly enough.
Reviewed by Kristie_A - 2022-09-08
Great small tour experience
Had a great time with the Manta Ray night snorkel tour. Only 6 people on the tour total, which was great. Captain and guide were super friendly from the beginning to end. Easy cruise out to the snorkel spot. All gear needed is included. Guide was very informative and kind. We saw over 8 manta and were blown away at how close they got to us! 10/10 would recommend. Captain and crew made us feel safe and comfortable. Will recommend to friends and family. Mahalo!
Reviewed by Sallymck01 - 2023-01-29
