Maybe the trip should have been cancelled due to currents, which would have been understandable, but it wasn’t. We booked, based on reviews, so I’m not sure why this evening was any different. We did NOT return, as my entire party, 4 people, were concerned for their safety. We returned to the dock where we were told that we would be able to go out another evening if we so desired. Honestly, the whole in and out experience, had already made me to decide I was not reentering the water. He felt that the currents were too strong. Once in the boat, the captain, I believe Chris or Craig, told Buddha (I think that was his name) that he was “overriding his decision” and we would be returning to dock. We then, laying flat, held onto the board waiting patiently.Īpproximately 15-20 minutes later were advised that we were moving to a new location and to return to the boat. We were lucky enough to see one Manta Ray within a matter of minutes. Again, no discussion regarding swimming skills or flotation devices for personal buoyancy. Maybe an easy swim for some, but in choppy seas, not an easy swim for all onboard. The “noodle” was NOT mandatory.ĭue to the current, the reason we went south of KONA, the board had drifted approximately 30-40 feet from the boat. Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tour Adventure on a Hawaiian Sailing Canoe. Soak in the sunset as you ride to the snorkel spot. No flotation devices other than the “noodle” to put under your legs to keep you flat. Take off from Honokohau Harbor on an evening manta ray snorkel as the captain, an expert in marine sciences, explains all the details about these graceful creatures of the deep. Neither staff member asked anyone what their swimming skills were prior to entering the water. There water was very choppy with intermittent rain. It was a cold evening and the weather was NOT perfect. Once at the site, we were asked to put on snorkels and wait to be told to enter the water. My issue wasn’t the lack of Manta Rays we saw, one very deep underneath the board, it was how the staff handled our adventure. I’d like to start that I am a certified diver and I have realistic expectations when doing this type of trip. Can’t believe how much we saw through this experience, and would truly recommend his tour. Hele on to lava fields, to touch & walk through paths of molten rock formed from the last eruptions, lava trees, lush tropical Liliuokalani gardens, black sand beach, canopied highways, wild pigs, chickens and so much more! Junior was the consumate host, gave us lots of interesting info and funny stories, shared his pickled mango and snacks. Inside, we saw different lava formations, raw textures, gleaming with metallic reflections off the cave walls (sturdy shoes and flashlight recommended given dark, uneven ground). Next up to be discovered down a narrow flight of stairs were the Kaumana Caves, an old inactive lava tube cached among vines, tropical flora below ground level formed by a lava flow from Mauna Loa in the 1800s. After a seamless pickup, we ventured to Rainbow Falls and the majestic banyon trees not to be missed further down the trail from the lookout. The Manta Rays here in Kailua Kona have become conditioned where to go each night to find an easy meal feeding on the plankton that is attracted by our underwater lights…which makes locating them easy for us! The Manta Rays wingspan can reach over 20 feet across and weigh upwards of 1,000 pounds.We had an amazing day with Junior who delivered an unforgettable holoholo to see some of the highlights in and around Hilo. Sea Paradise is an original manta ray tour expert in Hawaii, helping its guests get up close and personal with these majestic creatures since 1985. Swimming with the Kona manta rays is often the highlight of visitors’ trips to Hawaii. Hawaii is considered the #1 place in the world to view Mantas. These mesmerizing creatures sometimes gracefully glide within inches of amazed snorkelers. Your swim guides will keep your board positioned over the manta ray snorkeling area. This makes it easy to keep our groups safely together as the mantas feed on the plankton underneath us. When snorkeling with the Manta Rays you will hold on to a comfortable bar attached to a large surfboard that has 16 bright LED drop lights to attract plankton (Manta Ray Food). Our company DOES NOT charge for wet suits. Snorkel approx 2- hr 16 passengers max on 32ft Zodiac Manta Boat #1 or 30 passengers on 43ft Zodiac Manta Boat #2 Check-in takes place at the harbor where you will be provided with a wet suit and snorkel gear.
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