Kailua-Kona: Manta Ray Snorkeling With Hot Cocoa

The Kailua-Kona Manta Ray Snorkeling tour offers a unique opportunity to witness these gentle giants up close in their natural habitat. For just $125, adventurers can enjoy a 2-hour excursion that includes top-notch snorkel gear, complimentary hot cocoa, and a chance to see the majestic creatures during either a stunning sunset or enchanting moonlight experience. With safety as the top priority, this tour promises an unforgettable encounter that will leave participants in awe of the beauty and grace of the manta rays. What’s more, the feedback from previous guests suggests this activity may just be the highlight of any Hawaiian getaway.

Key Points

• Manta ray snorkeling tour in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, starting at $125 per person, with a 2-hour duration and options for sunset or moonlight experiences.
• Guided tour with safety briefing, complimentary refreshments including hot cocoa, and high-quality snorkel equipment provided.
• Opportunity to swim with majestic manta rays in their natural habitat, with experienced guides to enhance the likelihood of encounters.
• Flexible booking and cancellation policy, including free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and rescheduling options if no manta rays are sighted.
• Overwhelmingly positive customer feedback, with 77% of reviews rated 5 stars, highlighting the exceptional and memorable nature of the experience.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Activity Overview

The Manta Ray Snorkeling experience in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii offers visitors a chance to swim with these gentle giants in their natural habitat.

Priced from $125 per person, the 2-hour tour departs from Honokohau Small Boat Harbor on the boat Kibou. Guests can choose between a sunset snorkel or a moonlight tour. A live English-speaking guide provides a safety briefing before the snorkeling begins.

Water, snacks, and hot cocoa are included. Snorkel gear and wetsuits are available for rent.

While sightings aren’t guaranteed, guests can join the next available tour at no extra charge if no manta rays are seen. The activity has an impressive 4.9/5 rating based on 78 reviews.

Experience Highlights

Swimming with Giant Oceanic Manta Rays in their natural habitat is the highlight of this Kailua-Kona experience.

Guests depart from Honokohau Small Boat Harbor on the boat Kibou, enjoying beautiful sunsets during the journey to the snorkeling site.

Before entering the water, a safety briefing is provided to ensure participants’ well-being.

The tour includes water, snacks, and beverages, with hot cocoa served post-snorkeling to warm up.

The experience features:

1. Opportunity to swim with majestic manta rays.
2. Breathtaking views of Hawaiian sunsets.
3. Comprehensive safety briefing.
4. Complimentary refreshments, including hot cocoa.

Pricing and Duration

From $125.00 per person, the Manta Ray Snorkeling experience in Kailua-Kona lasts for 2 hours.

Guests can choose between a sunset snorkel or a moonlight tour, both of which offer the chance to swim with the majestic giant oceanic manta rays.

Visitors will depart from Honokohau Small Boat Harbor on the boat Kibou, allowing them to enjoy the beautiful surroundings as they travel to the snorkeling site.

The experience includes a safety briefing, as well as water, snacks, and hot cocoa served after the snorkeling activity.

Guests can also rent wetsuits for an additional fee and bring their own food and beverages, excluding glass bottles.

Snorkel Gear and Amenities

Snorkel gear and essential amenities are provided for participants of the Manta Ray Snorkeling experience. The tour includes the use of high-quality snorkel equipment, including masks, snorkels, and fins.

For an additional fee, wetsuits are available for rent – $10 per adult and $5 per child. The boat also features bathroom facilities, allowing guests to freshen up before and after the snorkel adventure.

While guests are welcome to bring their own food and beverages, no glass bottles are permitted onboard.

The provided amenities ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience for participants, allowing them to focus on the awe-inspiring encounter with the majestic manta rays.

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Waiver and Mobility Requirements

Participants must complete a waiver before boarding the boat for the Manta Ray Snorkeling experience. This waiver outlines the risks associated with the activity and requires guests to acknowledge their understanding.

The tour isn’t suitable for individuals with mobility impairments or wheelchair users, as the boat access and snorkeling conditions may prove challenging.

The operator emphasizes that manta rays are wild animals, and sightings aren’t guaranteed. However, if no rays are spotted, guests can join the next available tour at no additional cost.

The company’s commitment to safety and transparency ensures a memorable and responsible encounter with these gentle giants of the ocean.

Manta Ray Sightings

Despite the fact that manta ray sightings aren’t guaranteed on this tour, the operators work diligently to provide guests with the best possible chance of encountering these magnificent creatures. They monitor the local manta ray population and select the optimal viewing locations based on recent sightings.

Plus, the operators utilize specialized lighting techniques to attract the mantas, creating an unforgettable experience for snorkelers.

Some key factors that influence manta ray sightings include:

1. Time of day: Manta rays are most active at night, so the sunset and moonlight tours offer the highest likelihood of encounters.
2. Weather conditions: Calm seas and clear visibility significantly improve the chances of spotting the mantas.
3. Group size: Smaller groups tend to have a better experience, as they’re less likely to disturb the mantas.
4. Guide expertise: Experienced guides know the local manta ray hotspots and can quickly spot and direct guests to the animals.

Customer Feedback

According to the reviews, customers have had overwhelmingly positive experiences with the Manta Ray Snorkeling tour in Kailua-Kona. The tour boasts an impressive 4.9/5 rating based on 78 reviews. Guests consistently highlight the "unforgettable experiences" and "knowledgeable guides." However, some feedback indicates a need for better preparation, especially for first-time snorkelers, regarding the boat ride conditions.

Rating	Number of Reviews	Percentage
5 Stars	60	77%
4 Stars	15	19%
3 Stars	3	4%

The feedback suggests the Manta Ray Snorkeling tour provides an exceptional and memorable experience for the majority of participants.

Booking and Cancellation Policy

The Manta Ray Snorkeling tour offers a flexible booking and cancellation policy to accommodate travelers. Guests can book their experience in advance and have the option to cancel up to 24 hours prior to the tour for a full refund. This allows for easy changes to travel plans without any penalties.

The tour provider also offers:

1. Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
2. Full refunds for cancellations within the 24-hour window.
3. Rescheduling options if no manta rays are sighted during the original tour.
4. Convenient online booking system for secure reservations.

This flexibility ensures a stress-free planning process and a memorable snorkeling adventure in Kailua-Kona.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring My Own Snorkel Gear?

Yes, you can bring your own snorkel gear. However, the experience provides snorkel gear and fins, including prescription goggles. Wetsuits are also available for rent if needed.

What Time Does the Tour Depart?

The tour departs at a time that varies depending on the option selected, either a sunset snorkel or a moonlight tour. Guests should check the schedule when booking their experience.

How Do I Get to the Boat Harbor?

To get to the Honokohau Small Boat Harbor, guests can drive and park at the harbor’s public parking lot. It’s an easy 5-10 minute drive from Kailua-Kona’s main roads and shops.

Can I Purchase Photos/Videos of My Experience?

Participants can purchase photos and videos of their manta ray snorkeling experience. The tour provider offers these options for purchase, allowing guests to capture and preserve their unforgettable encounter with the majestic creatures.

Is There a Minimum Age Requirement for Participants?

The minimum age requirement for participants is not specified in the provided information. However, the activity is described as not suitable for individuals with mobility impairments or wheelchair users, suggesting it may not be appropriate for very young children.

Recap

The Manta Ray Snorkeling tour in Kailua-Kona provides an unforgettable opportunity to swim alongside these gentle giants. With a reasonable price tag, high-quality gear, and stunning Hawaiian scenery, it’s no wonder customers rave about the experience. Whether you choose a sunset or moonlight tour, you’re guaranteed an enchanting encounter with these majestic creatures.

You can check if your dates are available here: