I was unsure about booking through Viator for this experience, but I was unable to find any other Manta night snorkels available with the little time we had left on vacation. So, without many reviews or information on the actual company taking us out we decided to book it anyway and hoped for the best. I couldn’t be happier with that decision. We booked Manta Ray Snorkel Boat #1 small 16 person experience with a 6:30pm departure $139 per person
Quick summary:
20 min. boat ride to location
25 min. in water with Mantas holding onto a platform with lights
20 min. boat ride back to harbor
Details:
After booking you aren’t given a lot of specific information initially. On the day of your trip you will get a very good detailed text with specific directions of where to go for this excursion. We had no problem finding our meeting location.
Once we arrived and met our Captain (Kris) we were informed every step of the way of what to expect. You will be offered an optional wet suit and I would recommend wearing one. I chose not to as I’m from Alaska and am used to cooler waters, but after holding still in the water for approximately 25-30 minutes I was shivering.
We left the Harbor around 6:50 because we waited for a couple who was running late. No big deal because they didn’t have another group to take out after us. The boat ride was about 20 minutes during sunset to get to the location. When we arrived there were many other boats and companies already there. That was not a problem, there seemed to be plenty of space and mantas for everyone.
After arriving we were given details about Manta Rays and what to do once we entered the water. Our guide (Buddha) got the platform with lights in the perfect spot set up before we all got in and swam a short 10ft to him and the board. You will hold onto the board in a Superman position the whole time you are in the water. We were offered pool noodles and I would recommend taking one to put under your feet to help stay in that Superman position easier without your feet dropping. Immediately getting to the board and looking into the water we saw Mantas. It took a brief moment to relax as it is a little intense at first. We saw many more than I expected to see and I didn’t realize how close to them we would be. It was amazing! There was a couple of people who panicked or got scared, but they were able to hop on top of the platform and view the mantas without being in the water. Their floundering didn’t scare away the mantas like I was afraid it would do.
After about 25 minutes in the water watching the Mantas it was time to go. It was the perfect amount of time. Once back in the boat we headed back to the harbor. It was a little chilly ride back from being wet, but I had a towel and a sweatshirt along and was very comfortable.
Now, this is where my only complaint comes in. Our guide (Buddha) on the ride back was talking non stop about “good”tipping. He was laying it on so thick it was obnoxious and uncomfortable. He was bragging about how he’s better than anyone else and he gets more Mantas than anyone, etc. etc. We knew before going gratuities were not included and had already planned on tipping at the end. His conversation was very awkward and unnecessary, and it was actually having an opposite effect on me and made me not want to tip in the end at all. Luckily my husband couldn’t hear the entire nonsense and still gave a tip once we arrived back at the harbor. A tip which was deserved because they did do a fantastic job. I personally was just very turned off by his conversation.
I had also purchased a waterproof pouch for my iPhone so I was able to take underwater videos of the experience and they turned out better than any photos I tried to take. I was able to airdrop the video to others on our boat also which worked out great for everyone.
The snacks were offered on the ride back and it was just an individual size bag of chips, the drink was offered after arriving back at the harbor and was a juice or soda.
Overall I would highly recommend. We all had a fantastic experience and it was the highlight of our vacation. Worth every penny!