traditionalpineapple
Mar 2019
Took my mother on a trip to Hawaii, and this was our top thing to do. Unfortunately, the night we went, we saw one tiny manta very far away and that was it. Tanner and Captain Dan were very nice about it, and offered to take us back out again whenever we come back to Hawaii. They also served fresh pineapple and cookies. I think they really did care that we didn't get see any Mantas, and it's not their fault that the rays didn't show up.
Here's how it all works. There are only a certain number of mooring balls, so Manta adventures makes sure they are one of the first few boats to show up. What that means is you leave the harbor around 4pm, and you then sit and watch the sun set. On our particular tour, we came across a pod of dolphins who wanted to play with the boat as we headed out to Manta heaven. That was awesome! Captain Dan did a few circles with the boat to engage them, and they stayed right with us. So cool! Once we reached the area where the mantas show up, which is off the coast of the airport, then we moored and sat. Unfortunately, the ocean was very rough that day. If you get seasick, then this tour is not for you. You truly do just sit there for an hour to an hour and a half waiting for the sun to go down, and the boat is not on and only moving with the ocean. Once the sun goes down, they turn on the lights under the boat, and pass out wet suits, snorkels, and masks. You all get in the water with a noodle, and hang on to a surfboard surrounded by PCP pipe that has LED lights underneath it (to attract the phytoplankton the mantas eat). We were in the water about 40 min, and it is very very cold. (Maybe different if you go in the summer.) Fortunately, when you get out, the captain hoses you down with hot water (hot shower!).. Thank god. I was so cold when I got out, my whole body was shaking. Then they pass out fresh baked cookies while they unmoor and head back into shore.
I think that if we had seen any mantas, it would have been an amazing experience. Tanner was extremely knowledgeable about Mantas, and Captain Dan had a lot of fun stories about his life. They both did a good job, and really did try to get us to see Mantas. I also liked the policy of being able to come back again any time to try once more.