Showed up at 3:30 to check in - booked online - zero issues. First mate Patrick outfitted everyone with a wetsuit and we chatted for about 15 minutes until Captain Daniel showed up and gave us the safety briefing. We were in their spacious catamaran sailboat and we went to the airport area for the viewing. There were a total of 5 (5!) of us passengers on the ship. It was a nice slow cruise (which is why we left so early) and we saw humpback whales breaching as well as some dolphin spouts. The guys also had complementary non-alcoholic drinks for everyone and a beer / alcoholic seltzer selection for sale. We arrived at the viewing area about an hour before dark and the crew invited everyone to jump in for some snorkeling (nobody on the other boats was doing this - too busy getting everyone outfitted and ready, I guess. It's nice to go out with a boat that's not stuffed with 20 people....) - the water was amazing plus it gave us a little time to get used to the snorkel gear so we could be able to RELAX when the mantas showed up and not gag or inhale a bunch of saltwater and scare the big guys off. Snorkelled for about 20 mins, came back on board, chilled out and watched the beautiful sunset. We then got the wetsuits on (Yes, you will need them - you get chilled hanging onto the light board and NOT moving), and jumped in. After about 5 minutes of holding as still as we humanly could, we had our 1st (and only, it turned out) manta do a fly by and then came back and barrel rolled right under our group! WOW - it was a 'small one. You know, it only had a 9 or 10' wingspan! It turned out that we were one of the only groups to see a manta that night (it was just a slow evening and we haven't figured out what makes the manta rays decide where and when to eat yet) so we felt pretty lucky. These creatures will make you feel humble and small - amazing.
We heard other people on the other boats complaining that they 'only saw one' or 'rode all the way out here for NOTHING' but we felt blessed.. We had a the beautiful afternoon whale watching cruise, a snorkeling boat ride, an evening sunset cruise AND a manta experience while meeting awesome folks and the friendly professionalism of Captain Daniel and Patrick.
What a bargain for a lifetime bucket experience!
Mahalo!