Family of 4 (adults and teens 13 and 17) did the Sunset and Manta Ray Snorkel tour. It was awesome! The crew was friendly, informative and helpful. Plenty of included bottled water and soft drinks are offered. It’s about 1/2 an hour catamaran trip to the manta ray village. As you near the location, a crew member will hand out a short sleeve wetsuit top and a snorkel gear and mask. I called ahead to make sure they had a -5 mask for my son who normally wears glasses (know your rx so you can get the closest approximate.) You can also bring your own mask and tube. Flippers are neither allowed nor needed. When we arrived to the destination, there were a lot of other groups out there from
other companies. However, it wasn’t too bad once the captain settled on a spot and deployed the light bars. Getting into the water was easy down steps and a short swim with a provided pool noodle to grab onto the rails on the lighted bar. (You can bring your own snorkel or flotation vest if that makes you more comfortable,) The light bar is connected to the catamaran by ropes. Once out, you hang on with your feet high up (crew will move your pool noodle to under your ankles if necessary). While hanging onto the bar with arms straight in front of you can look down and eventually see the mantas do belly rolls so close that you may be touched (blessed) by a manta. DO NOT try to touch them. The mantas were amazing and beautiful. I brought my iPhone in a waterproof case, but didn’t get any pictures or video because I’m not a confident ocean swimmer and hanging onto the light bar, trying to unlock my phone via passcode, etc. was too much for me. If you’re like me, a water safe camera would have been a smarter choice. They do rent cameras at the shop where you check in (you keep the sr card after), but I didn’t inquire about that. During the excursion, including while hanging on the light bars, the crew will continue to give information on mantas, including identifying the local mantas by name and unique markings. At the end of the viewing time you will make a short swim back onto the catamaran and be helped up onto the steps by crew. Back on board, you can have hot tea or cocoa, and crew will offer packaged cookies.
Ответ от хоста
Jul 2022
Aloha, Nancy! Thank you for the detailed summary of the experience! We know for a fact that this will be appreciated by future guests that are researching who they should pick as a tour provider. Our guests say it better than we can, and we're okay with that. 😉 We are thrilled that you and your family had lots of fun snorkeling with the manta rays. You seriously ROCK for calling ahead about the RX masks! It is a pleasant surprise for most, but it always pays to be prepared! Don't worry if you missed capturing manta ray footage. Our social media channels have plenty of manta ray videos and pictures to share with friends and family! Mahalo for joining us - The KONASTYLE Ohana