This was by far the coolest, most surreal experience I have ever had!! Even if you have the slightest bit of hesitation or fear, put it all aside and for it - and book with sea quest!! The boat ride is less than 5 mins from their headquarters to the manta snorkel location.They provide you with very warm and comfortable wetsuits and everything moves extremely quickly once you get on that boat. They provide you with snorkels and a pool noodle and you just get right in, head on over to their floatation device, hold on and look down to enjoy the show!
I would say you definitely definitely need to have snorkeled before, or at least be extremely comfortable in water. There is not much swimming required at all, the swim from the boat to the floatation device is hardly 10 feet and thats all the swimming you do. Moreover the crew is extremely helpful to anyone who is uncomfortable or scared. I personally asked to be lowered down into the water because I was too scared to jump in - they helped me with that and also escorted me to the floatation device. Even before putting my head in the mantas were already there and I could see them!! Once you put your head in, its just unreal. The second I put my head in and went into the flat position, a manta ray belly rolled right in front of my face and I just cannot get it out of my head! It was literally less than an inch away from me.
I couldn’t hold on for too long, it does require some shoulder strength, and definitely recommend taking dramamine before the snorkel, but regardless they helped me get back to the boat as well as soon as I wanted to. They were helpful to everyone (special shoutout to Adam, Bethany and MJ) and they are the reason I loved the tour so much. You’ll not regret the experience, no matter how long you manage to stay in the water! Do it!