I have done the manta experience 3 times previously with different vendors via SCUBA, but because my wife and daughter were with me we opted to go snorkel with the mantas. My previous manta experiences were all at Garden Eel Cove north of Honokohau. Keauhou is certainly a much faster trip via boat, 10 minutes tops, versus 30 minutes each way up north. The number of mantas at Keauhou was also more than I had ever previously experienced. It is also a bit more crowded with many boats at Keauhou, giving it a little bit of a disorganized feel, but the staff were all helpful and everyone enjoyed the trip immensely. If you are even mildly interested in the ocean you should do this trip, it is amazing!