Frequently Asked Questions

Basic swimmings skills are required (swim/stay afloat without assistance) to join the tours. It’s also preferred that some snorkeling experience be acquired before joining us on a manta tour. Join us on a morning snorkel first to get those skills down as it will make your manta tour a more enjoyable experience! Non-swimmers can join the morning snorkel trip to enjoy the iconic Kona coastline from the boat, but will not be permitted to enter the water. Non-swimmers are not permitted on manta ray charters. This is for your safety, the crew’s safety, and courtesy to the other guests onboard.

• For day trips: hat, sun-protective clothing, reef-safe sunscreen, towel, camera
• For evening trips: zip-up jacket, towel, underwater camera or GoPro
• A small dry bag is recommended as we have limited dry storage onboard and seaspray is normal
• Kindly leave any extra items in your car or in our storage locker on the dock. Key storage is provided as well, so those don’t get lost!

• We depart from the Honokohau Small Boat Harbor. The easiest way to get there is to follow the Google Maps link in your confirmation email or type Kona Snorkel Trips into Google Maps and follow the directions.  If you know where the harbor is just turn in and follow the road until you come to the two-story building with a red roof and gas station.  Park and meet us at the covered picnic tables.  If you arrive at check-in and our boat is not there or no one is present to check you in we are either bringing the boat around or coming back from our previous trip.  Of course, it doesn’t hurt to check your confirmation email for the correct date.

• The address for GPS or smartphone maps is: 74-381 Kealakehe Pkwy, Kailua, HI 96740 or you can put Kona Snorkel Trips in Google Maps

• On our daytime snorkel trips, we are guaranteed to see an abundance of live coral reefs rich with marine creatures big and small and many varieties of fish, including many endemic species. Often times we are fortunate enough to see the local spinner dolphins from the boat.  

The itinerary for both trips is the same, just the timing is different. On the earlier trip we check in during daylight hours and catch an unobstructed sunset view from the boat.

The later trip is a bit more adventurous – we check in at night, and zoom off into the darkness to our manta snorkel location. During both experiences we are snorkeling in the dark, however, the ocean is lit by lighting equipment on the snorkel boards. The mantas aren’t particularly more prevalent on one trip or the other – they’re wild animals so they show up on their own time.

Yes! We provide good quality snorkeling gear including masks, snorkels, and fins for our day snorkel trips. Wetsuits are provided for the manta tour and are available on request for daytime snorkels. Floatation devices are offered for all of our guests on the manta tour. We can provide you with either a pool noodle or float belt for the daytime snorkel to give you extra confidence, but keep in mind all guests must have basic swimming skills to enter the water. 

Absolutely! With the exception of our season whale-watching tours, you’re gonna get wet. Arrive at check-in wearing your swimwear, ready to go! We highly recommend a rashguard with sun protection instead of sunscreen. If you do bring sunscreen – kindly make sure it’s reef safe.

We do have a limited selection of prescription masks available. If you plan to snorkel more than just once, it may be worth your while to purchase a mask with your correct prescription.

Yes! We want you to be comfortable and have an enjoyable experience. We welcome you to bring your own snorkel gear or use ours – whatever is more comfortable for you.

On our morning snorkel trip, we provide chips, Hawaiian juices and water

No, our license doesn’t allow us to serve alcohol. For your safety and the best experience for all guests, please don’t consume alcohol prior to your snorkel trip. You’re welcome to bring your own and enjoy beverages once you’re done snorkeling and out of the water. Cheers!

Yes, we have plenty of shade on board.

At check-in there is an opportunity to use the facilities on land, however, we do not have a restroom on board.

The great thing about our boat is that it’s fast-moving and open-air. This means guests are less prone to seasickness. When we’re moving quickly, we avoid the swaying and sloshing movement that often causes that icky feeling. With that said, there are people who are more susceptible and we still want you to have a great time. We recommend looking into over-the-counter options like Bonine, Dramamine, ginger chews, sea bands, etc.

Since manta rays are wild animals their presence is affected by a variety of factors, and we don’t have control over whether or not they grace us with their presence. Because your enjoyment on the trip is a high priority to us (second only to safety), we do everything we can to find mantas for you including making informed decisions on where to go to have the best opportunity to see them. On the rare occasion, we don’t see any mantas, you can come back out with us for free on a standby space available basis.

As awkward of a subject as it can be, it’s a question that we get multiple times per day.  While it is fairly common to leave 15-20% on a restaurant ticket, you can bet our crew delivers a lot more on your excursions.  Tips are never expected but always appreciated.

Thanks to our location on the island and protection from Hualalai, the majestic mountain behind our town, we typically have great weather, calm seas, and few rain days per year. Some days cloud over then clear up quickly, or the mountain looks cloudy and we have gorgeous weather on the Kona coast. On the rare occasion, the weather is questionable, our team will make a determination whether or not the trip can go out safely. In the event we cancel we will do our very best to rebook you for another time. If we cannot accommodate you, we will give you a full refund.  Kindly be sure your reachable via the contact information you provided.

Absolutely! What better way to capture your exciting experience than having photo memories to share with friends and family and look back to reminisce for years to come.

Our captain and crew are prepared to handle any situation that may arise and will instruct you in the event of an emergency. All of our staff are certified with current CPR with AED and Oxygen and have acquired in-water rescue skills as either a rescue diver (or higher) or level 1 freediver or lifeguard certification. Rest-assured, you’re in good hands with our team!

Yes, our boat is a coast guard certified vessel and complies with all of the requirements for a commercial vessel, and then some. We have a first aid kit, oxygen (O2) kit, Automated External Defibrillator (AED), Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), flares, horn, life jackets, and fire safety equipment on board

Your comfort is important to us. If you will have a better experience snorkeling with your full-face mask, you’re welcome to. Currently, we provide the standard mask and snorkel set up, and do not provide full-face masks

We limit the number of guests onboard to 18 plus 3 crew members. Our coast guard allowed capacity is more, but 18 guests fit comfortably.

Yes, the coast guard requires commercial boats to carry life vests for all guests in the event of an emergency.

We’ll be doing it Hawaiian style – barefoot – for all of our trips. Because stepping on lava is dangerous for guests and stepping on coral is dangers for guests and damages the reefs we enjoy, we will not be stepping or standing on anything except our boat deck and ladder for the duration of the experience.

Parking is free and convenient. When you arrive at check-in, you’ll see gravel spaces for parking nearby. Park, lock, and come over to start your adventure!

The temperature varies seasonally, but year-round our water temps are relatively warm. During the winter months, it may dip down to 74 degrees. Late summer will be around 80 and the rest of the year somewhere in between!

The seats are available for guests whether they’d like to snorkel or ride along for the boat trip, the cost per seat is the same.  Ridealongs are not recommended for the manta charter.

Group discounts are not available, however, often times it’s more financially advantageous for a group to select a private charter depending on the number of guests. Ask us, we’ll be happy to help you choose which option is best for you!

Kids are welcome on all of our charters (the minimum ages vary) and must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

The length of time you’re in the water varies by trip. Typically on our Kealakekua Bay Morning Snorkel trips, guests have an hour or more in the water. If you’re done snorkeling before that, you’re welcome to climb aboard and hang out with the captain. On both of our Manta Ray Snorkel trips, guests have 30-40 minutes in the water. We find that’s a good amount of time to view the mantas and have a great experience before guests are ready to get back on the boat.

Our insurance doesn’t allow the transportation of guests. It’s your responsibility to get to and from the check-in location. Kona does have Uber, Lyft, and taxi services, but they aren’t very reliable.

Our boat, Orca, is a 27.8’ rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) with twin Yamaha 200 outboard motors, allowing us to move quickly down the coastline.