Frequently Asked Questions

Full payment is due at the time of booking. You may make changes or cancellations to your reservation up to 48 hours prior to your trip and receive a full refund.

We enforce a strict no refund/no reschedule policy with less than 48 hours notice before the trip.

No-shows will not be offered a refund.

We are a small business and every seat counts.  Thank you for your cooperation.

What if we cancel?

We reserve the right to cancel for any reason including, but not limited to weather, ocean conditions, passenger count, mechanical issues, safety for you, our guests, and our crew. We’ll do our best to reschedule your trip based on availability or you’ll be issued a refund in full. We will contact you via the phone number and/or email address provided in the reservation. We are not responsible if we can not contact you for important information regarding the charter.

You can now cancel your reservation via your booking confirmation email outside of the 48-hour cancellation policy.  It’s located between the item’s picture and the green box that asks you to sign waivers.

If you need to reschedule, outside of the 48 hours no penalty window, follow the steps above a then make a new reservation for your desired date.

We can only contact you by the email you’ve provided. Please check your email regularly as we may have to contact you with important information regarding your trip

Basic swimming 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. Wearing a life jacket is not a replacement for no swimming skills.  This is for everyone’s safety.

Yes, all charters need to have a minimum number of guests to run, six guests.  We’ve decided to increase the number of guests instead of raising our prices.  While this typically isn’t any issue sometimes we do have light boats and will need to reschedule you for a different day.

There is no weight restriction but guests must be able to physically and safely maneuver on and off the vessel without assistance.  Snorkeling can also be a physically exerting activity and we are 20-45 minute boat ride from medical care in the event of an emergency.

• 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

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 the sunset from the boat.  There are often more boats out during this time frame.

The later trip is a bit more adventurous – we check in at night, and zoom off into the darkness to our manta snorkel location. There are fewer boats that do a second trip.  You’ll get home late – especially during the summer months.

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.

This is the most popular tour on the island which is why we offer two tour times so that we can accommodate all the guests that want to attend.

You will be wearing a mask, snorkel, wetsuit, and floatation belt.  We’ve modified surfboards that have rope “handles” going around the perimeter of the board.  You’ll lightly hold onto the rope handle superman style (arms outstretched over your head).  This is why it’s important not to have any shoulder issues!  In the middle of the board, we’ve cut out holes and inserted high-powered lights that attract plankton which is what the mantas love to eat!  There are 9-10 guests per board.  Your guide will “tow” you around to the best spots to view the mantas.

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.  

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. 

You’ll want to arrive wearing your swimwear, ready to go! For daytime snorkels, we highly recommend a rashguard and leggings with sun protection instead of sunscreen. If you do bring sunscreen – kindly make sure it’s reef safe.  At night those same items can provide a little bit of additional warmth.  We know you want to have fun in the sun, but Hawaii’s sun is strong and we don’t want you to get a sunburn so covering up is your best option.

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.

We have a couple of GoPro’s to rent on a first-come basis or you can visit our friends at Ali’i Adventures who rent GoPro 9’s at their downtown shop by the Kona pier. Be sure to pick one up before the charter. They are open 9am-5pm. The rental price is $40.00 for the day (night). SIM cards are available for purchase.

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.

While we’d love for everyone to come with us our boat is not suited for everyone.  To board the boat one must take a big step up from a floating dock onto the pontoon and then a big step down into the boat. To get back in the boat, from the water, guests must be able to climb a short ladder unassisted.

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 so it’s always better to be proactive. We sell acupressure Sea-Bands at check-in as a non-drug option.

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. 

MANTA GUARANTEE’

Please note that the Manta Rays are wild animals and their presence is not guaranteed. If you do not see a manta on your night out, you can go again on another night on a space-available standby basis. Keep in mind that standby spaces may be extremely limited, especially during the busiest times of the year. This offer never expires, but is non-transferable and has no refund or cash value. We are typically very successful in finding mantas for you; however, if they are not around, the costs involved with setting up the charter and getting all our guests to the location will not allow us to offer you a refund.

You can slide into the water from the pontoons.  There is a short ladder to climb to get back into the boat.  You must be able to climb the ladder unassisted.

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 you’re reachable via the contact information you provided.

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.

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.

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.

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 setup, and do not provide full-face masks.  Please note that full-face masks have a higher tendency to fog and your mouth is enclosed which makes it extremely difficult for us to hear you if you are having an issue.  We do not recommend using them.

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 dive master (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

Yes, the coast guard requires commercial boats to carry emergency life vests for all guests in the event of an emergency.  Children 12 and under will wear lifejackets while underway.

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

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!

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!

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. The boat you see on our website is the boat you’ll be on. 

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 permitted for the manta charter.

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.

We do not provide transportation.  We highly recommend having a rental vehicle as Uber, Lyft, and taxi services are not very reliable.