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Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend bringing:
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Swimwear, towel, and a light jacket or sweater for after your adventure.
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Cover-up or rash guard for added comfort.
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Reef-safe sunscreen to protect Hawaii’s beautiful marine life.
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Reusable water bottle to stay hydrated.
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Camera or GoPro to capture the magic.
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Pro Tip: If you have your own snorkel gear that you love, feel free to bring it!
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We provide everything you need for a seamless experience, including:
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Mask, snorkel, and wetsuit for comfortable snorkeling.
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Complimentary water and hot chocolate after the tour to warm up.
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Safety equipment and flotation devices for peace of mind.
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Expert guidance from our crew, ensuring a safe and unforgettable adventure.
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Our vessel, The Getaway, is a 39-foot SAFE Boat—similar in style to a Zodiac but larger, sturdier, and custom-built for comfort:
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Military-grade design originally built for rescue operations
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Similar to a Zodiac: inflatable collar with a rigid hull for stability and safety
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39 feet long with spacious, open layout
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Smooth, stable ride ideal for all ocean conditions
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Custom-outfitted for snorkeling, manta tours, and private charters
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Perfect for families, private groups, and adventure lovers seeking comfort and safety
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All of our tour times offer an equal chance of seeing manta rays (+95%) — we wouldn’t run a tour if the chances were lower!
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Manta rays begin arriving at the site right around sunset, and they typically stay throughout the evening
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Our first tour of the night kicks off just as the sun sets, offering a stunning view and an unforgettable start to your adventure
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Later tours take place in full darkness, which enhances the glowing underwater lights and creates an equally magical experience
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No matter which time you choose, you’ll be in one of the most consistent manta ray locations in the world — and we’ll always ensure conditions are right before heading out
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Absolutely! Manta rays are gentle giants of the ocean.
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They have no teeth, no stingers, and are completely harmless.
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Their wingspan can reach up to 15 feet, but they glide gracefully and are curious, not aggressive.
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Our guides ensure you have a safe, respectful, and memorable encounter.
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Our Manta Ray Night Snorkel experience is ~1 hour from start to finish:
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~40 minutes in the water, giving you plenty of time to observe the mantas.
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Some guests are ready to come back on the boat before the full time in the water is up which is of course fine as well
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A quick 3-minute boat ride to Manta Ray Village—the shortest trip on the island.
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Time to enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and water after your swim.
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Each guest must be at least 8 years old and must feel confident swimming in the ocean.
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Although you’re supported and floating the whole time and completely secure, we do this for your safety.
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Our experienced crew is always nearby to assist and ensure everyone’s safety.
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We limit our tours to just 6 guests, the smallest group size of any local operator. This ensures a more personal, relaxed, and premium experience—more like a private charter than a crowded tour.
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If you have a group that is larger than 6, please call or email us to discuss options of how we can accommodate your group!
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While manta rays are wild animals, and we can not guarantee with 100% certainty, our sighting rate is over 95%.
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If you don’t see mantas on your tour (which is rare), we’re happy to offer you a complimentary return ticket to try again on another night during the duration of your trip with availability (Non Transferrable).
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Our guides are experts at finding the best spots, giving you the best chance to witness them.
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No, manta rays are a protected species in Hawaii, and for their safety and yours, we strictly follow a no-touch policy.
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Our goal is to observe them in their natural behavior without disruption.
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However, they are often so curious, they will come rub up against you!
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Manta rays are present year-round in Kona, which means there’s never a bad time to join us.
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The warm Hawaiian waters provide the perfect habitat for them, ensuring sightings throughout every season.
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Our tours book out well in advance so we recommend booking early to secure your spot.
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Yes, absolutely!
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You can enjoy the experience from the comfort of the boat, with a front-row seat to watch the mantas perform their underwater ballet.
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Perfect for family members who want to be part of the adventure without getting wet.
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Our adventure begins at Keauhou Bay and heads to the world-famous Manta Ray Village—just a quick 3-minute boat ride from our dock.
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This site is known for its unmatched manta ray activity, making it the best spot on the island for night snorkeling.
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Yes! We encourage you to bring a GoPro or underwater camera.
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You’ll want to capture the incredible moments with the mantas gliding right beneath you.
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We also offer GoPro rentals if you want professional-quality footage.
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We kindly ask that you arrive at least 25 minutes before your scheduled tour time.
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Parking at Keauhou Bay can be limited, so give yourself extra time to find a spot and walk to check-in.
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We begin guest check-in and orientation 15 minutes prior to departure to ensure you're prepared and relaxed before boarding.
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Unfortunately, we’re unable to delay tours for late arrivals out of respect for our other guests and crew.
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Mahalo for helping us keep everything running smoothly—we want every guest to enjoy the full experience!
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Yes—basic swimming ability is required. Here's what that means:
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You should be able to swim approximately 10 yards unassisted (from the boat to the light board and back).
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During the tour, you will:
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Hold onto a custom light board throughout the snorkel.
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Be supported by a floatation noodle under your legs, making it easy to stay afloat.
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Our experienced crew is in the water with you the entire time, ready to assist and ensure you feel safe and supported.
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You do not need to be an advanced swimmer—just comfortable in the water.
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If you're unsure about your ability, feel free to reach out to our team—we're happy to help!
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Our tours depart from the Keauhou Bay Pier — not the boat ramp. Here's how to find us:
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If you're coming down Kaleiopapa St, head toward the building at the pier, and you'll find us directly to the front right of the structure.
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You can click our address on Google Maps and it should direct you right to where you need to be
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Look for a welcome sign in the parking lot for The Manta & Snorkel Co – Kona.
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We’re located right by the pier, not at the public boat launch ramp
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Our crew will be there to greet you, check you in, and get you ready for your adventure.
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If you're unsure or having trouble finding us, feel free to call—we're happy to help guide you in.
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Since our tours are in very high demand and book out in advance, to be fair to all of our customers we have a 72 hour cancellation policy for a full refund
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If you need to reschedule for any reason please reach out and we will do our best to accommodate your request
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We require a minimum of 4 guests per tour to cover labor and operating costs.
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Most tours meet this minimum with no issue, as we typically book up.
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In rare cases, we may ask you to shift to another tour time that evening to avoid gaps and run efficiently.
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If fewer than 4 guests are booked and you're unable to move to another time, you will have two options:
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Receive a full refund, or
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Pay the equivalent of 4 tickets to ensure the tour runs (and enjoy a more private experience).
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