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Plan Your Kona Adventure with Confidence

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Ready to Book Your Adventure?

Still Have Questions? Contact Us

Frequently Asked Questions

  • We recommend bringing:

    • Swimwear, towel, and a light jacket or sweater for after your adventure.

    • Cover-up or rash guard for added comfort.

    • Reef-safe sunscreen to protect Hawaii’s beautiful marine life.

    • Reusable water bottle to stay hydrated.

    • Camera or GoPro to capture the magic.

    • Pro Tip: If you have your own snorkel gear that you love, feel free to bring it!

    • We provide everything you need for a seamless experience, including:

    • Mask, snorkel, and wetsuit for comfortable snorkeling.

    • Complimentary water and hot chocolate after the tour to warm up.

    • Safety equipment and flotation devices for peace of mind.

    • Expert guidance from our crew, ensuring a safe and unforgettable adventure.

  • We’re proud to operate two premium vessels—each custom-built for comfort, safety, and performance:

    The Getaway – our flagship 39-foot SAFE Boat

    • Military-grade design originally built for rescue operations

    • Similar to a Zodiac but larger, sturdier, and incredibly stable

    • Spacious, open layout with smooth handling in all ocean conditions

    • Custom-outfitted for snorkeling, manta tours, and private charters

    The Force – our new 27-foot adventure vessel (launching November 2025)

    • Purpose-built for snorkeling and manta ray encounters

    • Fast, maneuverable, and exceptionally stable even in choppier seas

    • Features the same professional-grade safety gear, comfort seating, and smooth ride as The Getaway

    • Perfect for small groups who want an intimate, exciting experience with Kona’s manta rays

    Both boats are  meticulously maintained, and captained by our experienced local crew—offering the same luxury experience whether you’re aboard The Getaway or The Force.

  • ​

    • No! Both tours offer the same amazing Manta experience & time in the water 

    • Tour start times differ slightly as the night goes in an effort to keep the loading pier clear and maximize time in the water

  • 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!

    • Manta rays begin arriving at the site right around sunset, and they typically stay throughout the evening

    • Our first tour of the night kicks off just as the sun sets, offering a stunning view and an unforgettable start to your adventure

    • Later tours take place in full darkness, which enhances the glowing underwater lights and creates an equally magical experience

    • 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

    • Absolutely! Manta rays are gentle giants of the ocean.

    • They have no teeth, no stingers, and are completely harmless.

    • Their wingspan can reach up to 15 feet, but they glide gracefully and are curious, not aggressive.

    • Our guides ensure you have a safe, respectful, and memorable encounter.

    • Our Manta Ray Night Snorkel experience is ~1 hour from start to finish:

    • ~35-40 minutes in the water, giving you plenty of time to observe the mantas.

    • 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

    • A quick 3-minute boat ride to Manta Ray Village—the shortest trip on the island.

    • Time to enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and water after your swim.

    • Each guest must be at least 8 years old and must feel confident swimming in the ocean. 

    • Although you’re supported and floating the whole time and completely secure, we do this for your safety.

    • ​Our experienced crew is always nearby to assist and ensure everyone’s safety.

    • We don’t have a strict weight requirement, but we generally recommend guests be 280 lbs or under.

    • Guests should be physically able to get in and out of the boat on their own.

    • Boarding involves stepping about 18 inches up or down between the dock and the boat.

    • Entering and exiting the water is done via a sturdy ladder with roughly 4 rungs.

    • If you’re unsure about your ability to participate, feel free to contact us before booking — we’re happy to help you decide if this experience is right for you.

    • We limit our tours to just 6 guests on each of our vessels, 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.

    • If you have a group that is larger than 6, please call or email us to discuss utilizing both of our boats for your group so that we can we can accommodate you!

    • While manta rays are wild animals, and we can not guarantee with 100% certainty, our sighting rate is over 95%.

    • 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).

    • Our guides are experts at finding the best spots, giving you the best chance to witness them.

    • No, manta rays are a protected species in Hawaii, and for their safety and yours, we strictly follow a no-touch policy.

    • Our goal is to observe them in their natural behavior without disruption.

    • However, they are often so curious, they will come rub up against you!

    • Manta rays are present year-round in Kona, which means there’s never a bad time to join us.

    • The warm Hawaiian waters provide the perfect habitat for them, ensuring sightings throughout every season.

    • Our tours book out well in advance so we recommend booking early to secure your spot.

    • Yes, absolutely!

    • You can enjoy the experience from the comfort of the boat, with a front-row seat to watch the mantas perform their underwater ballet.

    • Perfect for family members who want to be part of the adventure without getting wet.

    • 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.

    • This site is known for its unmatched manta ray activity, making it the best spot on the island for night snorkeling.

  • ​​

    • Yes! We encourage you to bring a GoPro or underwater camera.

    • You’ll want to capture the incredible moments with the mantas gliding right beneath you.

    • We also offer GoPro rentals if you want professional-quality footage.

    • We kindly ask that you arrive at least 25 minutes before your scheduled tour time.

    • Parking at Keauhou Bay can be limited, so give yourself extra time to find a spot and walk to check-in.

    • We begin guest check-in and orientation 15 minutes prior to departure to ensure you're prepared and relaxed before boarding.

    • Unfortunately, we’re unable to delay tours for late arrivals out of respect for our other guests and crew.

    • Mahalo for helping us keep everything running smoothly—we want every guest to enjoy the full experience!

    • Yes—basic swimming ability is required. Here's what that means:

    • You should be able to swim approximately 10 yards unassisted (from the boat to the light board and back).

    • During the tour, you will:

    • Hold onto a custom light board throughout the snorkel.

    • Be supported by a floatation noodle under your legs, making it easy to stay afloat.

    • Our experienced crew is in the water with you the entire time, ready to assist and ensure you feel safe and supported.

    • You do not need to be an advanced swimmer—just comfortable in the water.

    • If you're unsure about your ability, feel free to reach out to our team—we're happy to help!

    • Our tours depart from the Keauhou Bay Pier — not the boat ramp. Here's how to find us:

    • 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.

    • You can click our address on Google Maps and it should direct you right to where you need to be

    • Look for a welcome sign in the parking lot for The Manta & Snorkel Co – Kona.

    • We’re located right by the pier, not at the public boat launch ramp 

    • Our crew will be there to greet you, check you in, and get you ready for your adventure.

    • If you're unsure or having trouble finding us, feel free to call—we're happy to help guide you in.

    • 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

    • Since our tours are only 6 guests, for groups of 4 or more you must cancel a week before for a full refund as it allows us to get those spots booked hopefully

    • If you need to reschedule for any reason please reach out and we will do our best to accommodate your request 

    • We require a minimum of 4 guests per tour to cover labor and operating costs.

    • Most tours meet this minimum with no issue, as we typically book up.

    • In rare cases, we may ask you to shift to another tour time that evening to avoid gaps and run efficiently.

    • If fewer than 4 guests are booked and you're unable to move to another time, you will have two options:

    • Receive a full refund, or

    • Pay the equivalent of 4 tickets to ensure the tour runs (and enjoy a more private experience).

The Manta & Snorkel
Co – Kona
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