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Great experience with tha manta rays, but service below expectations
Posted on: 2015/05/31
We went on moonlight snorkeling tour and saw four manta rays, two quite big, they are so graceful dancing in the water below the light and passing inches from our bodies without touching us and without any fear. This experience is one to be remembered for the lifetime.
Said that, the service given is below expectations.
Let's start from pricing, no reduced price for the one that is not going off board snorkeling.
We arrived on time for the check in and the boat wasn't in the water yet, due to a problem with the truck. Maybe the info on the tour had been already given to the other participants, but nothing more for us. I recieved the wet suit, even though there was no locker room to change, only the marina restrooms.
Anyhow the boat went in the water just in time to go onboard, no gangboard, assuming people is used to jump on and off board.
We went quite fast to the point where manta rays are usually seen, there was already another boat from a different charter, we stood just aside them.
Gear provided by them, good quality, no water entered during all the visit.
Just few basic rules, do not dive, do not touch them, do not kick them, lay horizontally and stay attached to the plastic board, which hosts lights to attract plancton.
As said at the beginning, the experience is really wonderful and makes me almost forget the service part.
Returning onboard, just a minute to remove the wet suit, get dry, have a glass of hot soup and go back as fast as possible to the harbour.
A formal and quick goodbye and that's it.
Overall you cannot miss the mant rays snorkeling experience, but consider also other service providers with respect to this one.
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| Attended as: | Couples | ||
| Activity Date: | 2015/05/30 | ||
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We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed the manta rays. If we receive a review that is less than 5 stars, we seek out ways in which we can make improvements. In your case, the areas in which you wish to see improvement are beyond our control. You are correct in that there are no locker room facilities. Honokohau Marina is operated and maintained by the State of Hawaii, who instead chooses to provide the public restroom facilities. You are also correct in that there is not a gang plank that is used to get onboard our boat. Like other companies in the harbor we tie up close against the dock, allowing you to step directly onto the boat from the dock. We charge the same price for the people who choose not to go into the water simply because that person still takes up a seat. We are limited by the U.S. Coast Guard as to how many passengers we can carry. We do offer discounts to children, local residents, military personnel, and for those returning to do additional tours with us.