Reviewed by: Sandles
While I understand there is no guarantee to see and experience manta rays feeding on plankton, I was extremely disappointed with this experience, the crew did not provide a good experience for all. There were a lot of people on this adventure (more than what I felt should be) and as result, the crew had to use three different boards to accommodate everyone. As a result the board with most of the lights, it attracted the manta rays, leaving the others without. The other two did not attract any. I feel the crew should have maneuvered the other two boards or people on those boards to the larger board area so that they could experience the Mantra Ray feeding. I was also very disappointed that there were no lights at the bottom pointing upward. On other manta ray snorkels I joined, when there are lights from the top and from the bottom many more manta rays appear and feed.
The crew also did not provide insights and interesting facts on the Mantra Rays, at least I didn’t hear anything.
The one nice thing I enjoyed about this trip was that the experience allowed me to enjoy nighttime boating.
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Packages: | Manta Ray Night Snorkel with Sunset Cruise |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2022/06/23 |
Activity Date: | 2022/06/10 |
Reviewed by: Heidi P
We had a blast riding around in a dune buggy last Sunday! It was delivered and picked up at our hotel, great communication with Aaron, great tips on where to go - all of it was easy and a ton of fun!
We are so happy you all enjoyed the buggy! It was really nice meeting you all. Thank you for the wonderful review. We hope to see you back on th Big Island!
Aloha and Mahalo,
Aaron
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Packages: | Blue "MAKO" - 4 Seat Buggy with Standard Transmission |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2022/06/21 |
Activity Date: | 2022/06/19 |
Reviewed by: Grace
An incredible adventure for the family and I! I knew I wanted to see the Captain Cook memorial but I never anticipated such an immersive aquatic experience.
Mahalo Nui Loa for the wonderful review. We hope to see you on your next visit to the Big Island!
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Packages: | Deluxe Morning Snorkel Cruise with 2 Snorkel Stops, Breakfast & Lunch [4.5 hrs] |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2022/06/21 |
Activity Date: | 2022/06/16 |
Reviewed by: Ketola
Beyond our expectations! Food likes for adults and kids, as well as drinks! The entertainment and energy was out of this world! I even spoke to the hotel about it being both of my daughters birthdays that week, and the entertainers did a birthday shout-out and sang them happy birthday!
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Packages: | Standard Luau Package |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2022/06/20 |
Activity Date: | 2022/06/18 |
Reviewed by: Williams
We had a great time. Seth and Colleen were wonderful. Kay was extremely helpful. The Manta's were beautiful and amazing.
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Packages: | Night Manta Discovery Adventure |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2022/06/19 |
Activity Date: | 2022/06/17 |
Reviewed by: Hilari Freeman
The tour was great. The sunset was amazing. The boat ride out was super fun with water and sodas. The guides worked hard to get us positioned for the rays. We got to see several rays with one completely in the center of our group doing several flips while eating. Afterwards we got hot chocolate.
Aloha Hilari,
We're so glad to hear all the positive things you had to say about your trip with us, and thank you for sharing your pictures! All returning customer's receive a 20% repeater discount if you folks plan on returning!
Mahalo,
Iruka Hawaii Team!
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Packages: | Manta Ray Night Snorkel with Sunset Cruise |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2022/06/19 |
Activity Date: | 2022/06/17 |
Reviewed by: Mike
What a fun, informative, and relaxing 3 hours. Great history guide and fantastic music! Helen the bartender was great as well. We are a group of six with two elderly parents who were comfortable the whole time and loved it. We will do this again!
Thanks a million for joining us! We are so happy to read that you had a great time!
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Packages: | Dinner Cruise |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2022/06/17 |
Activity Date: | 2022/06/15 |
Reviewed by: Chris
This was a pretty fun show to attend. One thing I like a a luau is some of the history of the Hawaiian Islands and Polynesia and this show had some good dances going over the history and region. The house band was excellent and the host, while being kind of Vegas lounge singer-esque, hit a tone that was welcoming and fun. There was some audience participation and the event was generally a good time. The food and drinks we're a little less impressive and while they were as advertised and a typical luau fair, the quality was more of a banquet at a hotel style and the main reason for the 4 star over the 5 star. Fun luau, worth the purchase.
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Packages: | Royal Kona Resort - Standard Luau Package |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2022/06/16 |
Activity Date: | 2022/06/10 |
Reviewed by: Grace
This luau at Royal Kona was a truly wonderful experience! I would recommend it to anyone staying in the Kona area when coming to Big Island.
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Packages: | Royal Kona Resort - Standard Luau Package |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2022/06/15 |
Activity Date: | 2022/06/13 |
Reviewed by: Siobhan
This experience is 100% worth it and is a must do if you are visiting the Big Island. The Manta Rays are magical and come so close to you that they sometimes even touch you. It is a once in a lifetime memory that you will never forget. Sometimes the image of them doing their barrel roll pops into my head during work and I am taken back to a moment that didn't even seem real. It was so special. While I would recommend this tour to someone who has snorkeled before, we had a member in our group who was a first timer and they did great and had a wonderful experience. Don't let anything hold you back and just book it. The tour guides are very knowledgeable and all about keeping you safe and comfortable. You will not regret it!!
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Packages: | Night Manta Discovery Adventure |
Attended as: | Friends |
Posted on: | 2022/06/15 |
Activity Date: | 2022/05/16 |
Reviewed by: Catherine Campbell
The night manta ray snorkel was sooooo cool!! We saw many manta rays and the guides were very helpful with information.
This was one of the highlights of our trip to Kona!
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Packages: | Night Manta Discovery Adventure |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2022/06/14 |
Activity Date: | 2022/06/12 |
Reviewed by: johnna
The show was great, everyone was welcoming. Plenty of food and drinks and the staff was great!
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Packages: | Premium Package - Alii Seating |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2022/06/14 |
Activity Date: | 2022/06/12 |
Reviewed by: angel39
ホテルから飛行場の場所は少し車で走りました。飛行場の待合ロビーは混雑しており、注意していないと乗るべきヘリ案内を聞き逃しそうです。
フライト中は、日本人だけで英語と日本語のバイリンガルの説明ではなかったので、情報量も十分で充実したものとなりました。英語と日本語の説明だと疲れるので、とてもラッキーでした。コース、フライト時間も申し分なく、噴火しているハワイ島を堪能しました。帰りのタクシーまでの時間が少なく、フライト映像のUSBが書き上がらず、ハラハラしましたが。
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Packages: | 基本プラン |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2022/06/12 |
Activity Date: | 2018/07/30 |
Reviewed by: Kshitiz
Loved the excursions, especially the evening lava glow. The tour guide was amazing, friendly, and experienced, and made sure we had a really great time
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Packages: | Evening Volcano Explorer |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2022/06/12 |
Activity Date: | 2022/05/20 |
Reviewed by: Michelle
We enjoyed the luau, the food and the program. This is our second luau and by far, it was the more enjoyable one. The food was good and the entertainment was captivating. The program was surprisingly interactive which made it even more enjoyable. My 12 yr olds appreciated that there were foods they could identify (mac n cheese, chicken nuggets) after trying the poi, lomi and poke.
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Packages: | Ohana Package |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2022/06/11 |
Activity Date: | 2022/06/05 |
Reviewed by: Michelle
I was impressed with the safety measures taken by the staff for the ATV ride. The waterfall swim was very short, not nearly enough time given for this part of the activity. No safety measures taken for the swim. Rocks were slick - there should be a ladder or some way to enter and exit the water that does not put participants in danger of slipping. The trip down to the waterfall and then back up is somewhat physically taxing and should only be undertaken by physically fit persons.
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Packages: | 4-Seater UTV Package: 1 Driver + up to 3 Passengers |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2022/06/11 |
Activity Date: | 2022/06/06 |
Reviewed by: Michelle
Length of trip perfect for first time snorkelers (12 yr old children). Crew knowledgeable, attentive and fun.
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Packages: | 3-hour Captain Cook Cruise (1 Snorkel Stop) |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2022/06/11 |
Activity Date: | 2022/06/07 |
Reviewed by: Terry
This trip was awesome. I have done several before with other companies and this is the best. Within minutes, four or five mantas started feeding. Others soon joined. Then flips and near surface swimming by the mantas continued the whole time. Excellent and I highly recommend. The crew were incredible.
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Packages: | Swim with Mantas |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2022/06/10 |
Activity Date: | 2022/06/08 |
Reviewed by: Takashi Labon
We really enjoyed our 21st Anniversary and Big Island Convertible Car Rental was a huge part of it. Aaron and his wife was so accommodating and showed us where to go on the big island. The buggy was nice and comfy for me because I am a plus size beauty. I was able to get in and out with ease and we really enjoyed the ride around the big island.
David and Takashi Labon
You two are the Cutest!! Thank you so much for the 5 Stars!! We really enjoy meeting you both and being part of your experience on the Big Island!! Happy Anniversary!!
Aloha and Mahalo,
Aaron and Debi
Big Island Buggy
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Packages: | Green "HONU" - 4 Seat Buggy with Automatic Transmission |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2022/06/06 |
Activity Date: | 2022/06/02 |
Reviewed by: Moma Jen
We really enjoyed our adventure with Mauna Kea Stargazing Tour. Our guide, Maka, was excellent: entertaining, polite, knowledgeable, etc. He was extremely quick and calm when responding to a high altitude emergency when we reached our high altitudes. I was impressed with the Veltra company with their constant updates, emails reminders, and phone call reminder. I gave "Good" review because it was very cloudy and the star gazing was limited. I would book through this company again and I would do this tour again too.
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Packages: | Mauna Kea Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Dinner |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2022/06/06 |
Activity Date: | 2022/05/10 |
Reviewed by: Ryan R
This was our first trip to the Big Island, so of course we wanted to see the summit at Mauna Kea. Our tour guide was Justin- and he was tremendous. He met at pickup location a couple minutes early. He provided a clear outline of what the day would include- and he held to it very closely. On the way to our first stop, He provided a great narration of the volcanic and mythological history of the island. After dinner (and acclimating to elevation for a while) we headed further up the mountain- the safety discussion was very calming, but helpful. The view from the summit was SPECTACULAR. About 10-15 minutes before the actual sunset, sneak to the back side of the area up there, and the SHADOW of Mauna Kea on the clouds looks like another mountain. I am fairly well-travelled, and this was a first for me! After that, we went down to the Start gazing station, and got to see some really cool stuff. Justin's knowledge was superb, enough to engage with a couple college students in our group that studied Astronomy at school. Very impressive. Truly, a great way to see a unique and beautiful piece of the Big Island! Many thanks!
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Packages: | Summit Sunset & Stargazing Adventure |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2022/06/04 |
Activity Date: | 2022/06/02 |
Reviewed by: Brenda
I cannot recommend this trip with this company enough. The guides were fantastic and the experience was amazing.
Aloha Brenda,
We're glad to hear that you were satisfied overall during your time with us! Repeating customers are offered a 20% discount when booking directly with our company, so we hope to see you in the future.
Mahalo,
Team Iruka Hawaii
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Packages: | Manta Ray Night Snorkel with Sunset Cruise |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2022/06/04 |
Activity Date: | 2022/05/13 |
Reviewed by: Momof2
We had a wonderful time! We had 5 of us from 5 to 28 years of age and everyone had a great time. The views were magnificent and they were great with our 10 year old and telling her how to row. The guides were fun and knew their stuff. 10/10 recommend.
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Packages: | Standard Package |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2022/06/04 |
Activity Date: | 2022/06/02 |
Reviewed by: Nisha
The staff on board were so welcoming and friendly! They took the time to get to know everyone and made sure we had enough to eat and drink! The sunset was beautiful and we were able to take many pictures. Would definitely recommend!
Aloha,
Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback about your Sunset Cruise. We're so happy to read that you enjoyed the trip and your interactions with our crew.
We know there are a lot of activity providers on the island and we're honored your chose to spend part of your day with us. We really appreciate your recommendation!
Mahalo and a hui hou,
Your Ocean Sports 'Ohana
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Packages: | Kohala Sunset Cruise from Kawaihae Harbor |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2022/05/30 |
Activity Date: | 2022/05/28 |
Reviewed by: Ray
So cool the dolphins were amazing and it was awesome to interact with them and the dolphin trainer couldn't have been more friendly and knowledgeable definitely would do it again.
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Packages: | 30-min Encounter Deluxe (Ages 5+) |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2022/05/28 |
Activity Date: | 2022/05/08 |
Reviewed by: Hawaiian fun girl
The views are amazing. The entertainment was great, the food and service were garbage. The food was ice cold and tasted terrible. My meat was all fat and sauce. The tiny package of Mac nuts and salad were the only thing edible. Getting a staff member to do anything but dance and have fun was difficult.the views and dolphins are worth the money but eat before you go and bring your own drink or you’ll be parched.
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Packages: | Dinner Cruise |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2022/05/28 |
Activity Date: | 2022/05/03 |
Reviewed by: Julz
Overall, great experience! First the check-in process was easy. Scott was friendly. There was 20 of us on the boat. Bryce and Diego were funny and entertaining. It was super cool having the manta rays swim up so close for feeding. I wish we were out there longer! The sunset was beautiful!
I'd recommend if you are visiting for the first time. The waters were a bit chilly, but we were in for 30 or so minutes.
Aloha Julz!
We love to hear all the positive feedback about our Manta Ray Experience and the crew! Mahalo for joining us and we hope to see you again soon, we offer a 20% discount for repeating customers.
Best,
Team Iruka Hawaii
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Packages: | Manta Ray Night Snorkel with Sunset Cruise |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2022/05/25 |
Activity Date: | 2022/05/23 |
Reviewed by: JaDev
These guys were fantastic. The boat had plenty of room, good food and drink, and the crew were fun to talk with. We had a calm trip, got to see the coast, a sunset and even travelled near some dolphins! Had an Al around fantastic experience.
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Packages: | Sunset Cocktail Cruise |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2022/05/24 |
Activity Date: | 2022/05/20 |
Reviewed by: Rui
Scheduled with 7:30 manta ray tour, checked in at 7:30, crew provided snorkeling equipment and wetsuit, our boat (have around 16 people) leave around 8 and after 5 mins we arrived the view point. And finally we spend around 40-45 mins in super man mode.
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Packages: | Night Manta Discovery Adventure |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2022/05/23 |
Activity Date: | 2022/05/21 |
Reviewed by: Adriana R
We had so much fun on the single riders. Our instructors were so amazing! They truly cared about our experience and making it fun for us. The customer service and overall experience was unforgettable and so worth it. Our favorite experience on the island!
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2022/05/22 |
Tips and suggestions
Reply from activity provider
An unexpected error has occurred. Please go back to the previous page and try again, or wait a few minutes and try once again.
Aloha Sandles,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We extend our deepest apologies for the experience you had on our tour. We would like to hear more details about it. Could you email us at info@hawaiidolphin.com and elaborate further? We would like to rectify this situation. Thank you.
Best,
Iruka Hawai‘i ‘Ohana