Reviewed by: Evar
My most favorite experience on Big Island with Sea Paradise! A great crew and we were taken care of from start to finish. You start by checking in at the shopping center, drive 5 minutes to Keauhou Bay to park your vehicle, get fitted for your wet suit, and get on the boat. The sunset on along the Kona Coast was beautiful. The crew were extremely helpful, very knowledgeable about the history of the manta rays, humorous and went out of their way to make sure we spent the most time with the manta rays. We were one of the first boats in and last to leave. Plus, we were given fresh pineapple, juices/sodas and hot chocolate.
I do not know how to swim but the guides took extra care to make sure I made it on and off the boat with flotation devices. I would definitely recommend Sea Paradise!
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Packages: | Manta Ray Night Snorkeling [Early Evening Tour] |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2018/01/13 |
Activity Date: | 2018/01/10 |
Reviewed by: Jon
Bambi (captain) and Steven (dive guide) both are very friendly and knowledgeable. More importantly, in case that you do not see any manta ray, they arrange you another trip for free. In our case, the giants took a day off on Sunday and then came back on Monday. So try to book it at least 2 days before the end of your trip.
Mahalo for taking the time to submit a review of your sunset/manta tour(s) with Kona Ocean Experience. We're so glad you had the opportunity to rejoin us for a second evening after the mantas took a "night -off", so that you could enjoy seeing their majestic moves. Thank you for acknowledging our "manta guarantee"! Hope to have you aboard again sometime, to perhaps join us for a morning Dolphin & Kealakekua Bay adventure. Aloha!
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Sunset Cruise with Appetizers & Night Manta Ray Snorkel [90 mins] |
Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
Posted on: | 2018/01/09 |
Activity Date: | 2018/01/07 |
Reviewed by: Stephen
While we only saw one manta, she did come up close, which was an amazing experience.
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Packages: | Standard Package: Sunset Manta Snorkel |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2017/12/31 |
Activity Date: | 2017/12/28 |
Reviewed by: Neera Iyer
This was a last minute booking so we were glad to get it. We did the 7:45-9:45 PM night tour. The set up is pretty standard. The crew was experienced and knew what to do when didn’t find rays at the first spot. We were towed gently to where we saw two! We had a couple of screamers which was a bit annoying but that apart, terrific trip
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Packages: | Manta Ray Night Snorkeling Tour [Late Evening Cruise] |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2017/12/29 |
Activity Date: | 2017/12/26 |
Reviewed by: D & L Williams
For those who love the water and its fascinating creatures, we highly recommend this activity aboard the Hawaiian Sailing Canoe. The canoe is a modern replica seating a limited number of passengers, so the skipper Dave knew our names immediately. But much like going to a "modern" zoo, you may see what you're looking for the first time out but you may not. Our first night snorkel was at 8:30pm, and while the groups before and after us had a grand "show" we were skunked. But Dave said we could keep coming back (for free!) until we sighted the mantas. The next night at 9:30pm we were in luck, and were treated to a 45 minute water ballet by two mantas that glided and turned just inches beneath our illuminated surfboard. For optimum warmth bring your own full-length wetsuit instead of using their wetsuit tops.
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Packages: | Standard Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2017/12/25 |
Activity Date: | 2017/12/21 |
Reviewed by: RMred
The ride was too bumpy as there were many waves. We were able to spot only 1 manta ray. Too expensive for 45 min bumpy ride and the whole experience.
We appreciate you taking your time to review your manta snorkel and are sorry to hear you did not enjoy the tour. It is true, some nights are better than others; ocean conditions, weather and the amount of rays seen on any given night is out of our control. What we can control we aim to do our best with the conditions we are presented with.
Aloha
Sea Paradise
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Manta Ray Night Snorkeling [Early Evening Tour] |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2017/12/16 |
Activity Date: | 2017/11/24 |
Reviewed by: ぐうたん
ハワイ島に来ると毎回このフェアウインドのシュノーケルに参加します。
いつもは午前中に参加しますが、今回は初めて午後に参加しました。
ランチはついていないので昼食食べてから行きました。
火山や星のツアーも良いけど、是非ハワイ島の海のキレイさを体感して
欲しいなぁと思います。
ハワイのどの島より、オアフのハナウマ湾よりここの
キャプテンクックのポイントが1番魚がたくさんいます。
今回も日本人は私たちだけ
高齢の父は潜りませんが、クルーズをいつも
気持ちいいね、と満足しています。
港に着くとちょうどサンセットで
船降りてから少し眺めていました。
滞在しているコナから港までレンタカーで15分くらいと
近く
天気も良くて気持ちよかった!
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Packages: | アフタヌーンクルーズ<軽食>(2017年12月31日までのご参加) |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2017/12/08 |
Activity Date: | 2017/12/07 |
Reviewed by: Ella
Steven and Shawn were amazing captain and guide. Provided us with an amazing tour and really great snorkeling spots around the area! The tour time is perfect to catch sunset and then it gets dark so the water lights up beautifully in the dark. The waves in the ocean are a bit rough so going on an empty stomach is adviseable. We saw 5 manta rays on our expedition. Definitely an attraction to do on the Big Island!! And Kona Ocean Experience is a great company that hosts this amazing experience!!
Mahalo for submitting a review of your Sunset Cruise & Night Manta Swim with Kona Ocean Experience! We appreciate hearing that you felt our KOEX crew of dive guide, Steven and Captain Sian, as well as the tour they provided were "amazing"! And pleased that you would recommend our company to others looking to experience a manta ray tour with our company. Mahalo nui!
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Sunset Cruise with Appetizers & Night Manta Ray Snorkel [90 mins] |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2017/11/30 |
Activity Date: | 2017/11/26 |
Reviewed by: 家族3人
天気は快晴、とてもきれいな海、野生のイルカにもたくさん会え、貴重な経験だった。ただ、ボート操縦の船長は、一人で何役もやるので大変なこともあり、我々が英語がわからないと思ったのか会話も説明もほとんどなく、例えばいきなりシュノーケルを渡され飛び込めと言われて困った。他のツアーの動きを見て、イルカはあの辺にいるんだと参加者が判断して動かないといけなかった。サービス精神に欠ける人だったのが残念だが、ツアー自体は満足した。
この度は、ツアーにご参加いただき誠にありがとうございます。
しかしながら、ご満足いただけるツアーとなりませんでしたこと、心よりお詫び申し上げます。
別途メールでもご連絡をさせていただきました通り、いただいたご意見は催行会社にそのまま申し伝えました。
担当させていただいた船長と話し合いを設け、今後はツアーを皆様に十分にお楽しみいただけるよう、
海に入るタイミングなどを丁寧に案内していくことを約束したとのこと報告がございました。
ご迷惑をおかけしましたこと、大変申し訳ございませんでした。
お客様にご満足いただけるツアーを常にご案内できるよう、催行会社との連携のもと、共に努めて参る所存でございます。
お忙しい中、貴重なご投稿を賜りまして、誠にありがとうございました。
VELTRAカスタマーサポートチーム
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2017/11/28 |
Activity Date: | 2017/09/24 |
Reviewed by: Paseba
Diese Tour fand mit ca. 18 Personen auf einem modernen Katamaran statt. Man befindet sich ca. 45min im Wasser, wobei man neue Neoprenanzüge trägt. Der Trip wurde professionell durchgeführt, es fanden sich neben den Teilnehmern stets 2-3 Sicherheitsschwimmer im Wasser. Wir sahen 5-6 majestische Mantarochen - selten was eindrucksvolleres erlebt. Ich empfehle Mittel gegen Seekrankheit, denn die Tour findet auf offenener See (Wellengang) und bei Dunkelheit statt. Kann diese Tour auf jeden Fall empfehlen.
Thank you for taking the time to review your manta tour. We are happy to hear you enjoyed the experience. Hope to serve you again in the future.
Aloha!
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Manta Ray Night Snorkeling [Early Evening Tour] |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2017/11/26 |
Activity Date: | 2017/11/05 |
Reviewed by: Barb Gregory
Frantastic. Trip could not have. Been better well worth the money
Rating: | |
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Packages: | 5-hour South Kona Expedition with Lunch (3 Snorkel Stops) |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2017/11/26 |
Activity Date: | 2017/11/04 |
Reviewed by: Mike Jackson
Trip was great captain Jon was funny/informative. Chelsea and Rachael were both awesome would definitely book again and look forward to seeing them all soon
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Deluxe Snorkel & Dolphin Watch Cruise |
Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
Posted on: | 2017/11/26 |
Activity Date: | 2017/11/03 |
Reviewed by: ふぃーちゃん
レンタカーで早めに到着、日焼け止めを塗って準備万端!
それでも、シュノーケルの体制から、ふくらはぎから太もも
の裏がメチャ焼けました。
十数人の参加者の中で、日本人は私たち夫婦のみ
スピードゴムボートで移動し、シュノーケルスポットに到着
透明度も良くお魚もたくさんいました。
お昼にサンドイッチを頂き少し移動、二度目のシュノーケルでしたが、
数百メートル移動しただけなのであまり変化無しでそこは残念でした。
帰りは、数か所波で浸食された場所で止まりキャプテンが説明
もちろん英語で、私たちはチンプンカンプン((+_+))
イルカの群れにも会えドルフィンジャンプに胸キュンでした。
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Packages: | 5時間コース |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2017/11/07 |
Activity Date: | 2017/10/06 |
Reviewed by: Erica
We had a great time, and really enjoyed the entire experience. We we lucky and had manta rays barrel rolling right up to us for most of the time we were in the water. The captain and staff were friendly and knowledgeable. And the snacks were a nice treat after getting out of the water. Hope to do it again!
Thank you for taking the time to review your manta tour. We are happy to hear you had a good time.
Mahalo Nui Loa!
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Manta Ray Night Snorkeling [Early Evening Tour] |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2017/11/01 |
Activity Date: | 2017/10/02 |
Reviewed by: Elizabeth from AR
This was an amazing trip. We had a smooth ride out to the Sheraton and saw a beautiful sunset.
Then we got our snorkels and masks and got in the water. We all grabbed the handrail on the kick board and gotntowed out to abgood spot. We ended up joining up with other groups to form a "buffet line". Th manta rays came through eating plankton doing barrel rolls so close I thought they were going to brush our faces with their wing tips!
I highly recommend this tour group. They're super friendly and are very good at what they do.
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Sunset Cruise & Evening Manta Snorkel Tour [2.5 hours] |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2017/11/01 |
Activity Date: | 2017/10/29 |
Reviewed by: うーたん
シュノーケル好きの私たち親子は日本からマイ器材を持って参加!
ほかの乗船客は年齢も国籍も様々。
かなり年配のおじいちゃんもいました。
シュノーケル初心者の方にはマスクの付け方などのレクチャーもしっかりしてくださり安心。
ただし説明はすべて船長の早口な英語です。(笑)
シュノーケルポイントは海況を見て2箇所。
1箇所目はホナウナウ国立歴史公園の近く。
大きなサンゴの棚がたくさんあり、色とりどりの熱帯魚もたくさん!
時間を忘れてしまうほど美しいポイントでした。
2箇所目はさらに20分ほどボートを走らせ、先ほどとは一転
何十年か前にキラウエアからの溶岩が海に流れ込んだと言う場所。
冷えて固まった大きな丸い岩がゴロゴロと落ちており、地形を楽しむようなポイントです。
そこではウミガメたちを発見!彼らの邪魔にならないよう、遠くから見つめていました。
ウミガメが泳ぐ姿はまるで空を羽ばたいているようで、とても癒されました。
船長からランチタイムだぞー!と声をかけられ海から上がると、船からもくもくと煙が。
船員さんが焼いてくれたビーフパティやチキンと一緒にフレッシュな野菜を挟む
バイキング形式のハンバーガーランチ!
これが予想をはるかに超える美味しさでビックリ!
サイドの自家製タロイモチップスもとても美味しかったです。
皆が海を名残惜しんでいるところでボートは桟橋に向けて出発。
途中イルカの群れを見つけてしばしイルカウォッチングしたり、
キャプテンクックのモニュメントに寄り道したりしながら戻りました。
5時間ほどのツアーでしたが本当にあっっと言う間に時間が過ぎ、
滞在中もう一回行っちゃう?と話題が出たほど(笑)大満足のツアーでした!
またハワイ島に行った際は絶対に参加します!
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Packages: | 基本プラン |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2017/10/30 |
Activity Date: | 2017/09/21 |
Reviewed by: Amanda & Sierra
First time going on a snorkeling tour and it was a blast! Beautiful boat and weather! The crew kirk and Kyle were amazing hosts. Could not ask for a better experience!
Thank you for taking your time to review your trip. So happy your first time snorkeling was a blast. Mahalo Nui Loa!
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Deluxe Morning Snorkel Cruise with 2 Snorkel Stops, Breakfast & Lunch [4.5 hrs] |
Attended as: | Friends |
Posted on: | 2017/10/30 |
Activity Date: | 2017/10/27 |
Reviewed by: Linda R
It was an interesting experience. We enjoyed it but a couple people did get sick on the long boat ride. Lots of mantas rays showed up and swam with us.
Aloha, We appreciate you taking the time to write a review. Unfortunately sea sickness does happen to random guests. We keep ginger chews on the boat for this reason. Mahalo for joining us and hope to see you again your next visit to the Big Island. Aloha
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Moonlight Cruise & Evening Manta Snorkel Tour [2 hours] |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2017/10/28 |
Activity Date: | 2017/10/08 |
Reviewed by: dusty
their lights were dim compared to other companies, and they went in much earlier than the other boats.
Thank you for reviewing your tour with us. The lights we use are quite powerful, we do place a special blue filter over them to attract more of the microscopic plankton which the mantas' appear to prefer over the larger zooplankton, that may be why they appeared to be dim by comparison.
Mahalo
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Manta Ray Night Snorkeling [Early Evening Tour] |
Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
Posted on: | 2017/10/25 |
Activity Date: | 2017/10/22 |
Reviewed by: まるちゃん
スタッフさんは英語のみでしたが、参加は私たちも二人で貸し切り
シュノーケリングスポットに着くまでにも、ボートから見える観光スポットに寄ってくださいました>^_^< イルカは残念ながら背ひれしか見えませんでした イルカと泳ぐツアーではなく、ウォッチングなのでしょうがないですね
こちらのご予約は必ずブリントアウトして持っていってください スマホなどの確認画面はNGです
あとはボートのヘリに座るし、1時間くらい移動するので酔い止めの薬を飲んでおくといいです
水温も低くシュノーケリング後はかなり冷えるので上着とバスタオルを持っていってください
シュノーケリングは2ヶ所で2本、軽食も二回出出来ました よかったです!
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Packages: | 8:30出港 |
Attended as: | Friends |
Posted on: | 2017/10/25 |
Activity Date: | 2017/10/16 |
Reviewed by: Amber Bialy
My husband and I were both nervous, I get seasick and he has a fear of deeper water and has never snorkeled. Captain Morgan was amazing and the crew was super reassuring. They gave me ginger candy when I got on. I only felt a little queasy, it wasn't as bad as I thought. Short ride and they got us in the water and we had a full display of barrel rolls by 2 mantas! My husband had an amazing time and he enjoyed it more than he thought he would. He would do it again! You stay in the water for a reasonable amount of time, I got out a tad early but we went back shortly after. Tea, soda and fresh pineapple was offered. A MUST do and I couldn't ask for a better crew. Bring your own goggles and snorkel if you have them, some masks leaked a little. Worth it even if you get seasick (lots of ginger and dramamine!)
Pick a day with no wind as Well! We had a great experience.
Thank you for taking the time to review your manta tour. Happy to hear both you and your husband enjoyed the experience. Thank you for joining us and hope to serve you again soon in the near future.
A Hui Hou!
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Manta Ray Night Snorkeling [Early Evening Tour] |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2017/10/24 |
Activity Date: | 2017/10/21 |
Reviewed by: Steve
Crew was very nice and captain had a great story, but we were ones that had little luck with manta's. We did see one or two, but it took a full hour in water, where some of my party began to get sick and missed it. The most disappointing part was absolutely no cruise. Do not expect a cruise. We coasted for 5 min and went out where I could snorkel on my own. I really thought we would sail for a bit and get snacks instead of one piece of pineapple. Understand you are hanging onto a ladder the whole time. I get it for safety reasons, but not what I expected. There is no real snorkeling where your swimming around. No boat lights other then ladder. I felt we were using other boats lights, where we were the last ones to ever see anything, unless we got lucky. Our ladder had lights. I thought this was also a 3 to 4 hour tour. It took 5 or 10 min. To get where we were going, then hour in water, then go home. No drinks on this, and hit and miss with hot chocolate. I highly recommended actually sailing first and open the sails like they said would happen and choosing this boat in the first place. My party was disappointed. My kids were troopers and stayed out with me and saw the one manta, before turning back where the rest of the people holding onto the ladder didn't see it. At least give us a cruise first with this cool boat.
Thank you for taking the time to review your manta tour. We are happy to hear you enjoyed the staff and also sorry to hear you did not fully enjoy the trip. We, unfortunately, do not always get the opportunity to sail prior to the manta tour. As stated on the website, factors such as mooring availability water conditions and weather play a great part in what happens on each individual tour. If I could have it my way, every night we would have just enough wind cruise out to sea while watching a glorious sunset (No rain). Return back to the manta site to find our mooring available, at this point the wind would calm and the sea would be flat and upon entering the water all of Kona's manta rays would gather under our raft for the entire hour. Everyone would be happy, but alas this does not happen as often as I wish it would.
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Sunset Sail & Manta Ray Snorkel - Special Group Rate for 6+ Passengers |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2017/10/22 |
Activity Date: | 2017/10/18 |
Reviewed by: keryl
Captain Steve was hilarious and Michael was a great assistant captain. Both Steve and Michael were entertaining and very knowledgeable about the southern part of the island of Hawaii. We saw dolphins, tons of colorful fish snorkeling, traveled to look inside sea cave and had more food than we needed! It was a truly amazing day on the ocean with Sea Quest!
Rating: | |
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Packages: | 5-hour South Kona Expedition with Lunch (3 Snorkel Stops) |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2017/10/15 |
Activity Date: | 2017/10/12 |
Reviewed by: KarenS
So much fun! The crew was wonderful and it was fun meeting people from all over.
Thank you for reviewing your afternoon snorkel with us and thank you for joining us. Happy to know you enjoyed the tour. A Hui Hou!
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Afternoon Snorkel Cruise |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2017/10/15 |
Activity Date: | 2017/09/27 |
Reviewed by: VA family
A perfect size group for this expedition. Captain Steve was knowledgeable and interesting.
Rating: | |
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Packages: | 3-hour Captain Cook Cruise (1 Snorkel Stop) |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2017/10/14 |
Activity Date: | 2017/10/11 |
Reviewed by: Monique
Was amazing experience easily the best dolphin swim I have ever done. We got to see a bit of the coast line and the guides were very friendly we would definitely come back again
Aloha! Thank you for having joined us. We are very glad that you have enjoyed the wonderful encounter with wild dolphins! Please come back to our tour again :) Mahalo!
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Dolphin Swim & Snorkel (No Transportation) (until 2018/03/31) |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2017/10/12 |
Activity Date: | 2017/10/09 |
Reviewed by: Stephany
It was a great snorkeling experience. They did a great job all around. Seeing Dolphins is a guarantee. They hang out just off the coast on the way to and from the snorkeling location. The food they served was great and included (breakfast/lunch). They provide some drinks for free with the food. Any smoothies or alcoholic drinks you must pay for and there is a bar on the boat for that. They provide rash gaurds, towels, fins, snorkels, various floatation devices (noodles, boards, etc...). I did start feeling a little sea sick and missed out the last 15 min of water time before we headed back. So I would recommend taking some Dramamine if you get motion sickness.
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Deluxe Snorkel & Dolphin Watch Cruise |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2017/09/24 |
Activity Date: | 2017/09/21 |
Reviewed by: Rebecca Thom
Absolutely amazing experience! Swam with so many dolphins; loved every moment. We were the only ones booked on to the boat so we literally had our own private tour! Our guide was lovely and gave us great information and stories about the island. We also got lots of time to snorkel and even saw two white tip reef sharks! Would definitely recommend this tour!
Mahalo for taking the time to submit a review of your Dolphin & Kealakekua Bay Snorkel tour with Kona Ocean Experience and for your recommendation! We're so glad to hear that you had an amazing experience with viewing the wondrous marine life of the Kona Coast area, and that you enjoyed learning about our Hawaiian culture and history, too!
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Kealakekua Bay Snorkel & Dolphin Watching Tour |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2017/09/23 |
Activity Date: | 2017/08/29 |
Reviewed by: Brian
We had a great time with Chanda and the captain. They honored our reservation even though we were the only two.
We saw 3-4 huge female manta rays that came up and brushed up against us. Not counting all the schools of fish! And hot cocoa when we were done was icing on the cake.
Looking forward to the next time!
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Standard Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2017/09/23 |
Activity Date: | 2017/09/19 |
Reviewed by: ミヤミヤ
人なつこくて かしこいイルカちゃん、とても可愛かったです╰(*´︶`*)╯♡
また来年 会いに行きたいと思います、待っててね〜(^з^)-☆
Rating: | |
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Packages: | イルカと泳ぐ!エンカウンター<20分> |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2017/09/20 |
Activity Date: | 2017/09/17 |
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Aloha and Mahalo for taking the time to review your experience. We are delighted to hear you had such a wonderful time. We look forward to serving you in the future. A Hoi Hou.