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.
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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: James Henderson
Great experience!!!! Tour guide was very knowledgeable, experienced, super friendly, and accommodating! Loved this!
We are happy you enjoyed the tour. Hope you will join us again!
Mahalo,
Jeannie
Kailua Bay Charter
The Glass Bottom Boat
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Packages: | Kona Glass Bottom Boat Cruise from Kailua-Kona Pier |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2017/10/21 |
Activity Date: | 2017/10/18 |
Reviewed by: Good
Very exciting to see the dolphins on our outing as well as the tropical fish below. The guide was very knowledgeable and provided lots of info on what we were seeing! Excellent outing.
Thank you so much for your nice review. Glad you enjoyed the tour.
Mahalo!
Jeannie
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Packages: | Kona Glass Bottom Boat Cruise from Kailua-Kona Pier |
Attended as: | Friends |
Posted on: | 2017/10/02 |
Activity Date: | 2017/09/25 |
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!
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Packages: | Standard Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2017/09/23 |
Activity Date: | 2017/09/19 |
Reviewed by: Nicole
Just me with my two grown sons, amazing experience! Got great footage on our go-pro. Very glad I took 2 bonine beforehand, no motion sickness for me. My other son only took 1 bonine and had to cut out 10 mins early but enjoyed the view from the boat. Crew friendly & helpful:)
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Packages: | Evening Manta Snorkeling Adventure |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2017/09/17 |
Activity Date: | 2017/08/27 |
Reviewed by: ねずみ男
さいごです〜
今回、Hawaii island だけだったんですが、とても ゆっくり 出来ました。
潜水艦のツアーに参加してとても良い経験させていただきましたよ!
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Packages: | ワイコロア地区送迎 |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2017/09/17 |
Activity Date: | 2017/09/14 |
Reviewed by: Kkuh1
This was an amazing experience. Our captain and the diver were really great. While we were "waiting" for the mantas to arrive, our diver went to the ocean floor to pick up some sea urchins and sea cucumbers to show us. He put them back of course, but it made the trip even more interesting. Them the mantas arrived and put on an amazing show!
We're so pleased to know that you had an amazing experience while out on your manta tour, and glad that our crew was able to show you other interesting sea creatures, too! We hope you will have the opportunity to join us aboard again sometime in the future. Aloha!
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Packages: | Sunset Cruise with Appetizers & Night Manta Ray Snorkel [90 mins] |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2017/09/16 |
Activity Date: | 2017/09/13 |
Reviewed by: モアナ
家族連れでは初体験でした。
個人的には3度目でしたが簡単に長所と短所を書いておきます。
まず長所
1、マリーナからポイントまでが非常に近くに全行程の所要時間が短くて済む。
2、船が大きくて快適。
3、船酔いしやすい子が同船してましたがポイントまでが近いので比較的楽だと思います。
で短所
1、英語の説明しかないが困る事は無いと思う。
2、道中が短いのでコナの街の景色を眺める事が出来ない。
タイミングにもよると思いますがLEDのライトが強く比較的沢山来てくれたと思います。
次回からもここにしようと思います。
Mahalo for taking the time to review your manta tour. We are happy to hear you enjoyed it.
Aloha!
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Packages: | サンセットプラン |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2017/08/23 |
Activity Date: | 2017/08/12 |
Reviewed by: Nat
We liked that our guide taught us how to "encourage" the mantas by singing to them. We had a blast :)
We're so pleased that you had a "blast" while on your manta tour, and that our KOEX dive guide, Steven, was able to show you how to enhance your experience with these amazing sea creatures. Hope you will have a chance to come join us again for another adventure aboard in the future. Aloha!
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Packages: | Sunset Cruise with Appetizers & Night Manta Ray Snorkel [90 mins] |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2017/08/02 |
Activity Date: | 2017/07/30 |
Reviewed by: S.S.
This is definitely a must-have experience and believe me, you won't regret. You don't have to know how to swim, by the way.
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Packages: | Standard Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2017/07/31 |
Activity Date: | 2017/07/26 |
Reviewed by: Jessica
The people at sea paradise were truly outstanding. They were professional, fun, and extremely accommodating. Let me preface this review by saying that I suffer from extreme motion sickness and had I not been heavily medicated then this would've been a truly awful experience, of course this was no fault of the crew, the waters are just that rough. The crew Heather and Troy and the captain did their absolute best to make me feel better, while entertaining my six year old daughter. We saw tons of mantas and they barrel roll right under you almost touching you. Truly a remarkable experience. Once we decided we had enough the crew got us back to the shore as quickly as possible as they could tell I was in distress. I highly recommend this experience, just be aware that you will need every form of motion sickness prevention if that's a concern. I couldn't be more pleased with the crew of sea paradise.
Aloha and Mahalo for taking the time to review your experience. We are happy you had a great time and you took the precautions you needed for your motion sickness. The waters in Kona are generally flat and the calmest of the islands, however once in awhile we do get a swell. Happy the mantas put on their beautiful performance to keep you at ease. A Hoi Hou and Aloha!
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Packages: | Manta Ray Night Snorkeling [Early Evening Tour] |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2017/07/29 |
Activity Date: | 2017/07/26 |
Reviewed by: Vparikh
Our teenage children went on this excursion. They had the best time. The captain and the crew member were very helpful and made them feel very comfortable.
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Packages: | Standard Package |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2017/07/26 |
Activity Date: | 2017/07/22 |
Reviewed by: Tony
I had a great time the guides very very knowledgeable and helpful. It was amazing how close the Manta Ray came to use as we were on the surface hanging to a raft. If I go back this is one thing I will differently do again.
Thank you for taking the time to review your tour with us. Happy to know you enjoyed it.
A Hui Hou!
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Packages: | Manta Ray Night Snorkeling [Early Evening Tour] |
Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
Posted on: | 2017/07/22 |
Activity Date: | 2017/06/29 |
Reviewed by: Dorotka
It was an amazing experience ! Like an underwater ballet with a bit of adrenaline because even you know that rays are completely harmless and gentle you are still swimming in the middle of the ocean at night .There were at least 25 of them that night passing sometimes within an inch of our biddies, it felt like gentle caressing. I think it was my favorite activity and we did practically everything there is to be done on the Island (from extreme to leisure ) Definitely recomend it
Aloha- We love to hear about our guests fantastic experiences! Glad you had a wonderful time and were able to see and enjoy the Mantas on our tour!! Maholo!!
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Packages: | Moonlight Cruise & Evening Manta Snorkel Tour [2 hours] |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2017/07/18 |
Activity Date: | 2017/07/10 |
Reviewed by: Bernard
The agency Veltra was very easy to work with. They were very responsive and quite professional. They made scheduling the tour easy. The activity provider I did the tour with was called Lava Ocean Tours Inc. The captain was very rude and unprofessional. He was short and condescending. Most passengers were taken back by his attitude. I would not recommend this tour if Veltra gets you on boat from Lava Ocean Tours, Inc.
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Packages: | Daytime Package |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2017/07/11 |
Activity Date: | 2017/07/07 |
Reviewed by: Rosemary
We did the moonlight swim. The biggest manta ray was actually bumping some of the people in the water when she came up to eat the plankton that the lights attracted. We also saw so many fish. It was great. I would do this excursion again.
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Packages: | Moonlight Cruise & Evening Manta Snorkel Tour [2 hours] |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2017/07/09 |
Activity Date: | 2017/06/21 |
Reviewed by: Kelly Koch
This was an amazing adventure. We were very taken very good care of. Will definitely do it again.
Aloha Kelly! We're pleae to hear that you had an amazing adventure on your Sunset/Manta tour, and that you felt well taken care of. We look forward to having you join us again for another real Kona Ocean Experience. Mahalo for taking the time to write a review for us!
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Packages: | Sunset Cruise with Appetizers & Night Manta Ray Snorkel [90 mins] |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2017/07/08 |
Activity Date: | 2017/06/14 |
Reviewed by: Troutman
This was the most amazing trip ever! The canoe was perfect for my family as we all get motion sickness and everyone was fine but mom. It was a quick trip out and you are in the water immediately snorkeling with the manta rays. We had two that just kept coming straight towards our faces (one even brushed dad). It was the most amazing experience and our guides, Kat and Rob made the whole experience so pleasant. We highly recommend this trip!!!!
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Packages: | Standard Package |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2017/07/07 |
Activity Date: | 2017/06/05 |
Reviewed by: Miller family
One of the highlights of our trip, so fun! Peena, Tim & crew were awesome. They moved things along nicely and were fun to be with. We saw some amazing Mantas, it was an experience we'll be talking about for a long time!
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Packages: | Sunset Cruise & Evening Manta Snorkel Tour [2.5 hours] |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2017/06/19 |
Activity Date: | 2017/06/16 |
Reviewed by: Joe
It was good the people were very nice! If you don't like to snorkel then this will be great for you!
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Packages: | Kona Glass Bottom Boat Cruise from Kailua-Kona Pier |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2017/06/10 |
Activity Date: | 2017/06/07 |
Reviewed by: Lianne
I had an awesome expierence with the Manta Ray swim in front of our hotel.
Aloha, thank you for taking the time to review your trip. We are so happy to know you enjoyed it. Mahalo!
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Packages: | Manta Ray Night Snorkeling [Early Evening Tour] |
Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
Posted on: | 2017/05/27 |
Activity Date: | 2017/05/21 |
Reviewed by: Dawn Weston
Me and my family attended this activity on 5/12/17 and it was everything and more! There was a total of 8 of us in my family that went. The boat was huge and there was not a lot of people so there was plenty of room to sit and wander. The crew was friendly and very informational! They answered all questions and did a good instructional of what to expect and what not to do. Once in the water they were so helpful especially for those snorkeling for the first time. They helped you every step of the way to make sure you were having the best time possible. They eased you and helped to calm your nerves. We saw three manta's during our time and it was amazing! A must do event that no one can miss. Once we were back on the boat there were a total of five manta's swimming around almost pleading us to come back in the water! Two of us got sea sick over the side of the boat and the crew was super nice about it and just said that we were feeding the fish! Hahahaha. I would highly recommend this snorkel swim and specifically with the Hula Kai. It seemed to be the better of what I could see once out on the bay. I can not thank the crew enough for such a wonderful experience for our family! Job well done!
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2017/05/18 |
Reviewed by: Margarita
Swimming with Manta Rays has been on my bucket list for a very long time. Seeing these beautiful creatures swimming next to you was absolutely unreal! As you can only spot Manta Rays at night we went for a short boat trip first where we watched the sunset, enjoyed the weather and had a few drinks. Our captain was a great guy who showed us something I couldn’t believe existed – a green flash right before the sun disappears below the horizon – thought it was a myth! Crew did everything they could to make us feel comfortable and to enhance our experience throughout the entire trip. Manta Rays were swimming right next to us and I managed to get a perfect footage on my GoPro camera which I am going to use for my video. This experience is a must do if you are visiting Big Island – this was definitely a highlight of my trip to Hawaii!
Mahalos for the wonderful review. Hope you all have a great vacation in HI
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Friends |
Posted on: | 2017/05/15 |
Reviewed by: Josh Mishkin
This was our second trip snorkeling with Tim. This time we brought my wife's family (from Miami). They absolutely loved it, and we can't thank Tim and crew enough for making it, yet again, a once in a lifetime experience for our family.
You guys rock!!!
We are so glad to hear you had a once in a lifetime experience. Thank you for sharing your experience. Aloha and please don't forget us on your return to Hawaii!!!
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Packages: | Moonlight Cruise & Evening Manta Snorkel Tour [2 hours] |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2017/04/17 |
Activity Date: | 2017/04/14 |
Reviewed by: Lorne
Good excursion. Nice boat, pleasant staff, good refreshments and we saw whales!
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Packages: | [09:30 AM] Whale Watch Cruise from Kawaihae Harbor |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2017/04/15 |
Activity Date: | 2017/03/22 |
Reviewed by: jkona
Did not see any whales but did see spinner dolphins. Got gift certificate to come back.
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Packages: | [09:30 AM] Whale Watch Cruise from Kawaihae Harbor |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2017/04/10 |
Activity Date: | 2017/04/07 |
Reviewed by: 旅行者
日本語ガイドはないですが、スタッフの方が頑張って日本語でも説明してくれてました。
クジラを見れば、言葉のことなんて全く気にならないです。
素敵な体験をさせてもらいました。
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Packages: | 9:30発/ カワイハエ港 |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2017/04/01 |
Activity Date: | 2017/03/21 |
Reviewed by: Susan
We couldn't have asked for a better experience. The crew and marine naturalist were great. We were fortunate enough to see a lot of activity. Would definitely recommend.
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Packages: | [09:30 AM] Whale Watch Cruise from Kawaihae Harbor |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2017/03/20 |
Activity Date: | 2017/03/15 |
Reviewed by: Stacy R
We saw several manta rays and they were amazing! Some came up to the surface and could be seen from the boat. Captain Morgan and Troy were awesome! They were funny, personable and told some great stories. While in the water, Troy and Cory were always making sure everyone was doing okay. I would definitely recommend this excursion with Sea Paradise and this crew.
March, 2017
Thank you for reviewing your tour. We are so happy you enjoyed the manta experience and the crew treated you well. Hope to be able to serve you again.
Mahalo!
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Packages: | Manta Ray Night Snorkeling [Early Evening Tour] |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2017/03/18 |
Activity Date: | 2017/03/11 |
Reviewed by: Jessie
The staff was great, their knowledge about the fish and the area is beyond amazing. The children were so excited to see the fish and corral.
Aloha Jessie, Thanks for your nice review. We are so glad you and your family enjoyed the tour!
Mahalo,
Jeannie
Kailua Bay Charter Company
The Glassbottom Boat
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Kona Glass Bottom Boat Cruise from Kailua-Kona Pier |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2017/03/05 |
Activity Date: | 2017/02/13 |
Tips and suggestions
Reply from activity provider
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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.