Manta Ray Night Snorkel Express on a Hawaiian Sailing Canoe (from Keauhou Bay)
Overall Rating
5.00
Such a unique and special experience, swimming with these gentle giants. We highly recommend avoiding this event if you happen to be a piece of plankton.
Reviewed by: Steve S., 2019/08/15One of the highlights of our trip to the Big Island was jumping in the water after dark and watching these enormous, graceful creatures emerge from the blackness, do a few plankton-catching loops and then disappear back into the darkness. Can't recommend it enough!
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Activity Date: | 2019/08/10 |
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Manta Ray Snorkling with Lions
Reviewed by: Jeff, 2018/12/16We were greeting by Lions almost immediately. He explained what was going to happen and when since we were early. The Captains came over later and introduced themselves after the boat was prepared. We all loaded and headed out.
We were told sightings were hit and miss, but lately had been good. Since I had been praying for multiple sightings I was expecting it to be a good night. We were not disappointed. Lions took our group right to the spot, among many others. He took care of us like the amateurs we were. He continuously checked that were were OK and whether we needed anything. Plus prepared us as to where to look when a ray was headed toward us.
By the end of the trip we had seen 3 different rays. Lions said that was the best night in months. Thank you Lions and Captains for a very memorable tour.
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Activity Date: | 2018/12/13 |
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Bewilderingly incredible! Such an incredible experience.
Reviewed by: Shannon, 2018/10/18Truly excellent. One of the most amazing experiences of our lives.
Excellent crew and hosts. Patient, clear, fun, looked after us beautifully.
And an awesome canoe!
Can’t reccomend enough. Well worth it.
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| Attended as: | Friends |
| Activity Date: | 2018/10/15 |
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Unforgettable and once-in-a-lifetime
Reviewed by: Brett, 2018/05/21This was an unforgettable once-in-a-a-lifetime experience! Definitely recommend swimming with the manta rays. It will be one of the most majestic experiences of wildlife you will ever have. A note we were unaware of: it seems essentially all ventures to swim with the mantas leave from a similar dock area and set anchor at essentially the same spot in the water--which is just a few hundred yards out from the dock.
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| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Activity Date: | 2018/04/29 |
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Fantastic
Reviewed by: Hilary, 2018/01/22Excellent diving with the manta rays, really enjoyed it and was one of the highlights of my holiday.
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| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Activity Date: | 2017/12/24 |
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Manta Ray Night Snorkel
Reviewed by: D & L Williams, 2017/12/25For 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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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2017/12/21 |
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Best Experience on Big Island
Reviewed by: Brian, 2017/09/23We 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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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2017/09/19 |
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Just do it!
Reviewed by: S.S., 2017/07/31This 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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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2017/07/26 |
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Amazing!
Reviewed by: Vparikh, 2017/07/26Our 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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| Attended as: | Families |
| Activity Date: | 2017/07/22 |
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manta rays up close and personal!
Reviewed by: Troutman , 2017/07/07This 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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| Attended as: | Families |
| Activity Date: | 2017/06/05 |
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Close Encounters with Huge Mantas
Reviewed by: Celia L, 2016/12/13My husband and I enjoyed the evening of going out on a canoe and then getting in the water and holding on to a lighted surf board to observing the huge mantas come right up to you! The young crew members were very friendly and helpful. They did provide a wet suit top but I regretted not having my full wet suit. Although it is in the "warm" Hawaiian water- after 30 minutes the water does steal your bodies warmth. So that would be my only suggestion to the average tourist. Despite the cold near the end, it was such a unique encounter that the amazing mantas- we were thrilled!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2016/11/18 |
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Amazing time with mantas
Reviewed by: FJC, 2016/07/02Eka Canoe provided a great tour. The small group size gave a really good guide/tourist ratio. The fact that the boat sailed from Keauhou Bay meant that we only had a short (about five minutes) ride to the viewpoint. The experience of watching these creatures was fantastic. They are wild animals, so one never knows what to expect. I did not see the "inverted loop" feeding behaviour that is usually shown in promotional videos, but I saw four mantas cruising mid-way between the bottom and the surface. It was a remarkable experience. The crew and guide looked after us well. They were booked up for the remaining evenings that I had on the Big Island or I would have returned for a repeat tour!
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| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Activity Date: | 2016/06/09 |
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Awesome
Reviewed by: Perlyn, 2016/06/12This activity was totally worth it. The guides were very friendly and knowledgeable. The canoe was very cool, too. We saw plenty of manta rays. If you like small groups for night snorkel, then this is your best bet. Hot cocoa was provided after the swim. We had a lot of fun! This is definitely a must-do and I highly recommend Eka Canoe for your reservation!
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| Attended as: | Friends |
| Activity Date: | 2016/06/06 |
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Awesome activity
Reviewed by: Georgia, 2015/09/14This was one of the best activities we did on our two month holiday. The experience was incredible and unforgettable, and the company was easy to book with and great tour guides. Would definitely recommend this to anyone going to Hawaii!
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| Attended as: | Friends |
| Activity Date: | 2015/09/07 |
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