Kona Sunset & Moonlight Wild Manta Ray Snorkel Tour - Wahine Charters reviews, Big Island tours & activities, fun things to do in Big Island | HawaiiActivities.com

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Kona Sunset & Moonlight Wild Manta Ray Snorkel Tour - Wahine Charters

Overall Rating

4.69 4.69 / 5

Reviews

26 reviews
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Great Fun!

Reviewed by: Rich(Lawrence KS), 2023/12/06

I was not sure what to expect but I was very pleased with this experience. The crew was very pleasant, patient and knowledgable. They were very patient with some older guests and made sure they were safe and comfortable.
We ended up meeting several other boats so we had a lot of plankton for the Manta. Those beautiful fish did not disappoint! Although touching the manta is prohibited, they come close enough to touch! Bring your underwater camera for some great pictures and video memories!

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2023/12/04
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Amazing snorkeling

Reviewed by: Mandy, 2023/09/16

We had a blast and seeing the manta rays was amazing. We also saw a bristle worm, which was cool too. The team was fabulous and knowledgeable. We will do again next time we swing into Kona. We recommend this excursion 100%. You won’t be sorry. If you get seasick, take the anti nausea medicine first. It can be a bit harder on your stomach in the dark.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2023/08/23
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Wahine was awesome!

Reviewed by: New2Hawaii, 2023/08/11

Best crew ever! They were kind and helpful and overall awesome! Would definitely use again

Rating:
Attended as:Families with Young Children
Activity Date:2023/08/09
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Wahine Charters! Woohoo

Reviewed by: CJ , 2023/07/10

We had the best time with the Wahine Charters crew. They were very kind and welcoming! 10/10 recommend!

Rating:
Attended as:Friends
Activity Date:2023/07/08
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Amazing experience!

Reviewed by: Kelly, 2022/07/12

We took our young children on the tour (11 & 4 yrs) and the staff looked after us the whole evening. The kids had a great time and nothing was too much effort. Thanks Angeline for swimming us to the hot spot - what an experience!

Rating:
Attended as:Families with Young Children
Activity Date:2022/07/10
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Fantastic creatures

Reviewed by: Alma S., 2021/08/28

Nice ride in the ocean at night, beautiful skyline and warm ocean.
Rays pass by few inches from you, possibly enjoying themself as well.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2021/08/07
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Nice people, no Manta Rays

Reviewed by: CHZ, 2021/08/22

Tour guides were great, nice, and informative. Sadly did not see any manta rays on our cruise. They said this was highly unusual but still disappointing to not see any. They offered for us to go back on a future tour, but we were leaving the island and they do not offer any refunds.

Rating:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2021/08/01
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Manta rays

Reviewed by: P. , 2021/07/31

The manta rays were incredible to swim with and the crew did an excellent job. You are taken care of the moment you get on to the boat until the moment you get back. This adventure takes you out with light boards to see the manta rays come swim around you. It was well done.

Rating:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2021/07/29
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Amazing experience

Reviewed by: Daniel, 2021/06/29

Awesome crew, it's actually an advantage to go on a smaller boat with fewer people, highly recommended.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2021/06/27
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Awesome!

Reviewed by: Haven , 2021/06/26

I would totally do this again! Such beautiful creatures!

Rating:
Attended as:Friends
Activity Date:2021/06/24
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Safe and reasonable

Reviewed by: Devin, 2021/06/19

The crew met us on time and were reasonably friendly, the boat looked well kept, and the wetsuits were clean. Everything felt safe and there were free sodas and snacks on the way back to the harbor. It's about 30 minutes from the harbor to the site where the mantas feed, and we got there pretty early so the crew was able to secure a good anchor spot amongst the dozens of other boats. Once it was dark enough we jumped in the water and held on to the raft attached to the boat. A light was shone and a few mantas swam up to feed on plankton near the light. We felt lucky to have them come to our boat because I'm sure with so many boats, other tourists may have struck out. After 30 minutes the captain told us we were leaving which was disappointing because we were still enjoying the show, and our boat was the first to leave. It felt like the crew was tired from a long day and wanted to get home, so our tour was shortened for their convenience. Overall I'm glad we did it but it could have been better.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2021/05/28
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Unforgettable memories

Reviewed by: MaiD, 2021/05/25

I love the crew and the service. My friends and I had a very wonderful time enjoying the sunset as well as seeing many manta rays yesterday. We would love to come back for a dolphin/whale trip in the future with you guys! Thank you!

Rating:
Attended as:Friends
Activity Date:2021/05/23
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Perfect for our 6 year old!

Reviewed by: Amy Miller, 2019/03/10

The guides were amazing! So enthusiastic and wonderful with our 6 year old son. Full of so much knowledge about the mantas! We saw 3 manta rays, one of them swam right up so close it grazed my foot. Amazing, once in a lifetime bucket list for sure!! Really recommend this company!!

Rating:
Attended as:Families with Young Children
Activity Date:2019/03/07
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Outstanding Manta experience

Reviewed by: Mellissa , 2018/06/14

I was so scared being a non swimmer but I’m so glad I didn’t chicken out and did it!!! What an incredible experience. Professional crew that kept us safe and relaxed the entire time. I would recommend Wahine Charters to anyone and will recommend to all my friends!

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2018/06/07
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Manta Ray Experience

Reviewed by: Murray, 2018/05/27

This was an awesome night as a family seeing the manta rays so closely. We really enjoyed it and will always remember it.

Rating:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2018/05/20
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Fantastic trip and first trip to the Big Island

Reviewed by: Southern USA family, 2018/04/01

We took our 9 year old son on this and had a great time. Wahine Charters and staff were great. Smaller group (12 total) made the experience that much better. Highly recommended. Really an experience unlike any other.

Rating:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2018/03/29
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Where's the Mantas?

Reviewed by: Ilse, 2018/01/20

This was my second Manta experience and I was disappointed not to see a manta. There were a lot of boats out looking, I counted 15 at one time and it was just before dusk. On a previous Manta experience it was later so I wonder if they prefer to feed later when it's completely dark? I felt like I got to the party early and the cool kids showed up after I left. There was no lack of plankton however, so we were amused by the fish that gathered; an entire school under our light. I've gotten used to the 'entertainment' boat staff provides which makes an excursion more fun. This excursion was rather perfunctory. Go out, hop in the water, no manta, ok, go back. Everyone was rather disappointed not to see Mantas, so I'm not sure if that made going back seem rather glum. I realize these are wild creatures but my last excursion (with another company) there were quite a few Manta, like 6-8? It was an incredible experience that I wanted to repeat with my husband and was disappointed.

Reply from activity provider

Aloha, Thank you for coming out with us on the Manta Ray swim. I'm sorry that the Manta Rays did not cooperate that evening. Wahine Charters is one of the few tour companies that will take you out again for free if you don't see the Manta Rays. I hope you will take us up on that offer. We offer two Manta Ray tour departure times; the Sunset Manta tour and a later Moonlit Manta tour. Sometimes we see more Mantas on the Sunset tour and sometimes we see more on the moonlit tour, and occasionally we don't see any. There are two Manta Ray snorkel locations and we will take you to the location we believe will have the best show. We hope to see you again.
Captain Tim

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2017/12/29
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Amazing adventure!

Reviewed by: Elizabeth from AR, 2017/11/01

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:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2017/10/29
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Great Time!

Reviewed by: Linda R, 2017/10/28

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.

Reply from activity provider

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:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2017/10/08
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Swimming with rays

Reviewed by: Dorotka , 2017/07/18

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

Reply from activity provider

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!!

Rating:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2017/07/10
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Mantas were great!

Reviewed by: Rosemary, 2017/07/09

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.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2017/06/21
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An awesome time!

Reviewed by: Miller family, 2017/06/19

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!

Rating:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2017/06/16
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Captain Tim Strike's Again!!!

Reviewed by: Josh Mishkin, 2017/04/17

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!!!

Reply from activity provider

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!!!

Rating:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2017/04/14
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Mantas

Reviewed by: Barb, 2016/08/29

Very cool experience. There were 12 Mantas swimming around us. The crew were safety conscious and handled a guy that freaked out in the water very professionally. No shame and wanted everyone to have a good time. Hot Chocolate provided with fresh fruit.

Reply from activity provider

Awesome! Glad you had a good time and thank you for the positive feedback.
Capt. Tim

Rating:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2016/08/17
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Best Manta Experience

Reviewed by: Mindy, 2016/06/08

I've taken three different groups on three different manta swims and this one was the best! I really liked how we were tethered to the boat so that inexperienced snorkelers and people that got cold could easily climb back on the boat while the rest of us could continue to enjoy the mantas. Because we were on the moonlight swim, we were in the harbor by ourselves by the end. All the mantas (four total that night) were ours to observe. It was awesome.

This is really a must-do for your Big Island trip.

Reply from activity provider

Thank you for your wonderful review on our Moonlit Manta Snorkel. We are so pleased your tour was such a success. It is our goal to have every person rate us as the best snorkel tours in Kona! You just described the advantages of doing the Moonlit tour. I always recommend this tour to people with children. Because there are only two to three boats at the later tour time, this allows us to tether the light board directly to the boat instead of swimming the light board in the middle of twenty something boats and their light boards to give you the best show. Some parents might have to switch out with their partner if they bring their young children (toddler's and babies are always welcome). There might also be children and/or adults that have some apprehension and would prefer to have the boat near by as a comfort. We hope you will remember us on your next trip to Kona. Mahalo!

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2016/06/01
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Great experience with tha manta rays, but service below expectations

Reviewed by: Riccardo, 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.

Reply from activity provider

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.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2015/05/30
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