Amazing dolphin swim. Went out and found manta rays on the surface on the way to the dolphins. Hundreds of spinner dolphins everywhere. To top it off we caught an ono for dinner.
We were looking forward to snorkeling with Manta Rays as it was one of the highlights of our trip. I was really disappointed with the lack of professionalism one of our guides showed. At the beginning of the experience the blue filter that attracts the plancton that the Manta Rays eat fell off the light on our raft. I adviced our guide immediately and he made no effort to replace the filter and scoffed at me saying that the brighter the light the more plancton. Turns out the filter is there for a reason...there was plenty of Manta Rays all around us being attracted by the blue light from the other rafts. Our white light was too bright, and All I managed to see was a gritty ocean floor and some fish. In the last couple of minutes, a more experienced guide saw that we did not have a filter, and managed to join us to another company's snorkeling raft that had a blue light only then did we see them as they came close. I then asked the guide if any other rafts from our tour had seen the mantas he said no, not really, which was a lie as I asked the other guests around the overcrowded boat and they were delighted with their experience. For the money we paid which was well over $100 US it was not worth it. They did not have a back up plan regarding the missing filter, completetly dismissed our comments, no attempt at giving us the experience we paid for and even mentioned at the beginning of the trip all the guides worked for tips. So there was even an expectation for us to reward them for a less than average experience. My advice is use the money to pay your guides and back up blue filters, we are paying guests after an experience after all.
We booked a night manta ray watch through these people. Do yourself a favor and pick someone else. They were unable to set an anchor at the manta place. Multiple other boats were there and had no problem. They put us in the water wirh their raft and we had to swim to the site. Totally ridiculous. Fortunately, another tour boat's crew took pity on us and allowed us to tie our raft to them. We did manage to get back alive, but definitely not a good experience.
Whether its Dolphin or Manta, the captain and crew really took great care of me. I really enjoyed swimming with the dolphins. The Manta Rays are even better. The Mantas were the highlight. A must do for anyone coming to the island.
Fantastic boat and crew! Fast and friendly, the Captain was very Knowledgable and we had so much fun with the Dolphins!
Ocean Encounters is a US Travel Agency based in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. Ocean Encounters is located at 74-425 Kealakehe Pkwy, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA.
Please contact with Ocean Encounters using information above: Address, Phone number, Fax, Postal code, Website address, E-mail, Facebook. Find Ocean Encounters opening hours and driving directions or map. Find real customer reviews and ratings or write your own review.
Find Travel Agency in Kailua Kona