What we provide
You do not need to buy or rent gear for this tour. Mask, snorkel and flotation are included with every ticket.
- Mask and snorkel
- Waist flotation belt — keeps you flat and effortless on the surface
- The lighted float board the group holds during the tour
- Wetsuit rental, on request at check-in ($15 upper-body jacket, $30 shorty or full suit)
- Life jacket rental, on request at check-in ($10, free for children 12 and under)
- GoPro rental, on request at check-in ($60, subject to availability)
Rental items are not included in the ticket price — the fees above are current at the time of writing. Ask at the check-in van and the crew will sort you out. See the cost guide for the full price breakdown.
What to wear
Arrive already wearing your swimsuit. There is no changing facility at the harbor, and the check-in process moves quickly. Put your suit on at the hotel and wear clothes over it.
Kona water runs roughly 75–81°F through the year. Most guests are comfortable in a wetsuit for the full float, and the chill people remember is the boat ride back, wet, in the wind. That is what the towel and dry layer are for.
Bring these
- A towel — stays in the van during the tour, waiting for you
- A warm dry layer for the ride back and the walk to your car
- A waterproof phone case if you want your own photos
- Your own mask and snorkel, if you prefer a familiar fit — otherwise ours are free
Prescription masks: plan ahead
This is the one gap worth knowing about in advance. We do not stock prescription masks. If you need corrective lenses to see clearly, rent a prescription mask earlier in the day from Snorkel Bob's or Boss Frog's, both of which have shops in Kailua-Kona. Contact lenses under a well-sealed mask also work for many guests.
Turning up without a plan here is the most common avoidable disappointment on this tour. The mantas pass within a few feet of your face; it is worth seeing them sharply.
What stays off the boat
Space on the boat is tight and anything loose becomes a hazard in the dark. Permitted onboard:
- Underwater camera
- Prescription glasses
- Small medical devices
- Personal mask and snorkel
Not permitted onboard: bags, towels, changes of clothes, car keys, and any other personal belongings not on the list above. All of it is left at the wetsuit van before boarding, where the crew stores and watches it for the duration of the tour.
Before you leave the hotel
- Swimsuit on, clothes over the top
- Eat something — no food is served, and tours can run late
- Take motion-sickness medication beforehand if you are very sensitive, though the three-minute ride rarely causes trouble
- Keep your phone on and reachable — check-in times occasionally shift, and the crew will call or text
- Read your ticket confirmation; it carries the specific instructions for your departure
Keep reading
See how safe the encounter actually is, which night to pick, or the full tour details.