No experience is necessary, but basic swimming skills are required. We provide snorkeling gear, floatation devices (wetsuits, float belts, and pool noodles all help you float) and basic instruction for snorkeling, including some tips for having the best experience possible. You may be surprised by how buoyant you are in salt water compared to freshwater pools or lakes.

• For day trips: hat, sun protective clothing, reef safe sunscreen, towel, camera
• For evening trips: jacket, towel, camera
• A small dry bag is recommended as we have limited dry storage onboard and seaspray is normal
• Kindly leave any extra items in your car or in our storage locker on the dock. Key storage is provided as well, so those don’t get lost!

We depart from the Honokohau Small Boat Harbor. The easiest way to get there is to follow the Google Maps link in your confirmation email or type Kona Snorkel Trips into Google Maps and follow the directions. If you know where the harbor is just turn in and follow the road until you come two the store building with a red roof with a gas station. Park and meet us at the covered picnic tables. If you arrive at check-in and our boat is not there or no one is present to check you in we are either bringing the boat around or coming back from our previous trip. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to check your confirmation email for the correct date.
The address for GPS or smartphone maps is: 74-381 Kealakehe Pkwy, Kailua, HI 96740 or you can put Kona Snorkel Trips in Google Maps

Yes! We provide good quality snorkeling gear including masks, snorkels, and fins for our day snorkel trips. Wetsuits are provided for all trips, and we strongly encourage you to use them on our night snorkel trips for buoyancy and warmth! Floatation devices are offered for all of our guests – we provide either a pool noodle or float belt (these are great if swimming is a challenge for you, you’re a first-time snorkeler, or you just want to relax).

Absolutely! With the exception of our season whale-watching tours, you’re gonna get wet. Arrive at check-in wearing your swimwear, ready to go! We highly recommend a rashguard with sun protection instead of sunscreen. If you do bring sunscreen – kindly make sure it’s reef safe.

We do have a limited selection of prescription masks available. If you plan to snorkel more than just once, it may be worth your while to purchase a mask with your correct prescription.

Yes! We want you to be comfortable and have an enjoyable experience. We welcome you to bring your own snorkel gear or use ours – whatever is more comfortable for you.

Reservations cancelled with at least 48 hours notice will be refunded. Reservations cancelled with less than 48 hours notice will be charged the full price. KST will refund customers if KST needs to cancel the trip due to weather, ocean conditions or mechanical issues.

Please note that the Manta Rays are wild animals and we cannot guarantee their presence. If you do not see a manta on your night out, you can go again on another night on a space-available standby basis. Keep in mind that standby spaces may be extremely limited, especially during the busiest times of the year. This offer never expires, but is nontransferable and has no refund or cash value. We are typically very successful in finding mantas for you; however, if they are not around, the costs involved with setting up the charter and getting all our guests to the location will not allow for us to offer you a refund.

At check-in there is an opportunity to use the facilities on land, however, we do not have a restroom on board.

Since manta rays are wild animals their presence is affected by a variety of factors, and we don’t have control over whether or not they grace us with their presence. Because your enjoyment on the trip is a high priority to us (second only to safety), we do everything we can to find mantas for you including making informed decisions on where to go to have the best opportunity to see them. On the rare occasion, we don’t see any mantas, you can come back out with us on a standby seat for free.

As awkward of a subject as it can be, it’s a question that we get multiple times per day. While it is fairly common to leave 15-20% on a restaurant ticket, you can bet our crew delivers a lot more on your excursions. Tips are never expected but always appreciated.

Thanks to our location on the island and protection from Hualalai, the majestic mountain behind our town, we typically have great weather, calm seas, and few rain days per year. Some days cloud over then clear up quickly, or the mountain looks cloudy and we have gorgeous weather on the Kona coast. On the rare occasion the weather is questionable, our team will make a determination whether or not the trip can go out safely. In the event we cancel we will do our very best to rebook you for another time. If we cannot accommodate you, we will give you a full refund.

In most cases, the maximum number of people on board is 16 guests plus 3 crew members. Our coast guard allowed capacity is more, allowing up to 18 guests for a private charter.

Parking is free and convenient. When you arrive at check-in, you’ll see gravel spaces for parking nearby. Park, lock, and come over to start your adventure!

Our pilots are skillful in selecting a flight path that affords passengers on both sides of the aircraft the same amazing views.

The seats are available for guests whether they’d like to snorkel or ride along for the boat trip, the cost per seat is the same.

Kids are welcome on all of our charters (the minimum ages vary) and must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Our insurance doesn’t allow the transportation of guests. It’s your responsibility to get to and from the check-in location. Kona does have Uber, Lyft, and taxi services.