Snorkel the most popular and beautiful
spot in all of Hawaii.

  First step:
All was set up online.
Next:
We showed up a little early to get a parking place and to find where to check in. It was a bit... read more confusing at first. The team arrived and all was good as they were accommodating and professional. There were 12 of us in the group all together. Not knowing what to expect, I felt comfortable with the orientation and every step of the adventure.
Finally:
Once in the water the only thing we had to do was watch with delight the Manta Rays swimming like sailplanes below us and making upside down summer-salts!

  This was my wife's second attempt to swim with the dolphins. The first one was in another country and we saw no dolphins. Our captain Heather and her... read more helper Lisa went out of their way make sure that my got to see them up close. They gave an effort above and beyond the call of duty. If you get a chance take a trip with Dolphin Discoveries and ask for Heather!

  The trip was wonderful. snorkeled 4 times with Dolphins then 45 minutes at Kealakekua Bay. Mike & Liz were very helpful & knowledgeable @ the dolphins & area. Very fun highly recommend

  Captain Heather did a great job of getting us out for our first snorkeling trip. As well as giving us great tips and advice on where to look for sea-life,... read more she is a great steward of the environment as well, making sure that we knew the importance of what not to touch all the way down to making sure we were using the proper sun block to prevent any damage to the reefs. I would definitely come back and do another snorkeling trip with this company.

  I would like to start (this somewhat disappointed) review by acknowledging 2 things. First, I have (twice) previously done a dolphin snorkel with this company and it was terrific... read more both times. Second, the perceived success of the manta snorkel is going to be largely driven by factors beyond the company's control (how many mantas show up!). So, I am going to focus on the things that *were* in the company's control and were below par. 1) Despite having to fill out our sizes on the registration, they did not have a wetsuit top in my size. I was very cold in the water (shivering uncontrollably by the end) as a result and this definitely detracted from the experience. 2) Despite saying that hot drinks would be provided afterwards, there was not. It was just a brief goodbye as we all shuffled off the boat quietly (since the viewing was a bit disappointing and I think the crew knew it). 3) The guide was pretty disengaged - he didn't even ask us all our names, offered no information (beyond the standard few lines about the plankton being attracted to the hotel's lights) or show any interest in us as a group. 4) During the brief viewing opportunities the guide consistently put himself in a vertical position so that his body (and long fins) blocked most of the view for me. Added to the above is that there was only one manta and although she did several fly-bys, the viewing summed to probably no more than 2-3 minutes. Overall, this felt like poor value for money particularly in group of 3, it is a considerable sum, and the return on investment felt poor ($100 per adult to be shuttled 500 metres offshore and dropped in the water with not much "service" around it). I have done a manta snorkel in Kona (different company) once before and came away awe-struck - this time I was just cold and disappointed.

  This is our 3rd time with Dolphin Discoveries. Once again the crew was great, we swam with dolphins, spotted a whale and had a great time snorkeling! I... read more highly recommend Dolphin Discoveries!