Manta Ray Night Snorkel Adventure

We went out at on an 8 o’clock booking during a rain. We saw the same adolescent Manta ray swim by us 4 times at a distance. As the guide moved us further away from the on shore flood lights the water became murky. There were so many boats in the same area that the lights saturated the water. The crew was nice (they are paid to be), but when offering an explanation for the lack of mantas all they would say is, “Well, these are wild animals,” in a rather friendly yet condescending way (exact same scripted line 3 different times. Later on, I learned that the earlier travelers saw no rays. Wild animals still behave in predictable patterns, and if the rays won’t show up during storms, then the company should be up front about the chances of seeing rays (plural) up close. They are experts in the behavior of these animals, but they are happy to make boatloads of money, even if the experience is very lacking. I have dived and snorkeled a lot in many different locations all over the world. This is the biggest rip off I’ve ever experienced. You should go with somebody else at a different, better location. Don’t go early and certainly not during a storm if you can help it. Also, please don’t tip!!! This excursion has a massive profit margin and they are charging a ton for what they provide! Not everybody deserves a tip.

Experience was amazing. Mantas were so beautiful. Really an experience of a lifetime. There were about four or five of them circling around.

The manta ray experience itself was enjoyable, but the tour description should be more transparent about the logistics. It doesn’t mention that you’ll need to drive a considerable distance to the meeting point, where parking is extremely limited. There is no dedicated parking, so you’re left to search for a spot on busy residential streets. We had to park one to two blocks away and walk to the meeting location, which added unnecessary stress before the tour. This is important information that should be clearly stated in the listing so guests can plan ahead and allow extra time.

The crew was great. The experience was unforgettable. Check in was super easy. Couldn't ask for a better night for my family and I.

This has changed in the last two years. It was a lot more low key with much fewer boats before. Now, it’s still an amazing experience, but with TONS of other people. We were crowded onto the light platform and I was fighting for space the whole time. It didn’t help that people from other groups were literally screaming every time they saw a manta. It really took away from what could be a serene and peaceful experience. They’re also fitting in shorter tours so they can do more in a night. Like I said, still an amazing time getting close to the mantas, but it was much less than the first time I did this. Kind of a shame.