Bring
- Swimsuit, worn under your clothes.
- Towel. Some tours, like Anelakai’s canoe tour, do not supply one.
- Warm, dry layers for the ride back: a hoodie or fleece and something for your legs.
- Your own mask, if you have one that seals well. Not a full-face mask.
- An action camera, if you want photos.
- Seasickness remedy that works for you, taken before you board.
Usually provided
- Wetsuit or wetsuit top
- Mask and snorkel
- The lit float board you hold onto
- Ankle floats, on some tours
Leave behind
- Full-face snorkel masks. Not allowed on several tours.
- Fins, unless the tour hands them out. Some tours ban them so nobody kicks the mantas.
- Anything you cannot get wet. Small boats and canoes have little dry space.
How to behave in the water
Kona’s manta operators follow participant guidelines first written in 1993: observe only, no touching, snorkelers stay at the surface with legs flat, and lights point down. Let the mantas come to you.
Questions
Do I need to bring my own snorkel gear?
No. Most tours include a mask, snorkel and wetsuit. Some do not use fins at all, because kicking can harm the mantas.
Can I use a full-face snorkel mask?
Usually not. Sea Paradise and Anelakai Adventures both do not allow full-face masks. Bring a regular mask if you have one that fits well, or use the tour’s.
Can I bring a camera?
Yes. An action camera works well. Keep it close to you and out of the water column so the mantas have room. Hawaii Oceanic rents GoPros for $50.