FAQs

As a rule, we require a minimum of 6 guests in order to confirm a day tour and 8 to confirm a Night Manta Experience. We will stay in touch with you regarding the status of your excursion should it not be confirmed. There are a few options available to you at that point and our team will happily assist you. Should you tour not confirm, you are entitled to a full refund.

Yes, the very best.

Yes. We encourage you to bring your phone, a GoPro, or a traditional camera. There are plenty of opportunities to take amazing shots that we encourage you to share with your friends and family as well as on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at @seaquesthawaii!

In addition to Kealakekua Bay and Honaunau, we have selected several secluded snorkeling locations for the third spot on our Expedition South Kona tour. These snorkel sights are less protected than Kealakekua and Honaunau; therefore, your captain selects the third snorkel sight on the day of the tour based on the prevailing conditions. Regardless of the location the captain selects that day, you’ll know you will be in areas typically not snorkeled by any other tour companies and that you wouldn’t have visited any other way.

This is very rare as the Kona Coast is blessed with the best weather, least rain, and calmest seas in the state. The occasional gloomy sky can quickly turn sunny as well. For this reason, should the need arise, Sea Quest reserves the right to determine whether or not the trip will be canceled at the scheduled time of departure. If the trip is canceled, you may reschedule for a later date (subject to availability) or receive a refund.

Since we do not overbook our vessels and we specialize in small groups, Sea Quest enforces a 48 -our cancellation policy. As long as you cancel your reservation at least 48 hours prior to your tour, you will receive a full refund. If you need to reschedule, we ask that you do so 48 hours prior to your tour as well to avoid a penalty. This gives us an opportunity to rebook your seats. If you are worried your plans could change within 48 hours to your tour you can purchase Trip Protection.

If you purchase Trip Protection you can cancel or reschedule your tour for any reason up to 30 minutes prior to your scheduled check in time. As long as you call us 30 minutes before your check in time we can cancel with a full refund, less the cost of the Trip Protection, or rebook you and waive the rebook fee.

If you opt out of purchasing Trip Protection our regular 48 hour cancellation policy will apply in which the tour is non-refundable and non-changeable without paying a 75% rebook fee.

For the morning tours and afternoon tour check in time is 15 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time. For the Night Manta Experience we ask that you check in 30 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time.

Check in times for the Night Manta Experience vary throughout the year depending on sunset times.

If you are unsure please reference your confirmation email for the check in time or call or email the reservations line for more information.

Our Manta Guarantee policy is as follows:

On the rare occasion where zero manta rays are sighted on your tour, Sea Quest invites you to come back out once more on another night at no additional cost to you, or on a confirmed Captain Cook Exclusive afternoon snorkel tour at no additional charge. Based on availability. Non-transferable. No refunds given. Guarantee valid one time.

As the World Health Organization ended the global emergency status of Covid-19 on May, 5th, 2023 our regular 48 hour cancelation policy applies. As long as you contact us outside of 48 hours to your tour it is fully refundable or changeable withiout penalty. Within 48 hours to your tour it is non-refundable/non-changeable.

We suggest at least a week ahead unless you will be here during one of the busiest seasons (summer, spring break, and the holidays). During these busy times, Sea Quest can book up a few weeks in advance. You are welcome to make your reservation as far ahead as you like. For large groups, advance reservations are strongly recommended regardless of your season of travel.

We have fewer problems with seasickness than regular boats and large catamarans because of the open air, fast-moving nature of our vessels. We don’t have that swaying motion that can sometimes cause problems on a large catamaran. However, while the rafts will affect far fewer guests, there are still people who are strongly susceptible and will become seasick no matter what. We suggest an over-the-counter medication for those people to ensure a fun adventure.

The best snorkeling is found in 10 – 15 ft. of water. Kealakekua and Honaunau Bays feature beautiful coral bottoms that may be deeper than that, but in most instances, you will be able to see the bottom with ease. On the Night Manta Experience, you will find yourself in 20 to 30 feet of water. That said, we ask that you not put your feet down at any point. Our reef system’s health is a priority of ours and standing on the coral or benthos can damage the ecosystem. The good news is that you do not need “reef walkers” and that flotation devices are available to all on the daytime tours.

Getting into the water is easy – just slide over the side. Thanks to a substantial aluminum ladder, getting back in is also easy. And the Captain and crew are there to help.

Yes. This is not white water rafting. Some people even bring video cameras! That said, Sea Quest rents GoPro cameras at our check-in location. You may reserve one ahead of time when you make your reservation on our website!

Although our vessels are equipped with everything else you could possibly need for a high end snorkeling adventure, there are no bathrooms onboard. We specialize in small groups and utilize vessels that ensure a stable, safe, and intimate experience that allow you to fully immerse yourself in the South Kona Coast. As sour Captains like to say, we are happy to show you to the the world’s largest restroom available – the Pacific Ocean. With that in mind, we suggest you plan ahead and use the facilities near our outdoor office space before you depart. Once onboard, your first opportunity to get into the water will be approximately 30-40 minutes into the trip.

Sea Quest provides our guests with excellent snorkeling gear on each tour, but we do not utilize full face snorkeling masks. Although no official report has been provided by any official agency, there have been several instances in the recent months of people experiencing unconsciousness while snorkeling which have been attributed to that type of mask. If you would like to bring along a full face snorkeling mask one one of our tours, you are welcome to, but we encourage you to do some independent research before doing so.

You are welcome to. We have no restrictions where your gear is concerned. However, we are always quick to point that, from the masks to the fins, our gear is excellent – silicone masks, dry snorkels with purge valves, comfortable fins, etc. For your safety and protection, our gear is sanitized using a viral grade/food grade sanitizer.

Yes. We are happy to offer our near-sighted guests this option. Our prescription masks, like all of our gear, is excellent and the prescription masks come in varying strengths. For those who wear glasses, a prescription mask can greatly enhance their snorkeling experience. For those who wear contacts, a special mask is not needed and we recommend you keep your contacts in. Contacts can be safely worn with our high-quality snorkel masks and snorkels.

We utilize custom vessels with shade covers for both our Premium Morning Snorkel as well as our Expedition South Kona. For our Captain Cook Exclusive and Deluxe Morning Adventure, we utilize boats that were custom made to explore the young and ruggedly beautiful South Kona Coast. The coastline stretching South of Keauhou Bay, our point of departure, features a host of sea caves which are actually lava tubes – remnants of eruptions past. Our uncovered vessels were built to fit into those sea caves, a component of all our tours that is frequently named the highlight of our guest’s experience. Of course the tide and surf are always a factor, but exploring the South Kona Coast is what we do best.

The snacks we serve on our tours vary by trip, but vegetarian options exist across the board and no special request is necessary. On those tours that include lunch, vegetarian options are available.

Dolphins are frequently seen (more than half the time) on Sea Quest Adventures, but we can’t guarantee them. When we do encounter them, they have been known to approach the raft or surf the wake our engines create. We often encounter pilot whales – a smaller species of whale that reside here year-round. During humpback whale season (late December – April), there is a good chance you’ll spot one or more of these giants.

Absolutely. That said, we do recommend our Captain Cook Exclusive, Premium Morning Snorkel, or our Deluxe Morning Adventure for non-swimmers and/or beginner swimmers. The Expedition South Kona is recommended for those with swimming and snorkeling experience, and participation in the Night Manta Experience requires you have extensive snorkeling and swimming experience and are able to swim without the assistance of a floatation device.

As a rule, we require that all minors, 17 years of age or younger, are accompanied by an adult of 18 years or older.

Absolutely. Keauhou Bay, a culturally and historically significant site, is the closest boat harbor to Kealakekua Bay and we have had the luxury of departing from there for over 30 years. This means you spend more time snorkeling, exploring the coastline and sea caves, observing marine life and less time just getting there.

We envision and work to create a culture that protects and promotes a healthy ocean capable of sustaining life on the planet for years to come. Please visit our stewardship page for details.

Private charters are available for all of our tours. For more information or to book online go to our Customizable Private Boat Charters in Kona page, or call us direct.

Ocean Stewardship User Fee Overview and Spend Plan CLICK HERE.