FAQ

Your sense of adventure! Also, a camera of some type (cell phones are usually fine), a lite jacket, any personal medication you might need during the trip. Snacks such as chips and soft drinks are provided, but if you want anything else you are more than welcome to bring it.

For private charters there is no minimum and the maximum is currently 6 guests. For all other charters the minimum number of people is 4 and the maximum is 6.

Yes, we have plenty of dry storage onboard for your items. We do not recommend brining Gucci leather bags or expensive bags that might get ruined with a little lite mist or an unseen puddle. All of our storage is protected from spray and minor water inundation.

We have plenty of dry storage on board the vessel. You are more than welcome to bring your backpacks, purses, ect. onboard with you. If you are not comfortable bringing your wallet, you can leave it in the glove box of your car.

The temperature varies between 75 degrees in winter (Dec-March) and 80 degrees in summer (July - September).

Sea sickness is also known as motion sickness, there are homeopathic treatments as well as over the counter drugs you can take. We sell SeaBands on board, they are a reusable bracelet that utilizes acupressure points on your wrist. Ginger is another homeopathic treatment for nausea. There are several over the counter drugs you can take, our favorite is Bonine** and available at most drugstores on island. We have heard from other guests that it is best to take it 12 hrs before your trip and then another dose 1.5 hrs before. If you are extremely prone to motion sickness there are behind the ear patches you can get from your doctor. ***You should consult with your doctor or healthcare professional before ingesting any medication for motion sickness.

Weather is a fickle thing….but generally speaking the early morning has the smoothest ocean conditions and clearest skys. This is due to several meteorological occurrences that happen when the sun sets on our island. The ocean is a constant temperature and is more constant than the temperature on land. As the sun rises it warms the land faster than the ocean warms (well the ocean really doesn't change from day to night) and the warm air lifts sucking in the cooler air off the ocean to take its place. This creates breezes which create small wind chop. At night as the island cools the phenomenon is reversed pulling the clouds and breezes out to open ocean leaving clear skies and beautiful mornings.

No, not usually. Speed of driving and ocean conditions directly correlate. If the ocean conditions become bumpier, our captains will slow the boat to make it a smoother ride. Ultimately weather is out of our control, but we do our best to give guests a smooth and comfortable ride.

Sun protection is very important and the boat will provide reef safe sunscreen. However, if you would like to bring your own we ask that you please bring either mineral based sunscreens, SPF clothing, or other fabric protection. We do not allow chemical based sunscreens containing the following active ingredients: oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, or avobenzone to be applied while onboard our vessel.

Yes we have quite a bit of shade onboard our vessel. Our shade bimini covers the back seating and a few of the front seats, providing ample options for shade cover or sunning.

Very high. It depends on what tour your are participating in but we usually find something other than black sea urchins and reef fish. The Kona coast is rich in nutrients and has deep drop offs and upwellings within 3 miles of shore. This supports an ecosystem teaming with wildlife. Marine mammals are quite common during our daytime trips, Manta Rays are a 90% chance on our manta tours, sea birds such as Boobys, White Tailed Tropicbirds, and shearwaters.

Yes, you can book all of our charters through many of the "Book now" buttons on our website or by clicking here(/blank-2)

We do not let unaccompanied minors come onboard without an adult.

No, during our day trips you can come and go as you please. For our manta trips it is a little trickier because the boats aren't always in the manta viewing area (we don't want to run over the mantas). If you would like to come back early during the manta charter, simply let your crew know and they can bring you back to the boat.

No, not usually. If we are reef snorkeling, we will give you the lay of the land and let you explore on your own or with the guide. If we are doing smaller group, open ocean swims, then yes, we ask that everyone please stay together as a group. Also, during the manta ray night snorkel everyone will stay together unless you would like to come back to the boat.

Yes, we rent Go Pros. You can rent one when you make your booking or if they haven't all been pre-rented you can rent one when you check in. They are first come first served and you leave with the memory card.

Yes, however most of them are quite far from the harbor. Also, we have swells that make beaching boats and swimming into beaches difficult in certain conditions. Feel free to inquire with us before booking or when you arrive at the harbor and we can let you know the best options for your private tour.

Yes, you are more than welcome to bring any food or beverages onboard. Please don't bring single use glass bottles.

Yes, we have a freshwater shower onboard.

Yes, the boat tour industry is considered part of the service industry here in Hawaii. It is not required to tip however, if you felt like the captain and crew went above and beyond simply taking you to a spot, dropping you in the water, collecting you, and bringing you back then it is customary to tip something. (If you crew doesn't do more than just this please let us know!! We expect our captains and crew to love their job, want to engauge with guests, and be more than just a bad taxi driver and ticket taker.) Anywhere from $5 -$20per person in your party is considered acceptable depending on your opinion of level of service.

Yes, we provide a variety of drinks and snacks onboard and some meals charter dependent. On all of our charters we have soda, local juice, still water, and sparkling water flavors. We also have a variety of chips and other similar snacks.

Yes, we have a marine head onboard that is larger than an airplane bathroom :)

No, you are not required to wear a wetsuit. We do recommend them for the manta ray night snorkels tour. Most people get cold because A: there is no sun to warm your body and B: you aren't really swimming anywhere, you are just floating as the mantas swim below you. If you would like one for your day trip please let us know in the comments section of your booking.