Sunlight on Water
Sunlight on Water
5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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About
Kailua-Kona, United States
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
960 reviews
Excellent
875
Very good
43
Average
18
Poor
12
Terrible
12
themoogal
San Leandro, CA65 contributions
Feb 2020
Three ladies decided sort of last minute that they wanted to do a Night Swim with Manta Rays. Sunlight on Water was recommended by a friend, so we called them first. They will be our first call for return excursions from now on! The booking process was quick and informative. The check-in process was also smooth. The boat trip to the Manta Ray location was smooth and comfortable. The equipment was clean and in good repair (wet suit and snorkel/mask) We stopped briefly on the way out to watch some breaching whales (bonus) and were accompanied by dolphins along the way. We anchored at the spot in time to enjoy the sunset while the crew prepared the rafts. We were treated to an excellent Manta Ray show and helped back aboard and given hot chocolate to warm ourselves for the ride home. I thought there would be more (quantity) manta rays. There were about three different rays, but the show was almost continuous and indescribably beautiful. Well worth the trip (and my sore shoulders the next day)
In short, everything went smoothly and the crew were fantastic and friendly. I was so tempted to sign up for the dolphin cruise the next morning, but really wanted to sleep in. This will be on my itinerary for my next visit to the Big Island.
In short, everything went smoothly and the crew were fantastic and friendly. I was so tempted to sign up for the dolphin cruise the next morning, but really wanted to sleep in. This will be on my itinerary for my next visit to the Big Island.
Written February 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan B
Anchorage, AK10 contributions
Jan 2022
Our crew were Capt. Sean, Lisa and Brenna …. All three were wonderful. My friend and I went on the Kona Manta Night Snorkel tour. We were greeted by a friendly, knowledgeable young lady who anticipated every question and briefed us thoroughly before we boarded. All together there were 10-12 clients and nothing felt crowded or rushed. Within minutes of departing we were met by a group of dolphins, an unexpected treat. We headed to the snorkel area, again more briefing and the wet suits and gear were distributed. While waiting for dark, we got some great sunset shots. Once the sun was below the horizon, in we went. The experience in the water was just as described. Lisa and Brenna were with us and full of help and information. These girls are very knowledgeable about the biology and habits of the animals we were seeing. They were very helpful to those who needed assistance managing the floating platform and snorkels. Every time I looked up while in the water the sky was brilliantly displaying a great sunset. We saw four mantas and much more; shrimp, mackerel, and other fishes. After about 40-45 minutes in the water we were helped back on board, helped with taking off the wetsuits and given a hot drink of tea or cocoa. I was never COLD thanks to the attentive crew. I highly recommend this tour if you are comfortable with a snorkel and want to see something truly unique. The boat was clean with plenty of dry storage for personal items.
Written January 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travel_12345_10
8 contributions
Jun 2021
(Resubmitted due to technical problems)
Sunlight on Water provided an excellent dolphin watching tour, with gear included in the price. On the trip several miles north to the drop area, we had a beautiful view of the coast, volcanoes, and Maui, and the boat stopped to let us observe leaping spinner dolphins, pilot whales and manta rays. The staff carefully explained how to safely and respectfully observe dolphins once we entered the water. We had four drops total that day, with us entering the water at appropriate locations when the crew spotted pods swimming nearby. On the second drop, the dolphins stuck around, circling us and coming within a few feet, allowing exciting views of the animals. The fourth drop allowed us to see groups of as many as a dozen dolphins at a time majestically cruise perhaps 20 feet under us in the water.
I appreciated the crew trying to help me as a newbie troubleshoot some trouble I was having with snorkeling, and we all enjoyed the packaged snacks and large cooler of cold water with paper cups. We each got a welcome spray of hot water as we climbed back onto the boat after our last swim.
Two days later, we were able to download a selection of excellent photos of the participants and of dolphins we had seen.
Highly recommended!
Sunlight on Water provided an excellent dolphin watching tour, with gear included in the price. On the trip several miles north to the drop area, we had a beautiful view of the coast, volcanoes, and Maui, and the boat stopped to let us observe leaping spinner dolphins, pilot whales and manta rays. The staff carefully explained how to safely and respectfully observe dolphins once we entered the water. We had four drops total that day, with us entering the water at appropriate locations when the crew spotted pods swimming nearby. On the second drop, the dolphins stuck around, circling us and coming within a few feet, allowing exciting views of the animals. The fourth drop allowed us to see groups of as many as a dozen dolphins at a time majestically cruise perhaps 20 feet under us in the water.
I appreciated the crew trying to help me as a newbie troubleshoot some trouble I was having with snorkeling, and we all enjoyed the packaged snacks and large cooler of cold water with paper cups. We each got a welcome spray of hot water as we climbed back onto the boat after our last swim.
Two days later, we were able to download a selection of excellent photos of the participants and of dolphins we had seen.
Highly recommended!
Written July 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lwes
Brighton, MI55 contributions
Jan 2022
My husband and I recently took the evening manta ray snorkel and had a wonderful time. The trip to the snorkel site was very smooth on the boat and we enjoyed seeing some dolphins swimming along the way. The captain and team were great. We received very thorough instructions as well as wet suits and snorkels before we jumped into the water. It was an exceptional night for seeing mantas and I can honestly say it was one of my favorite excursions I've done. The beautiful manta rays were swimming all around us including showing off with multiple barrel rolls the whole time we were in the water. They are truly graceful and beautiful creatures. We also were provided with a digital link to photos on the boat during sunset as well as photos and videos in the water. We really were impressed with our experience and the Sunlight on Water team!
Written January 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James G
New York City, NY34 contributions
Jan 2021 • Couples
We did dolphin swim with them and it truly was amazing, worth every penny. Lisa and Eric were great guides in the water and we saw easily 300 dolphins in the water that day. One even circled and played with my wife. We even were able to see a bunch of humpback whales too, so many that we actually cancelled our whale watching tour since we felt like we already had done it via this dolphin swim! They even provided a variety of drinks and snacks which was clutch since I skipped breakfast. Book with these guys with no hesitation
Written January 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
debradefreyn
Olympia, WA98 contributions
Apr 2021
My husband, two teen daughters, and I went on a morning dolphin swim and night manta ray snorkel with Sunlight on Water April 6 and 7, 2021. Both were phenomenal. Captain Mark was great and the crew for the dolphin swim (Eric and Lisa) were outstanding. We didn't have the best luck with the dolphins - wild creatures after all - but we did get to swim with some and even with two turtles! The manta night snorkel was AWESOME as we had 5 manta rays that repeatedly swam right up to us - even bumping us! That was magical. We booked this as a combo and feel we got a great deal. For the night snorkel, they hosed us down with warm water as we came back onto the boat and had hot chocolate or tea to drink which was much appreciated. Both trips we had snacks and drinks. The manta snorkel also meant we saw a beautiful sunset from the water. SOW was recommended to me by a friend who also did the combo with her teen boys and they loved it so much they suggested it to me. I'm so glad they did. It was an unforgettable experience.
Written April 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Holly F
3 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
This tour was fabulous! Very comfortable boat (spacious, padded seats, shaded); friendly and knowledgeable crew; unlimited snacks, soda, juice & water. Found several spots for incredible viewing of whales breaching, spouting, tail-flapping and just passing by. The crew took photos to share so we could enjoy the sights without having to try to capture them ourselves. If this one’s available, skip the Zodiac boat (packed, uncomfortable and uncovered); we highly recommend Sunlight on Water. Captain Taylor & Connor will give you an adventure of a lifetime. Aloha!
Written January 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mahalo for the feedback Holly! We enjoyed having your party on board and happy to hear you enjoyed your experience!
Written March 1, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Michael L
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Couples
My wife and I had an amazing time going on two individual trips with Captain Taylor and his crew while in Kona this past week and would highly recommend them specifically to anyone visiting!
We were fortunate enough to have great weather and plenty of sea life on both tours. There's only so much a company can control those, but what stood out to us most was the crew. They seemed to have a genuine enthusiasm for what they were sharing with us (I think "giddy" described our captain's excitement level at swimming with a school of >70 mahi) and were very personable, engaging with each of us and sharing information on the sea life as well as Kona in general (food/drink and outdoor activity recommendations, etc)
Most impressive, though, was how adept they were at accommodating a wide range of customers, from kids to elderly and those with no experience in the water or a propensity for sea sickness. They were hands on and infinitely patient to ensure that each person was as comfortable as possible and that the experience was maximized for them. Above all, they kept safety as a top priority.
Thank you, Sunlight, for such great experiences!
We were fortunate enough to have great weather and plenty of sea life on both tours. There's only so much a company can control those, but what stood out to us most was the crew. They seemed to have a genuine enthusiasm for what they were sharing with us (I think "giddy" described our captain's excitement level at swimming with a school of >70 mahi) and were very personable, engaging with each of us and sharing information on the sea life as well as Kona in general (food/drink and outdoor activity recommendations, etc)
Most impressive, though, was how adept they were at accommodating a wide range of customers, from kids to elderly and those with no experience in the water or a propensity for sea sickness. They were hands on and infinitely patient to ensure that each person was as comfortable as possible and that the experience was maximized for them. Above all, they kept safety as a top priority.
Thank you, Sunlight, for such great experiences!
Written July 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mahalo for your thoughtful review! We are so passionate about what we do and sharing it with others makes it truly special. We loved spending the day on the boat with you both and welcome you back any time for more adventures!
Written July 14, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nobis
3 contributions
Feb 2021 • Family
We had an amazing day with Captain Shawn and Pennsylvania Eric! They are very knowledgeable and very safe and protective of their passengers, whales and dolphins. We could hear whales singing as soon as we put our heads in the water and soon after we got in the water a pod of dolphins were carefully swimming all around us. We will definitely be back to take this tour with more of our family!
Written February 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sam
2 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Captain Taylor, Drew, Alyssa, and K were all fantastic! Laid back but skilled crew, passionate about what they do and being out on the water.
We chose Sunlight on Water for all of our water adventures - sunset snorkeling with manta rays and morning snorkeling adventure - no regrets! With the ocean, you never know what or when ocean life will come play. The crew tempered folks expectations but also did a great job maximizing opportunities while out - they knew where to go for the best chances and had obvious connections with other companies that helped share locations of cool things to see.
Captain Taylor made it a point to share that the vessel was Coast Guard inspected and to go through all safety measures each outing! He and the crew also did a great job tending to all the different personalities, capabilities, and experience levels aboard so that everyone could have the best time possible.
We loved our trip to Big Island and this group played a huge part in that! Would definitely go back out with them the next time we’re on the island!
We chose Sunlight on Water for all of our water adventures - sunset snorkeling with manta rays and morning snorkeling adventure - no regrets! With the ocean, you never know what or when ocean life will come play. The crew tempered folks expectations but also did a great job maximizing opportunities while out - they knew where to go for the best chances and had obvious connections with other companies that helped share locations of cool things to see.
Captain Taylor made it a point to share that the vessel was Coast Guard inspected and to go through all safety measures each outing! He and the crew also did a great job tending to all the different personalities, capabilities, and experience levels aboard so that everyone could have the best time possible.
We loved our trip to Big Island and this group played a huge part in that! Would definitely go back out with them the next time we’re on the island!
Written July 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for the feedback, we loved have your group on board with us! We appreciate the kind words, it puts a smile on our faces knowing you had a wonderful time. Can't wait to have you back on your next Big Island adventure!
Written August 2, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Are you allowed to bring your own GoPro in the water on this tour?
Written September 27, 2019
Yes-but you have to keep it (and any cameras) close to your body. No stretching out your arms, selfie sticks or dangling things or else the rays won’t come! You even have to lay your body flat on the water or else it scares them away and trust me, you want to see every incredible moment you can with these beauties!!
Written September 27, 2019
Chris_in_Hawii
Honolulu, Hawaii
Does the staff take pictures underwater for purchase or do we need to bring our own camera? Thank you,
Written March 23, 2016
On your Swim with the Manta Ray Tour, how long Is the swim itself for?
Written August 20, 2015
we had about an hour in the water. however, about 15 minutes of this time was as the sun was setting without light boards out. i was the only person that jumped in the water and just snorkeled. this was vastly superior to hanging onto the light board. there were about a dozen boats around with nobody in the water. it was amazing. i observed mantas cruising along as opposed to just around the board. twilight snorkeling is sensational. i would recommend sunlight on the water as a tour company.
Written August 21, 2015
Do you have room for 2 or 3 on a Manta Snorkel on Tues?
Written January 19, 2015
Aloha,
We do have space on Tuesday, January 20 Night Manta Snorkel. However, there is big surf predicted and may impact our ability to go out. Please give us a call.
Mahalo
Melainah
Written January 20, 2015
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