I completed my open water scuba certification with BID, and it was a great experience. With over…read more11,000 hours of dive experience, my instructor, Fernando, was the best. He was patient, knowledgeable, encouraging, and supportive. The night dive with the mantas was out of this world! Our captain, Micha, along with her crew, and our dive captain, Haley were all top notch! I'm planning my return trip for 2027. I highly recommend the outfit!

Hubby went on a pelagic black water dive the night before and was very impressed with the…read moreprofessionalism of Fernando and Ashton. We've been on several black water dives before and day are part of our top list. The next day we took apart in the two tank afternoon dive and manta dive. Again, Fernando and Ashton were very thorough with the dive briefing and safety. I particularly liked how he emphasized not standing or touching the reef as well as not harassing the wildlife. I've witnessed many dive masters, who don't do this perhaps fearing unsatisfied or offended guests? I also really liked how Hawaiian culture was integrated into the dive briefings. Under the water, he helped spot various endemic creatures. Another thing we really liked for the manta dive was the small group. On past excursions we've been with larger groups and were later to the site. Whereas this time we were first to the site and we were treated to a spectacular showing of mantas. Overall, we had an amazing experience with Big Island Divers.

My wife, Kallie, and I had not done a full open-water dive since 2017, so when we planned our Kona…read moretrip, we decided to return to Jack's Diving Locker--the same company we had dived with back in 2008, according to our dive logs. The booking process was extremely easy. I called with several questions, and the staff was helpful, informative, and reassuring. Because it had been so long since our last actual dive, we chose to book a private divemaster for the two of us. We had completed a refresher in June 2025 for a planned dive weekend that unfortunately never happened, so we knew we would probably be a little rusty. Jack's also saved the day before we even got in the water. My personal Atomic prescription mask unexpectedly failed when the strap attachment tore out of the mask itself. I was worried I would either have to cancel or spend the dives as "Mr. Magoo," but the shop had prescription masks available and fitted me with one that worked perfectly. That level of preparedness and customer service made the entire dive day possible for me. Our divemaster, Sabrina, was absolutely fantastic. She was pleasant, friendly, social, knowledgeable, and incredibly patient throughout the entire experience. During our first dive, I had some difficulty clearing my ears. Sabrina stayed calm and helped me work through it, reminding me of techniques I had used years ago when I was diving more regularly and occasionally had "bad ear days." Both Kallie and I were a little rusty on that first dive, but Sabrina never rushed us or made us feel uncomfortable. By the second dive, my ear issues had resolved, we were both much more relaxed, and the old muscle memory started coming back--including some of what I learned during my Peak Performance Buoyancy certification. The difference between the first and second dives was huge, and Sabrina's patience and guidance were a major reason why. Sabrina also went above and beyond outside the dives themselves. While chatting with us about the rest of our trip, she recommended the Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm as a "must visit." We had somehow missed it in our planning, immediately looked it up, and booked the VIP experience, where Kallie and I each get to hold a seahorse twice. That recommendation made our trip even better. I would recommend Jack's Diving Locker--and Sabrina as a private divemaster--**100,000% and without hesitation** to anyone, especially divers returning after a long break. The entire experience was professional, safe, relaxed, accommodating, and genuinely fun. Sabrina also took all of the underwater photos from our dive day, which gave us some fantastic memories of the experience: https://arroyo.smugmug.com/2026-Photos-and-Pics/HI-Vacation-Big-Island/Day-3-Kona-Diving

We dove with Jacks on both their classic and advanced dive tours. Great fun! Keller with his fun…read morevideos and photos were an added bonus! The boats are fast, comfortable and well equipped (including a warm shower after the dives)! A light meal between dives was perfect too. Enjoyed all the crew and dive masters and since we love diving the Big Island, we will be back! Mahalo Team Jack's

Friendly staff. More than accommodating for any needs. Best dive shop hands-down. Went well above…read moreand beyond to make sure I had a great time. We'll definitely use again.

I was looking for a more personalized, guided tour for my boys and me--not one of those big group…read moreexcursions--and Kona Shore Divers absolutely delivered. A buddy tipped me off about this place, and I'm so glad I took his advice. Chris was the perfect guide--laid-back, professional, and dialed in to all the righteous dive spots. The shore entry was an adventure in itself, and we ended up exploring the same stunning reefs the pricey boat tours take you to. These were hands-down the best dives we've had in the islands. Now it's my turn to pass it on: if you're reading this, do yourself a favor and call Kona Shore Divers. You won't be disappointed--i hō'omau i ka moana (keep exploring the ocean)!

Our group had a fantastic experience with Manta Ray Dives of Hawaii. The directions were accurate,…read moreeverything was well organized, and the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful from start to finish. Our crew included Mike, Justin, Eric, and another Mike (I think!). I wish they had introduced themselves a little more clearly because every one of them deserved recognition--they were all fantastic. The instructions were clear and easy to follow, but what stood out most was how genuinely respectful and non-judgmental the entire crew was. At many popular tourist attractions, it's understandable that after giving the same presentation countless times, things can start to feel rushed or impersonal. That was absolutely not the case here. Every crew member seemed genuinely happy to be there. They welcomed every question with patience and respect, and if the answer to something was "no," they took the time to explain why instead of simply dismissing it. As a parent, I especially appreciated this because it's just as valuable for children as it is for adults. Justin did an amazing job teaching us about manta rays before we got in the water. He took the time to show everyone charts and photos, explain their behavior, and answer questions. It made the experience much more meaningful than simply showing up and jumping in the water. Once we were in the water, one of my kids became a little overwhelmed by all the gear and new variables. Mike handled it beautifully. He stayed calm, encouraged them to sit on top of the float board until they felt comfortable, and made sure they were doing okay before moving the board farther from the boat. That patience and reassurance made a huge difference. I have two suggestions that aren't complaints at all--just ideas that I think would make an already excellent experience even better. First, it would be helpful to give guests a quick overview of the evening at the very beginning. Something like: "We'll have about a __-minute boat ride out, anchor at the site, pass out and fit gear, wait for sunset, then enter the water one at a time and hold onto the floating boards for about 45 minutes before returning to the boat and heading back to the harbor." Having that roadmap would have helped both my kids and me know exactly what to expect. Second, I would recommend letting guests know to bring an extra towel to sit on during the boat ride. The ridged metal benches became a little uncomfortable after a while, and a folded towel would have made a big difference (we were allowed to move around the boat which was also awesome- just for those who didn't want to). Overall, this was an incredible experience. We came for the manta rays, but what we'll remember just as much is the crew. They were knowledgeable, professional, patient, and genuinely passionate about what they do. We felt welcomed as people--not just another group of tourists--and that made all the difference. I would absolutely recommend Manta Ray Dives of Hawaii.

Not all the manta ray tour companies are the same. This one is amazing!! Leo the snorkel tour guide…read moretook us right to the Mantas and even moved us with the mantas to make sure we were always getting a front row view and interactive experience with the mantas. There was also hot chocolate offered, ginger chews, complimedry drinks, and we seemed to be in the water lonever than most the other companies. We also were given a thorough brief and while in the water we're being educated and guided regarding the mantas. One of the best experiences I've ever had and I am an avid scuba diver who has traveled the world.

Very professional and friendly crew! Did the night manta dive (July 2026) and was an incredible…read moreexperience. Sarah gave an informative and entertaining dive briefing and kept a close eye on all of us as we were mesmerized by the many mantas! The mantas were magnificent and graceful as they fed on the natural plankton in the water. Many times had to duck my head down they were swimming so close to me. Highly recommend this experience with Kona Honu divers!

Crew was very nice and helpful. Enjoyed the smaller boat /…read moreparty size. We went to more remote dive sites off the beaten path

What an amazing experience! We were a group of scuba divers and a snorkeler. We had 2 dive/snorkel…read morespots. This first dive we saw a shark, fish, and an eel. The 2nd dive was incredible!! We sat at the bottom of the ocean with lights and HUGE manta rays swam all around us! Kate was our dive guide and I can't remember the snorkel guides name but they were both great! I hadn't dove in about 2 years and Kate was so patient with me. I was a little nervous but she made me feel at ease. My husband even saw a baby tiger shark when he was snorkeling! They provided fruit, hummus sandwiches and drinks. If you're on the Big Island this is a must! They even took go pro videos and sent them to us!!

Wow!!! Another incredible manta ray night snorkel with Kona Ocean Adventures!…read more The team are pros and the experience is like nothing else. Majestic, magical, and beyond memorable! We again saw a continuous flow of mantas and all felt the magic of them touch us as they glided past. I'm sadly prone to sea sickness. But the team took great care of me. And the experience and memories far outweigh the discomfort. Highly recommend this when you visit the Big Island. It's not to be missed!

We had the absolute best experience diving with Aquatic Life Divers. From start to finish, the…read moreentire crew--Carlos, Mary, Kim, and Dylan--were beyond incredible. You can tell right away that they genuinely care about what they do and about making sure every diver feels safe, and comfortable. We did a discover dive with Kim, and we truly cannot say enough amazing things about her. She was so patient, calm, and encouraging every step of the way. She took the time to explain everything clearly, checked in often to make sure we felt comfortable. If we were nervous at any point, she immediately picked up on it and helped us relax. Because of her, we were able to fully enjoy the experience and take in how beautiful everything underwater was. The rest of the crew was just as fantastic. Carlos, Mary, and Dylan all brought such a great energy--friendly, professional, and super knowledgeable. They worked together seamlessly, making everything feel organized and easy, while also keeping the vibe fun and relaxed. If you're even thinking about diving, this is 100% the team you want to go with. We would recommend them to anyone, whether it's your first dive or your hundredth. Such an unforgettable experience--we'll definitely be back!

The Manta Ray night snorkel was incredible and majestic! My two sons and I went on the tour with…read moreCaleigh and she took us to the best spot. We saw 4 mantas, two of which did a full barrel roll directly underneath us! They were so close it was almost as if we could touch them. A truly unforgettable experience and I found myself giggling with how unbelievable it was to be so close to such incredible animals. Highly recommend Aquatic Life Divers with Caleigh and the next time we're back in Kona, we'll be using them for another tour.

I had a blast on this daytime snorkeling tour. I got to climb aboard the RIB navy seal type boat,…read moreit felt like an adventure. The guides took the tour out to the Captain Cook Monument, where the snorkeling was cool. The water was clear, the marine life plenty, and it ended up being one of the best snorkeling spots I've experienced. One tip: be sure to rent the flippers when you sign up. They made a huge difference and helped a lot in the water. They are not provided from the all in tour price. For the tour price you get the ride and snorkel mask with a floaty. They also rent life jackets if you need that. This tour is definitely geared toward people who are comfortable swimming and being on an open-air boat. If you're nervous in the water or can't swim or prefer a more relaxed boat ride, this isn't it. If you're looking for excitement, it's hard to beat. What really made the experience special were the crew members. Our captain and lifeguard were laid-back, friendly, and made everyone feel safe while keeping the atmosphere fun. The highlight for me was racing along the coastline at nearly 50 knots, bouncing across the waves and taking in incredible views of the island. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Think twice before booking with this company…read more I chose this excursion because it was shorter (2.5 hours) while still including snorkeling and a tour of the Captain Cook area. Unfortunately, the experience did not meet expectations. The first issue was the check-in process. The confirmation email tells guests where to meet but does not provide clear instructions on where to check in. Parking at this harbor is extremely limited, and Kona traffic can be very congested. Ironically, the company's own confirmation email emphasizes allowing a one-hour buffer before and after the tour and specifically advises guests not to schedule anything within an hour of the excursion. That warning exists for a reason. Despite everyone else arriving on time, our departure was delayed by nearly 30 minutes because the crew chose to wait for two guests who were stuck in traffic. As a result, every passenger who arrived as instructed lost approximately 30 minutes of a tour they had paid for while standing in the heat waiting. It felt unfair that those who planned accordingly were penalized because others did not. I expressed my irritation to the lifeguard assigned to our boat and was met with a dismissive response rather than an acknowledgment of the inconvenience. Once we finally departed, the captain welcomed everyone and said to let the crew know if we needed anything. During the safety briefing, I asked if my son could have some water. Instead of simply providing it or explaining when it would be available, I received a sarcastic response, and my son was not given any water. While the scenery and destination are beautiful, the customer service and handling of these situations left much to be desired. Better communication, adherence to the published schedule, and more respectful interactions with guests would have made for a much better experience.