Ocean Eco Tours — Local services in Hawaii

Truly Amazing experience. The owners of this tour company are great passionate professionals that are extremely knowledgeable about the ocean. Captain Brenden did a fantastic job navigating the tides on a windy day and showed great nautical skill providing all necessary safety information and his scouting skills were top notch, while his wife Monet strongly showed her knowledge and passion for marine life, group teaching skills and her diving skills were outstanding. While I knew that every boating trip out is a gamble we got results. While trying to find some elusive dolphins, Captain Brenden shot over to a pod of pilot whales that were cruising the open waters and he knew just how far to stay away and ride the tide to offer respect to the animals but get us close enough for our experience. Monet made sure the conditions were safe before allowing us to get into the water and showed us how to stealthily slip into the water to not alarm the animals. And just like Monet thought there was an oceanic white tip shark swimming behind the pod of whales and (I believe it was a she shark from the pictures) she was beautiful and curious enough to come right up to us for some great photos. Seeing sharks and whales is a great tour day but even if we didn’t see anything, I believe there was true value in the boat ride and knowledge this couple provided and that needs to be known. I have been on tours before that are owned by corporate entities that sub lease operators which usually leads to not getting an individual experience because group sizes tend to be larger with shorter individual interaction. Ocean Eco Tours has a great example of perfect group size that allowed each individual to get personal information and interaction. Lastly when I decided to travel to “the big island” I went on a deep search to try and find a shark diving tour for snorkeling. My efforts led to a bust, and then I saw Ocean Eco Tours with their main picture being a Whale Shark. I knew this was the right choice. If you’re looking for an ocean adventure Definitely get a hold of Ocean Eco Tours and ask for the “OFFSHORE SAFARI”. You won’t be...

The experience: Seeing manta rays at night was incredible and definitely a memorable highlight of our trip.

The tour itself:

The sunset portion felt rushed, and the overall tour was shortened—likely due to late arrivals, but we shouldn’t have been penalized for this.

Only had about 30 minutes in the water.

Ended up tied in with other tour groups.

Value concerns: Some reviews mention “free wetsuits,” but that’s not accurate—the cost is clearly built into the price. What was provided was just a wetsuit top/jacket, not a full wetsuit, and it wasn’t really necessary. The videos were also the same ones shared by other companies that charge considerably less (many offer tours under $100), which didn’t feel like good value compared to other options.

Overall: The couple who ran the tour and own the company clearly tried to give us a good experience, and the manta rays themselves were unforgettable. That said, the overall value didn’t quite match the price we paid. I understand they may have just taken this company over, but they’ll need to tweak the value they provide to stand out. I want to be fair in this assessment—it was a memorable night, and I truly wish this company well and hope they find ways to make their offering feel more special for the cost.

Rating: ⭐ 3 stars feels fair—the manta rays were amazing, but the price versus value didn’t balance out.

Response to owner: I appreciate your reply. Just to clarify my concern, the voucher I booked under listed a “2-hour duration” with snorkeling equipment, video, and wetsuits included. While I understand that not all of this time is spent in the water, the actual snorkeling portion of 30–40 minutes felt shorter than what was implied. Posting the voucher here so future guests know what’s advertised vs....

Magical! That is the best way to describe an amazing experience with the mantas. Brendon and Monet gave us an experience none of us will ever forget. The mantas were attracted to our location by the lights that were used. I expected that we would see mantas swimming underneath us, and initially, I wondered whether we would get good value for the cost. My concern was quickly resolved. We had a truly extraordinary experience watching 6-8 foot wide mantas do somersaults immediately underneath where we floated. We had amazing views into their gills and undersides as they swam within mere inches of our hands. Our hands were holding on to a rope that encircled and was anchored into the edges of a full-size surfboard-like flotation device. Our legs were stretched out to float on top of the water (the view from above was like parachutists who grab hands to make a closed circle as they free fall before their chutes open). The surfboard had one or more holes through which a bright light was placed. The light attracts the mantas and facilitates the ability to see them. The area beneath the board becomes a stage of sorts for an incredible performance. Each of us wore snorkeling gear so we could keep our faces in the water continuously. I have never felt closer to the ocean and its creatures. It was a marvelous experience!...