FairWind – Snorkel Cruise and Manta Night Snorkel

FairWind – Big Island Ocean Guides has been sharing the beautiful waters of Kealakekua Bay with visitors to Hawai’i Island for over 40 years.

No wonder  FROMMER’s has named them the”Best Snorkel Cruise and Snorkel Destination on  the Big Island”, as well as receiving many other accolades from the local community,repeat guests and other guidebooks. A family run business for over three generations, they provide the best of service  and  safety by making sure the crew members are professionally trained and certified life guards, experienced guides share the love of the ocean and historical significance of Kealakekua Bay with guest, while they ride in comfort on their custom catamaran vessels with first class amenities.

Kealakekua Bay is a sacred site for Hawaiians, where it is said that the Hawaiian fertility god, Lono’i’ka’makahiki lived, as well as the Captain Cook Monument  pictured here. Kealakekua(pathway of the Gods)  is so beautiful – clear blue water with visibility of 80-100 feet year round is surrounded by majestic volcanic cliffs,which help protect the bay and keep the waters calm and perfect for snorkeling, almost guaranteeing you will see a variety of tropical fish.

I cruised on the Fair Wind II, the two custom staircases  made is so easy for everyone to get in and out of the water safely, and in addition to normal flotation devices like boogie boards, noodles and inter-tubes, they have the most amazing custom view-boxes-a great way to view the fish. If you tire of snorkeling, then have fun on the two 15-feet slides and if you are game they have a dive platform. When they called us in for lunch, a nice selection of a hot BBQ  lunch, snacks,fresh fruit, coffee,beverages  and cash bar.

As wonderful as my morning snorkel cruise was, nothing could have prepared me for the Manta Ray Night Snorkel, normally I am very timid about getting into the water at night,but having had such a wonderful experience with the crew during the day, I knew I was in the best of hands. From the beginning-getting fitted for wet suits, and boarding the Hula Kai, the sun just begging to lower in the sky, I was so excited. Once the crew had taken us out to the proper spot, and we got into the water, we made our way out to the custom floating light platforms, it was so awesome to watch these big beautiful creatures follow the plankton up the light beam, literally to be that close to them was truly one of the most amazing experiences of my entire life. Even though they can be huge with wing spans up to 15-feet  without teeth,stingers or barbs they are very gentle, definitely an amazing and safe activity for everyone. Just be sure and lay very still,  you will be rewarded, they continued to come back and visit me the entire time I was in the water. It was chilly when we got back on the boat, but we were offered warm soup and bread rolls, snack mix, hot drinks (coffee, hot tea and hot chocolate) – Purchase the video that is normally taken by their professional videographer-you will want to see it again and again.