Aloha Reader,

The ocean has been very rough for the last two months. Powerful storms generate swells, and during the winter, the West Coast of the Big Island is exposed to large waves hitting our shores. This year, swells have been relentless, and we've been unable to offer our manta swims. Check out this summer and winter surf forecast comparison (summer 2024 vs this month).

Our rule of thumb to determine if we can safely operate is

0-1 feet surf height = doable
2-3 feet = questionable
3 feet and above = canceling

You can find more details in this blog post.

Resuming our swims in March

Because we've been "dry" for a while, I took a lovely vacation and visited my mom and family in Germany. Now, our team is looking forward to the ocean returning to "flat" conditions, which are observed from mid-March to mid-December.

Over the years, more people have turned to us for an eco-friendly and educational adventure with the manta rays. However, we've also seen an increase in folks who aren’t prepared for it. Even though we keep the groups small and our swim guides are thoroughly trained, one person can degrade the experience for all and pose a higher risk.

Disqualifying participants at the beach shack is rare, and we try hard to avoid awkward moments. Believe me, it isn’t something we do lightly or enjoy. But it prompted us to put considerable effort into reviewing the page on our website about the manta ray moonlight swim. We’ve even created a separate page that answers all the questions we get from guests before booking and just before we go into the water. This blog post also addresses the risks beneath the surface of snorkeling with mantas at night.

If you’re about to take a trip to Hawaii or you know someone who is, keep in mind the following (or forward them this email):

• You must know how to swim in water that is too deep to stand and feel confident swimming in the ocean.
• You need to have snorkeled in the ocean fairly recently and feel comfortable in snorkeling gear. Avoid fumbling around with your gear in the dark!
• Children need to be at least 12 years old, able to swim and snorkel as described above and understand the safety briefing before entering the water.
• If you have health concerns, such as cardiovascular or respiratory problems, contact us before booking a swim so we can assess the situation. The same goes for individuals with mobility limitations or other disabilities. Sometimes, you won’t be able to join a regular group tour, but we can offer a private experience instead.
• Eat something light before joining the experience, but never drink alcohol before the swim. Even one glass can compromise your awareness in the pitch-dark ocean.

You can learn more about the above prerequisites and risk factors associated with the marine life we encounter on this page. Or watch the video below to learn more!

I can't wait to be back with the manta rays, and I hope to see you soon!

Aloha, Martina ​

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