About Aloha Ocean Excursions

  We use this company every time we come to the Big Island. This time we tried the Manta Ray trip for the first time and it did not disappoint. Kris... read more and Budda are the real deal. They engage with all the guests and you feel like family by the time you leave. They were invested to make sure we got our moneys worth and more staying longer since the manta was still putting on a show. We never felt rushed or on a schedule.

Later in the week we went snorkeling with the same company down to Kealakekua Bay. The snorkeling there is always epic and it was this year also. We not only got the treat of snorkeling, but also stopped a few times to learn fascinating information about the island. We will never go out in the Ocean with anyone else!

  We had a fabulous experience with Chris and Buddha. From providing all the equipment, to excellent explanations of how to get the best experience, a fun energetic evening, and even... read more snacks at the end. We got to see 5 manta rays!!! Up close and for maybe close to half an hour! Definitely recommend these guys!!

  This trip totally exceeded expectations! Kris and Buddha were awesome! Highlights included: great cruise out at sunset; friendly treatment of EVERYONE in our diverse group; knowledge of the island and... read more sea; and to the point -- getting us to the manta rays for an outstanding viewing. Looking forward to booking a whale tour in the winter!

  Hmmm, I'm not sure what happened with the two people that left 1 Star Negative reviews here, but that certainly wasn't the case for my family and our group of... read more 12.

Captain Kris and Buddha were nothing short of AMAZING! They were in contact with us from day one. From Arizona to the Big Island, they made sure to let us know when, where, and what day we'd be meeting up.

Our excursion was postponed a few days, but that's because Captain Kris did not want to take us out in bad weather and have our experience ruined. He cared about us, our safety, and making sure we had a memorable experience instead of a nightmarish one. Other less reputable charters (out for the quick buck) were taking folks out during this bad weather. I'm so grateful the Captain and Buddha cared enough to give my family the best possible experience and keep us all safe to boot. Not only did we see Manta Rays as soon as we hit our destination, but we had most of the area to ourselves, thanks to our impeccable arrival. Captain Kris timed and made sure to get us to the Manta spot as the crowd of other charters were leaving. Everything was planned and calculated to ensure our enjoyment as well as give us a bit of privacy for this once in a lifetime experience.

As a note to this company's character, my husband had a brief panic attack as he hit the water, and Buddha was immediately there to help calm him down and take care of him. Buddha stayed with him the entire time thereafter too, making sure he was okay and that he was safe. He was attentive, reassuring, and stayed positive and uplifting the whole time. I couldn't have asked for a better guide during this ordeal. Needless to say, my hubby was able to relax and enjoy his time in the water with the Mantas, thanks to Buddha!

Please do overlook the negative reviews. I highly recommend Aloha Ocean Excursions. I cannot stress enough how well me and my family were treated. We felt safe and privileged to be in the hands of Captain Kris and Buddha. They will check all your boxes when it comes to the best local charters on the Big Island and make sure your trip is the best it can possibly be, AND that it's safe! They're professional, yet laid back; just like one of the family. You'll definitely welcome them into yours once your excursion is over.

Thank you, Captain Kris and Buddha, for making my family's first time with Manta Rays a memorable one. It's definitely something we won't forget anytime soon. We'll definitely be booking with you guys in the future for whale watching too!

  I have no idea who or why anyone would leave the negative reviews, because Kris and Buddha were top notch!!! By far one of the best experiences of my... read more life!!! We were a family group of 12 celebrating my sister's 50th birthday in Kona. Our original excursion date was cancelled due to the rough waters, but they were flexible with our rescheduling and kept us updated on the waters throughout the week. Kris and Buddha were very thorough and respectful to us and to the Manta Ray's. I highly recommend going with Kris and Buddha!!! We started off as a family of 12 and ended up as a family of 14 (now including Kris and Buddha)!!! #ohana

  We had an excellent experience with Aloha Ocean Excursions. We were a group of 12 and I can't say enough about the level of service Kris and Buddha provided for... read more all of us. The boat was roomy and fun to be on. They just equipped it with new speakers and played whatever music we wanted. When we got to the spot, Kris gave us instructions, snorkels, noodles, and explained how all this would work. They went above and beyond to ensure everyone was comfortable and those who were hesitant, were not pressured to 'dive in'. Even the not so strong swimmers took the time to experience seeing the Manta Rays. Buddha is the guru of Manta Rays and because he's been doing this for many years, he recognized quite a few of the Mantas (and they probably recognize him). They spent a great amount of time feeding around us while we enjoyed the underwater show. This once in a lifetime experience is worth it and I highly recommend this company for you and your family/group to tour with. We may have started out as customers but by the end of the experience, we were Ohana. We intend to book future excursions with them whenever we visit the Big Island.

  I wish I could give a 10 out of 10. Chris and Buddha delivered and then some! Buddha was our guide in the water and knew just how to... read more position us for the best view. The manta rays came right under our board several times, and when they moved to a different area, Buddha followed. Absolutely magic.
Chris, our captain, was very accommodating and really made our trip special. Buddha was not only informative, but really funny too. I highly recommend Aloha Ocean Excursions for the best Manta Ray experience you can have!!

  This was a hit with our family and three teenage boys. Chris was so hospitable, we felt like family when we left. The snorkeling was amazing and we have... read more done our fair share of snorkeling, we were lucky enough to get in the water as a pod of dolphins were passing by and met some fun people. Would definitely recommend and will be a part of our future trips to Hawaii! Thanks for a great day Chris and Mary!

  I have been on 3 different manta ray boats here on Kona and they were all good experiences. Aloha Ocean Excursions was the best of the three. The crew ,... read more Buddha and Craig were very friendly and efficient. I never felt like they were just "going through the motions" , they truly care about the customer experience. Kris the owner is a really nice genuine guy and I enjoyed talking with him about our upcoming adventure. The boat holds about 15 people and is comfortable and intimate , it didn't have that "cattle boat" feeling that other boats do. The Main difference was the Mantas. I've never seen so many Mantas in one space before. There must have been 13 different manta rolling all over each other , it was crazy. Aloha Ocean Excursions was a great adventure and I highly recommend them to experience a one of a kind adventure.

  This is definitely a don't-miss if you find yourself on the big island! Absolutely incredible experience...

The little zodiac boat you go out on puts you so close... read more to the water that if there's any whales or dolphins (and there WILL be whales and dolphins!) you not only get amazing photos, but the experience is so intimate it's guaranteed to be unforgettable! We saw a whale go down about 200 ft in front of our boat, and Chris dropped down a hydrophone so you could hear their songs (amazing!) and that was a highlight!

Now, what you see on the boat is only icing on the cake since the main event is the snorkeling! And the snorkeling at captain cook's fish sanctuary is so lush with fish that you feel almost surrounded by sea life! The coral reef is beautiful and the fish are so colorful and active, its way better than any fish you'll see just snorkeling off the beach.

We highly recommend Chris. He's laid back, personable, takes his time, and you're sure to get your money's worth!

  Excellent trip, we swam with the Dolphins and saw many of them up close
We then went out to deeper water and saw whales
Chris knew just where to take... read more up for the action

  We had an amazing day!!! Chris is definitely busy, but with texts and phone calls, we were able to set up a time to go!!! And go we did!... read more Amazing day. Chris and Mary know the island....and its waters. We learned a lot and he knew exactly where to take us for what we hoped to see. Lucky for us, Mother Nature did her part too...but it was Chris who got us to the right place at the right time! Dolphins, reefs () and Mantas! Great lunch and fresh pineapple awaited us when we got back on board from our snorkeling.

  We've used Chris before on our first time to Kona, and he was just as awesome the 2nd time. He's very laid back which we appreciate and he knows his... read more stuff. If you're looking for an unpredictable & fun time, this is the tour for you.

  Our original night manta ray adventure was canceled, we were worried we would not be able to re-book. Chris was recommended by another company and he had availability while... read more we were still in Kona. What an experience, Chris knows the ocean and was very informative. I would recommend this as a must do, if you get sea sick you will want to take something for it as it is a Zodiac. Chris does one a night to give his clients the best experience possible.

  This is definitely a don't-miss if you find yourself on the big island! Absolutely incredible experience...

The little zodiac boat you go out on puts you so close... read more to the water that if there's any whales or dolphins (and there WILL be whales and dolphins!) you not only get amazing photos, but the experience is so intimate it's guaranteed to be unforgettable! We saw a whale go down about 200 ft in front of our boat, and Chris dropped down a hydrophone so you could hear their songs (amazing!) and that was a highlight!

Now, what you see on the boat is only icing on the cake since the main event is the snorkeling! And the snorkeling at captain cook's fish sanctuary is so lush with fish that you feel almost surrounded by sea life! The coral reef is beautiful and the fish are so colorful and active, its way better than any fish you'll see just snorkeling off the beach.

We highly recommend Chris. He's laid back, personable, takes his time, and you're sure to get your money's worth!

  Excellent trip, we swam with the Dolphins and saw many of them up close
We then went out to deeper water and saw whales
Chris knew just where to take... read more up for the action

  We had an amazing day!!! Chris is definitely busy, but with texts and phone calls, we were able to set up a time to go!!! And go we did!... read more Amazing day. Chris and Mary know the island....and its waters. We learned a lot and he knew exactly where to take us for what we hoped to see. Lucky for us, Mother Nature did her part too...but it was Chris who got us to the right place at the right time! Dolphins, reefs () and Mantas! Great lunch and fresh pineapple awaited us when we got back on board from our snorkeling.