Sea Paradise welcomes guests with a wide range of physical considerations aboard the Hoku Nui, Kona’s premier 50-foot luxury sailing catamaran. The catamaran’s dual-hull design and generous deck space make it one of the most accessible and stable tour vessels on the Kona Coast. Guests who are pregnant and are unable to or decide not to snorkel, have mobility limitations, or prefer not to enter the water can participate in the manta ray night snorkel tours through the Ride-Along option — and can join any tour as deck observers. This page covers policies, options, and practical guidance for guests with physical considerations.
Pregnant guests are welcome aboard the Hoku Nui on all tours as we require guests to contact their physician for approval prior to the tour.
For the morning and afternoon snorkel tours, pregnant guests are welcome to snorkel with their physicians approval or can also join us as deck guests. They can enjoy snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay or if prefer can enjoy the sail, the scenery, onboard food and beverage service, and the experience of visiting Kealakekua Bay without entering the water at regular tour rates.
The Ride-Along option on both manta ray night snorkel tours, available for $65, is specifically designed for guests who prefer not to enter the water or with medical concerns. Ride-Along guests board the Hoku Nui, sail to Manta Village, and observe manta activity from the vessel while other guests snorkel. Hot beverages, ginger chews, and chocolates are served onboard. Because manta rays are often visible from the surface, Ride-Along guests frequently enjoy clear sightings without entering the water.
All guests, including Ride-Along and deck guests, are required to complete a health and liability release form. Please visit seaparadise.com/medical/ for full requirements. If you have specific medical concerns, we recommend consulting your physician before booking.
The Hoku Nui is not wheel chair or walker accessible. Guests will need to be able to step from the finger pier to the vessel independently with ocean conditions and be able to board the vessel from the staircase water entry with 2 handrails and restroom staircase with handrail. Hoku Nui is equipped with 2 wide ocean-access staircases and handrails for water entry, designed to make water as accessible as possible for guests with little mobility levels. The vessel also features large, stable deck areas with seating, shaded sections, 2 freshwater showers, and 2 large restroom/changing rooms with access from steps with handrail. .
Guests who have been approved by their physicians and may have conditions/limitations should notify the crew at check-in so the team can reasonably accommodate.
The catamaran’s stability is a meaningful advantage for guests compared to a single-hull vessel, the dual-hull design reduces rolling motion and often makes the transit portions of the tour more manageable.
The minimum age to snorkel on the manta ray night snorkel tours is 6 years old with an accompanying adult, or 12 years old unaccompanied with signed minor waivers.
Children below the snorkel minimum age, or those who are not yet confident swimmers, may participate as Ride-Along guests beginning at age 4 with adult supervision at all times.
For the morning and afternoon snorkel tours, all guests entering the water must be swimmers. Children who are not yet swimmers are welcome to join as deck guests with an adult.
The Hoku Nui’s 50-foot size, catamaran stability, shaded seating, 2 restrooms/changing rooms, and spacious deck areas make it family-friendly with a different experience to many smaller single-hull or rigid-hull tour boats.
All guests are required to complete a health and liability release form before participating in any Sea Paradise tour.
Guests with significant medical conditions, recent surgeries, or pregnancies should review the requirements before booking at seaparadise.com/medical/.
If you have questions about your specific situation, contact Sea Paradise directly at (808) 322-2500 or [email protected].
Yes. Pregnant guests are welcome on the manta ray night snorkel tours if their physician approves. They may snorkel or enjoy the Ride-Along option at $65. You board the Hoku Nui, sail to Manta Village, and with either join the snorkel experience or observe the manta rays from the vessel. You are not required to enter the water. Please review the medical release requirements at seaparadise.com/medical/ and consult your physician if you have specific concerns.
On the manta ray night snorkel tours, non-swimmers can participate as Ride-Along guests at $65 — you observe from the vessel without entering the water. On the morning and afternoon snorkel tours, all water participants must be swimmers, but non-swimmers are welcome as deck guests on any tour for the regular tour rate enjoying food and drinks.
The Ride-Along option is available on both manta ray night snorkel departures at $65 per guest. Ride-Along guests board the Hoku Nui, experience the full sail and atmosphere of the tour, and observe the manta ray activity from the vessel deck rather than entering the water. Hot beverages, ginger chews, and chocolates are included. Minimum age is 4 years – underaged guests must be supervised by an adult at all times.
The Hoku Nui is not wheel chair or walker accessible. Guests will need to be able to step from the finger pier to the vessel independently with ocean conditions and be able to board the vessel from the staircase water entry, and restroom staircase with handrail. Guests with specific mobility concerns should contact their physician for approval and also contact Sea Paradise before booking at (808) 322-2500.
Re-book for FREE if you do not see a Manta Ray on your tour. (Manta Rays are a wild marine animal. Sea Paradise does not guarantee the sighting of a Manta Ray.)
Our Manta guarantee: ” If a manta ray isn’t seen the night of your trip. Return free on any regularly scheduled Manta Ray experience during the next 7 days. Space available and advanced reservation required for return trip.
*This is NOT a money back guarantee.
