Custom Seating
Adapted seating arrangements on the canoe to keep you comfortable and secure.
ACCESS FOR ALL
At Anelakai Adventures, we believe everyone deserves to experience the magic of Hawaiʻi's ocean
Our traditional double-hull canoes offer greater stability and accessibility compared to typical tour boats, making ocean adventures possible for guests with diverse needs.
Our guides bring experience, patience, and creative problem-solving to every tour, supporting guests with conditions such as paraplegia, quadriplegia, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome.
For questions about accessibility, call us directly at (808) 987-0377. We’ll discuss your situation and create a plan tailored to you.
Accessibility Accommodations
Every person is different, so we approach accessibility on a case-by-case basis. Here's what we've done for past guests:
Water Assistance
Hands-on help getting in and out of the water safely.
Modified Equipment
Rafts, adaptive seating, and custom setups for your specific needs.
View From the Canoe
See the mantas up close without getting in the water.
Dedicated Guides
Extra crew members focused solely on your support.
Flexible Pacing
We go at your speed. No rushing, no pressure.
In the News
West Hawaii Today highlights how Surf For Special Needs and Anelakai Adventures teamed up to help children paddle out Saturday evening to view manta rays.
Guest Stories
These are real stories from guests who weren't sure they'd ever get to experience something like this. We're honored to have been part of their adventures.
"The highlight of our week on The Big Island was the time we spent on and in the water with the warm and lovely people from Anelakai Adventures."
"I am a paraplegic. I made many calls to different companies to try to book this outing, but each company shied away and referred me to someone else. Finally, someone suggested the exact right place! When I called Anelakai Adventures, Holly was so open and encouraging.
Kean and Nalani were our guides for our night time snorkel. After a short paddle, they helped me get in the right position to view the manta rays, and what a spectacular show it was. The graceful acrobatics of these creatures, who are merely inches from you at times, are hard to describe. Everyone on our boat was thrilled with the experience.
I heartily recommend Anelakai Adventures when you are spending time on The Big Island."
Lori D.
"Best time ever! These guys do it for the love."
"I am a quadriplegic, and getting into a boat is impossible without someone helping me. Other companies refused to take me. Then I saw Anelakai Adventures' website and read a review by a man who was also paralyzed and had an amazing trip to the mantas in the canoe. I called and was treated with such kindness, enthusiasm and assurance that I signed up on the spot!
They love the mantas and they love life and they love people. You feel like you're with your favourite cousins! They truly gave me the most wonderful experience I've had in years. Literally, I could not have done it without them! I'll be back!"
JulieDC
"Thank you for being the only company that made it possible for me to experience the mantas on the water."
"I have some mobility issues, knew I wasn't going to snorkel, but hoped my husband and I could see mantas together. Boy did we see them.
I had called Anelakai before booking and they were very helpful, listening to my concerns and answering my questions. A couple days before our tour we popped down to Keauhou to see how easy it would be for me to get into the canoes. The crew was so helpful.
The lights are placed in between the two canoes so if you are unable to get into the water you are just as close as the snorkelers. You just don't get wet. We had so much fun."
868barbarab
"Simply put, it was amazing!"
"Being a quadriplegic with limited function in all four limbs, getting in the ocean hasn't been a realistic option for years. That changed thanks to the incredibly helpful staff at Anelakai Adventures!
The paddle board they outfitted for our purpose was only inches off the water so transferring me aboard was a breeze! The crew's experience was evident in how they handled every aspect of my unique situation. They were encouraging but never pushy, supportive but never patronizing.
I strongly encourage anyone with or without limited mobility to try it if you have the chance. You will be in good hands for an unforgettable experience.
Side note: My wife, mother and sister (all three are vehemently protective of my wellbeing) were with me and rested easy, confident that I was safe throughout. That alone may be the best endorsement I could give!"
Gabriel Twining
Kathy Scarangella
"Thank you Anelakai Adventures for providing this unique experience for those who would otherwise be left on shore."
"Anelakai Adventures gave my daughter the opportunity to see the manta rays in Kona. This would not have happened had she been on the usual boats.
Our daughter, Maddie, is 25 and has cerebral palsy. She is usually confined to a wheelchair, but with the great canoe set up provided by Anelakai Adventures, she was able to stay inside the canoe and view the mantas as they came up under the boat. A light under the canoe gave her the perfect vantage point."
Margaret
"Hands down one of my favorite, most memorable activities I have done on the island."
"My son Ben, who is 15 and has Down syndrome, went on this adventure after someone recommended it to us. I have wanted to do an evening snorkel manta ray excursion but had been hesitant due to the length of time, larger crowds and just the uncertainty as to how my son might do.
When we got there, Holly and Iko met us and explained the process which helped put my mind at ease. Ben started by just hanging out on the canoe but after seeing the other couple get in he decided he wanted to give it a try. Iko was very reassuring that he could get out at any time.
Whether you want to swim with the mantas, or just have an awesome experience on a double hull canoe and view the mantas from on top, this is hands down one of my favorite, most memorable activities I have done on the island.

A huge mahalo to Iko and Holly for making this such a great night."
Chorng Lin
"Let me thank Anelakai Adventures for making my seemingly impossible dream come true."
"I am a disabled person in a wheelchair. I contacted several tour companies about manta ray observing for people with limited mobility. I was always told that they didn't have the right equipment for the disabled to do this. Frustrated and ready to give up, I continued to ask around after arriving at the island.
Anelakai Adventures uses Hawaiian double-canoes to take people out to observe manta rays. In order for me to get into and out of water easily, they prepared a large raft with a lawn chair securely tied down. The guides lifted me out of my wheelchair and gently put me into the lawn chair on the raft.

Jane stayed by my side the whole time to make sure I was safe. I am very grateful for the effort that was put in to make this adventure possible for me."
Ready to Talk?
Every guest is different. Let's figure out together how we can make this work for you.
