Adventurous Clear Kayak And Snorkeling Tour At Mangel Halto

Kayak fun tour

We had a bachelor party and it was lots of fun to have a nice kayak and snorkel tour. We went true Spanish lagoon. It was so fun.

via Viator

Fun

Was alot of fun. Great helpers deff would recommend doing this and have strength. Current strong. Fun

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Not impressed

Not impressed. Tour guide showed up 20 min late with no message. Another guy that worked there for the rentals had to call him. He showed up tired, yawning and no enthusiasm. We were told what was provided dry bag and water and we got neither. We shared his dry bag or another guys bag. He didn’t bring snorkel gear nor did the site say we needed to bring our own. We still have not received any pictures he took for us. We also walked back. Two of us was told if you want to paddle back he wasn’t going to and we could do it on our own. We were not told about any stops we stopped at and he kept saying go ahead I will meet you. Well where are you meeting us, we asked. He was always behind us. Not a great experience for our first time in Aruba trying to do something we enjoy , kayaking. We could of just rented and do it all on our own. Nice guy but definitely needs to be more enthusiastic and make it enjoyable then him tired and on his phone.

Response from the operator: This review is a duplicate of your previous post regarding the same tour and situation. As previously stated, the tour was not ended early by us. You were not forced to leave. Guests are welcome to remain on the island and continue exploring if they choose. The guide did not remove you or cut the experience short. We have already addressed these claims directly and stand by our response.

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Safety & Equipment Fell Below Expectations

We booked four single clear kayaks but were given two doubles upon arrival with no prior communication. When we asked, we were told they had moved away from singles. Since singles were priced higher when we booked, the change was unexpected. The tour takes place in open, windy, choppy water. Although we were asked if we had kayaked before, there was no safety or technique briefing prior to launch. In these conditions, participants should be informed about wind/current expectations, how to coordinate paddling in a double kayak, and what to do in the event of a capsize. We paddled to an elevated wooden structure offshore that required exiting in thigh-deep water and helping lift the kayaks onto it. Several boards were loose, and one person nearly fell. The website states dry bags are provided but they were not. Snorkeling instruction was minimal. Equipment condition was inconsistent: broken mask straps tied off, a snorkel that repeatedly detached, and one defective mask that filled with water. As a result, not all participants had functioning equipment at the same time, and one guest was unable to snorkel without another giving up their gear. Based on our experience, this tour appears better suited for confident swimmers who already have snorkeling experience.

Response from the operator: Hi Jihan, Thank you for taking the time to provide detailed feedback. We do want to clarify several important points for accuracy. First, regarding the kayaks — all of our kayaks are tandem clear-bottom kayaks. This has been our operating model, and we communicated prior to the tour that we operate doubles. We do not run four separate single clear kayaks for this excursion. If there was confusion at the time of booking, it was not a last-minute change made upon arrival. This experience takes place in open ocean conditions, which is clearly outlined in the tour description. Aruba can have wind and chop depending on the day. For that reason, guests are asked about prior kayaking experience. Basic paddling guidance is always provided before launch, and our team remains present on the water throughout the experience. Ocean tours naturally require a reasonable comfort level in water activities. The offshore wooden platform is a fixed, local marine structure commonly used for brief stops. It is not a luxury dock. Guests are assisted as needed, and at no point was anyone injured. Ocean excursions may require stepping into shallow water — this is standard and part of the environment. Dry bags are available; however, they are shared based on group logistics and requests at the time. If one was not handed to you directly, it does not mean they were not available. Regarding snorkeling equipment, we routinely inspect gear. In saltwater environments, mask straps or fittings can occasionally require adjustment. Our staff is always available to replace or adjust equipment immediately if something is not functioning properly. No participant was left without assistance. We do agree with one point — this is best suited for guests who are comfortable swimmers and open-water participants. It is not a pool-based or luxury-guided experience; it is an active, ocean-based excursion. We stand by the tour as delivered and by the many guests who successfully and safely complete it each week.

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The ocean was choppy with...

The ocean was choppy with high winds. The kayaking was enjoyable and manageable. The snorkeling location we paddled to was rough with the winds, waves, and current. Strong swimmers or snorkelers had a great time with lots to see. Those of us who were newer to snorkeling and not strong swimmers found it quite challenging. Our guide Richard was great and quite accommodating. Unfortunately, a far more suitable place to snorkel was closer to the beach. We discovered this spot after we were done. I’d highly recommend considering going there in place of or in addition as part of the experience.

via Viator