Kona's Manta Ray Night Snorkel: Breathtaking Underwater Experience in Big Island
4.8
572 Ratings
Kailua-Kona
Experience the breathtaking beauty of manta rays on the Kona Coast of Hawaii. Snorkel with these extraordinary creatures as they feed on plankton under underwater lights. Includes drinks, snacks, and snorkel gear.
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- 74 Kealakehe Pkwy - snorkel approx 2- hr 16 passengers max on 32ft Zodiac Manta Boat #1 or 30 passengers on 43ft Zodiac Manta Boat #2 Check-in takes place at the harbor where you will be provided with a wet suit and snorkel gear. Our company DOES NOT charge for wet suits.
Snorkeling
When snorkeling with the Manta Rays you will hold on to a comfortable bar attached to a large surfboard that has 16 bright LED drop lights to attract plankton (Manta Ray Food). This makes it easy to keep our groups safely together as the mantas feed on the plankton underneath us. Your swim guides will keep your board positioned over the manta ray snorkeling area. All snorkel gear is provided.
Hawaii is considered the #1 place in the world to view Mantas. The Manta Rays here in Kailua Kona have become conditioned where to go each night to find an easy meal; feeding on the plankton that is attracted by our underwater lights…which makes locating them easy for us! The Manta Rays wingspan can reach over 20 feet across and weigh upwards of 1,000 pounds. Viewing these creatures is a wonderful experience and one to remember
What's Included
- Wet Suits
- Snacks
- Snorkel Gear, Flotation Devices
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Towel and Warm clothes such as sweater or windbreaker.
Additional Information
The Kona Coast in Hawaii is renowned globally as the prime location for observing manta rays post-sunset. On this approximately two-hour snorkeling excursion, accompanied by an informed guide, you’ll witness these remarkable beings feasting on abundant plankton drawn by the glow of subaquatic lights. Boasting wingspans that can extend over 20 feet (6 meters), manta rays are toothless and lack a stinger on their tail. The tour includes Drinks, Snacks, Wetsuit, Flotation, Snorkel Gear (Prescription masks are available but limited and need to be requested. Kindly mention this in the comments section when you checkout)
- Weight restriction: 265 lbs
- Please wear a swimsuit
- Bring a towel
- Bring warm clothes to throw on after snorkeling (it can get chilly on the return ride)
- Pregnant women are NOT permitted on this tour.
- No children under 5 years of age
Location
74 Kealakehe Pkwy
Kealakehe Parkway
HONOKOHAU HARBOR. Our system will text you directions 1 day before so you have detailed directions of the meeting location. Manta Boat #1 and Manta Boat #2 depart in slightly different areas.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(572 Ratings)
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Nichole_c
Mar 28, 2024
So much fun! - This was a really enjoyable excursion. The crew was so much fun and the rays were gorgeous. It was a great way to see the coast and be on the water for a couple hours.
Review provided by Viator
Y7541ndfa
Mar 20, 2024
Excalibur Kona Coral Reef Manta Ray Dives - Kona Coral Reef Diving was very polite and helpful. Once you pay, they remain in contact with you via your cell phone. Their staff showed up as planned at the port. My kids were incredibly happy and it was worth every penny. The business also rents Go Pros if you don't have one.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Makaila_l
Mar 11, 2024
Magical - Absolutely amazing! Everyone should add Manta ray swimming to their bucket list! We had 8+ mantas swimming around us, it was magical! crew makes you feel comfortable and educates you the whole time. Definitely will do it again!
Review provided by Viator
Michael_s
Feb 22, 2024
Many Ballet - Chris and Budda made this one of the most memorable experiences of my life. They briefed us for success, took us out on the water and we saw 11 different manta rays. Once, there were six within sight doing their underwater ballet. The mantas came within 6” of us, but never touching. I’ve been scuba diving for over 10years and this snorkel trip was the single greatest thing I’ve ever experienced in the water.
Review provided by Viator
631shelleyr
Feb 10, 2024
Incredible - This tour was amazing. So many manta rays and so close, practically rubbing their bellies on the boards we were holding onto. We also had a dolphin visit. Mahalo to our tour guides Trevor, Rachael, Scott, and Diego for providing an experience of a lifetime.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Christine_a
Feb 7, 2024
Beyond words - Incredible experience! The crew was so kind and knowledgeable; easily one of the coolest experiences of my life. Loved learning about these gentle giants whilst getting to see them SO up close and personal! Will definitely do again!
Review provided by Viator
Anastasia_k
Jan 21, 2024
Impressive communication and willingness to accommodate - We booked this experience well in advance at the beginning of our vacation but unfortunately the weather had other plans. The operator, C Big Island, were amazing at communicating with us about the weather and the sea conditions and tried their best to accommodate our schedule and move it to a different day. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate and because of that we had a few other activities rescheduled and stacked at the later part of our vacation, begrudgingly we had to cancel. But, because we were really impressed with their communication and willingness to accommodate we would wholeheartedly recommend booking with this operator!
Review provided by Viator
Elisabeth_b
Jan 11, 2024
If you get a chance, do it! - So glad we did this on our trip. Once in a lifetime type of experience, unless we get the chance to go back. I would definitely do this again. A bit of motion sickness riding back on the boat in the dark that we weren't prepared for, but other than that, an altogether amazing experience. Our guides knew what they were doing and knew how to attract the mantas to bring them right up to our group. Several mantas kept circling beneath us and so close to us they almost grazed our skin. One of the biggest highlights of our trip.
Review provided by Viator
514haileys
Jan 10, 2024
Absolute Must Do! - I came with my husband on this tour despite being afraid of the ocean and I'm so glad I did. It was a magical experience. Diego, Scott, and Trevor were our guides and were incredibly friendly and informative. They pointed out a humpback whale on the way to the bay and since there was time before sunset, we slowed down to watch the whale breach. Once in the water, it was a short, easy swim to the lit-up rafts. Pool noodles and life jackets are provided, so if you are a weak swimmer you can still participate easily. Immediately we saw about 6 mantas swooping under us, along with some fish. The crew was quick to help if someone lost a pool noodle or had other issues in the water, all while telling us the names of the mantas and facts about them. The mantas would came within an inch of you! We were in the water about 45 minutes watching the mantas before climbing back in the boat to some hot cocoa for the ride back. Afterwards, the guides sent us free photos and videos of the mantas. Will do again if I'm on the island.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ashley_t
Jan 7, 2024
Incredible! - Book this trip! Buddha and Chris were friendly, fun tour guides. This trip was much more intimate than any of the other boats we saw with 40+ people. We had about 15 mantas under our light board up close and personal- inches from my face! My husband was a dive master for a year and had never seen them that close. I enjoyed this trip because the mantas come to you, rather than the other way around. Incredible animals and incredible experience.
Review provided by Viator
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