Manta Ray Adventure: Kona's Best Snorkeling

Experience the thrill of a small group night snorkel with manta rays in Kailua-Kona. Expert crew, stunning underwater views, and a commitment to conservation make this a must-do activity.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights

Experience snorkeling with the renowned Manta Rays alongside the Big Island’s most seasoned captains and tour guides.
Please verify your check-in time directly with the tour provider. Contact the tour provider to ensure your reservation has been accurately received. Check-in time should be no more than 40 minutes and no less than 15 minutes before the…

What's Included
  • Certified In-water Guide/Lifeguard
  • Use of snorkeling equipment
  • Shorty Wetsuit
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Private transportation
  • Prescription Snorkel Mask
Additional Information

Attention to detail, safety, and our expert team make this excursion unique. During this tour, participants can choose to visit either the northern manta site near Kona Airport or explore further south to Keauhou, depending on where the best manta sightings have been reported. Our licensed captains and dedicated guides are committed to ensuring the best…

Location
Snorkel Big Island
Kealakehe Parkway
Honokohau Small Boat Harbor. Coming from Hwy 19, turn West toward the ocean on Kealakehe Pkwy. Take the 1st right turn to enter the North side of the harbor. Follow the road around to a large dirt parking lot. Park near Public Restroom Pavillion.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(477 Ratings)
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1 star
Christina_h
Oct 29, 2025
Such a great experience!... - Such a great experience! My kids loved it and how close the manta rays get. Plus, they got to hold a sea urchin.
Review provided by Viator
Andrea_d
Oct 25, 2025
Absolutely fantastic and a must do! - It was a little slow, getting started, but more in a relaxed way. The boat was great for a night ride across the waves, and it was a beautiful scenery, even in the dark. The manta rays were absolutely fabulous! And worth every penny. Tyler, Josh, and the captain were all fantastic and guided us through everything. This set up of how to float in place while watching the mantis was really easy. Our whole family loved the entire trip! We would go again and we would definitely book with the Snorkel Big Island group!
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John_w
Oct 12, 2025
Absolutely Unforgettable Experience - This was one of the coolest things I have EVER done. We lucked out and saw about 20 manta rays on our trip out, and they were swimming around us, doing flips and barrel rolls, and even brushing up against us the entire time. It was pure magic seeing these massive, graceful creatures so close and so unbothered by our presence. Huge shoutout to our amazing guides — they were knowledgeable, fun, and made sure everyone felt safe and comfortable the whole time. And big thanks to our boat driver for getting us out there smoothly and keeping the vibe relaxed and upbeat. You could tell they all really love what they do, and that energy made the night even more special. If you’re in Hawaii, do not skip this. It’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that you’ll be talking about forever.
Review provided by Viator
Julie_g
Oct 1, 2025
Amazing! Wonderful! Awesome! - This was amazing. They take you out on a boat and then the move the boards that you are holding onto to the best places to see the manta rays. This really made sure we saw a ton. It was truly life changing.
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Doreen_c
Sep 28, 2025
Fantastic - This was a safe awesome experience in a small group of 15 people, perfect. . Very safe and had all the gear required . Love this company
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Jorie_d
Sep 15, 2025
Incredible and memorable! Easy with some experience - It was an unforgettable experience! The clouds parted on our boat journey and we saw the Milky Way and a few shooting stars. The boat crew of 2, one captain and one snorkel/manta guide, kept us safe and well informed. Our group of 20 didn’t seem too large, and maybe it was the fact that it was nighttime and our group was fairly quiet and respectful. We snorkeled in about 20 feet of water, really just floating at the surface holding onto the lit board, which attracted plankton, which attracted the manta rays. After floating in the water for less than 5 minutes two giant oceanic mantas came up to the board and started feeding, in a swooping ballet type of graceful swimming with mouths open. They got very close to us, inches away, which was incredible. We felt very safe in the night waters, very close to shore, with the lights of the board and the snorkel guide swimming around us all making sure we could see the mantas, were doing okay, and having a good time. You do need some snorkel experience to do this comfortably to be able to have your face and mask in the water, breathing through your snorkel, for the short 30 minute float. As well as prior knowledge about manta rays and comfortability getting into the ocean with a group to see wildlife. I would also recommend accepting the offered wetsuit if you get cold easily. The water temperature in September was about 75°.
Review provided by Viator
Douglas_g
Aug 17, 2025
Night manta ray snorkeling - This wasn’t my first time snorkeling with the manta rays but had some friends visiting for the first time. We all loved it. Crew and captain were knowledgeable and very good. I highly recommend this tour but please, for the sake of the crew, other tour guests, and the manta rays, truly know how to swim and snorkel, and feel comfortable getting into the open ocean at night.
Review provided by Viator
Ashley_l
Aug 9, 2025
Worth every penny - It was confusing at first when we first arrived. They were not there when they asked us to be, but once we figured out who was in charge they were professional and ready to go. Captain was a good driver, crew was knowledgeable, and likable. Everything was clean and provided many different sized wet suits. My nine year old fit their smallest one! They helped my kids when they needed the extra hand, and made the experience so fun. Five mantas! Too cool. Unforgettable
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Lori_s
Aug 24, 2025
zero manta rays on the... - zero manta rays on the night tour very disappointing boat captain and tour guide were nice but i paid to see mantas expect some type of compensation
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Katarzyna_b
Aug 20, 2025
Manta Rays lifetime snorkeling - We loved seeing Manta Rays while snorkelling in the dark. However, we were a bit disappointed, we were told to arrive 1 hour before the activity was scheduled to start, to check in, not sure why. It was just a long wait, because the car with the boat only arrived when the activity was supposed to start, so another 20 minutes wait until the boat was ready in the water to board. Also I think the guides were a bit bored, not interested so much, it was like for them a thing to get done and over with. One of them told us we did not need wet suits, so my husband did not wear one, he ended up being freezing cold! The comment about not peeing in the suits and leaving them stinky for other people was odd, one of the other guides then confirmed that he would wash them anyway. How odd was that? Also it was a long was to be on the boat just for 30 min snorkelling.
Review provided by Viator
From $84
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).