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Manta Ray Snorkeling: Night Time Adventure in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
4.8
547 Ratings
Kailua-Kona
Experience the thrill of manta ray snorkeling at night with Eka Canoe Adventures in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Our small group sizes, cultural touch, and convenient location set us apart from the rest.
Duration:
1 hour
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- 78-7130 Kaleiopapa St - You’re about to snorkel with the smartest fish in the ocean, the manta ray, in the only location within the United States! Guests will join us on a brief canoe ride out to the manta ray snorkel site located near the mouth of Keauhou Bay in Kona, Hawai’i. Our safety brief includes instructions on how to use the provided snorkel gear, fitting for a wetsuit top to keep warm in the water, and guidance for the experience. Guests will then be guided into the water by our professional crew and positioned along the perimeter of our Light Board. Float effortlessly with the help of floatation devices while you watch for manta rays. We will position the board for optimal viewing. The powerful lights attract photosynthetic plankton toward the group, and the Manta rays come in search of the plankton!
Please note that for the safety of all guests and team members, all guests getting into the water must know how to swim and climb a short ladder into the canoe unassisted. If a guest is unable to swim, they will be immediately guided back to the boat. Refunds will not be offered for tours that are operated.
Please read this listing thoroughly to ensure this experience is a good fit for you.
What's Included
- Floatation devices provided
- Wetsuit tops available for warmth
- Snorkel equipment, including standard and prescription options, supplied
What's Not Included
- Tea and coffee
- Snacks
- Towels
- Private transportation
- Crew gratuity
- Motion sickness medication
Additional Information
Why opt for Eka? By capping our groups at 12 individuals, we ensure a personalized experience for our guests, easy accountability, and unencumbered movement in the water for optimal manta viewing. Unlike larger groups, we are not confined to our boats. With a short travel time to and from the manta ray site in our 1-hour tour, we can focus more on the important part: swimming with the manta rays!
Eka Canoe Adventures, based in Kailua-Kona on Hawaii’s Big Island, offers a culturally-informed manta ray snorkeling sessions. Our historically accurate Hawaiian double-hulled canoe, Wa’a Kini Kini, promises a unique entry into the waters of the Kona coastline. The manta ray night snorkel has been featured on the Travel Channel as one of the world’s most adrenaline-pumping experiences. You can only have this unforgettable, humbling, and awe-inspiring experience in select places worldwide. Manta ray snorkeling is a memory that will last a lifetime.
- Guests must be able to swim and climb a short ladder unassisted
- Please remember that these manta rays are completely wild animals. They are not fed or trained. Eka Canoe Adventures cannot guarantee their presence. Even if the manta rays take a night off, our operating costs do not. Because of this, we are unable to offer refunds for tours where manta rays were not seen; only another chance to snorkel with them. This is true for any manta ray snorkel provider in Kona. We greatly appreciate your understanding!
- In the unlikely event that we do not spot a manta ray on your tour, our Manta Ray Guarantee will ensure you have another opportunity to come back for another attempt on a different evening or on a future visit to Kona, Hawai’i (pending available seats)
- Minimum age allowed onboard is 5 years old
- We only collect height and weight during booking to calculate the size of your wetsuit top. There’s no way to simply ask for your shirt size here
- Please opt-in to receive text message updates (during booking) regarding this experience. The reminder text message will be sent day-of and include instructions and pictures to help you find parking and the check-in location. We promise not to spam you
- Not recommended for those who have recently undergone surgery
- Not recommended for those who may have mobility/physical restrictions
Location
78-7130 Kaleiopapa St
Kaleiopapa Street
Navigate to the above address in Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze. Park along Kaleiopapa St. and walk downhill along the road until you come to a small parking lot and a finger pier. Look for a black & yellow Hawaiian canoe on the pier and check in with one of our crew members!
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(547 Ratings)
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Richard_g
Jun 5, 2024
I was definitely a little nervous, but guides were great and made the whole experience wonderful! - Beautiful experience that should be on everyone's bucket list. We could not believe how awesome this was.
Review provided by Viator
820cierral
Jun 3, 2024
Amazing Experience - small group! - My parents and I went on the Eka Canoe Manta Ray Snorkel and it was an incredible experience. Snorkeling with the mantas is mind-blowing, absolutely wild, and maybe one of the coolest things I have ever done. I literally was belly to belly, only an inch or two from a 13’ female who was doing beautiful somersaults under our light board. We had 5 or 6 at our light board, and with it only being 12 of us out there at this station in the bay it was very special. Our in-water guide Kamma was entertaining and hilarious and everyone else that helped make the tour happen (outrigger captain and on-shore person) were all very kind and helpful. Taking the canoe was very special because you got to be in a smaller vessel, with fewer people, get to be in a canoe on Hawai’i and you are supporting a local small business. While you do go out into the bay where the other tours go, they space each boat out decently well. I am glad I chose Eka Canoe and not another tour. Thank you team! It was an incredible experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Departure47878603546
Jun 2, 2024
Wonderful experience - Awesome time snorkeling with the manta rays. We didn't expect to be so close to the manta rays. Majestic and graceful animals. Definitely glad we had the opportunity to do this. Eca Canoe Adventures was very professional and informative, glad we hooked up with them.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tracy_s
Jun 2, 2024
Highly recommend Eka Canoe Manta Ray's Experience - We chose the Eka Canoe experience as we wanted to ride in a canoe & be with a small group of people. The team took good care of everyone to make sure we were safe & enjoyed the experience. Our guide shared a lot of information about the Manta Ray's. We highly recommend the Manta Ray's experience with Eka Canoe group!
Review provided by Viator
Jbbyers67
May 27, 2024
A very cool experience, my favorite thing on the trip! Small group onboard and remarkably close to harbor, no long rides - This experience was so unique and so cool.
I had booked a smaller excursion with a different company. Sadly, the beach got wiped out and our swim was canceled day of journey. I was sad. I researched and found other companies. When I asked locals, they recommended EKA Canoe.
I called and they had space for 5, but then again we didn’t go until 9:30pm so others were heading to bed while we were headed to swim!
We were fitted with wet suit tops and then boarded a double rig canoe. I was in crutches and they took care that I was not in too much discomfort or walking too much.
We went about 5 minutes out of the harbor. We used a backboard type device for all of us to hold onto while in the water. This kept us still plus prevented temptation to touch since human fingers impact their immunity.
Lights were set up so we could see plankton and small fish. A tunnel was created with another larger boat. Within 15 minutes, we gad 8-18’ creatures swimming around us and practically kissing us! It was so cool.
When time was up, we boarded the canoe for the short ride back to the marina.
Items of note: marina bathrooms close at 8. Wet suits help with buoyancy and warmth. This company has 12 people so not crowded. Great personal attention by person in the water. Moonlight swim is not scary.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Eloiseh495
May 20, 2024
INCREDIBLE - Honestly, was probably the best night of my life! We had about 15+ mantas and they came so close that they sometimes even touch you by accident. The boat was super cool and the staff were lovely . Thank you ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Explorer12489432555
May 13, 2024
Absolutely Amazing! The pictures I'm adding here are ones I took myself with a phone in a waterproof case. - If you have the money and the time, do not miss this opportunity! It is an adventure of a lifetime. You will not be disappointed if you go Manta Ray Snorkeling with Eka Canoe Adventures. We were just a bit hesitant going into the water at night, but the staff was beyond compare when it comes to reassurance and expertise.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Taylor_z
May 13, 2024
10/10 highly recommend - Our guides were amazing I forget the lovely woman’s name that was in the water with us but she was so helpful and understanding with my two companions who were struggling and needed help. We went at 8:15pm on May 11th so whoever was working that trip are All Stars
Very clear instructions from both guides which made for an easy and fun experience!
What an amazing experience!
Review provided by Viator
Terry_p
May 12, 2024
Everyone I spoke with... - Everyone I spoke with about our scheduled trip said it would be awesome. They were right, it was awesome. The crew was very thorough in regards to the safety of loading and unloading. And they checked on us throughout our time in the water.
Review provided by Viator
E6242htpeterh
May 10, 2024
True Blue Bliss - Kama and the crew with Eka are awesome. They made sure we had an epic experience while ensuring our safety. The mantas were active and amazing to see so up close and personal in their natural habitat! Mahalo Nui Loa Kama and Chris!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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