Manta Ray Night Snorkel, Experience of a Lifetime

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: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Freedive Hawaii - Snorkel with the famous Manta Rays alongside Big Island’s most seasoned captains and tour guides.

Please confirm your check-in time directly with the tour provider.
Please call the tour provider to ensure your reservation has been correctly received.
Check-in time can be up to 40 minutes and no less than 15 minutes before the tour time.

Departing from Honokohau Harbor, a 15-20 minute boat ride will take you to either Garden Eel Cove (the northern manta site known as “Manta Heaven”) or further south to Keauhou “Manta Village.” Slide in and relax while holding onto our custom-made light board to watch these enormous, acrobatic, gentle giants feed on tiny plankton. Our experienced guide will help everyone get the best possible viewing position, ensuring an up-close and personal encounter while keeping everyone safe and comfortable. Be sure to look up and enjoy the stars and city lights during the ride back. A night filled with magnificent mantas and fun memories is sure to be unforgettable.

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 crew set this excursion apart. During this tour we can visit either the northern manta site near the Kona airport, or venture further south to Keauhou depending on where the best manta sightings have been. Our licensed captains and dedicated guides are pulling out all the stops to make sure you get the best viewing possible.

Prior swimming & snorkeling experience is required to book this activity. Guest’s must be able to independently climb up a side boat ladder. Not recommended for guest’s who have undergone surgery or have mobility/physical restrictions. Not recommended for pregnant women. Contact tour operator for exceptions.

This family run business takes pride in sharing the importance of taking care or our land, ocean, animals, and each other.

Please arrive on time for the start of your scheduled tour.

  • Basic swimming skills are required
  • Previous snorkeling experience is required
  • Guests must be able to independently climb up a boat ladder
  • Guest must be able to converse in English to understand verbal instructions and safety briefings
  • Your safety is our priority! If you or anyone in your group would like a lifejacket please contact our reservation line.
  • Our Manta Policy: Manta Rays are wild animals and Snorkel Big Island cannot guarantee their presence. If a manta ray is not seen on your night out with us you may try again on a different night for a rebooking fee. Please keep in mind that seats may be extremely limited during certain times of the year. We usually are very successful in finding mantas for you; however if they decide to take the night off the costs involved with setting up the charter will not allow us to offer you a refund. We appreciate your business and understanding of this policy.
  • Please confirm your check in time directly with tour provider. Check in time may be up to 40 minutes prior to tour time.
  • Not recommended for travelers with physical or mobility restrictions
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
(285 Ratings)
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1 star
Clayf492
Sep 2, 2024
Must do! - Highly suggest this excursion! Our guides (Cooper and Ahu) were great! They took us away from the larger crowds to find the mantas that were active and rolling right beneath us and let us stay out a bit extra since the mantas were a little late to the party.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Biancaestrada
Aug 31, 2024
Worth it! - How close the manta rays actually swim up to you, was unreal! So very cool! The small group was awesome and both captain and co captain were great!!!
Review provided by Viator
Suzansaninosaka
Aug 28, 2024
Amazing manta rays very close up - This was definitely a highlight of our trip to the Big Island. I don't know why we didn't do this sooner. We originally had a reservation for a 9:30pm tour but I saw there was space that opened up at 5:50pm so I called and we were switched to the earlier tour. We had a great time with Captain Dylan and Ahu. There was practically no swimming involved. We held onto a surf board and Ahu pulled us out to hook up with the other manta groups. I was surprised that there were so many manta rays that swam by. They were doing barrel rolls too. They were super close. It was an amazing experience, something I am looking forward to doing again! Thank you Ahu, Dylan and Snorkel Big Island!
Review provided by Viator
Kaitlyn_l
Aug 28, 2024
Incredible Experience - This was an incredible experience! The Captain and Crew were friendly and we had a great time. We saw so many manta rays! One benefit to being in the smaller group is the ability for the guide to move us around when mantas are in another section of the cove. Some of these groups have 20+ people and may have to watch from afar if the fantasy are not coming directly to their lights. There are plenty to go around, but it was nice we were able to move right on top of them! If you have ever though about the water being cold, use a wetsuit! The are free with this tour!
Review provided by Viator
Annie_p
Aug 23, 2024
Incredible experience - The guide was very knowledgeable about Mantas and got us to a great spot. Having a small number made it much easier to navigate the waters and how to float. Felt very safe and they ensured the kids on board felt comfortable too. Already recommended them to another tourist who asked me what they should do!!
Review provided by Viator
Bethany_s
Aug 23, 2024
Amazing experience on the Big Island! - This was a fantastic experience with my husband, two kids (8 and 10) and my dad. We enjoyed the small group setting and the boat ride to the reef was fun. Once in the water the manta ray experience was amazing! Our guide, Eli, was so knowledgeable and took great care of my nervous daughter. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Pattim_s
Aug 22, 2024
Lovely evening! - This would have been a great excursion, except for the Bristle worms that appeared which created us to not be able to stay in the Water very long! However, we did see a couple of manta rays in a few minutes that we were in! The captain kept our safety first, and they offered to reschedule or refund our monies! Customer service expedited our refund without any questions! I think they are a top-notch company!
Review provided by Viator
Thegreenwaffle
Aug 21, 2024
Small Group w/ No Frills Snorkeling w/ Manta Rays - Small groups = efficient. Meet up point was very easy, they text you day of to confirm and send pics and directions for parking/meet up. Boat is on the smaller side so it will be bumpier, but I didn't mind. I love the sunset timeslot (5:50pm) as you get to watch the sun set as we boat over to the manta ray spot which is about 20 min boatride - take your seasickness meds! We saw a good amount of manta rays--no complaints here!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nicole_s
Aug 25, 2024
Small Company the Way to Go! - The captain and guide were phenomenal. Unfortunately, we went out the first night that bristleworms were out, that being said we were not able to stay in the water long. The captain and guide were great and explained why they were cutting the trip short and we were able to receive a full refund. I would 10/10 recommend this small group tour. We felt like they cared for us as people instead of getting our money and possibly letting us get injured. Other tour companies were allowing their guests to stay in the water. We would have loved to reschedule, but we did not have any other time to do it while on the island.
Review provided by Viator
Zhenyi_q
Sep 1, 2024
Bad - Came to this tour because it’s the most 5 star rating tour. Didn’t see manta Rey at all but the captain keep rushing you to go. Do not recommend again.
Review provided by Viator
Select Date and Tickets
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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