Experience Kailua-Kona’s Manta Ray Night Snorkel in Keauhou Bay!

Join our incredible manta ray night snorkel, where you can witness these gentle giants somersault gracefully around you. Kailua-Kona is one of the few places in the world to swim with manta rays in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Manta rays range from 3 to 6 ft (0.9 to 1.8 m) wide with an average wingspan of 8 to 12 ft (2.4 to 3.6 m), providing a breathtaking sight as they glide in the water below you.

We offer tours later than any other boat in the area, in order to give you the chance to see more mantas! With fewer competitors and lights on the water, there is a better chance more mantas will congregate around our light. We also use 108,000 lumen floating light boards that are brighter than other boats, as statistically, the more light power you have, the more mantas you can accumulate! Guests will float, hanging onto the lights which attract tiny plankton, in turn, attracting the manta rays, often coming within inches of you.

To make your experience more enjoyable, we have a maximum of 13 guests per boat and only a 5 minute boat ride – perfect for people who don’t enjoy boats or get seasick quickly! Our goal is to get you as close to the Mantas as possible while keeping you safe and comfortable. Our professional guides help you get in the best possible viewing position to watch the Manta Rays dance!

Duration of Adventure

• Total tour is about 1 hour and 20 minutes
  
• 30 to 40 minutes in the water snorkel time
  
• Less than a 5 minute boat ride to the site
  

Location / Where to Meet

1. Address: 78-7138 Kaleiopapa St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
   

• Please park in the designated car parking areas or along the side of the road. Please do not park in the way of the boat loading ramp or in the trailer parking spaces!
  

Ages & Requirements

• Guests must be at least 5 years old or older
  
• Life jackets are mandatory for children 12 years old and under
  
• Not recommended if pregnant
  
• Not recommended if you are over 275 lbs (125 kg)
  
• Guests must be comfortable floating, snorkeling, and swimming in the ocean. Life jackets are only for extra assistance!
  
• Guests must be able to climb up a boat ladder to exit the water
  
• Every guest in a group must be able to converse in English to understand verbal instructions and safety briefings
  

What’s Included

• Snorkel & Mask
  
• Pool Noodle
  
• 5 minute boat ride to snorkel spot
  
• Professional Guides
  
• Hot Chocolate, coffee, tea, snacks, and conversation following your tour
  

Not Included

• Gratuity - Never expected but if you have a great experience, please consider gifting 10-25% to your guide and captains!
  
• Wet suits or life jackets are an extra fee and not required (unless there is a child under 12 years old)
  
• If you need a prescription mask, please rent from a dive shop ahead of your tour time!
  

What to Bring / Wear

• Swimsuit
  
• Towel
  
• Extra layers of clothing - sweatshirts and warm hats
  
• Dry bag
  
• Snacks & Water
  
• Required paperwork - Signed medical form if required, waivers, etc.
  
• Waterproof Camera - The company is not responsible for any damaged or lost items.
  
• Seasickness medications - If you are prone to seasickness, it is recommended to take sea sickness medication at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before the scheduled boat time. It is too late to take the medication if you are already seasick on the boat.
  
• Please remove any jewelry, watches, or anything that can get damaged by water or you don’t want to lose.
  

Wildlife Guidelines

You are NOT allowed to touch the manta rays at any time. Our bacteria and viruses can harm these gentle giants. If a manta ray happens to bump into you, remain calm and stay still; they pose no threat to you and will swim away on their own. Your cooperation helps ensure the health and safety of these magical creatures. If guides see you intentionally trying to touch the manta rays by sticking a camera, hand, head, or your body at them, they reserve the right to immediately remove you from the tour and return you to the boat. 

FAQs

What if we don’t see any manta rays?

Manta Rays are wild animals, we 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, or on your next visit. Guests who purchased tickets at our full online booking price may come back out again for free. Tickets purchased through a 3rd party or at a discounted rate may join again for an additional $30 per person. 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.

When is the best time of night to see the manta rays?

Absolutely, but please no fins. You will be floating and don’t want to risk kicking the Mantas. It is generally recommended to buy or rent gear for children ahead of snorkel tours to practice in pools or shallow ocean areas in order to get comfortable with snorkeling. Please feel free to bring your child’s snorkel gear if they are comfortable with it.

Can I touch the manta rays?

Absolutely not. It is important to remember they are wild animals in their natural environment. We want to do everything possible to not disturb them and simply observe their majesty. Touching them introduces new bacteria and viruses we carry to their sensitive skin, which can make them extremely ill.

Are manta rays dangerous?

No, manta rays are not dangerous. They do not have barbs or stingers, so they can’t sting you. They are also plankton eaters, so although their mouths open wide, they are not interested in you at all and are not even capable of swallowing you.

Can I bring a camera?

You are welcome to bring a camera, but it is your responsibility to ensure it is in a waterproof case. The company is not responsible for any damaged or lost items! You are also not allowed to have any extending sticks, such as extending selfie sticks. The cameras must remain close to your body and hands. The manta rays cannot see things sticking out and it could injure them. You also must be able to still fully float on the surface calmly and holding on the light board with your camera in hand or you will be asked to leave your camera on the boat.

What about sharks?

Sharks hunt at dusk and dawn and therefore rarely, if ever, seen on tours. They are simply wild animals that also share the ocean, but most often people rarely see them. The most common sharks to spot are small reef sharks that prefer to immediately leave the presence of people and boats and tend to be harmless towards people.

Check Out Manta Ray Snorkeling Here!