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You’ll feel like you’re in the middle of a marine documentary during your up-close encounter with Kona’s majestic manta rays. Watch from mere inches away as these gentle giants have a feeding frenzy on phytoplankton and zooplankton that’s attracted to our light board. Your party will enter the ocean as the plankton builds, and go home with a bank of memories that will last a lifetime.
Hawaii Island is the only place in the world that offers nighttime manta ray encounters with more than 90% consistency. Kona’s manta rays perform a seemingly choreographed nocturnal ballet, conducting barrel rolls at the water’s surface as they return to the same spot each night for dinner. Travel Channel called the manta ray snorkel “one of the top 10 things to do in your lifetime,” and this bucket list activity is a must-do for every visitor to Hawaii’s Big Island.
Kona’s wild manta rays have wingspans that can reach 16 ft., which is huge! Don’t worry, they don’t have any teeth, stingers, or barbs, and hundreds of people safely interact with the manta rays every night. Your swim guide will educate you on safely and humanely interacting with the wild manta rays, and you will be escorted to the most active areas of the manta viewing site. Your swim guide is there to help make your experience amazing, and will do everything from adjusting your snorkel equipment to taking underwater photos with your camera.
The manta ray site is a 25-minute boat ride from the harbor. You’ll be provided a wetsuit, snorkel, and mask. In the water, you’ll hold onto our light board with your feet propped up on a foam noodle. By keeping our bodies horizontal to the surface, we avoid entering the manta rays’ feeding space.
The early tour travels to the manta ray site as the sun sets on the Kona coast. As the plankton builds, you’ll enter the water for a manta ray viewing for up to 45 minutes.
The late tours are designed for more experienced snorkelers, as the entire trip is in the dark. There are fewer boats and fewer snorkelers in the water as the night progresses, allowing for a less crowded manta ray experience.
All tours include non-alcoholic refreshments, snacks, and a special treat. Please bring a towel and a coverup to keep warm on the boat ride back to the harbor.
We have a minimum age requirement of 5 years old, and all minors must be accompanied by an adult. We have a maximum weight requirement of 270 pounds.
We do not allow touching or harassing of wildlife. Your swim guide will educate you on our humane approach to engaging with marine life.
There is no restroom on our boat.
All captains are US Coast Guard certified. All captains and crew are trained in First Aid and CPR. Life vests for all passengers are on board.
If the seas are too rough, we will reschedule your tour. We would rather skip a tour than make you uncomfortable. Please make sure we have your cell phone # for the unlikely event of a cancellation due to weather conditions.
Your Manta Ray Snorkeling Tour reservation is confirmed, and we’re excited to see you soon! In the meantime, please read the information below and call us at 808-987-1584 if we can help with anything.
Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour’s departure time. We’ll meet you at the pavilion at Honokohau Harbor, near the restrooms on the north side of the harbor. When you turn off the highway towards the harbor, make your first right (there will be several large rocks on the corner), then follow the road past the fuel station on your left, and turn left after the fuel station. You will turn into a large parking lot, and you will see a pavilion (overhang with benches around the perimeter) next to the restrooms. Our crew will meet you at the pavilion, just before your time of departure, and will escort you to the vessel after checking you in.
The Honokohau Harbor is on Kealakehe Pkwy in Kailua-Kona, HI 96740. View the Google map for precise directions.
Please note that our tours typically leave on time. If you are going to be late, please call us.
We recommend wearing your swimsuit to the harbor, and applying reef-safe sunscreen before you board the vessel. A towel, hat, and sunglasses are also recommended.
This tour includes snorkeling gear, and you are welcome to bring your own.
You may bring your own waterproof camera, or you can rent a GoPro from us. If you would like to rent a GoPro, please call us to reserve one for your tour.
Our boat is fully equipped with quality snorkeling gear and fins for you. If you have your own gear, you're welcome to bring it.
If you get motion sickness, we recommend taking an over-the-counter medication such as non-drowsy Bo-nine. Many guests also find relief from using the wristbands that apply pressure to your wrists.
Our staff appreciates tips from happy customers, and will gladly accept cash, venmo, paypal, and other popular payment methods.
Kona’s ocean waters are typically calm, but we are sometimes forced to reschedule tours due to unsafe conditions. If high winds or surf are forecasted for the day of your tour, please have your phone available in case we need to contact you. Any cancellations due to weather will be issued a trip on another tour, or a full refund.
