Two manta rays swimming underwater in big island

MANTAS GUARANTEED

KONA MANTA RAY NIGHT SNORKEL

Snorkeling with Mantas: Hawaii's ultimate night experience

Per Person

(Up to 12 people)

$150

Private Charter

(Up to 12 people)

$1500

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Picture yourself floating on the peaceful, smooth surface of the Pacific Ocean with a velvet sky and tropical stars above you. Deep below you suddenly see a patch of ocean light up as a special light attracts millions of tiny zooplankton. Emerging from the deep dark abyss of the water rises a graceful, enormous shape, arcing upward from just inches away from your mask.This is the ultimate Big Island night manta ray snorkel, arguably the most awe-inspiring animal interaction in the world. If you're traveling to Kona, or searching for one spectacular bucket list activity during your trip, Big Island night manta ray snorkeling is non-negotiable.

DEPARTURE LOGISTICS & TRAVEL TIMES
Choose between two convenient Big Island departure points for your guided manta ray night snorkel to best fit with your Big Island itinerary. Both coastal launch points deliver exceptional marine encounters, professional crew, and immersive underwater adventure.

Keauhou Bay Departures: Positioned immediately adjacent to prime coastal wildlife habitats, offering shorter transit times directly to the water.
Honokohau Harbor Departures: Located near Kailua-Kona, featuring an approximate 30-minute scenic boat ride to the primary manta ray viewing and snorkeling location.

WHAT'S INCLUDED
All necessary equipment is included with your tour:

Mask and snorkel
Wetsuit tops
Waist flotation devices

You are welcome to use your own mask, snorkel, and wetsuit if preferred.

WHAT WE SUGGEST YOUR BRING

A reusable water bottle
A towel for the ride back to the harbor. Custom towel ponchos are also available for purchase at checkout.
Swimwear-- please arrive in something suitable for swimming.
Prescription snorkel mask if needed. We do not provide prescription masks. If you need one, you must bring your own or rent one in advance.

Important Participation Requirements
For the safety and enjoyment of all guests, participants must:

Be comfortable in the water and have previous swimming experience
Be comfortable using a mask and snorkel
Be able to float at the surface with the assistance of a provided flotation belt
Be able to climb a boat ladder independently to exit the water
Be comfortable in open ocean conditions
Be able to follow crew instructions

This tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, guests with limited mobility, or guests with heart, back, or other medical conditions that may affect their ability to safely participate in an ocean activity. If you are unsure whether this experience is right for you, please contact us before booking. We are happy to help determine if the Kona Night Manta Ray Snorkel is a good fit.

Duration: 2 hours

Ages: 5–70

Departure Location: Honokohau Small Boat Harbor in Kona, Hawaii

Manta Guarantee: In the rare event we don't see any mantas, you'll receive a free return voucher with no expiration date.

Participation Requirements: Guests must be comfortable in the water and have swimming experience.

Not Permitted: This tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, guests with limited mobility, those weighing more than 275 lbs, and anyone with back, heart, or other medical conditions that may affect participation.

SMALL GROUP NIGHT MANTA RAY SNORKEL TOURS

Book your Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tour Today!

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01 / 04

"Truly the most magical experience going out to the manta rays after sunset. We saw about 7 and was such a unique way to enjoy the ocean. Brenden and Monet are lovely and create such a safe feeling trip from start to finish. Even saw a shark, which I was worried about seeing and managed to stay in the water with some reassurance from Monet. Perfect amount of time in the water and such a lovely boat trip out. You won’t regret booking with them. Would love to come back and do one of their safaris."

- London L.
"The manta ray tour was absolutely amazing! Brendan and Monet are great tour guides, very cool and down to earth people. They were very knowledgeable about the island and its wildlife. Monet knew so many fun facts and things about the animals. Over all super smooth and fun trip. We had the best time out there, will definitely be coming back to see them again!"

- Karli M.
"What an incredible experience! Monet and Brenden were fantastic guides and made the entire evening memorable from start to finish. The sunset ride out was beautiful, and it was such a unique experience getting into the water as the sky went dark. One of the things we loved most was being in a smaller group. The boat was able to get to areas that larger tours couldn't access, which made the experience feel even more special.

We saw so many manta rays, and Monet and Brenden did an amazing job spotting them and making sure we were in the right place at the right time. This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we would recommend it to anyone visiting the area."

- Emma C.
"We did the night manta ray snorkel tour with Monet and Brenden, and it was amazing! From the beautiful sunset to seeing a huge manta ray the moment we got in the water, the whole experience was unforgettable. We even got lucky and saw a monk seal swimming right next to us before heading back to the boat!

I really loved that the tour was small and personal. Monet was incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about manta rays and what she does. Thank you both for such an incredible experience—I would recommend this tour to anyone visiting Kona!"

- Carolina B.
"First time snorkeler and first time in Hawaii - I CANNOT RECOMMEND THIS TOUR ENOUGH! I was so nervous but they were exceptional at making everyone comfortable and ready for the trip. Once in the water our guide made sure we were in just the right spot so we wouldn’t miss anything and she answered all our questions. It was truly amazing. 10/10!! Highly recommend taking an underwater camera case (one specifically for using underwater not just a water resistant one) to capture this experience."

- Cheyenne S.

What do others think of Ocean Eco Tours?

TIPS FOR THE BEST EXPERIENCE

Book a tour early in your trip: Booking early in your stay will ensure you have a "rain day" buffer of dates. If conditions force a cancellation, we will reschedule the tour within the following days.
Dress warm: Although Hawaii water is warm (78 - 82F), floating motionlessly on the surface at night can cool you off quickly. Pack a warm towel, as well as a light jacket to wear on the boat.
Snorkel responsibly: Manta rays are protected animals and should always be respected in their natural habitat. Give them room to swim where they feel comfortable. Remember the golden ecotourism rule: "look but don't touch" to help them continue visit the Kona coast for years to come.

WHY IS THE BIG ISLAND THE CAPITAL OF MANTA RAYS SNORKELING?

There is a resident population of about 300 individual reef manta rays make the Kona coast their home year-round. Because these gentle giants have returned to Kona's plankton-rich waters for millennia, your chances of seeing them are high, with a success rate of over 95% at most night snorkel and dive spots. Our snorkel spots have optimal underwater topography that attracts plankton, their favorite food.

WHY DO WE SWIM WITH MANTA RAYS AT NIGHT?

Night manta ray snorkeling in Big Island relies on a dependable food chain. Manta rays are solely filter feeders; their gaping jaw has unique, pad like lobes that channel huge volumes of water and plankton into their mouth. During the day, plankton can be found in deep water. At night, plankton is attracted to moonlight at the surface, making it an easy meal for manta rays. Our custom light board mimics moonlight and draws plankton to our light source, and right behind them come the manta rays for their dinner!

ARE MANTA RAY DANGEROUS?

No, manta rays do not have any stingers or barbs. Though they can grow to be up to 12 feet wide, they are totally harmless to people.