Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel & Kailua-Kona Lights

You'll Hold the Raft While Mantas Barrel Roll Beneath You

You'll float on a raft in the dark while giant manta rays feed on plankton beneath underwater lights, sometimes gliding within inches of you. The boat provides snorkel gear, hot cocoa on the return, and a crew that keeps you safe and steady. If mantas don't show, you're invited back free. Hotel pickup is available for a small fee if you're staying in the Waikoloa or Mauna Lani resorts.

Step-by-step itinerary

Manta Ray Night Snorkel Experience

• Cruise toward manta ray site
• Watch for dolphins and whales
• Swim to floating light raft
• Hold onto raft during snorkel
• Observe manta rays feeding
• Return to boat after snorkel
• Enjoy hot cocoa and snack
• Cruise back under the stars

The experience

I didn't expect to be nervous about floating in the dark. But as the boat cuts toward the manta ray site off Kailua-Kona, you realize you're about to enter water at night, tethered to a raft with nothing but a light below and ocean all around. The crew briefs you on the way: confident swimmers and beginners get separate briefings, and they mean it. You'll either be comfortable in open ocean at night or you'll stay in the boat. No middle ground, which is honest.

Once the boat stops, you swim to the large floating raft and hold on. The raft's underwater lights don't attract the mantas themselves. They attract plankton, which is what the mantas come to eat. And they do come. Reef mantas glide underneath you, sometimes swoop sideways, sometimes barrel roll. They pass within inches of the raft. Your guide is right there, watching you and them both, making sure you stay steady. If the water gets to you, you can return to the boat and watch from there instead. The whole snorkel lasts as long as the mantas stay feeding, which varies. Some nights they're thick. Some nights they're sparse. If you don't see any, you get invited back free.

The cruise out takes time. You might spot dolphins or, if you're there between November and March, humpback whales on the way. The return trip happens under stars, and the boat hands out hot cocoa and light snacks while you warm up and decompress. It's a small thing, but after an hour in the water at night, it lands different.

Pickup is available from select hotels in the Waikoloa and Mauna Lani areas for a small fee. Call ahead to arrange it. If you drive, arrive 30 minutes early. Bring your own drinks after the swim if you want (no glass bottles). If motion sickness is a concern, take medication an hour before you leave the harbor.

What’s included

Your day includes snorkel equipment, the boat ride to and from the manta ray site, time floating on the raft while the mantas feed, hot cocoa and light snacks on the return cruise, and a crew that stays with you throughout. Hotel pickup is available for a small fee from select Waikoloa and Mauna Lani area hotels if you arrange it in advance.

Options for this experience

2 options

Beginner SnorkelerGuide in English · 17:30 and 20:00

Confident SwimmerGuide in English · 17:30 and 20:00

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 17:30 and 20:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Iruka Hawaii Dolphin

Is this one for you?Right for anyone who wants to see giant manta rays in their natural habitat without the logistics of finding the site yourself or timing the boat departure. The operator handles the boat, the raft, the lights, and the crew, so you just show up and float.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Do I have to be a strong swimmer to do this tour?

No. There are two ticket options: Confident Swimmer (for those comfortable in open ocean at night) and Beginner Snorkeler (for those with little experience or who aren't comfortable in open water at night). Both groups snorkel from the raft, and beginners can return to the boat anytime.

What if I don't see any manta rays?

You're invited to join another tour free of charge. Manta sightings are natural and cannot be guaranteed, but the raft's lights attract their food source, so encounters are common.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is available for a small fee from select hotels in the Waikoloa and Mauna Lani areas. Call the office to request it. If you drive yourself, arrive 30 minutes before the tour time.

What time does the tour depart?

The tour departs at sunset. Exact times vary by season. Contact the operator for the specific departure time on your date.

Can I bring my own snorkel gear?

Snorkel equipment is provided. You can bring your own if you prefer, but it's not necessary.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and any motion sickness medication (take it an hour before departure). You can bring your own drinks after the swim (no glass bottles).

How long is the tour?

The full experience includes the cruise to the site, time snorkeling with the mantas, and the return cruise with hot cocoa. Plan for several hours total.

Are infants allowed?

Infants are allowed but must sit on an adult's lap during the tour.