Big Island: Night Snorkel with Manta Rays & Catamaran Cruise

Summary

Night falls at Manta Ray Village and the water glows with movement

You’ll slip into Kona’s nighttime waters with local guides and watch manta rays glide beneath you — close enough to see their gills move. Includes wetsuits, snorkel gear, drinks onboard, and a relaxed cruise out to Manta Ray Village. Floating above these gentle giants is something you’ll feel long after you dry off.

What’s the experience like?

It started with the slap of waves against the side of Hoku Nui — not loud, but steady enough to make me realize how dark it gets out here, just off Kona. The crew moved around quietly, handing out wetsuits and masks while someone cracked a joke about “fashionable neoprene.” I could smell salt and something almost metallic in the air. Our guide, Kaleo, grinned and said we’d be floating above the manta rays soon — he made it sound casual, like it was no big deal to hover over giants in the dark. I tried not to overthink it.

The ride out wasn’t long, maybe 25 minutes? Hard to tell because I kept watching the coastline fade behind us. When we reached Manta Ray Village (which is really just a patch of ocean that glows under these lights), Kaleo gave us a quick rundown. He explained how plankton rises up at night, drawn by light — and that’s what brings in the mantas. I liked how he talked about them like old friends. There was this moment where everyone went quiet before sliding into the water; I remember my heart thumping louder than anything else.

The floatation device was simple but weirdly comforting — you just hang on and look down through your mask. And then… shapes appeared from below, slow and impossibly graceful. One manta ray looped so close I could see its gills fluttering open; my breath fogged up my mask for a second because I actually gasped (embarrassing). Someone next to me whispered “whoa” and that’s about all any of us said for a while. The only other sounds were distant voices from the boat and little splashes as people adjusted their grip.

I didn’t expect to feel so small — or so calm — floating there in the dark with these huge creatures swirling underneath. After about 45 minutes (felt shorter), Kaleo called us back up one by one. My hands were wrinkled from the water and I could taste salt on my lips even after rinsing off with juice from a paper cup. The ride back felt quieter somehow, except for someone trying to describe what they’d seen but giving up halfway through. I still think about those slow circles beneath me sometimes when things get noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Snorkel with manta rays at night

• Arrive at Manta Ray Village
• Attend expert briefing
• Enter water with staff guidance
• Float on manta flotation device
• Snorkel above feeding manta rays
• Return onboard after snorkel

Top questions

Is snorkeling with manta rays guaranteed on this tour?

If no manta rays are seen during your tour, you can return for free within 7 days based on availability.

How long do you spend in the water with manta rays?

Snorkeling time is approximately 45 minutes above the manta rays.

What equipment is provided for snorkeling?

Wetsuits, masks, snorkels, and filtered water or juice are included; fins aren’t needed.

Where does this Big Island manta ray tour depart from?

The catamaran departs near Kona on Hawaii’s Big Island for Manta Ray Village.

Do I need previous snorkeling experience?

No prior experience is required but travelers should have moderate fitness.

Is lunch or dinner included on this tour?

No meals are included; drinks like filtered water and juices are provided onboard.

How do lights attract manta rays during snorkeling?

The lights attached to floats attract plankton at night, which draws in manta rays to feed.

What’s included

Your evening includes use of wetsuits plus masks and snorkels (no fins needed), plenty of filtered water or varied juices onboard Hoku Nui catamaran, expert local guides who brief you before entering Manta Ray Village waters, and about 45 minutes floating above feeding mantas before returning quietly to shore.