Manta Ray Night Snorkel in Kailua-Kona: Small Groups, Canoe Ride

Float in the water while manta rays glide beneath the lights.

Night snorkeling with manta rays in Kailua-Kona, Big Island of Hawaii, aboard a traditional Hawaiian double-hulled canoe with a small group of 12 or fewer. You'll float with floatation devices along a lit board while manta rays arrive to feed on plankton attracted by the lights. The experience includes a brief canoe ride to the snorkel site near Keauhou Bay, snorkel gear, wetsuit top, and a safety briefing from a professional crew.

The experience

The canoe ride out to the manta ray site takes just a few minutes from Kailua-Kona, which means you spend less time loading and unloading and more time in the water where it matters. Once you arrive at the site near the mouth of Keauhou Bay, the crew fits you with a wetsuit top for warmth, reviews snorkel safety, and helps you into the water using floatation devices. You don't need to be an experienced snorkeler. The floatation gear keeps you stable while you watch.

Positioning yourself along the perimeter of the light board is where the real moment happens. The powerful lights draw photosynthetic plankton, and the manta rays come hunting for that food. You float effortlessly and watch them move through the water. Small group sizes of 12 or fewer mean the crew can position the board for optimal viewing and assist each guest without the constraints that larger groups face tethered to their boats. This is one of only a handful of places in the world where manta ray night snorkeling is possible, and it's the only location within the United States.

Manta rays are completely wild animals and are not fed or trained, so their presence is never guaranteed. If manta rays don't appear on your tour, Eka Canoe Adventures offers you another attempt on a different evening at no additional cost, pending available seats. You must be able to swim and climb a short ladder into the canoe unassisted. The minimum age is 5 years old.

What’s included

• Floatation devices and snorkel equipment (standard or prescription lenses available).
• wetsuit top fitted for warmth.
• canoe ride to and from the manta ray site near Keauhou Bay.
• professional crew guidance and safety briefing.
• live guide in English.

Information

Lasts 1h, runs every day at 18:00 and 19:15, from US$ 127.10 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 12 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 18:00 and 19:15Another time? ›

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

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

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Youth (5 to 12 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

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

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Eka Canoe Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this for a small-group experience where the crew can position you for the best manta ray viewing without the constraints of larger groups tethered to their boats. The short travel time means you maximize snorkeling rather than logistics.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (5 to 12 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

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.

What exactly happens when we get in the water for the manta ray snorkel?

You'll float with floatation devices along the perimeter of a light board while the crew positions it for the best viewing. The lights attract plankton, which draws the manta rays to feed, and you watch them from the water.

How long is the actual snorkeling time versus travel time?

The canoe ride to the snorkel site near Keauhou Bay takes just a few minutes, so most of the experience is spent in the water snorkeling rather than loading, unloading, or traveling.

What if we don't see any manta rays during the tour?

Manta rays are wild animals and their presence cannot be guaranteed. If none appear, Eka Canoe Adventures will offer you another snorkel attempt on a different evening at no extra cost, pending available seats.

Do I need to be an experienced snorkeler to do this?

No. You must be able to swim and climb a short ladder into the canoe unassisted, but the floatation devices and snorkel gear are provided, and the crew will guide you through a safety briefing before entering the water.

What's included in the snorkeling experience?

The tour includes floatation devices, snorkel equipment (standard or prescription), a fitted wetsuit top for warmth, the canoe ride, and instruction from a professional crew. A guide in English leads the experience.

What's the minimum age for this activity?

Children can join from age 5 years old, provided they can swim and climb the ladder into the canoe unassisted.