Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel: Big Island Hawaii

You'll Float Above Manta Rays in Pitch-Black Water, and See Why

You'll float in warm water off the Big Island's Kona coast at night while manta rays glide past you, attracted by the boat's lights and the plankton they feed on. The tour includes a sunset cruise, full snorkel gear, wetsuit, and a warm shower after. Small groups, experienced crew, and a boat with a cabin and bathroom mean you're not roughing it. You're just showing up and getting in the water.

Step-by-step itinerary

Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel Adventure

• Board Maheli-Heli boat
• Enjoy sunset cruise along Kona coast
• Arrive at Garden Eel Cove
• Receive snorkel gear and wetsuit
• Descend into water with guides
• Snorkel with manta rays
• Return to boat and rinse off

The experience

The boat pulls away from the Kona pier just as the sun hits the water, and you're already wondering if you've made a mistake. The ocean at night looks different: darker, colder in your mind even though the water's warm. Your guide hands you a wetsuit and checks your mask fit, and then you're in, floating above Garden Eel Cove on the Big Island, waiting for something you can't see. Then the lights come on beneath you, and the manta rays start moving through the illuminated water like they've been waiting for an audience. They're not aggressive or distant. They're just there, gliding past your face with their wings spread, feeding on the plankton the lights attract. It's the kind of thing that sounds made up until you're actually floating above it.

The whole experience runs about two hours from the Kona coast, starting with a sunset cruise on the Maheli-Heli, a 2016 custom boat built specifically for this kind of work. The cabin keeps your stuff dry, there's a real bathroom on board, and the ladder has submerged steps so you're not scrambling over anything to get back in. The crew handles the snorkel gear (wetsuit, fins, mask, floatation device), so you show up in swim clothes and they take care of the rest. A light snack and water come with it, and after you're done in the water, there's a fresh warm shower rinse to get the salt off before heading back. The whole setup is built around not making this harder than it needs to be.

What makes this different from a daytime snorkel is the darkness itself. The manta rays come to feed on bioluminescent plankton that the boat's lights draw up, so you're not chasing them across a reef. You're in their feeding zone, and they move around you. Your guide stays in the water with your group, pointing out behavior and keeping everyone safe, but mostly you're just floating and watching. The Travel Channel called Garden Eel Cove one of the top ten things to do in your lifetime, and after you've been down there in the dark with a manta ray passing underneath you, that doesn't sound like hype.

What’s included

Your day includes a sunset cruise along the Kona coast to Garden Eel Cove, full snorkel gear (wetsuit, fins, mask, floatation device), a light snack and water, and a warm fresh water shower rinse after you exit the water. The boat has a cabin to keep your belongings safe and dry, plus a bathroom on board.

Information

Lasts 3h 30m, from US$ 125 per person and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Jun 202712 departing soon ›

GroupUp to 24

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

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (14 to 54 years) · Senior (55 to 75 years) · Youth (7 to 13 years) · Under 7: 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 yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Manta Adventures Inc

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see manta rays in their natural feeding zone without arranging your own gear or worrying about timing. The boat handles everything, and the small-group format means you're not crowded in the water.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (7 to 13 years). Children under 7 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.

How long is the manta ray snorkel tour?

About two hours total, including the sunset cruise to Garden Eel Cove and the snorkel itself.

What's included in the price?

Wetsuit, snorkel gear, fins, mask, floatation device, light snack, water, and a fresh water shower rinse after. The boat has a cabin and bathroom.

Do I need to bring my own snorkel gear?

No. All gear is provided, including the wetsuit. Bring a towel, swimwear, and a cover-up.

What if the weather is bad?

Tours are subject to favorable weather. If canceled due to poor conditions, you can choose an alternative date or get a full refund.

Is this tour safe for people with health conditions?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy. All participants sign a snorkel waiver before entering the water.

What should I bring?

A towel, swimwear, a light jacket or sweater, and an underwater camera if you want photos. Gratuity is not included but is appreciated.

Where does the boat depart from?

The Kona coast on the Big Island of Hawaii. The boat is the Maheli-Heli, a 2016 custom build with a cabin and bathroom.