Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel: FREE re-ride if no sightings

A small boat, a dark ocean, and manta rays gliding beneath your light

Night manta ray snorkeling in Kona puts you in the water for 25–30 minutes on a small 11-passenger RHIB boat, departing between 6 and 10 p.m. Experienced swimmers with basic snorkel skills board for roughly 50 minutes total, including boat travel. If no manta rays appear, you get a free return trip instead of a refund.

The Experience

The boat is a 23-foot RHIB—small enough to move fast, tight enough that you're never far from the water. Departures run between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., and the whole outing takes about 80 minutes from check-in to return, with 25–30 minutes actually in the water. You'll be one of 11 passengers, which means no crowding and no long waits to get in. The operator brings you to where manta rays feed at night, drawn by the light that attracts their food. You're snorkeling in open ocean, so the water moves and the conditions shift—that's part of what makes it real.

You need to be an experienced swimmer and have basic snorkeling experience before you book; this isn't a learn-to-snorkel tour. Wetsuits are optional and available to rent at check-in if the water temperature matters to you. Life jackets are provided only for children 13 and under. Bring your own gear or use what you have—just don't bring valuables, since there's no office to store them and you'll keep your belongings in your vehicle. If the ocean is choppy or conditions change, the operator adjusts; that's the trade of night water work.

The guarantee matters: if no manta rays show up, you don't get a refund, but you do get a free re-ride to try again. That's the operator's bet that the mantas will be there. If you choose the "not snorkeling" option instead—staying on the boat and watching from above—there's no guarantee of sightings from that vantage either, so know what you're paying for before checkout.

What’s included

• Manta ray snorkeling tour.
• all taxes, fees and handling charges.
• fuel surcharge.
• snorkeling (if you choose the snorkeling option at checkout).
• wetsuits available to rent at check-in.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by My Kona Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this if you're a confident swimmer who wants to be in the water with the mantas themselves, not watching from the boat. The small 11-person boat and the night timing—when mantas feed—are what make close encounters possible, and the free re-ride guarantee means you're not gambling on a single night's ocean conditions.

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Top questions

What's the actual time I'll spend in the water?

The water time is 25–30 minutes. The full outing is about 80 minutes total, which includes check-in, boat travel out and back, and the time you're in the ocean.

Do I need to bring my own snorkel gear?

You can bring your own or use what you have. Wetsuits are optional and available to rent at check-in. Life jackets are provided only for children 13 and under.

What happens if we don't see any manta rays?

If no mantas appear, the operator doesn't refund your money, but you get a free re-ride to try again on another night. This guarantee applies only to the snorkeling option, not the boat-watching option.

How many people will be on the boat?

The boat holds 11 passengers maximum. It's a 23-foot RHIB, so it's small and moves quickly, but you're never crowded.

Do I need snorkeling experience to book this?

Yes. You must be an experienced swimmer and have basic snorkeling experience. This tour doesn't teach snorkeling; it assumes you already know how to do it safely in open water.

What if I weigh 260 pounds or more?

Anyone weighing 260 pounds or more (up to a maximum of 320) is required to purchase an additional seat at checkout. This is a weight-distribution requirement for the small boat.