Kona: Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tour with Soup & Gear

Summary

Swim with manta rays off Kona at night lights flicker below

You’ll slip into Kona’s dark ocean with a local guide as manta rays swirl beneath glowing dive lights—so close you might forget to breathe. Warm up with homemade soup and bread after your swim. This tour includes all gear and wetsuits so you can focus on that surreal feeling of floating above gentle giants.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely left the Kona harbor when I realized how dark the ocean really gets out here. Our guide, Kaleo, grinned at my nervous laugh—he said it’s always like this before the lights go on. The boat ride was short, maybe five minutes? I could still smell sunscreen and salt in the air. Everyone was quiet except for one kid who kept asking if the manta rays were “bigger than a car.” Kaleo said some are, actually. That made me grip my mask a little tighter.

Once we anchored, they handed out wetsuits and snorkel gear (mine was a bit snug but honestly, I was glad for the warmth). The crew set up these bright dive lights that cut through the black water—suddenly you could see all these tiny plankton swirling around. We slipped in and floated above the lights, holding onto these foam boards. It felt weird at first—like being suspended in space—but then someone gasped and pointed down. A huge shadow glided up from below and did this slow somersault right under us. I swear my heart stopped for a second.

The manta rays came so close you could see their white bellies flash in the light. They moved so gently, nothing like what I’d pictured before—no teeth or stingers or anything scary. Just these massive wings flapping almost lazily while they scooped up plankton. At one point I almost forgot to breathe through my snorkel because I was just watching them loop again and again. Afterward, back on deck, they handed out homemade soup and bread rolls (the soup tasted extra good after being in the chilly water). Someone spilled theirs laughing about how clumsy we all looked getting back on board—nobody cared though.

I still think about that moment floating above those lights—the silence except for muffled breathing and distant laughter from the boat. If you’re confident swimming at night and want something different near Kona, this manta ray night snorkel is wild in a way photos can’t explain.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Manta Ray Night Snorkel Experience

• Travel five minutes off Kona coast
• Use dive lights to attract mantas
• Snorkel with manta rays at night

Top questions

How long is the boat ride from Kona to the manta ray snorkel site?

The boat ride is about five minutes from Kona harbor to the snorkeling site.

Is previous snorkeling experience required for this tour?

Yes, guests should have previous snorkeling experience and be confident swimming in the dark.

What age do you need to be for the Kona manta ray night snorkel?

This tour is for ages 7 and up; guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Are full face snorkel masks allowed?

No, full face snorkel masks are not permitted on this tour's vessels.

What’s included with this manta ray night snorkel tour?

The tour includes wetsuit rental, snorkel equipment, instruction, homemade soup, bread rolls, and hot drinks after your swim.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

No lunch is provided; however, homemade soup, bread rolls, and hot drinks are served after snorkeling.

Can non-swimmers join this manta ray night snorkel in Kona?

No, non-swimmers or beginners are not recommended for this activity due to safety reasons.

What’s included

Your evening includes use of wetsuit and snorkel equipment with instruction from local guides; after your swim with manta rays off Kona’s coast you’ll warm up with homemade soup, fresh bread rolls, and hot drinks before heading back ashore together.