Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel: Small Group & Private Charter

Swim with 16-Foot Manta Rays at Night in Kona's Feeding Grounds

You board a small boat in Kona at dusk, snorkel with manta rays under lights that attract their food, and watch them barrel-roll past you in the dark. The guide positions your group in the most active areas and stays with you the whole time. Snorkeling equipment, refreshments, and snacks are included. The whole experience runs one evening trip.

Step-by-step itinerary

Night snorkel with manta rays

• Arrive at Kona harbor
• Board small group snorkel boat
• Receive safety and interaction briefing
• Snorkel with manta rays using light board
• Enjoy non-alcoholic refreshments and snacks
• Return to harbor by boat

The experience

The boat leaves the harbor at dusk, and within an hour you're in the water holding a light board as manta rays glide past your face in the dark. The light attracts the plankton they eat, and the rays come with it: wingspans stretching 16 feet, moving in what looks like a choreographed roll. Your swim guide stays with your group the whole time, towing you toward the most active areas instead of keeping everyone tethered to the boat like the bigger operations do. With only 12 passengers maximum, there's room to move, to follow the action, to actually see what's happening instead of watching from a distance.

Kona is one of the only places on earth where you can count on seeing manta rays at night. The consistency here is around 90 percent. The rays return to the same feeding spot each evening, which is why the guides know where to position you. They have no teeth, no stingers, nothing to fear. Hundreds of people do this every night. Your guide walks you through how to interact safely and respectfully, and then you're in the water, light board in hand, watching something most people only see in documentaries. The rays move close enough that you feel the water shift as they pass.

If you want the experience entirely to yourself, you can book all 12 seats for a private charter. Either way, the boat carries snorkeling gear, non-alcoholic refreshments, and snacks for after. Bring a towel and a cover-up for the ride back: the ocean cools you down fast once the sun's gone.

What’s included

• Your tour includes snorkeling equipment, non-alcoholic refreshments, and snacks.
• A swim guide stays with your group throughout, positioning you in the most active manta ray areas and teaching you how to interact safely with the rays.
• If you book all 12 seats, the entire boat becomes your private charter.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 17:30, the last at 21:30Last departure this season: 31 Dec

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Child (7 to 17 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

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

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

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

Operated by Coral Reef Snorkel Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see manta rays without the crowd. The small group size means your guide can actually move you toward the action instead of anchoring everyone to one spot, which is what makes the difference between watching from far away and having the rays pass inches from your face.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (7 to 17 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.

What's the difference between this tour and the bigger manta ray boats in Kona?

This tour caps at 12 passengers, so guides can tow your group to the most active manta areas instead of keeping everyone next to the boat. Larger groups usually stay in one spot. Smaller groups follow the action.

How often do you actually see manta rays on this tour?

Kona has a 90% encounter rate for nighttime manta rays. The rays return to the same feeding spot each night, which is why the guides know where to position you.

Is it safe to snorkel with manta rays?

Yes. Manta rays have no teeth, stingers, or barbs. Your guide teaches you how to interact safely and respectfully, and hundreds of people do this every night in Kona.

What's included in the tour?

Snorkeling equipment, non-alcoholic refreshments, and snacks. Bring your own towel and cover-up.

Can I book the boat just for my group?

Yes. If you book all 12 seats, you get a private charter.

What time does the tour leave?

The boat leaves at dusk. Exact departure time depends on sunset, which changes seasonally.

How long is the tour?

The tour runs one evening. Plan for several hours from departure to return to harbor.

What should I bring?

A towel and a cover-up to stay warm on the boat ride back. Snorkeling gear is provided.