Snorkeling with Manta Rays: South Kona Coast Night Experience
Manta rays in the dark water, a boat ride away
Snorkel at night with manta rays on the South Kona Coast, a 90-minute activity with snorkel gear, wetsuits and hot chocolate included. You board a boat for a short ride to the feeding grounds, then enter the water with trained guides to watch the rays glide beneath you. If no mantas appear—extremely rare—you return free on another night during the same vacation.
The Experience
The South Kona Coast is where manta rays gather at night to feed, and the boat ride out is short enough that you're in the water within minutes of departure. You'll wear a wetsuit and snorkel gear (both provided), and trained staff will be in the water with you the whole time. The rays are gentle and accustomed to swimmers; they glide past and around you as they feed, their wing-like fins moving through the dark water. This is the experience the Travel Channel ranked among the top 10 things to do in a lifetime.
The activity runs 90 minutes total. Afterward, you'll get hot chocolate to warm up. Public transportation options are available near the departure point, so you don't need a rental car to get there. The operator asks that everyone in your group be able to swim, have snorkeling experience, and be comfortable climbing a short ladder to re-board the boat—these are the practical requirements that keep the experience safe and manageable for all.
If the rare event happens and no manta rays appear on your night, you're invited back out again during the same vacation at no cost, based on availability. It's the operator's guarantee that the experience is worth your time.
What’s included
Snorkel gear and wetsuits; hot chocolate after the activity
Operated by Sea Quest Hawaii
Is this one for you?The 90-minute timeframe leaves your morning and most of your afternoon free, so this fits easily into a day with other plans. You'll need to be a confident swimmer with snorkeling experience and comfortable re-boarding a boat by ladder, which is what keeps the group small and the experience manageable in the dark water.
Traveler reviews
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Top questions
What do I need to bring for snorkeling with manta rays on the South Kona Coast?
Snorkel gear and wetsuits are included with the activity. Bring a towel (recommended) and wear something you don't mind getting wet. Public transportation is available to reach the departure point.
How long does the night manta ray snorkeling take?
The activity runs 90 minutes from start to finish, including the boat ride out and your time in the water with the manta rays.
What happens if we don't see any manta rays?
Seeing manta rays is extremely common on these night outings, but if none appear, you're welcome to return on another night during the same vacation at no additional cost, based on availability. No refunds are issued; the guarantee is a free return trip instead.
Do I need snorkeling experience to go on this activity?
Yes, everyone in your group should have snorkeling experience and be able to swim. You'll also need to be comfortable climbing a short ladder to re-board the boat after being in the water.
Snorkeling with Manta Rays: South Kona Coast Night Experience
1h 30m
from US$ 146 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.86814 reviews
