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.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 18:15, 18:45, 20:00 and 20:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (7 and older) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupUp to 27

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearby

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.

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Top questions

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 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.