Night Snorkeling with Manta Rays: Kona

Manta rays come to the light, and you're in the water when they arrive.

Night snorkeling with manta rays off Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii is a 2.5-hour activity where you enter the water with a professional guide and swim among these gentle creatures attracted by underwater lights. You choose between snorkeling in the water or riding along on the boat. All snorkel equipment, wetsuits, swimming noodles for flotation, snacks and bottled water are included. Basic swimming ability is required to snorkel, and departure times shift with the sunset throughout the year.

The experience

The boat leaves Honokohau Harbor in Kona and heads out to the manta site with a leisurely ride. Once there, the guides deploy lights underwater that attract the mantas to the area: a "manta safari" designed to bring these creatures into view. You enter the water with snorkel gear, a wetsuit jacket and a swimming noodle for flotation, and move around the site with the guide while the mantas drift past. The observation deck on the boat stays available if you want to watch from above instead, and there's room to move around without crowding.

All snorkel equipment is provided: mask, snorkel, wetsuit jacket and swimming noodles. Bottled water and snacks come with the activity. If you need an RX snorkel mask, you'll need to bring your own. Life jackets are on board but are not for use while snorkeling. If you want additional flotation beyond the noodles, you can purchase a snorkel vest in the shop. A "Ride Along" option lets you stay on the boat the whole time if you prefer not to enter the water. You still get to watch the mantas from the deck.

The activity is family-friendly and suitable for all fitness levels, though basic swimming experience is required to snorkel. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 5 need to bring their own life vests. Departure times change with the season: 5:30 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. from January through March, 6 p.m. or 9 p.m. from April through September, and 5 p.m. or 8 p.m. from October through December. Call 24 hours before to confirm which time slot you've been assigned. If the mantas don't show up, the operator invites you back for free.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English.
• snorkel mask, snorkel and wetsuit jacket.
• swimming noodles for flotation.
• bottled water and snacks.

Options for this experience

2 options

Boat ride only, for a Ride AlongGuide in English · 17:00 and 20:00No swimming or snorkeling: the Ride Along option is meant for guests who do not want to take part in the snorkeling. You watch from the boat only.

Night Snorkel with Manta RaysGuide in English · 17:00 and 20:00Night Snorkel with Manta Rays

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 2h 30m, runs every day at 17:00 and 20:00, from US$ 80 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 17:00 and 20:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

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

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

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 today

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Bite Me Sportfishing

Is this one for you?Choose the snorkeling option if you're comfortable in the water and want to be among the mantas as they glide past. Pick Ride Along if you'd rather watch from the boat or prefer not to swim. Either way, the guides' lights and the mantas' behavior are the same. The difference is where you experience it.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3).

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 know about swimming ability for this snorkeling activity?

Basic swimming experience is required to participate in the snorkeling portion. If you can't swim or prefer not to enter the water, the Ride Along option keeps you on the boat with full viewing access to the mantas.

What's included in the night snorkeling with manta rays?

All snorkel equipment (mask, snorkel, wetsuit jacket and swimming noodles for flotation), bottled water and snacks are included. A professional guide leads the activity in English and uses underwater lights to attract the mantas.

Can I bring my own snorkel mask if I need a prescription lens?

Yes, the operator does not provide RX snorkel masks, so you'll need to bring your own if you require a prescription lens.

What time does the boat depart, and does it change?

Departure times shift with the sunset throughout the year: 5:30 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. from January to March, 6 p.m. or 9 p.m. from April to September, and 5 p.m. or 8 p.m. from October to December. Call 24 hours before your activity to confirm which time slot you've been assigned.

What happens if the manta rays don't show up?

The operator invites you back for free if the mantas don't cooperate. No discounts or refunds are offered, but a return trip at no cost is guaranteed.

Is there a way to participate without entering the water?

Yes, the Ride Along option keeps you on the boat for the entire 2.5 hours, giving you unobstructed viewing of the mantas from the observation deck with plenty of room to move around.