ONE of THE MOST POPULAR BIG ISLAND SNORKELING TOURS!
Join Hawaii’s top-rated and most-reviewed snorkel company, Kona Snorkel Trips, for the Kona manta ray night snorkel experience of a lifetime! They excel at providing the best snorkeling tours in Kona having more 5 star reviews than any snorkel company in Hawaii! This tour is suitable for the whole family. The manta ray snorkel is one of Kona’s top attractions as there is nothing else quite like it in the world. Float on the surface while these massive rays fly by only inches below!
WHO SHOULD GO ON THE MANTA RAY SNORKEL
The Manta Ray Night Snorkel is open to anyone with a spirit of adventure, who can swim, and is comfortable in the ocean. Adults and children (ages 5+) are welcome. All guests should be able to swim 50 yards without assistance and consider themselves intermediate to advanced snorkelers. Non-swimmers are not permitted on this charter for their safety, our crew’s safety, and courtesy to other guests onboard. (Children (under 18) must be at least five years of age, demonstrate strong swimming ability, and be accompanied by an adult at all times.)
This adventurous retired Navy Seal boat will have you off to see the mantas in no time. This is an exciting, and sometimes bouncy time out on the water depending on ocean conditions. Sometimes the ocean is like glass and sometimes has a bit more oomph to it, especially during the winter. Those that are pregnant or have back and neck issues should sit this tour out. Your helpful Lifeguard Certified guide will provide all the necessary equipment (including Rx masks) and keep you safe and happy on your adventure.
Important Details
- For safety, swimming skills are required for all guests – this is a nighttime open ocean activity
- Can you swim 50 yards without additional floatation?
- You should have prior snorkeling experience and consider yourself an intermediate to advanced snorkeler
- Non-swimmers or riders are not permitted on this tour
- Expectant mothers or those with regular back or neck issues are not permitted on this tour due to the adventurous nature of our retired Navy SEAL boat
- Those with reoccurring shoulder issues are not permitted on this tour – you must be able to have their arms outstretched for 30-40 minutes
- An adult must accompany those under 18 years of age, but 5 or older at all times
- For safety, you must be able to converse in English
Equipment Included
- Mask (some Rx available)
- Snorkel
- Shorty wetsuit
- Additional flotation (float belt)
How do you view the mantas?
You will be wearing a mask, snorkel, wetsuit, and floatation belt. There is a modified surfboard that has rope “handles” going around the perimeter of the board. You’ll lightly hold onto the rope handle superman style (arms outstretched over your head). This is why it’s important not to have any shoulder issues! In the middle of the board, holes were cut out high-powered lights were inserted that attract plankton – which is what the mantas love to eat! There are 9-10 guests per board. Your guide will “tow” you around to the best spots to view the mantas for 30-40 minutes.
MANTA GUARANTEE
Please note that the Manta Rays are wild animals and their presence is not guaranteed. If you do not see a manta on your night out, you can go again on another night on a space-available standby basis. Keep in mind that standby spaces may be extremely limited, especially during the busiest times of the year. This offer never expires, but is non-transferable and has no refund or cash value. We are typically very successful in finding mantas for you; however, if they are not around, the costs involved with setting up the charter and getting all our guests to the location will not allow us to offer you a refund.
WHY YOU SHOULD GO ON THE MANTA RAY SWIM
If you’re looking for things to do in Kona at night the manta ray snorkel is easily the top attraction. Every night hundreds of people get in the water with these majestic creatures. One of the most amazing parts about viewing manta rays in their natural habitat is just how large they can be compared to us. The largest rays are many times larger than even the biggest person. Combine the manta ray’s size with their grace and it makes for one impressive show!
Kona can be relatively sleepy at night with many restaurants closing early and a lack of general nightlife options. That’s okay because there are still so many great things to see at night in the ocean! The manta ray snorkel is one of those few things you can do at night that is unlike anything else. Forget the bar, the action is in the ocean!
Manta rays are found in many parts of the tropics and even on the other Hawaiian Islands. But unlike in Kona, they can be difficult to spot. We are so fortunate in Kona to have a coast that drops off quickly and brings deep nutrient-rich water to the shore. The water feeds plankton which the manta rays love. This means if you want to swim with manta rays this is your chance! The manta ray snorkel is so convenient and accessible it’s one of the few large animal encounters with a consistent chance to see large wild animals up close and personal. It’s also safe for the rays and safe for the participants! So don’t miss out on this opportunity to see one of the oceans largest rays.
Other animals you may see when going on a manta ray snorkel are monk seals, dolphins, and loads of fish! Floating on the surface makes it easy to view the show down below. The rays look like they are performing but really they are just eating all of the yummy plankton down below. The plankton are attracted to the lights we use to light up the ocean. There’s often so much light in the water it almost doesn’t feel like night anymore. It’s like an underwater club show. The only thing lacking is the dance music.
Swimming with Manta Rays Kona Nightlife
The manta ray swim is Kona’s #1 nighttime activity. Kona town is pretty sleepy at night, but the ocean is plenty active. Our manta rays love to come and visit us at night because our mantas love the plankton we attract for them. It’s a beautiful relationship where mantas eat and we get to watch a beautiful show unlike anything else you’ve ever seen.
There are over 200 different known manta rays on the Big Island. Each manta ray is identified by it’s distinct markings on it’s underside. Our guides can help to identify and tally how many rays were there on any given night. Sometimes it can be challenging to know just how many mantas you saw! Occasionally we will discover a new manta ray. It’s a great joy to name your own manta ray! What would you name your manta ray? Typically new mantas won’t be spotted until they reach around 100lbs in size spending their younger years in the depths.
Kona is unique in the world for having this special experience. You may not get this opportunity ever again so join us on this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
