Kona, without the word “Manta Ray Dive,” is just impossible to exist. Big Island, especially Kona, is highly known for the number of Manta Ray Dives each year. People flood from all over the world for Manta Ray Dive Kona and love exploring these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. No matter how many times you have gone swimming with these marine animals, you can’t have enough of them. Today we are going to explore the ins and outs of going underwater and seeing how Manta Rays live and feed on their tiniest foods, i.e., Plankton!
Why is Manta Ray Dive Kona so special?
While you are in the fun-filled experience of manta ray dive, you will observe these majestic fish up close and in a very personal way. These Manta Rays are initially attracted by the Plankton that gathers around lights that swimmers and snorkelers carry. Manta rays filter out the Plankton from water by swooping all of the water with their wide mouth open and by keeping roaming in water. Manta rays do a specific dance while feeding on Plankton in which they turn, swim, and also do a somersault, during which they also touch the swimmers.
What do seasoned divers say about see Manta Ray in their natural habitat?
A seasoned diver named Samuel Beckett is totally in favor of this beautiful experience, which he calls the most satisfying thing one can do in the water. He says that it is impossible to explain the feeling you get while watching a huge fish coming into sight. He uses the term ‘like watching a manta ray swim by’ to describe something awesome.
Why Is Kona Dive this special?
Hawaii isn’t the only place where you can experience a swim with manta rays. Other places also exist, such as the Great Barrier Reef, Maldives, and the Galapagos Islands. Many Manta Rays dive at these places to get themselves cleaned by little creatures; hence these are also called the cleaning stations.
There are also stations where Manta Rays feed, i.e., the feeding station. These places include Manta Heaves, Manta Village, and a location near the Kohala coast. Manta rays used to come to these locations because of the lights reflecting from nearby hotels. But nowadays, many tour operators carry torches and lights to attract Plankton and hence attract the Manta Rays to let the visitors see the magnificent scenes. Seeing Manta rays in their natural habitat and living as they are is more beautiful than seeing them in the cleaning stations; hence Kona is ideal for it.
The Manta Rays in Kona:
The Manta Rays that live in the Hawaii waters are the Mobula alfredi species. They can grow up to a wingspan of 5.5 m that is 18 ft in size. Manta rays feed on Plankton that they filter out from water while they swim with their huge mouths open. Manta rays can live up to 50 years of age, and all of them in Kona bear their own name.
What is the best location to view Manta Rays in Hawaii?
Two of the most consistent and popular areas to see manta rays are named the Manta heaven and Manta Village. The third is a bit less reliable but is also far less crowded is the Waikoloa coast that is near Kohala Coast Resort. These three are discussed below:
Manta Village:
This is the original place for a Manta Ray Dive Kona. It is located off the coast of the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort, which is around 7 miles in the south of Kona. You can have the highest chances of seeing Manta Rays in this location. In 2013, 96% of Manta Ray tours have reported seeing manta rays that were 4 on any night.
Manta Heaven:
This is located near the Kona International Airport that is 8 miles north of Kona. This is a very famous spot for going on daylight dives and is known as the Garden Eel Cove. Manta ray sightings’ success rate is quite low here but is still very high being 90%. The number of diving Manta Rays you can have here is 11, which is more than the Manta Village.
Manta Learning Center:
Fronting the Manta Village is Sheraton Kona Resort, where you may find the manta learning center. It is a 700sq ft space where you may get a lot of information about manta rays and also see their beautiful pictures. You can also view a 15-minute video that shows footage that was shooting between night dives.
Manta Ray Dive Kona during the Night:
You will be looking down or anywhere around you during the night snorkel while holding on to the flotation device. Bright lights are spread in water that attracts Plankton. The Mantas feed on these small creatures and, while doing so, come very close to people observing them. Though they are often up close, one must not try touching them as this can harm the manta ray in their natural habitat.
Manta ray dive Kona will give you a chance to refresh your little ‘try out new things fear,’ and you will get to come out of your shell of boring lives. Kona will be a place you remember forever, and we welcome you here no matter where you belong.
If you are convinced enough to pack your bags and fly to Hawaii this coming spring, then Kona Honu Divers are ready to let you enjoy Manta Ray Dive Kona at its best. You will get to see these majestic wildlife creatures and get amazed by the beauty of marine life. You will often be jaw dropped by the elegance with which these creatures swim by you. They are truly a show to see and are something you may never forget the experience of. So when are you coming to Kona to see Manta rays dive and feed in their natural habitat?
Meta:
Manta Ray Dive Kona is waiting for you to come and explore the beauty of the most majestic and elegant creatures underwaters.
