Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel Kona, Hawaii

These standards are set for your safety, the safety of our crew, and the safety and enjoyment of other guests. This manta ray night snorkel is an open-ocean nighttime snorkeling activity. Those who cannot swim cannot join.

• For safety, swimming skills are required for all guests – this is a nighttime open ocean activity
  • Can you swim 50 yards without additional flotation?
  • A life vest is not a replacement for swimming skills – if you cannot swim, you cannot participate in this tour
• Prior snorkeling experience is required
  • Join us on a daytime charter to dial in those snorkeling skills
• Non-swimmers are not permitted on this tour
• Children (under 18) must be at least five years of age, demonstrate strong swimming ability, and be accompanied by an adult at all times
• Everyone in the party must be able to converse in English for safety instructions, with no exceptions
• Pregnant women are not permitted due to the adventurous nature of the boat ride – our vessel is not for everyone!
• Full Face Masks are prohibited.
• Those who experience recurring back or neck pain cannot participate in this tour
• Individuals with shoulder issues are not eligible to participate in this tour.  You are lying prone in the water with your arms outstretched for 30-40 minutes.  Those with recurring dislocation issues are not permitted to participate in this activity
• There is no weight restriction, but guests must be able to physically and safely maneuver on and off the vessel without assistance.  Snorkeling is a physically exerting activity, and we are 20-45 minute boat ride from medical care in the event of an emergency – it is not recommended for those over 300lbs
• Those with injuries that limit their mobility cannot participate in this tour
• Those with neurological conditions or cognitive impairments impacting safety cannot participate in this tour
• This can be a stress-inducing activity and is not recommended for those with heart conditions, unregulated high blood pressure, or severe asthma.

Please be aware that snorkeling can be physically demanding and may pose serious health risks for certain individuals. This activity is not recommended for those with heart conditions, high blood pressure, severe asthma, obesity, limited mobility, recent long-haul travel, or elderly individuals.

KNOW YOUR LIMITS – Everyone should review this before booking, as your current health and fitness condition affects your safety in the water.

It’s a good idea to let us know if anyone in your party carries an EPI pen, uses an inhaler, or is diabetic. Please bring all required medication with you, as indicated. Failure to do so may require you to reschedule with a penalty or forfeit your spot.

Please read the Snorkel Safety Study and Conclusion to educate yourself on snorkeling risks.

If you are over 65 years of age, we ask guests 65+ a few additional questions to help us keep everyone safe on the water.

Refundable Ticket:
Cancellation: Full refund if canceled up to 48 hours before the trip.
Rebooking: Free rebooking up to 48 hours before the trip.

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing at least 48 hours before the trip’s start. Reservations made within 48 hours are not eligible for a refund.

Non-Refundable Ticket:
Cancellation: No refunds.
Rebooking: Rebooking allowed up to 48 hours before the trip.

12-Hr Flexible Cancellation Upgrade for Refundable Tickets
If you purchased the upgrade, your cancellation window has been extended up to 12 hours before the start of the tour. You’ll be fully refunded for the ticket (minus the trip protection and fees). The request should be made by email.

The default 48-hour cancellation policy applies if the upgrade is removed.

No Shows and Late Arrivals will not be refunded or rescheduled.

We commit to our employees and other guests and adhere to our cancellation policy regardless of circumstances. We recommend travel insurance or a premium credit card with trip protection to cover unexpected disruptions such as illness, flight delays, weather delays, etc.

What if we cancel?

We reserve the right to cancel for any reason, including, but not limited to, weather, ocean conditions, passenger count, mechanical issues, or safety for you, our guests, and our crew. We’ll do our best to reschedule your trip based on availability or you’ll be issued a refund in full.

We are not responsible if we can not contact you for important information regarding the charter. We do not call international numbers.

Our boat, Orca, is a 27.8’ rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) with twin Yamaha 200 outboard motors, allowing us to move quickly down the coastline.  This is an adventure boat and is not suitable for everyone.  Please honestly evaluate your health and fitness before booking.

Book ahead and get the first few spots on the boat. Like booking with an airline, we offer dynamic pricing. If you book ahead and get the first 6 spots on the boat you will get the best price. After that people booking the spots 7-12 get better pricing and so on.

Check Availability

No, the minimum age to join the trip is 5 years old, and participants must be able to snorkel. Logistically, it would not work to switch off because the group may not be near the boat.  This is not an activity for babies and toddlers to join.

All tours will have you in the water after the sun sets so the answer is truly – whichever tour fits your schedule the best.  Operators wouldn’t be running different tour times if the manta rays weren’t consistently showing up!

This is the most popular tour on the island, so we offer two tour times to accommodate all the guests who want to attend.

You might find yourself wondering which departure time provides the most spectacular viewing experience for these gentle ocean giants. The wonderful truth is that because every single one of our tours ensures you will be in the water after the sun has completely set, the ideal time slot is simply the one that fits your personal schedule the most seamlessly. The ocean does not operate on a strict clock, and neither do the animals!

The magic of this excursion relies entirely on our custom, high-powered underwater floatation lights. Once the sky goes dark, these lights safely attract the microscopic plankton that these magnificent creatures swoop in to feed on. This mesmerizing natural buffet occurs consistently throughout the evening, whether you choose an early departure right as dusk settles or a later slot under the sparkling night sky. Professional guides wouldn’t run different tour times if the marine life wasn’t reliably showing up to feed! By offering multiple time options, we are able to accommodate high demand while keeping our individual boat groups intimately small, ensuring you get to enjoy the best manta ray night snorkel Kona has to offer without ever feeling crowded.

Whether you prefer to head out on the water right after a beautiful island sunset or want to cap off a long day of exploring with an unforgettable late-evening adventure, you are in for a world-class encounter. Our expert, lifeguard-certified crew is absolutely dedicated to making sure your manta ray night snorkel Kona, Hawaii adventure is nothing short of spectacular, no matter what hour you choose. Just pick the departure time that perfectly aligns with your dinner plans or family schedule, and get ready for a breathtaking Big Island manta ray night snorkel that will easily become the absolute highlight of your entire vacation.

We provide the items below.  If you are more comfortable with your own mask and snorkel, bring it!  Please note: Full Face masks are prohibited.

• Mask (some Rx available)
• Snorkel
• Shorty wetsuit (kids sizes 6/8 to adult 3X)
• Additional flotation (float belt)

There are many manta tour companies in Kona. Some have the lowest price, others have big boats with lots of people. We have neither of those things. Kona Snorkel Trips offers the highest quality manta ray snorkel experience available on the Big Island. Just read our thousands of 5 star google reviews and you will see why we are the best.

Reasons Why People Love Kona Snorkel Trips

• Excellent, personalized service
• Small group sizes
• Higher likelihood of seeing mantas
• Attention to Safety

If you’re still not convinced we have the best manta ray night snorkel Kona has check out our thousands of google reviews from satisfied guests.

• All our snorkel guides are Lifeguard Certified or are Divemasters and have AED and O2 provider certifications.  Not all operators require this of their crew…
• We have prop guards on our propellers
• We have high safety standards for guests to even join our manta snorkel.  All guests must know how to swim and have prior snorkeling experience.  This is for your safety AND the enjoyment of other guests. After all, who wants to be beside a panicked snorkeler flailing around scaring away the manta rays.

  When deciding on the perfect ocean adventure, you want a team that prioritizes safety, intimacy, and the well-being of the marine environment. If you are looking for the best manta ray night snorkel Kona has to offer, we pride ourselves on delivering an experience built entirely around personalized service and top-tier standards. Unlike operators that pack dozens of people onto large, crowded vessels, we keep our group sizes exceptionally small. By taking a maximum of just 18 guests on our fast, adventurous Navy Seal boat, we ensure you receive dedicated attention from our crew and a highly intimate, front-row seat to the magic.

  Our industry-leading safety protocols are what truly set us apart from the rest. Every single one of our in-water guides is either a certified Divemaster or Lifeguard Certified, complete with specialized AED and O2 provider training. We also enforce strict participation requirements, ensuring that everyone entering the water is a capable swimmer with prior snorkeling experience. This policy is absolutely crucial—it keeps you safe and ensures our groups remain completely calm in the water, preventing frantic splashing that could frighten the gentle giants away. We even utilize customized prop guards on our engines to protect both the animals and our guests during your Big Island manta ray night snorkel.

  Beyond safety, we are dedicated to providing a supremely comfortable and seamless experience from start to finish. We supply all the high-quality gear you will need, including shorty wetsuits to keep you warm, premium masks, and a custom illuminated floatation board that safely attracts the microscopic plankton the rays love to feed on. We boast an incredible success rate for wildlife encounters, but because we are observing wild animals in their natural habitat, we also offer a generous standby guarantee on the rare occasion the rays take the night off. Backed by thousands of five-star reviews, our passionate crew is completely dedicated to delivering the premier manta ray night snorkel Kona Hawaii has to offer, ensuring this magical adventure becomes the absolute highlight of your vacation.

The Manta Ray Night Snorkel is open to anyone with a spirit of adventure, who can swim, is comfortable in the ocean, and is physically and mentally healthy. Adults and children (ages 5+) are welcome. All guests should be able to swim 50 yards without assistance and consider themselves intermediate snorkelers. Non-swimmers are not permitted on this charter for their safety, our crew’s safety, and the safety and courtesy of 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 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 it has a bit more oomph to it, especially during the winter. Those who are pregnant or have back, neck, or shoulder 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.

If you’re a new snorkeler, no worries!  Join us on a morning snorkel or an afternoon snorkel first to practice!  You’ll gain those valuable skills to then be able to participate in the manta ray experience.  A manta ray night snorkel can be the crown jewel of your Kona, Hawaii vacation, a great bucket list conquest, and a fun outing for the whole family. Don’t miss out! This is widely considered Kona’s top snorkeling activity and one of the best things to do on the Big Island. You won’t want to miss it!

If you are over 65 years of age, we ask guests 65+ a few additional questions to help us keep everyone safe on the water.

• Snorkeling is a physically demanding activity, and our adventure boat is not suitable for everyone. We take the safety of our guests seriously. Please answer the following questions honestly.

  • Have you been diagnosed with a heart condition, irregular heartbeat, or experienced a cardiac event (heart attack, stroke) in the past two years?
  • Do you currently take medication for blood pressure or heart rate management?
  • Are you comfortable and confident swimming in open ocean water, including in low-light or nighttime conditions?
  • Do you have a respiratory condition (such as asthma, COPD, or sleep apnea) that is affected by physical exertion or lying face-down for extended periods?
  • Have you had surgery or a major medical procedure in the past 6 months?
  • Do you have any history of seizures or epilepsy?

  If you answered yes to any of the questions above, please email us at info@konasnorkeltrips.com before completing your booking.

• Your swimsuit (have it on)
• Towel
• GoPro

You’ll want to arrive for check-in wearing your swimsuit.  A towel and a GoPro are all you need!  The less you bring the less you leave behind on accident.  A small dry bag is recommended for any additional must-haves. 

Since you’ll be taken to where the most action was on the last trip it might mean you travel 20 minutes north to Garden Eel Cove or 40 minutes south to the Outrigger hotel.

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 and high-powered lights were inserted that attract the 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.

30-40 minutes – This is the perfect amount of time for you before you begin getting chilled.

Don’t worry, they’re completely harmless. Unlike stingrays, manta rays do not have stingers or barbs on their tails and have no teeth. Instead, they suck in plankton with their wide, vacuum-like mouths.

Kona is home to over 200 named mantas, distinguishable by their beautiful black and white marks. The manta rays come year-round, but their numbers on any given day depend on how much plankton is in the water.  These gentle giants lurk just beneath the warm, clear waters and can boast a wingspan up to 16 feet wide. They are some of the largest fish in the ocean.

FREE MANTA GUARANTEE

Manta Rays are wild animals and their presence is not guaranteed. There is no refund if the wildlife does not appear. However, 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 peak season. This offer never expires, but is non-transferable and has no refund or cash value.

While the majestic manta rays occasionally take a break, our boats, crew, and operating expenses don’t! Because of this, we’re unable to offer refunds for tours where manta rays aren’t seen – but we’re happy to offer you another opportunity to snorkel with them on a future night. This policy is standard across all manta ray snorkel operators in Kona. Thanks for understanding and joining us on this unique ocean adventure!

Without a doubt, this is not just an excursion; it is a globally recognized, bucket-list adventure. If you are wondering whether to book this experience, simply look at its reputation. A Big Island manta ray night snorkel is consistently rated as one of the top marine wildlife encounters in the entire world, and for very good reason. It is the single most popular water activity on the coast, drawing nature lovers from across the globe to witness these graceful, gentle giants swoop and glide through their natural habitat.

The sheer magic of floating in the dark, warm ocean while massive, elegant creatures perform synchronized barrel rolls just inches from your mask is incredibly profound. When the ocean puts on a good show, the reactions from guests are unforgettable. It is incredibly common to hear muffled cheers of joy, gasps of awe, and even happy tears of pure emotion echoing through people’s snorkels. It is a deeply moving, immersive encounter that simply cannot be replicated in an aquarium or anywhere else on earth, which is exactly why experiencing the best manta ray night snorkel Kona has to offer is so highly sought after by travelers.

Ultimately, if you only have time for a few select activities during your vacation, this should absolutely be at the very top of your itinerary. Participating in a manta ray night snorkel Kona Hawaii is an unparalleled opportunity to connect with the ocean in a beautifully intimate way. It is a mesmerizing, awe-inspiring journey that leaves visitors with profound, lifelong memories and incredible stories to share for years to come. Yes, it is absolutely worth every single minute of your time!

Night time is the best time to view mantas because they are feeding on the plankton attracted to our lights. This is the best opportunity to view them up close. During the day it is possible to see mantas cruising the reef moving steadily along near the bottom and sometimes stopping in at a cleaning station where small fish pick the parasites off of their skin. While scientists do not have a lot of data it is possible mantas retreat to deeper depths during the day to avoid predators.

Unlike other rays that feed on the bottom. Mantas do not have stingers or teeth. They are large and can swim fast but there has never been a single recorded incident of a manta ray injuring a person. We have seen mantas injured by humans being caught by debris, hung up on lines, and cut by propellers. We’ve even seen a manta ray take off with someones camera in it’s mouth! Fortunately we were able to chase after it and retrieve the camera.

Since manta rays eat plankton they have no need for teeth and since they are fast and don’t rest on the bottom while feeding they have no use for stingers.

It’s better to be PROACTIVE instead of REACTIVE when you’re headed out on the ocean.  If you’ve experienced seasickness before then take proactive measures to prevent it again.  If you don’t know if you get seasick take proactive measures to help never experience it.  Even if the ocean is dead calm you may still get seasick – we cannot tell you how YOUR body will react to the motion of the ocean.

You should be a confident and capable swimmer with prior snorkeling experience. Inexperienced or anxious swimmers and snorkelers can create unsafe conditions for themselves and others. Medical assistance is not readily available in this remote location, so please honestly assess your skills and health before participating.

Plus, we’ll drill you at check-in about your experience!

Yes, this tour sells out.  Pricing varies with demand, so book early!

We take 18 amazing guests and 3 crew out each night to snorkel to see manta rays.

Yes, you’re welcome to stay on the boat, but please note there is no difference in price. Our vessel has limited capacity, so every seat counts. Keep in mind that remaining on board can increase the likelihood of seasickness, so we recommend taking preventative medication before your trip for a more comfortable experience.

While wildlife encounters are common, they can never be guaranteed. We see manta rays on over 85% of our tours—these incredible creatures are the heart of a thriving local industry. However, as with all wild animals, their appearances are unpredictable and ultimately beyond our control.

We are lucky enough to see manta rays year-round!  Our success rate is approximately 85% or more!

We depart from the Honokohau Harbor in Kona, Hawaii.  You’ll find directions in our confirmation emails.

Manta Rays are in their natural habit and decide to grace everyone with their presence when they feel like it.  80% of the time they come to say hello, but there are many nights they do take off throughout the year – there is not a pattern – we see them consistently year-round.  Manta Rays are not chased or corralled (like the dolphin swims used to be) and are certainly not in captivity.  There are voluntary guidelines reputable operators follow when diving or snorkeling to see the manta rays.

We strongly recommend avoiding same-day bookings on your arrival day. Flight delays are common, and while we completely understand they’re beyond your control, missed trips are non-refundable, and we’d hate for your vacation to start with that kind of disappointment.

We also highly recommend protecting your vacation investment with travel insurance or a premium credit card that includes trip protection (such as Chase Sapphire Reserve or Amex Platinum). These can save you if the unexpected happens.