Have the opportunity to admire wild manta rays in their natural habitat on this evening cruise. Set sail after dark, when the manta rays come out to feed on plankton, and use a custom-made lightboard that attracts the rays. Float through the warm waters for up to 40 minutes, use your snorkel to watch as the rays swim and feed, and learn more about the majestic creatures from your guide.

Small boat lets you get closer without disturbing the manta rays
Certified in-water guides focus on a safe and non-intrusive experience
Snorkeling gear and a wetsuit are provided
A small group means more attention from your guide

What's Included

Use of Snorkeling Equiptment and Wetsuit
Certified In-Water Guide and Lifeguard
water

Gratuities

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

78-7138 Kaleiopapa St
78-7138 Kaleiopapa St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Please arrive on time! Address is 78-7138 Kaleiopapa Street. Look for "Hawaii Island and Ocean Tours & Kona Snorkel Tours" White Van near the Outrigger Hotel or boat launches. Park Free along road, NO parking in the long narrow stalls designated for vehicles w/boat trailers.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
Basic swimming skills are required

Previous snorkeling experience is required
Guests must be able to independently climb up a boat ladder
Guest must be able to converse in English to understand verbal instructions and safety briefings
Your safety is our priority! If you or anyone in your group would like a lifejacket please contact our reservation line.
Please call to confirm availability before purchasing
Not recommended for those who have recently undergone surgery or who may have mobility/physical restrictions.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 13 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Sherri_B

Crew is top notch!! Beginning with preparation to return, it was seamless. Our family cannot recommend enough. The crew was attentive. They took safety serious, but also wanted the experience to be the best for all of us! You will remember the manta ray experience forever! Thank you, crew!! Now, reader, go make your reservation!!! You will not regret it.

Reviews

5.0

1,452 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 1,452 reviews

Beautiful

Claire_N, Sep 2023

What we saw and the guides where very friendly. But….. Not easy to find the place, we had to walk all around to find the group.

Highlight of our trip!

Angela_P, Sep 2023

I'm so glad I decided to do the manta ray snorkel. One of my adult children was afraid to do it, the other was indifferent. It ended up being one of the best and amazing things we did during our almost two weeks in Hawaii. They both loved it! The crew was knowledgeable and we were well taken care of.

This was absolutely EPIC....

Alexis_L, Sep 2023

This was absolutely EPIC. Little scared at first but our tour guides eased us in and we’re so knowledgeable. Absolutely loved our experience a must do on the Big island!

Best experience in Hawaii

Alicia_S, Sep 2023

Loved this activity! There were 9 different mantas swimming so close to us that their bellies would brush our bodies! Amazing! Hunter was in the water with us and was full of information and good humor. The trip out was only a couple of minutes which was fantastic. Tips- leave all your stuff including your phone locked in your car. You can leave your towels with the company van. They tell you that you can leave your phone in the provided tubs but they can’t guarantee that another guest won’t steal your stuff. You can bring your shoes on the boat. I suggest using their wetsuit because even though the water was warm, after 20 minutes I was shaking (and I had a wetsuit). The only problem with not bringing your phone is that you can’t tip the crew using Venmo.

Highly recommend the amazing activity.

Chaochin_W, Sep 2023

So many and so close there are manta rays to watch. The crew members were all very great and helpful. We preferred a small group to enjoy the activity and it took only 3-minute to the spot. It was amazing and it definitely worth it. It is an unforgettable experience.

Best thing to do in Hawaii

Maideane_A, Sep 2023

The proximity to the manta rays. Mai was very informative and we enjoyed having her in the water. Hunter and mate were very friendly and helpful. We felt 14 people is too many for the board. Rory at the check in was very nice but seemed a little unorganized. Wetsuits were not marked with correct sizes. Could also use some signage to find the crew

Wow, just wow! We loved every minute of our experience!

Carol_K, Sep 2023

We had such an amazing time on our excursion. We saw so many manta rays and several swam right up next to and underneath us actually bumping into us. They are incredibly graceful swimmers and love to be right where the people are. It was like they were putting on a show. The amount of time out there was less than I expected but was just right.

Great experience

Maxwell_i, Sep 2023

We saw tons of manta rays, and the guides and staff were super knowledgeable and made sure everyone had a great time.

Amazing

LAVERNE_K, Sep 2023

We saw so many Manta rays The crew were great with lots of information. We would definitely do it again and recommend it to other's.

A must do in Kona at night!

Gerardine_V, Sep 2023

Rain did not stop us or the manta rays from meeting. They looked scary at first because of the size of their body and mouths but they are harmless. The tour group was amazing - they gave us succinct instructions and educated us on how to be safe and how to keep the manta rays safe too. Eric who was the lead guide in the water made sure we had a memorable and safe experience. There might not be enough noodles for everyone so make sure you know how to stay afloat without one. Get used to wearing your snorkel goggles before you go in the water because there’s nothing worse than removing and adjusting it while in the water.

Amazing experience!!!

Steven_L, Sep 2023

This was an awesome experience. Just a short 3 minute boat ride and then we jumped in the water to see the amazing Manta Rays. The crew was very professional, knowledgeable and made sure all were safe and comfortable from the time we left to the time we returned. They were a great group and we all had an amazing time.

Best Hawai’i Experience!!

Hayden_P, Sep 2023

This was an awesome experience!! We were able to see 6 Mantas (which is rare according to staff)! Staff was knowledgeable, and friendly. Having only a 3 minute boat ride to and from the light board also made it feel like we had more time in the water. Definitely recommending to our friends back home!

Amazing rays!

Gary_H, Sep 2023

You meet along the street by the parking lot of the boat ramp. So was confusing when we showed up cause didn’t know where to go. Meeting time was 620 but was late . Met ar 640. They sent text alerting of that but only 30 minutes before time so did not know before we left hotel . But when they did show up everything was excellent, check in. Loading boat and snorkel was amazing! Saw about 7 rays with barrel rolls directly under us!

Awesome experience. Saw...

Kris_L, Sep 2023

Awesome experience. Saw lots of Rays!!! Super organized check in process. I would highly recommend even with little snorkeling experience!

Wondrous experience

Suzanne_M, Sep 2023

I loved all of it! The mantas came to me & touched me, it was so cool. I also enjoyed seeing the younger small ones deeper under north us, but they kept their distance.

A must do!

Jeremy_R, Sep 2023

Absolutely amazing experience to swim with the manta rays. If you only have time for 1 excursion, this is it!

Short boat ride for big swim experience.

Krystal_K, Sep 2023

Swimming in the ocean at night with manta rays was magical. If you get sea sickness this is probably the tour for because the boat ride was only three minutes. If you’re unsure of swimming or night swimming I would suggest the life preserver. The team watches you and re-directs for safety. I cannot recommend enough.

Epic Experience!!!

Justin_V, Sep 2023

We had an amazing time swimming with the Manta Ray in Kona. They are incredible beings and they get right up next to you. The staff were all very nice and professional. Chris, who was in the water with us was great. He was very knowledgeable and made sure we were in the action. There were at least 14 Manta Ray underneath us. Definitely a MUST do experience. And this company was the best price we found.

See the mantas!

catie_s, Sep 2023

The staff was very friendly and helpful. Good instructions and communication prior to event time. We were able to see up to 6-7 manta rays at a time!

Life changing Experience

Diana_D, Sep 2023

This was an awesome activity! We saw between 10-11 mantas and they were definitely up close. So many different sizes but all so majestic. Would absolutely recommend this activity! I actually booked a 6:20pm slot and moved it back to 8pm because I heard the later you go the more you will see. Would agree with that.

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