Big Island of Hawaii

Keauhou Manta Ray Night Snorkel

Badge of ExcellenceBig Island of Hawaii, USA

From $89.00

Select Date and Travelers

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

1 hour 20 minutes
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

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, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
The TIME you book is CHECK IN TIME arrive at wetsuit van. Address is 78-7138 Kaleiopapa Street. Look for "Hawaii Island Ocean Tours & Kona Snorkel Tours" White Van by the Outrigger Hotel entrance. 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

Embark on a guided snorkeling trip in Kailua-Kona, starting with an easy meetup to collect your wetsuit and snorkeling gear. Limited to 13 guests, this adventure promises an intimate marine life experience and great access to your guide.

Set off after dark, the ideal time for witnessing manta rays in their natural feeding ritual. A quick, 3-minute boat ride takes you directly to a frequented manta ray spot, ensuring more time spent in the water, and less time traveling. The small boat enhances your experience, allowing close proximity without disrupting the rays.

In the water, enjoy up to 40 minutes floating alongside your guide to look out for manta rays in their natural habitat, using a light board to attract plankton, and consequently, manta rays. Then finish back on the mainland, right where you started, so you can continue your onward adventures.

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

Beth_B

Despite some choppy waves our crew did an awesome job. Jordan, Hunter and Danny were great! They were very knowledgeable about the Manta Rays and super helpful. Made the experience smooth and enjoyable. Would highly recommend this experience with this group. Even Shay at the beginning was so nice and helpful. All around a great experience!

Reviews

5.0

1,739 reviews

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

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 1,739 reviews

You should totally do this tour! Just plan on a Target store not Nordstrom experience.

Teressa_D, May 2024

Had a really great experience on this excursion. If I could give 4 1/2 stars I would do that but the experience was not a 5 star one, if I’m being honest. Here are the pros and cons as we saw it! Pros: we were in the water with two BEAUTIFUL manta rays feeding six inches from our masks! This tour was one of four or five that were floating and observing in the cove so everyone had a chance to see them but our group accomplished what they promised-a personal encounter with manta rays. The small group size of this tour was really great. Less “herd mentality.” Nice guides, friendly staff. Cons: This tour was an “Out of the back of the van” type of tour. The other tours were also much the same but this van was not as professional looking as the rest. Lack of signage made it difficult to distinguish this tour from the others. We were directed to the correct tour after speaking with other tours. Wet suits were quite old and brittle. No place to change-one poor female member of our group had to undress from street clothes into her wetsuit in the trees in front of the tour van. Tour description might do well to include this important bit of information that changing accommodations are not offered. We also left all of our personal belongings in a large Rubbermaid container that was not secured but left with the other containers by the van. I took our ids and credit card with us in a zip pocket in my suit but had to leave a significant amount of cash (meant for tipping) in the bin along with our valuable phones as there was absolutely no place to keep them with you in the dinghy. The captain was clear that he could not be held responsible for anything left on the dinghy as his main responsibility was keeping us all safe in the water, which I appreciated. The bins definitely felt less than secure but, to be fair, nothing was taken and all our belongings were in the exact same place we left them when we returned. It was just a touch unsettling. Once on board the dinghy, instructions were clear but being one of the smallest groups, we were one of the last to get in the water so we might have missed the opportunity for more manta ray interaction, although I can’t say for sure. The portion of the tour spent in the water was also very short-we were in the water for 20-25 minutes with the actual interaction with the rays lasting for 5-7 minutes of that. Actual animal interaction can’t be guaranteed-I get that but the time with the rays is not reflective of the tour time. As far as the snorkel upgrade, I’m not sure what we would have done without the snorkel equipment so the purpose of the extra cost for upgrade was unclear. All in all we had a memorable experience-one we’ll remember for a long time. It just left us with a somewhat less than polished overall impression. Hence the reason for 4 stars. (4 1/2 stars if I could leave that)

Do it.

Gabriel_M, May 2024

This was an amazing experience! We are well-traveled scuba divers and this was one of our most memorable ocean adventures, no tanks needed! The staff were all very friendly and efficient and the giant mantas were abundant and so so close! Absolutely worth it!

Terrible

PhillipL_P, May 2024

No one from your stupid company emailed me that I was rebooted to a later time which was unacceptable. I told the person checking us in that I wanted a full refund and was told I would get it!!!!!@

Great Experience

Andrew_F, May 2024

Great experience for a quick viewing of the Manta Rays. The only down side is that it seemed so short. By the time we saw 2-3 Manta Rays, we were already being called back to the boat. I wish it was longer. I would definitely do this again in the future.

Surreal Experience

Brady_D, May 2024

This was an amazing experience and I highly recommend anyone going to this part of Hawaii to do this if they are able. I am not the biggest fan of the ocean but this experience was surreal and worth every penny!

great tour :)

leah_d, May 2024

It was really great tour seeing the beautiful animals the crew were amazing my group did not arrive so had to wait extra 40 mins till next one but it was worth it! Thank you team :)

Top 3 experiences in Kona!

Cheri_L, Apr 2024

From the entire crew when we checked in, to the experience in the water was amazing! Definitely a great experience! With a manta inches from my face and their fin sliding across my body was such a cool experience!

Such an amazing...

Madison_W, Apr 2024

Such an amazing experience seeing them so close!! I’ve always loved mantas and this was incredible!!

Memorable and cool experience

Brett_P, Apr 2024

Really cool and memorable experience, my wife was very nervous but got in the water and loved it, the guys were brilliant, and the manta rays swam all around us and one barrel - rolled right in front of us. Wonderful experience, highly recommend the tour and the tour guides.

Do this!

Robin_C, Apr 2024

Most incredible tour we did on the Big Island! No words exist to describe how special it was to see these creatures UP CLOSE and personal! Could have stayed out there forever! If there is one thing you do, do this.

Scott, Chase, and Ole...

Sandy_B, Apr 2024

Scott, Chase, and Ole were with us giving instructions and an interesting history of the Manta’, and it was evident they had any years of experience doing this tour. This was my seventh trip to Hawaii and I have been blessed to see and do many things but this Manta Ray Snorkel Tour was the best by far. It was priceless and hopefully I intend to do this again in 2025. If you are planning to do a night snorkel they are top notch. ❤️

Amazing experience

Kaine_M, Apr 2024

Great group of tour guides with a sense of humor! Always great to find a local family owned business to support that does a great job!

Awesome Crew!

Ramon_Q, Apr 2024

The crew was awesome! Very friendly and knowledgeable. They were also advocates of preserving nature. Thank you!

Amazing experience!

Lisa_M, Apr 2024

Amazing experience - we saw 6 Mantas, very close to our spot in the water. Our guides were excellent - shared lots of information about the Mantra rays, were very safety oriented and overall provided a great experience.

Great experience

Daniel_M, Apr 2024

Staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and funny while still being big on safety. I could tell they actually cared a lot about the manta rays which was cool. We saw a ton of manta rays and they were great about tracking where the manta rays were and moving us to there.

Amazing experience, great service.

TimMichele_K, Apr 2024

Book it early in your trip so if you can do it twice if you'll have time. This is an incredible experience and the 40 minutes goes by lighting fast. Great service, efficient and short boat ride to see magnificent creatures. Bring water to Prince your face and have a drink after the excursion. We couldn't find facilities near for wash up but it didn't matter. Great captain, very experienced and efficient, informative guide in the water. Would use this outfit again due to lower numbers of people on the float. Excellent customer service since we couldn't make it one night, they rebooked us for the next!

Amazing and Fun

Myra_A, Apr 2024

It was an amazing experience. It was soo cool to swim with the manta. I saw 5 of them that I was bumped 3x by them😃😳😳The crew~Hunter, Jordan and Shay were knowledgeable, and friendly.

Great crew. Saw 3-4 Mantas.

Hardik_S, Apr 2024

Once in a lifetime experience swimming with these gentle giants. Highly recommended. Friendly & informative crew.

Amazing Experience!!

Anthony_S, Apr 2024

This was an amazing experience from start to finish! Check in was simple as all the instructions were very clear. The crew were fun and informative!! Most importantly the RAYS were stunning - so graceful in the water! If you get the opportunity to take this tour with this operator DO IT! So worth it!!

Amazing experience

Michelle_B, Apr 2024

Wow!! The most amazing experience ❤️ Hunter, Shay and Jordan were the best guides ever! They made this excursion very relaxing and fun! Would highly recommend!! We saw about 6 Manta Ray's. They were in our face. Worth every penny!!!

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