Big Island of Hawaii

Manta Ray Night Snorkel at Kona, Big Island

Name: Manta Ray Night Snorkel at Kona, Big Island
Brand: Dolphin Discoveries
SKU: 89864P5
Price: 96.56 USD
Rating: 4.5 (759 reviews)

Badge of ExcellenceBig Island of Hawaii, USA

2 hours
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Overview

After dark is an excellent time to see manta rays in the waters around the Island of Hawaii. Make the most of your opportunity by joining this small-group boat tour. Enjoy watching the manta rays feeding at night and snorkeling close to them.

Cruise and see manta rays feed after dark
Small-group tour (maximum 28): Ensures a more personal experience
Learn about manta rays from your guides

What's Included

Short Sleeve Wetsuit tops
Use of Snorkeling equipment

Your "in water" guides work very hard. Gratuity is always appreciated.
Please bring a towel for after snorkeling

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

78-6831 Ali‘i Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
To Check in: Keauhou Shopping Center, 78-6831 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i 96740, Space F-146. Located in courtyard behind Tropics, KTA & Bianelli's. From there, you will drive to Keauhou Bay where the crew will greet you for the tour.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Not wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Near public transportation
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Minors must be accompanied by an adult at all times
Minimum age to participate is 6 years
A maximum of 28 people per booking
Electronic Waiver required to be signed prior to tour

Must be able to climb up a metal ladder resting on a pontoon to get back in the boat
Must be under 285lbs
All participating guests must know how to swim and tread water
Arrive 5-10 min prior to check-in time to find parking
This is a wild and free excursion. No refunds are given in the event we do not get to view mantas the night of your tour.
If you are unable to swim and would like to remain on the boat, we welcome you. "Ride alongs" are a paid ticket as it is a reserved seat on the boat.
We have full discretion to refuse service to guests based on attire, behavior, physical fitness & condition
Please arrive no later than your scheduled check in time, as we have important information to review prior to leaving the dock, as well as outfit all guests with the equipment needed for the tour.
Restroom facilities not available on boat
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 28 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

Arianna_D

This experience was AMAZING! We are extremely satisfied. We were a bit scared at the beginning but the swim is super short, the guides are super available and helpful and the mantas were just impressive!

Reviews

4.5

759 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 759 reviews

Dolphin discoveries

David_S, Apr 2024

This was great !!! So worth the time and money! Guides were very nice and made you extra comfortable.

Vacation highlight

Stephanie_k, Apr 2024

This was the highlight of my entire vacation. The mantas get SO CLOSE and there were tons!!! Crew was professional, efficient, friendly. Thanks for a great trip!

Boat was new and plenty...

michael_s, Apr 2024

Boat was new and plenty of staff to ensure safety. Quality gear. Liked not having to go far out (10 minutes) to get to site. Very rough waves made it somewhat difficult to enjoy fully, especially for those family that had small kids. Saw only 2 fairly good size rays which came up and touch us several times.

The best Kona excursion!

Nicole_L, Apr 2024

This was one of two excursions we did with Dolphin Discoveries and they were SO amazing. Shelly (Shelley?) the captain is the absolute best and the Manta Rays were amazing. This is an absolute must-do experience. Go with this crew - it’s not over crowded, they care about the environment and were SO fun!

Surreal Experience

Erika_R, Apr 2024

Our guides Julie, Robert, and Shelly, were incredibly kind and patient. They provided an experience like no other! Being the water the manta rays is a surreal experience that everyone must try when in Kona.

The cherry on top of an already amazing trip!

Stacey_B, Apr 2024

My brother, his wife, and four of their children went with me to do the night snorkel with the manga rays and of all the incredible things we have done on this island this was by far the best! Pam and the rest of the crew were so kind and knowledgeable and made us all feel safe and ready for the adventure. Within seconds of us all being in the water the mantra rays arrived and put on a show for us the whole time we were in the water! We got so lucky to see so many! I could have stayed out there for hours! I thought going at the 6pm reservation time would be too early but it ended up perfect because it is mid April so as we drove out as the sun was setting and we had the most beautiful views! Cannot recommend this experience through this company enough! This is a must do!

Unbelievable

Amy_H, Apr 2024

Amazing!!!!! Such great guides and amazing sites!! We saw 10 different manta!! Shady Brent did us great!

No other choice choose Dolphin Discoveries.

Kevin_M, Apr 2024

The team at Dolphin Discoveries made this experience unforgettable. Not only were they able to answer every question and put everybody at ease but they provided a guided experience that has exceeded many adventures. They were a seamless unit in lock step with every move. The experience with the manta rays was amazing. To be up close and personal enough to sense the power the animals have was amazing. They swim with grace and are so peaceful. One in our party was extremely nervous but within 10 minutes was enjoying every aspect of the experience. If you have a choice I’d recommend Dolphin Discoveries as your guides.

10000/10

Rachel_B, Apr 2024

An unbelievable experience. Regardless of the rays, the crew was incredible and very well trained. They ensured our safety at all times, took people back to the boat when requested, and got us as close as we could to the rays. Highlight of our trip was this experience. It became very rocky on the water at the end, but the crew was very professional guiding us through the entire tour.

Wonderful to see this protected species

Karen_S, Mar 2024

Wonderful night with at least 5 different mantas. Pam was great and provided a lot of knowledge and information.

This is an amazing experience.

Heather_K, Mar 2024

This was an amazing experience. We have pet sting rays in Mexico and at the aquarium, but this was the highlight of our trip. It should be more clear that check in and launch are not at the same location. You can not walk from the check in where you get your suit to the launch you'll need 2 Ubers or a car. Parking is very limited, go early. Do not let any of that stop you this is an amazing experience.

Highly recommended

CheJung_L, Mar 2024

Did you visit the Big Island? Manta rays are a must. The sunset from the boat and the manta rays that came in front of my eyes was an unforgettable experience for the rest of my life.

Breathe taking experience

Jason_R, Mar 2024

It was great we went to check in and the place was a little hard to find but we found it and then once we got there we were put on a boat of 30 something people which was enough space and then we got in the water which wasn’t as cold as I though and right as we got in we saw mantas swimming around and we probably saw 8 to 9 it was awesome and the crew was so helpful. Would definitely do this again

AMAZING

Arianna_D, Mar 2024

The crew was so friendly...

Teresa_G, Mar 2024

The crew was so friendly and knowledgeable. My kids had a great time. I would recommend doing this while you’re in Hawaii.

Would not do it again

Heinz_K, Mar 2024

Guides were terrific, but the experience was underwhelming. Brief glimpses of manta rays in blue light. Got sea sick from the rough waves. Definitely would not do again.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Aloha Heinz, Sorry you didn't enjoy your manta ray snorkel adventure. Manta Rays are wild animals the amount of interaction you receive with the rays is completely up to the manta rays. Every individual reacts to seasickness differently. We are disappointed that you rated us so low on events that are not within our control. Safe travels.

Worth it.

family4, Mar 2024

Be prepared to wait for the build-up of plankton before the rays arrive. And it gets really cold in water, even with the provide wetsuit tops, but you warm up afterwards. It is so worth it.

Rough and scary. Manta rays were cool. But the water was so rough.

Sara_P, Feb 2024

The water was so rough. It was pretty scary. The wind was blowing so hard. Not a wonderful experience overall.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Aloha Sara, Mahalo for joining us on our manta ray snorkel adventure. We understand that everyone has different tolerance for water activities. We never place our guests in an unsafe environment. We are sorry that you didn't have a wonderful experience. We will look at ways to manage our guest's expectations. Safe travels.

Just do it!

Pamela_H, Feb 2024

After having our experience cancelled twice with another provider, I quickly booked this one the night before. I was extremely nervous since they had availability and others were already sold out. I shouldn’t have worried because it was an amazing experience. The boat took us around the corner where other boats already had people in the water. We had a one guide for every six participants. (There were only 12 on the boat). The manta rays were awesome. I would recommend everyone do it. The company even provided prescription goggles for my husband who forgot to bring contacts.

Chilli

Jan_H, Feb 2024

The most cool experienece we had on Big Island,, absolutely. No more to say 🤙Great staff on the boat

...

Special Offer