Big Island of Hawaii

Manta Ray Snorkeling by Night in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Badge of ExcellenceBig Island of Hawaii, USA
Manta ray snorkel
  • 1 hour (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Enjoy the rare opportunity to see wild manta rays in their natural environment along Hawaii's Kona Coast. With this small-group cruise, set sail at night when the manta rays are most active and use a lighted floatation device to attract plankton—the rays' food of choice. With an experienced guide to ensure a safe experience for all parties, head into the water to float and snorkel as you admire the rays in action.
  • Purpose-built lightboards to increase manta ray sightings
  • Guided snorkeling experience with all equipment included
  • Ride on a historically accurate Hawaiian sailing canoe

What's Included

  • Wetsuit top (for warmth)
  • Floatation devices
  • Use of snorkel equipment (Normal & Rx)
  • Coffee and/or Tea
  • Snacks
  • Towels
  • Private transportation
  • Crew gratuity
  • Motion sickness medication

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • 78-7130 Kaleiopapa St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA

    Navigate to the above address in Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze. Park along Kaleiopapa St. and walk downhill along the road until you come to a small parking lot and a finger pier. Look for a black & yellow Hawaiian canoe on the pier and check in with one of our crew members!

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Your evening journey starts when you meet up with your small group and guides in Kailua-Kona. Besides your basic swmming skills, everything else you need is provided. Put on your snorkeling gear and wetsuit top, then enter the water.

Dive into the water along the Kona Coast and have the chance to view wild manta rays in their natural habitat. This small-group cruise takes you snorkeling under the moonlit sky, when the manta rays are at their most active. Using an illuminated floatation device, attract the manta rays' favorite delicacy—plankton—and watch as these creatures glide gracefully through the water.

Return back to the mainland after your intimate journey snorkeling with the manta rays.

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
  • Guests must be able to swim and climb a short ladder unassisted
  • Please remember that these manta rays are completely wild animals. They are not fed or trained. Eka Canoe Adventures cannot guarantee their presence. Even if the manta rays take a night off, our operating costs do not. Because of this, we are unable to offer refunds for tours where manta rays were not seen; only another chance to snorkel with them. This is true for any manta ray snorkel provider in Kona. We greatly appreciate your understanding!
  • In the unlikely event that we do not spot a manta ray on your tour, our Manta Ray Guarantee will ensure you have another opportunity to come back for another attempt on a different evening or on a future visit to Kona, Hawai’i (pending available seats)
  • Minimum age allowed onboard is 5 years old
  • We only collect height and weight during booking to calculate the size of your wetsuit top. There's no way to simply ask for your shirt size here
  • Please opt-in to receive text message updates (during booking) regarding this experience. The reminder text message will be sent day-of and include instructions and pictures to help you find parking and the check-in location. We promise not to spam you
  • Not recommended for those who have recently undergone surgery
  • Not recommended for those who may have mobility/physical restrictions
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 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

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Featured review
Kaela_H
Absolutely incredible. Manta rays came right up by our faces. They were HUGE!! Still felt confident that it was totally safe, their tails don’t have barbs or stingers. The crew was also super friendly and seemed experienced. If you have long hair, make sure to tie it back so it doesn’t float in front of you and block your view! Wouldn’t recommend to a friend that gets seasick easily. You’re just bobbing along the water.

Reviews

5.0
541 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 541 reviews
10/10 highly recommend
Taylor_Z, May 2024
Our guides were amazing I forget the lovely woman’s name that was in the water with us but she was so helpful and understanding with my two companions who were struggling and needed help. We went at 8:15pm on May 11th so whoever was working that trip are All Stars Very clear instructions from both guides which made for an easy and fun experience! What an amazing experience!
Everyone I spoke with...
Terry_P, May 2024
Everyone I spoke with about our scheduled trip said it would be awesome. They were right, it was awesome. The crew was very thorough in regards to the safety of loading and unloading. And they checked on us throughout our time in the water.
Outstanding Night!
amykcv, Apr 2024
We had a fantastic sunset experience with Kama & Chris. It was very safe, well organized, and fun. We saw so many Manta Rays that we quit videoing and just enjoyed them!
Gentle giants of the bay
Chris_C, Apr 2024
We swam with the Manta rays and this was something I simply will never forget for the rest of my life. The beauty and tranquility of those creatures was something ineffable and their size was awesome. The water was a little chilly but I quickly climatized and forgot all about it as the smooth and majestic sea giants performed an evening of liquid gymnastics with us as they feasted on zoo and photo plankton. It was absolutely an experience of a lifetime.
We had an amazing time on...
Beth_F, Apr 2024
We had an amazing time on the night manta snorkel! The crew was awesome. We literally couldn’t have asked for anything better.
Would recommend
Garmen_W, Apr 2024
Crew was great! Manta rays were visible. Would definitely do this again but not with my young child.
Incredible!
Ronald_P, Mar 2024
The crew was friendly and helpful. Clearly explained procedures and explanations. The mantas were amazing! They swim inches from your face! A truly memorable experience!
It is worth it to go
Steffany_R, Mar 2024
The mantas were amazing and we had plenty to see. I didn’t know we would be in the water hooking up with other charters and groups, but it did not distract from us seeing them. The crew was super nice and informative teaching about the mantas. I am not sure if I would do the same thing again but if we took the kids we would for sure go
Bucket list experience!
Daniel_L, Feb 2024
Short boat ride out . Dropped into the water . Rays were gliding past us within minutes. Trip was over too soon .
Awesome!! So many many rays.
Katie_G, Feb 2024
We snorkeled at night with Eka Canoe Adventures, this is the second time we have done this and this company was by far the best! A short 3 minute boat ride, and so many rays I couldn’t believe it. 14 feet across and they never left our side. It was magnificent. Our guide got us right to them and was phenomenal!
Mantastic and Arayzing Experience
JohnMa, Feb 2024
Definitely a must-do activity while you're on vacation on the Big Island! The mantas are majestic creatures, and being able to see them up close in this environment was incredible. Having done hundreds of tours/excursions/experiences, snorkeling at night with manta rays was truly an unforgettable standout.
Loved the small group and quick ride
Angela_F, Jan 2024
This was a great tour. We saw many mantas and one huge one kept swimming right by us. Loved that it was a small group and a 1 hour tour. We came to see the mantas, not spend all our time boating to get to them. The crew was very helpful and efficient. Highly recommend!
Over the top Manta Ray experience
Jaimie_E, Dec 2023
We had such a memorable experience! Captain Chris and his crew were fun, knowledgeable and safe! The 12 person authentic Hawaiian boat was one of the neatest experiences and just made the adventure that much more memorable! I would, without a doubt, go here again!!
Manta rays!!
JOHN_C, Dec 2023
Didn’t know what to expect. This was the best part of our trip to Hawaii! So amazing and the rays swam right next to our faces! What an experience. The captain was super informative and kalali (sorry about the spelling) was awesome with us in the water. There was a little boy scared and she stayed by him and talked him through the whole time. Would recommend this tour to everyone looking to do something amazing and unique! Thank you so much!
It was amazing. You...
Heath_L, Dec 2023
It was amazing. You definitely want to do this. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable. We saw plenty of manta rays. This is our second time going on this excursion and will do this every time I come to Hawaii
Do it
Dana_B, Nov 2023
Perfect amount of time. Very cool boat. Enormous rays. Strong recommendation!! Very cool to see fish and plankton at night.
A Lifetime Experience
Denise_M, Nov 2023
Seeing the manta rays so close was a moving, spiritual experience. There’s nothing quite like it. Our captain, Chayden & his crew were phenomenal!
Party of 2
Brenda_D, Nov 2023
Words can’t convey how amazing this trip was last night. We were the only ones for a 7pm excursion & WOW. Captain & his crew were fun, great tour guides in & out of the water. The Mantas on a magnificent underwater ballet. We even had a “brush” which brings us 7 years of luck ;) We can’t wait to share with our friends.
Amazing Snorkeling Experience
Stephen_H, Aug 2023
We had an amazing snorkeling trip with Captain Chris and Astrid. They were both friendly and helpful. We were lucky enough to see Manta Rays almost the entire time while we were in the water. Astrid was very knowledgeable about the Manta Rays and used her experience to keep moving us to the right spot to see them. Riding on the canoe and having excellent tour operators is what sets this company apart.
Adorable experience.🤘
Dario_A, Aug 2023
The canoe was a great experience with our family. We highly recommend doing this activity. It was amazing being so close to the manta rays:
...
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From $127.10

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

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