Manta Ray Night Snorkel Experience of a Lifetime

This Manta Ray Night Snorkel Experience on the Big Island of Hawaii offers a captivating chance to swim alongside majestic manta rays under the stars. For $89.64 per person, you get approximately 2 hours of unforgettable underwater encounters, departing from Honokohau Harbor. The tour is highly recommended, with 436 reviews and a perfect 5.0 rating, and is especially popular among those eager for a guided, safe, and intimate wildlife experience.

The tour features all snorkel equipment and wetsuits provided, along with USCG licensed captains and American Red Cross Certified guides. Designed as a small-group experience, it promises personalized attention, with a maximum of 18 travelers onboard. This tour suits anyone with basic swimming skills and previous snorkeling experience, making it accessible for those who enjoy marine adventures but are comfortable in open water.

Key Points

• Night snorkeling with manta rays in Big Island’s popular Manta Heaven site.
• All equipment and wetsuits included for convenience and comfort.
• Guides and captains are USCG licensed and Red Cross Certified to ensure safety.
• Depart from Honokohau Harbor, with a 15-20 minute boat ride to the manta feeding sites.
• Flexible rescheduling policy if manta rays are not seen, including free re-tries for full-price ticket holders.
• Small group size (up to 18), with an emphasis on personalized and safe encounters.

Starting Point at Honokohau Harbor for Easy Access

This tour departs from Honokohau Harbor, a well-known launch site for water activities on the Big Island. The meeting point is Snorkel Big Island, located at 74-380 Kealakehe Pkwy, Kailua-Kona. Check-in is advised 15 to 40 minutes prior to the scheduled start, ensuring you have time to prepare and listen to safety instructions.

The boat ride to the manta rays takes about 15-20 minutes, giving you a scenic prelude to the main event. This proximity means less time in transit and more time enjoying the underwater sights. The meeting point is near public transportation, making it convenient for most travelers.

Small Group Size Enhances the Experience

With a maximum of 18 participants, this experience feels intimate and personal. The smaller crew size allows guides to better assist each guest, especially during equipment setup or if assistance is needed climbing aboard. This setup also enhances the chance of close encounters, with reviews highlighting how mantas come right up to snorkelers.

Spectacular Manta Ray Encounters at Manta Heaven

The core highlight is swimming alongside large, graceful manta rays at Manta Heaven, one of the northern manta sites. The tour recommends confirming check-in details directly, but once on board, the guides position everyone to maximize viewing opportunities.

The lighting used on the boat attracts plankton, serving as food for the mantas and illuminating the water with an otherworldly glow. Guests hang onto a custom-made light board to stay in the best feeding zones, while guides assist in finding the most captivating positions. It is common to see multiple mantas during a single trip, some coming as close as inches away.

What Makes the Manta Encounters Unique?

The large, acrobatic manta rays are gentle giants that perform feeding behaviors right beneath snorkelers. They often turn and circle back to feed again, providing multiple opportunities for close-up views. These rays are wild animals, so their presence can’t be guaranteed every night, but the tour’s success rate is high.

Guests describe the experience as magical and awe-inspiring, with many mantas seen in a single night. The guides’ expertise helps create a safe environment where even less confident swimmers can enjoy the sights.

Nighttime Boat Ride and Star Gazing

The boat ride to the feeding site offers more than just transportation — it becomes part of the adventure. During the return trip, guests can look up to see the stars and city lights, adding a peaceful, scenic dimension to the evening.

The nighttime atmosphere heightens the sense of wonder, as the water glows from the plankton attracted by the boat’s lights. This lighting plays a crucial role in drawing the mantas near the boat, making the night snorkel an otherworldly experience.

Preparing for the Night Snorkel

Guests are provided with wetsuits and shorty wetsuits to stay warm in the cool night water. The water tends to be chilly, but the wetsuits, combined with the dry suits, help keep everyone comfortable. Basic swimming skills and previous snorkeling experience are required, along with the ability to independently climb a boat ladder.

Safety Measures and Professional Guidance

Safety is a core focus, with USCG licensed captains and Red Cross Certified guides leading each tour. They pull out all stops to ensure guest safety and optimize viewing. If anyone in the group prefers, life jackets are available upon request, and the crew instructs everyone on proper swimming and safety protocols.

Touching the mantas is strictly not allowed to protect the animals, and guides reinforce this rule throughout the trip. This oversight helps keep the encounter respectful and safe for both humans and wildlife.

Handling Challenging Situations

A few reviews mention rough boat rides or motion sickness, so it’s wise to consider bringing motion sickness tablets if prone. The crew handles any unruly behavior professionally, maintaining a calm, controlled environment for everyone.

When and How to Reschedule if Mantas Are Not Seen

Since wild manta rays are unpredictable, the tour has a policy to handle situations when rays are not seen. Guests who purchase full-price tickets can return for free on another night, depending on availability. Those who bought tickets through third parties or discounted rates may be charged an additional $60 for a repeat trip.

Cancellation is free if made more than 24 hours in advance, but no refunds are available if canceled within 24 hours of the scheduled trip.

Comparing This Tour to Other Big Island Water Experiences

The Honokohau Manta Ray Night Snorkel stands out for its small group size and expert guides. Unlike tours that might depart from more distant locations, this tour’s close proximity to Kailua-Kona makes it a convenient option. The lighting system and site selection are designed to maximize manta sightings.

While some reviews mention choppy boat rides, the overall feedback highlights the quality of encounters and professionalism of the crew. The experience is well-suited for snorkelers with prior experience, and the night setting adds an element of adventure.

Final Thoughts on the Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tour

This Big Island tour offers an authentic, close-up look at majestic manta rays in their natural habitat. The $89.64 price covers equipment, wetsuits, and guided supervision, delivering excellent value for such a unique wildlife experience. The small group size and professional guides help create a safe, personalized environment.

While the chance of not seeing mantas exists — a common occurrence with wild animals — the rebooking policy provides peace of mind. This tour is ideal for adventurous snorkelers who want an intimate, safe, and memorable encounter with Hawaii’s iconic marine life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tour suitable for children?
Yes, but children must have basic swimming skills and be able to climb a boat ladder independently.

What should I bring?
Guests are provided with wetsuits and snorkel equipment, but bringing a windbreaker is recommended, especially since it can get cold after the swim.

How many mantas are typically seen?
Guests often see multiple mantas, sometimes eight or more in a single night, depending on the conditions.

What if I don’t see any mantas?
Tickets purchased at full price allow free re-tries on different nights. Discounted or third-party tickets may incur additional costs.

How long is the boat ride?
The ride to and from the site lasts about 15-20 minutes each way.

Is this experience physically demanding?
It requires basic swimming skills and the ability to independently climb a ladder. It is not recommended for travelers with mobility restrictions.

Can I cancel my booking?
Yes, full refund is available if canceled more than 24 hours before the trip. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.

What is the minimum group size?
The tour operates with a minimum of 2 travelers and a maximum of 18.

Are guides bilingual or only English-speaking?
Guests must be able to converse in English to understand safety briefings and instructions.

Is the tour family-friendly?
Yes, especially for families with experienced snorkelers, but children should be comfortable in open water and capable of handling the equipment.

What makes this tour different from other Hawaii manta tours?
Its small group size, experienced guides, and lighting system that attracts mantas close to the boat set it apart.

Can I bring my own snorkel mask?
Prescription masks are not included, but guests are welcome to bring their own if desired.