Witness the surreal underwater ballet of the Manta Rays at night. Watch these magnificent creatures as they fly, float and feed under the lights so close you can actually reach out and touch them!
Details
Come join us for an up close encounter with the world famous Kona Manta Rays. The beautiful Kona Coast is home to more than 125 resident Manta Rays. With distinctive black and white markings, each Manta Ray is named and easily identified nightly. After a scenic sunset boat ride to the Manta location, our friendly staff instructs you about your Manta Ray encounter. Underwater lights set the stage as these gentle giants glide gracefully through the beams feeding on a buffet of plankton. A water depth of 25 ft. allows both snorkelers and certified scuba divers to safely view the action and maybe meet a Manta face-to-face. Up to 16 ft. from wing tip to wing tip, Manta Rays have nothing that bite or sting, making this the safest large animal encounter in the world. "Vinny," "Blaine," "Sugar Ray," "Big Bertha" and their manta friends are looking forward to putting on a show for you, so be sure to come see these amazing creatures up close!
Inclusions
- 3-hour Manta Ray Adventure
- Wet suits, dive light, and snorkel gear
- No age restrictions
- No experience necessary
- Fun for the whole family
- Ride-a-longs welcome
- Top quality wetsuits, dive lights, snorkel, flotation devices included
- Top quality dive gear available for rental (BCD / regulator / wetsuit)
- Snacks and drinks included
- 95% chance of seeing the manta rays on any given day
- Friendly and professional staff
- Adventure time - 3 hours (departure times vary by season)
- Bring towel, jacket or cover-up, underwater flash camera
Available
Daily
Departure time and location
6 PM; from Honokau Harbor
Return time and location
9 PM; to Honokau Harbor
Note
While this tour cannot guarantee Manta Rays will appear, the animals are estimated to appear roughly 90% of the time. On nights when Manta Rays do not show up, this activity becomes a night-dive and snorkel activity.
Location
Honokohau Harbor, Kailua-Kona, HI
Meet on the North side of Honokohau Harbor Marina next to the boat ramp with swim suit, towel and waterproof camera!
19.669818 -156.023427Terms & Conditions
This Activity can be changed or cancelled without penalty at any time prior to 48 hours before the scheduled start of this Activity. Otherwise the product is 100% non-refundable and non-transferable.
All customers/participants are required to sign liability waivers before participating in this activity.
Within 20 minutes of being in the water we were surrounded by five manta rays...
Reviewer name: Jake Vancil
Region: Big Island
Created on: 2011-09-09
I am fortunate to have been able to experience the evening manta dive in the beginning of August. I had some friends that were visiting from the mainland who's bucket list included swimming with the manta rays at night. I went ahead and set the excursion up with because I have recieved so much positive feedback from our guests.
The evening started with us heading out to Honokohau Harbor, checking in, boarding the vessel, and meeting the friendly crew. Their boat was very spacious with plenty of seating. After a 25-minute ride up the Kona Coast we arrived at Keahole Bay. The first order of business was going over the game plan for the night’s dive. We were briefed about the manta rays, their behaviors and habits, and how they are totally harmless with no stingers, teeth, or barbs. We were then provided with all gear: snorkel mask (prescription lenses were in stock!), fins, wet suit, and dive light. They split us into two groups of 6-8 and assigned us to a colored ring. The idea is to hold onto the ring with one hand, lay flat on the water and focus your flashlight beams together to create one big ball of light! The reason for this is to create a large plankton bloom right underneath us to attract the mantas. I had learned that this is the draw for them: food!!
Within 20 minutes of being in the water we were surrounded by five manta rays. These creatures were enormous! I would estimate their sizes to be anywhere from 6 to 14 feet across. My friends and I were giddy and awe struck at the same time. It was amazing to view these majestic animals; it is almost outer worldly because it is night time, there is virtually no sound, and these creatures are doing what I like to describe as a graceful dance underwater. They would come in and glide right beneath us, and do summersaults as they fed. One even got as close as 5 inches from my belly!!
The guides later told us that there are over 125 mantas that live along the Kona coast, each with distinct markings on their bellies (like fingerprints) that make them distinguishable from each other. They even name them! I am from Kona and have swam with mantas before, but never at night and never with this many! I can’t believe I waited so long to finally experience this excursion! I will definitely be doing this again! I can now confidently recommend this activity as one of my Top Five must do’s on the Big Island!