Kona Style Manta Ray Snorkel Review and Cost: Is it worth it?

Are you ready to have an adventure of a lifetime? Well, if you find yourself on the Big Island of Hawai’i, you absolutely must go for a manta ray snorkel! This was easily one of the most surreal experiences we have ever done! And, looking back, if I find myself on the island again, I will 100% go for it once more.

If you have already decided to go for a manta ray snorkel, and are sifting through all the tour groups that offer it, allow me to help. My husband and I went with Kona Style which offers different boat snorkel tours around the Big Island of Hawai’i. Keep scrolling to read my honest review and cost of the Kona Style manta ray snorkel experience on the Big Island.

Planning your travel to the Big Island of Hawaii? Check out my 3-day Big Island itinerary here!

The Manta Rays in Hawaii

The reef manta rays in Hawaii are some of the largest ocean creatures in the world, growing to an impressive 16 ft in size! They also weigh about 1000-1500 pounds. Massive, right? These manta rays live to be over 50 years old.

One cool fact about the manta rays is that each of them can be identified individually, based on the pattern of dark spots on their undersides. In fact, all of the 200+ mantas in the Kona waters have been identified and named! As told by our guide, the oldest and the largest manta is “Big Bertha” and she weighs about 1500 pounds! Sadly we did not see her on our expedition.

How a manta ray snorkel works

The snorkeling experience with the manta ray snorkel experience occurs at night because of how light-dependent the entire expedition is. The manta rays’ primary diet consists of plankton. Plankton is attracted to light. Hence, wherever there is plankton, the manta rays follow.

Now, during the daytime, light is abundant in the ocean waters. So, the plankton is spread out all over the ocean. However, at night, there is limited light in the waters. In fact, this whole experience started because some hotels on the shore had light shining into the waters to entertain guests to see marine life. But interestingly, this started to attract manta rays that were chasing plankton!

Nowadays, this phenomena is leveraged by tour operators to offer guests a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! The tour operator takes the guests by boat to a location in open waters where manta rays frequent. There, they set up floating rigs or rafts, with handles on all four sides that guests can use to hang on to. Embedded to these floating rigs are bright lights that shine downwards into the water which attract planktons in large numbers. That in turn attracts the manta rays, thereby providing a spectacular show for the snorkelers!

To learn about everything you should know before embarking on this type of snorkel, check out my in-depth post with tips here!

Where to snorkel with manta rays in Hawaii?

The best place to see manta rays in Hawaii is in Kona on the Big Island. You may be able to see them on other islands like Maui but only if you’re lucky. However, the Big Island offers the highest success rate of spotting one of these giant creatures. In fact, around 90% of tour operators report successful manta sightings.

There are three main locations on the island where tour operators run: Manta Village, Manta Heaven, and Manta Point or Kohala Coast. To learn more about each spot, and what they offer, check out this post.

Why we chose Kona Style Manta Ray Snorkel

While planning for our Big Island of Hawai’i itinerary, we absolutely knew that we wanted to go for a manta ray snorkel. However, we did not plan on the exact date until we reached Hawai’i. Suffice it to say that we made a mad scramble on various websites checking for dates, but most were sold out. So, take it from our experience: do not delay booking your tickets. They sell out several days in advance.

After sifting through several websites and Tripadvisor tours, we found Kona Style. They had some open spots, had great reviews, and we saw that they were located quite close to our hotel, Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. Therefore, we decided to drop into their office and inquire about the tours they offer. We were also interested in snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay (near Captain Cook’s monument).

We were greeted cheerfully by a Kona Style member who walked us through the manta ray snorkel experience. I was initially nervous since I am a beginner swimmer/snorkeler, but they put me at ease. They also offered us a 20% discount if we booked a second tour (for return customers) with them. Needless to say, that was a no-brainer for us and we ended up booking both tours.

Kona Style Manta Ray Snorkel Experience Overview

Here is an overview of the overall experience of going on a Kona Style Manta Ray Snorkel.

The Booking experience

As mentioned above, our booking experience was super smooth as we ended up visiting them in the office. But you can also book them over the phone and online. For reference, their office location is 75-5669 Ali‘i Dr #1107, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740. There is some parking around the area. Note that parking is not validated. Their boats also start from this location at the Kailua Bay Pier.

After we made our payment via credit card, we received an email and text confirmation of the date, time, and important instructions to follow. The booking experience was smooth and fast.

All tours start and end in Kona. So, be prepared to stay close by. If you stay outside Kona, plan on reaching your hotel after the tour late at night.

The Experience on the boat

Before we got on the boat, the Lifeguard certified captain and crew introduced themselves and informed us of the ground rules. We also removed our footwear that was placed in a box before boarding the boat. The boat had seating for over 50 people and was a spacious catamaran. I utilized some time on the boat for a photo op. 😉

The boat also had some snacks and drinks on board. Alcoholic drinks were available for purchase, but I’d advise you to hold off until after the snorkel. The boat also had two bathrooms on board. The ride from Kona to the manta ray viewing spot was about 40 minutes. Midway, the crew provided us with a wetsuit (top only) to change into before. While we carried our own snorkel gear, they provided other guests with rental gear as well.

Once we reached our snorkel spot, the captain stopped the boat and the crew jumped in the water to set up the equipment. There were two floating rigs on the boat, and they put them in the water lengthwise and anchored them to the boat. This was so that we (the snorkelers) did not venture too far out from the boat. And then, we were instructed to get in the water by descending a staircase from the boat after grabbing a pool noodle.

Swimming with manta rays

Now comes the most exciting part! Snorkeling with the manta rays has got to be one of the coolest experiences you’ll ever have! Before we even jumped in the water, we could spot some black and white shadows underneath the water. When my turn came to jump in the water, I freaked out for just a second, and then, splash! I was in the water!

Immediately, I could see two manta rays right below me, just inches away. Under the water, things appear much closer than they actually are. Thinking that I might actually touch them, I swam very carefully towards the floating rig where others were already lining up. Once I reached the rig, I grabbed the bar, and a crew member helped me put my pool noodle below my ankles to keep my feet from dangling in the water. I then settled down to watch the most exhilarating show I’ve ever seen! As the manta rays feed and perform multiple flips, they may brush up against you lightly. It. Was. Surreal.

One thing to note about this experience is that you will not actually be swimming. You will snorkel and watch the manta rays feeding while you hold onto the floating rig bar and stay in one place for the entire duration.

At the end of our snorkel, as we made our way back to the boat, the crew helped us out of the wetsuit. They provided us with hot drinks, which was so great as we came out of the cold water!

Kona Style Manta Ray Snorkel: Things to note

If you are considering a manta ray snorkel experience with Kona Style (or with another company), here are some things you need to keep in mind.

Book early. This is one of the few experiences on the Big Island that you should do ahead of time.

You will be asked to remove your footwear before getting on the boat. Don’t worry though, they will return once you come back.
Small children are allowed at Kona Style, but may not be with other tour operators.
You need to be able to swim without a flotation device in order to be allowed in the water. Note that they will not provide or allow a swim vest as it might touch the manta rays.

The manta rays are friendly. Don’t be afraid of them.
Do not touch the manta rays. Touching them can cause the oils from our skin to remove the protective mucous layer from the ray leaving them susceptible to infections.
Get your own underwater camera – this is the best way to capture footage because trust me, you will definitely want to see that later! Seeing our footage later on reinforced how amazing of an experience it was for us. Every time we watch it, we are left in awe all over again!

Make sure to wear a swimsuit underneath your clothes
Relax, enjoy, and have the time of your life!!

Kona Style Manta Ray Snorkel: What to wear and bring with you

Kona Style makes sure that you have all the gear you will need for your snorkel experience. However, this is a list of what you should wear and bring to your manta ray snorkel.

What to wear

Reef safe sunscreen: The snorkel usually starts before sundown.
Swimsuit: Make sure to wear one underneath your regular clothes.
Regular clothes: I prefer to put on a top and shorts that can be easily removed and put on.

Easily removable footwear: Since you will be asked to remove your footwear, don’t worry about what you wear. Just bring a pair that can easily slip on and off.

What to bring

Make sure to bring a towel.
Also, pack layers and a light jacket for after the snorkel. The temperature dips a bit, and you can get chilly after coming out of the water.

A GoPro or underwater camera.
Your snorkel gear if you brought any to the island (it’s always better to carry your own gear).
A backpack to store your items that can be easily stashed on the boat while you go snorkeling.

Kona Style Manta Ray Snorkel Pros

The Manta Ray snorkel experience with Kona Style was such a positive experience due to the following reasons:

The location for pickup was very convenient. They are located in the heart of Kona and it is very accessible. We were especially happy since we stayed at the Marriott right across.
The boat. It was a big-sized catamaran, with plenty of room for the 35+ guests. We did not get motion sickness and it was a smooth ride.

I cannot stress this enough. The lovely staff of Kona Style made for a great experience. The captain entertained us on the ride with funny anecdotes. Also, during the snorkel, I accidentally lost control of my pool noodle and called for a crew member, who immediately appeared to help me out.
We were able (lucky?) to view eight manta rays!
Kona Style has a knowledgeable captain who gave clear instructions. All the crew members were Lifeguard certified and gave a sense of security to the guests.

All snorkeling gear was provided by Kona Style. Whatever items we had to bring with us (eg. towels) were clearly stated in our confirmation email.

Kona Style Manta Ray Snorkel Cons

While the pros obviously outweigh the cons by a lot, here are some cons of the Kona Style manta ray snorkel experience.

With >35 people on our expedition, it was a tight squeeze on the floating rigs. All of us had to fit around the rig, and we had to position ourselves very close to one another.

Additionally, my pool noodle under my ankles got caught with my neighbors more than once (due to us being so close to each other). This led to a lot of weird squeaking sounds (think pool noodle on noodle sound) in the water.
This might be a bit nit-picky, but I wish there was something more than snacks to eat on board. Don’t get me wrong, I was super grateful to get the hot chocolate, tea/coffee, and snacks that they provided. But, it gets quite late by the time the snorkel is over. So, we were starving. We did not eat beforehand since we were quite nervous about the experience! And we’ve learned that it’s never a good idea to eat before taking a boat into the ocean (hard lessons learned from motion sickness episodes :P).

Note that you might not be able to see a sunset depending on the weather on the day of your tour. Obviously, nothing a tour operator can control, but as an FYI in case you were planning on some stunning golden hour photos on a boat.

Kona Style Manta Ray Snorkel Cost

We paid $120 USD per person (plus tax). While not cheap, this was comparable to the cost of other tour companies. With that, Kona Style gave a sweet deal in the form of a 20% discount for a second tour that we went on with them – the Kealakekua Bay snorkel. Overall, we were happy to spend that amount of money on this unforgettable experience.

Kona Style Manta Ray Sunset and Snorkel cost breakdown

Kona Style charges the following for their guests.

Adults (13+): $120

Youth (5-12): $110
Infants/Children (4 and under): $60
Ride along (stays on the boat): $60

The duration of the complete experience (including the boat ride) is 2.5 hours.

Should you go for a Kona Style Manta Ray Snorkel Experience?

I would definitely recommend the Kona Style manta ray experience if you are on the Big Island of Hawai’i. Not only is it going to be an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but the professional and lovely staff of Kona Style also elevated it even further. We felt completely taken care of, and very safe with them at all times. They were very knowledgeable, kept us entertained the entire way, and ensured we had a great time!

Manta Ray Snorkel: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here is some additional information about manta ray snorkeling that may be helpful.

Can you snorkel with manta rays without a tour?

You can see manta rays from land in certain parts of the Big Island. Specifically, the hotels, Outrigger Kona Resort and Mauna Kea, have viewing areas next to the water where they shine lights into the water which attracts the manta rays. Note that you will need to be a guest of the hotel though.

However, to view the mantas in the water, you will need to go with a tour group, since it is not possible to swim out to the water from the shore. This is due to the sharp lava rocks that make up the shoreline for most of the manta-frequented waters.

If you know how to swim and snorkel, I would highly recommend getting in the water with a tour group to view the giant mantas up close. Even if you can’t swim, some tours offer a “ride-along” option at a discounted rate. In this case, you get on the boat, get to the manta spot and view the giants aboard the boat.

Can I see mantas from ashore?

Yes, you can see mantas from ashore in certain areas of the Big Island. This includes hotels with specific manta ray viewing areas including Outrigger Kona Resort and Mauna Kea. However, note that you will need a guest at the hotel to access the viewing areas.

Can you see the manta rays by yourself or with your group only?

Some tour companies offer private snorkel tours to see the manta rays. However, expect to pay an arm and a leg for it. In a regular tour, note that your boat may have upwards of 30 people on board. Additionally, it may be a bit of a tight squeeze on the floating rig as they have limited space for guests to hold on to.

Will I see any other marine animals in addition to manta rays whole on a manta ray snorkel?

On a manta ray snorkel, you may see a small number of little fish. In addition, you will see thousands of plankton glistening in the water. But, the manta rays clearly steal the show and you won’t pay attention to much else.

Is the manta ray snorkel experience scary?

The manta ray snorkeling experience may appear scary if you have not done it before. Generally, there are three reasons for thinking so. First, the snorkeling takes place at night (thus, in the dark). Second, you will snorkel with huge marine creatures that are >12 feet in size. Third, they are scary-looking! But rest assured that while it can be scary when you think about it, it is safe. Also, even though the snorkel is at night, there will be some light in the waters that you jump into.

Is a manta ray snorkel recommended for a newbie swimmer or snorkeler?

A newbie swimmer or snorkeler can still go for a manta ray snorkel as long as they are comfortable swimming for short distances in open waters. In a manta ray snorkel, you will need to swim for a short distance of about 15-30 feet only. So, as long as you have snorkeled before, and have experience swimming in the open, you should be fine. But, always be sure to practice ahead of time, and follow all directions provided by your boat crew.

Be sure to check out my tips for a first-time snorkeler here. I was a newbie in snorkeling not too long ago, and these tips were super helpful for me.

Is seeing a manta ray guaranteed?

While a tour group cannot guarantee that you will see a manta ray (they are wild animals after all!), most of them offer a free excursion on another day in case you don’t see one. That means you can go back with the same group on a different day, free of charge. This is why it is super important to book this experience earlier in your vacation. However, note that most tour groups have a high success rate of spotting mantas (~90%).

You have already seen manta rays in other places, should you do this?

You can spot manta rays in different parts of the world. In some parts, you can see the manta rays at “cleaning stations” where small fishes remove their skin parasites. You can see this in the Maldives. However, in Hawai’i, you can see the manta rays feeding plankton and performing fascinating underwater somersaults. So, the experience is a truly unique one. Hence, if you have not seen manta rays feeding before, you must do this next time you’re on the Big Island!

If you have any questions that were not answered here, or are looking for more general manta ray snorkeling information, be sure to check out my comprehensive post here!