Night Time Manta Ray Snorkel in Kona, Big Island: Everything you need to know

Have you ever had an experience that changed your life? A night time manta ray snorkel in Kona on the Big Island of Hawai’i was such an experience for me. There was something about seeing the giant manta rays so close and observing them being friendly, that left me with a feeling of awe and reverence.

Incredibly, the tour operators call this manta ray experience a “show”. And rightfully so! It is a surreal spectacle of some of the largest water creatures feeding in their natural habitat. They are enormous, graceful, wild creatures that put on a show for 80,000 people annually. And if I had to describe these massive marine creatures in one word, it would be majestic. Read on to learn everything about the night time manta ray snorkel in Kona on the Big Island of Hawai’i.

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

What is night time manta ray snorkel in Kona?

Night time manta ray snorkel refers to the activity of snorkeling with manta ray fish in the ocean after sundown. Manta rays are fish that are large in size, but super gentle and peaceful.

The way that this experience works is, the tour operator takes the guests to a location in open waters where manta rays are frequently seen. The operators then 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. These lights attract plankton in large numbers. In turn, the plankton attracts manta rays, because plankton is their main diet. They open their mouths wide as they gulp a huge amount of water, thereby providing quite a show for the snorkelers!

The Manta Rays at Kona

The mantas at Kona are reef manta rays with the scientific name Mobula alfredi. They are some of the largest ocean creatures in the world. Believe it or not, they are related to sharks even though they look quite different.

The reef mantas can grow up to a size of 12 -16 ft (3.6 – 4.6 m) wingtip to wingtip (I know, they are massive!). They weigh up to1500 pounds, with most that you’ll see being around 1000 pounds. Baby manta rays are about 6 ft in wingspan. The majority of the mantas on the Big Island are female, the reason for which is not well understood.

Manta rays can live to be over 50 years old. Interestingly, you can identify each manta ray individually, based on the pattern of black spots on their undersides. In fact, all of the 200+ mantas in the waters off Kona have been identified and given their own name! As told by our guide, the oldest and the largest manta is named “Big Bertha” and she weighs about 1500 pounds!

Manta rays need to eat 10-12% of body weight in plankton every week!

Why do manta rays look so scary?

The pictures of manta rays appear scary due to their shape and their size. Add to that the photos of their wide-open mouths flanked by their cephalic fins are enough to make anyone a little nervous. However, manta rays do not harm humans. They are filter feeders and although, might look scary, are actually quite friendly towards humans.

Their cephalic fins near their mouth are an extension of the pectoral fins on either side of their bodies. These pectoral fins are used to propel forward (resembling bat-like wings). They “flap” these fins giving the appearance of gliding gracefully in the ocean. Because these fins look like wings, a manta ray’s length is called “wingspan” and is measured wing tip to tip.

The cephalic fins act as funnels to force large amounts of water with plankton into their mouth. The water is then filtered out of their gills.

Why is the manta ray snorkeling experience so special?

To be honest, before traveling to the Big Island, I didn’t even think of this experience being on my bucket list. However, while in the water, I mentally both added and checked it off my bucket list, knowing that future adventure experiences won’t be the same anymore! It was surreal.

One important difference between manta ray snorkeling in other places vs. Big Island is the activity that mantas do. Most other locations around the world where you can go snorkeling to see mantas are essentially “cleaning stations”. There, manta rays get “cleaned” by fish. But, in Hawaii, they actively feed on plankton, and thus, get super close to people. This leads to a thrilling experience you are bound to remember for the rest of your life.

If it isn’t obvious yet, this was an incredible experience, one that has made me appreciate marine life more than ever before!

What does plankton look like?

Plankton are usually microscopic little organisms but some of them are larger and visible to the naked eye. In the waters at a night time manta ray snorkel in Kona, they look like tiny little glimmery specks under the lights. This gives the illusion that the visibility in the water is low, when in fact, the presence of plankton makes it appear so.

Where to snorkel with manta rays?

Snorkeling in manta rays is possible in a few places in the world such as the Kona coast in Hawaii, the Maldives and Australia’s Great Barrier reef, the Galapagos, and parts of Indonesia. In some of these places, you can observe the giants getting “cleaned” by fish. However, on the Big Island of Hawai’i, you can snorkel at night and experience the life-changing adventure of seeing these fascinating creatures feed.

Where to snorkel with manta rays in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, the best place to see manta rays is the Kona area of the Big Island. You may be able to see them on other islands if you’re lucky. But, in the Big Island, you can pretty much guarantee (90% of tour operators report successful manta sightings) that you will see them due to the nature of the experience. More on that below.

Where to snorkel with manta rays Kona, Hawaii

In Kona of the Big Island of Hawai’i, the best viewing locations for these filter-feeding fishes are Manta Village, Manta Heaven, and Kohala Coast. Note that even though the boats will drop you just a couple of hundred feet away from shore, you will not be able to swim to those spots from the shore. This is due to the rough lava rocks that form the shores in these areas making it dangerous.

Manta Village

This location is in front of the Outrigger Kona Resort (previously, Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa). Over two decades ago, when this hotel was called Kona Surf Hotel, lights were installed to shine into the water for guests to enjoy the view. An unintentional result of this was that the light attracted planktons to the area, which in turn attracted the mantas. Over time, tour operators started to do manta viewing tours in this area. To this day, this location has the highest success rates of manta ray sightings making it quite busy. This is where we saw the mantas with Kona Style.

Interestingly, you can still see mantas from a viewing deck in the Outrigger Kona Resort. But, note that non-hotel guests cannot avail this viewing spot.

Manta Heaven

Manta Heaven is located off the Kona International airport. A large number of tour operators are also located in this area.

Manta Point/Kohala Coast

Manta Point is the location of the Mauna Kea hotel. They use a similar method as Outrigger, where a light is shone illuminating the bay water. Here, motorized boats are not allowed. Hence, the only way to see the manta rays is from the shore. Note though that the viewing area is open to the hotel guests only.

Can you snorkel with manta rays on Maui or Oahu?

You may be able to see manta rays in Maui or Oahu. But it is going to be a rare occurrence. Particularly, in Maui, you might spot a manta ray in Molokini or Olowalu Reef. However, on the Big Island, you have a much higher chance of seeing manta rays up close.

Night Time Manta Ray Snorkel: What to expect and know

Before you embark on the life-changing experience that this is bound to be, here are some notes on what to expect, and what to know ahead of time.

Before your tour

Take note of the following before you book your tour:

The snorkel with manta ray expeditions gets booked out super early! So, make sure you book it as early as possible. We did not book until we arrived on the Big Island and it was a big mistake as most tours were sold out. However, we got lucky and found some last-minute spots at Kona Style.

There could be age restrictions. So, make sure to check with your tour operator if you are traveling with kids.
If you get seasick, pick a tour that is close to the viewing spot. That way, you will spend minimal time sailing on a boat.
Book this experience early in your trip. That way, if you don’t see a manta ray, most tours allow you to come back and try again free of charge.

Ensure that you are comfortable snorkeling at night. If not, spend the day before or the day of, snorkeling and getting used to being in the water.

On the boat

Your booking confirmation will tell you where you need to go: either to be picked up or to come to a pier from where the boat starts. Once you reach that spot, someone will walk you through the dos-and-don’ts after which you will board the boat. Here is what you can expect.

Depending on where you get picked up by your tour operator, you may need 30+ minutes each way. If you get seasick, take motion sickness meds plenty of time in advance.

Wear a swimsuit underneath your clothes. You will also wear a wetsuit, which most operators will provide.

In the water

Upon reaching the manta ray viewing spot, your captain and crew will set up floating rigs in the water. These rigs have lights underneath that shine down into the waters and handle all around for snorkelers to hold on. Once everything is set up, your captain will direct you to get in the water. You will need to swim to a floating rig about 10-20 feet away and hold onto the handle. The entire group will converge on the rigs.

Note that the water can feel cold when you jump in. But, in your wetsuit, you will get used to it in a minute.

Seeing the mantas right below you can be scary, even for experienced snorkelers. But you will get comfortable quickly. And soon you will be in awe!
Because you will hold onto the handle of the rig, your arms might get tired. So, try to relax and just hold onto the handle instead of pushing down on it.
You cannot snorkel freely around the water in this tour because your legs or fins could touch the manta and damage their protective coating.

Interacting with the mantas

Now comes the fun part! You are used to seeing the gentle giants and now observe them making multiple flips at a time under the water. Here are some additional things to know.

Your GoPro or camera will be underwater but be prepared to get it out of the way of a manta ray as it makes its way close to you. The same goes for your limbs!
Don’t dangle your legs into the water. Try to stay streamlined at the surface of the water to avoid touching the mantas. Your tour operator may provide pool noodles for your feet to help with this.

The older manta rays know how to roll over several times to feed on a large number of planktons at one go, but the young ones do not. So, snorkelers generally see mostly adult manta rays.
The tour operators consider the mantas their coworkers, which I thought was the cutest! 🙂
On a final note, relax, enjoy, and let the mantas come to you! Don’t be afraid of them, and also, don’t try to touch them when they are near.

Should you carry your own snorkel gear?

Most tour operators will provide snorkel and masks, but I would highly recommend taking your own. Additionally, if you have prescription glasses, make sure to carry contact lenses or your prescription snorkel mask. This is because, if you can’t see properly underwater, you will not enjoy the tour.

Can you go on a snorkel with manta rays if you are a beginner snorkeler?

A snorkeling experience with manta rays can be a little daunting for seasoned swimmers. But, if you are a newbie snorkeler, it might be downright scary! However, don’t let that deter you. Practice ahead of time using some of these tips, and you will be ok. Additionally, if you have not snorkeled in open waters before, make sure to do so in the days preceding this experience to ensure you are comfortable. Generally, this experience is easier than regular snorkeling since you do not need to swim around in the water much. Most of it is just being able to breathe in and out of a snorkel underwater. And keep in mind that manta rays are gentle and peaceful fish. They don’t hurt or bite!

Can you go on a snorkel with manta rays if you don’t know how to swim?

While some tours may operate by giving you pool noodles and floatation vests, I would not recommend going for a snorkel with manta rays if you don’t know how to swim. First of all, you will be in open ocean waters. Second, you will be asked to swim about 10-20 feet from the boat to the floating rig. Third, seeing several enormous wild fish that can be as big as a boat, can be overwhelming, to put it lightly. Hence, I would not advise going for a snorkel with manta rays. But, you do have an option of still seeing the mantas. Read on below.

Can you still go on a snorkel with manta rays if you cannot or don’t want to get in the water?

If you do not swim or are not comfortable going into the water, you can still see the mantas in their natural habitat. Most tour groups offer an option called “ride-along”. You will need to pay an amount (typically a bit more than half of the regular amount) and you can hang out in the boat for the entire duration. You will be able to see the manta rays come up to the surface of the water as they feed. And in case you’re wondering, there is still plenty of light around for the mantas to be visible.

An added perk to staying on the boat? While the snorkelers might get cold and wet, you can be sitting on the boat with a hot cup of chocolate or a mai tai and enjoying the view.

What is the best time of day to see the manta rays?

The best time of day to see the manta rays is at night. During the day, plankton is spread out everywhere in the water. So, it is difficult to see mantas as they can be anywhere. However, once the sun sets, the only light sources are the artificially created ones. So, the plankton gets attracted in huge numbers to the snorkeling boat floats. This in turn attracts the manta rays in large numbers.

After a swell or storm, you can see a larger number of manta rays since they will not have fed the days before. So, if you happen to go right after a swell, be prepared to see them gliding as you jump into the water!

Will it be completely dark at the manta ray night snorkel?

Since manta ray snorkeling takes place at night, there will be very less lighting in the area where you snorkel. However, it would be incorrect to say that it is completely dark. This is due to the presence of the boat (and its lights) as well as the lights from the flotation rigs directed underwater. So, while it might sound extra scary to think of jumping into dark open ocean waters, note that the waters will be lit up. At least, in the area where you will be swimming. So, most likely, when you jump from the boat into the waters and swim to the floating rig, that area will be fairly well lit.

You will also not be allowed to wander-snorkel by yourself. Hence, the chance of going into a completely dark environment where you won’t see anything is unlikely.

How long is a manta ray night snorkel?

Most tours are about 2 hours long from the time you get on the boat, to the time they drop you off on shore. However, you will only be in the water for about 45 min to an hour. This is a sufficient amount of time to see multiple mantas doing several underwater flips, and catch stunning footage with your camera.

What is the cost of a night time manta ray snorkel in Kona?

The cost of a manta ray snorkel experience is about $90-$130, not including tips. Different tour companies have varying price points, depending on where they pick you up, and where the viewing point is located. This price typically includes all snorkel gear, wetsuit rental, various non-alcoholic drinks, and a tour guide.

Is the manta ray snorkel scary?

The manta ray snorkeling expedition gets a reputation for being scary, especially among people who have not done it before. This is due to three reasons. First, you will snorkel 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 let me tell you that it can be scary when you think about it, but it is safe. Also, note that even though you will snorkel at night, there will be some light in the waters that you jump into.

Is snorkeling with manta rays safe?

Snorkeling with manta rays is very safe, provided you are comfortable snorkeling in open waters. Manta rays do not pose any danger to humans. So, just follow the instructors of your tour, and have an incredible time.

How close will the manta rays be to you?

Be prepared for the manta rays to get very, very close to you. In fact, too close for my comfort! Some mantas may swim less than 6 inches away from you without touching you. But, aside from their sheer size that can leave you intimidated, you will be completely safe. Incidentally, once you get over your initial shock, a sense of thrill and awe will fill you up when the mantas get to a close enough-to-touch distance. It’s a surreal experience.

What is the difference between a manta ray and a sting ray?

Manta rays are related to stingrays. But the main difference between a manta ray and a stingray is the absence of a stinger in mantas. You must have read about Steve Irwin’s untimely death from a stingray. But rest assured, a manta ray cannot harm you as it does not have a barb in its tail.

In addition, there is a big difference in size between mantas and stingrays. Manta rays are much larger than stingrays.

What to bring for manta ray night snorkel

You need to be prepared with these items to have the best time snorkeling with manta rays in Kona.

Swimsuit: Put it on under your regular clothes before you board the tour boat

Towel
Jacket: It gets cold at night, after your snorkel.
Underwater camera: A must!!

Change of clothes: Just in case your regular clothes get wet
Flip flops: They are easy to slip on and off, even with damp feet. Wear them to the boat but note that some boats may ask you to remove them before boarding. They will store them for you for the duration of the snorkel and give them back when you land ashore.
Sunscreen: Most tours start before sunset. So, carry sunscreen if you get sunburns easily. Also, always wear reef-safe sunscreen in places with thriving reefs like Hawaii.

Wetsuit: Most tours provide them, but check beforehand.
A sense of adventure!

For a complete Hawaii packing list with an easy-to-use printable checklist, visit this page.

Best Manta Ray Snorkel and Dive Tours in Kona

There are some of the best manta ray snorkel and dive tours in Kona. Note that most tour operators offer both snorkeling and diving options.

Kona Style: We went with this tour group and would highly recommend them! Read my honest review about my experience here.
Iruka Hawaii Manta Ray Sunset & Night Time Snorkel Experience: This 2.5-hour tour is reviewed very positively on Hawaii Activities.

Big Island, Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel – Small Group: This adventure caters to a small group of people (16 people max).
Night Manta Ray Adventure on the Big Island, Hawaii: Another rave-reviewed adventure tour option that is slightly more affordable.

Night time Manta Ray Snorkel: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If you have specific questions about the snorkel with manta ray experience, here are some frequently asked questions that may be helpful.

What if you don’t see any mantas in your snorkel expedition?

Even though around 90% of tour operators report spotting mantas, there is still a chance that you may not see manta rays on your visit. That is why most tour groups offer the chance to go back another day with them free of charge. But, make sure to ask them what their policy is. This is also the reason I would recommend booking your tour as early on as you can during your vacation. That way, if you need to go back, you have the time to do so later on your trip. The same is true if the tour gets canceled due to rough weather.

When we went with Kona Style, they assured us that we could come back at any time if we missed out on seeing a manta ray. There was no timeline associated with it, so, if we did not have the time during that trip, we could go back to them whenever we traveled to the Big Island next! But thankfully, we did not need to avail of this option since we ended up seeing 8 manta rays!

How big are manta rays?

As mentioned above, reef manta rays (those found in Kona) are huge! They can grow over 15 feet from wingtip to wingtip, although most of the mantas you will see in Kona have a wingspan of 10-12 feet. It is mind-blowing that the largest manta rays are giant oceanic manta rays that can have a wingspan of up to 30 feet! So, in reality, the reef mantas are the smaller cousins lol.

Are the manta rays dangerous or aggressive?

Manta rays are not dangerous or aggressive. They are, in fact, peaceful and gentle, and pose no direct threat to humans. Interestingly, they are curious about humans, although they will not touch you generally. Also, they are different from stingrays, since they do not have stingers in their tails. Additionally, they do not have any teeth. They are carnivorous but eat only plankton.

Can I touch the manta rays?

You absolutely should not touch the manta rays. They don’t pose any threat to you, but you do pose a threat to them. The manta ray has a mucous coating on its body, which can get removed if touched by humans. This would leave the manta ray susceptible to infections. Please do your part in keeping these gentle giants safe and around for future generations.

What happens if the manta rays accidentally touch me?

Even though you should not touch a manta ray, a manta ray may, on a rare occasion, come close to you, or lightly touch a small part of you while doing their underwater flips. There is no danger to you if that happens. In fact, it can be quite thrilling to see them up, close, and personal! Our guide told us that if a manta likes you, they may come extra close to you!

Should you be quiet during the manta ray snorkel?

There is no requirement to be quiet during a manta ray snorkel experience. We were told by our guides that manta rays are attuned to human sounds and noises. In fact, they are curious and friendly toward humans. So, we were advised to make sounds while underwater to attract them toward us. I have to admit that it made for a very weird video of us squealing at the manta rays when we watched it later on.

What if it rains during the manta ray snorkel?

A little rain does not impact a manta ray snorkel. You will still be able to see these wonderful creatures without an issue. The water might get slightly less visible, but you would still be able to see the “show”.

Does it get cold in the water?

Yes, it does get cold in the water, especially since the event is at night. The water temperature may drop slightly after sundown. Hence, you should get a wetsuit or your tour company will provide one for you. We were in the water for about 45 minutes, and a few people got out of the water after about 30 minutes since they got cold. So, just be prepared.

What if the visibility is low?

The visibility might be low if there are storms or swells the day(s) before. In fact, when we went for our manta ray snorkel, the tours had not operated for 2 days earlier due to rough water conditions. So, when we jumped in the water and put our heads underwater, we saw low visibility. We could see only about 8-10 feet down. However, that did not impact our ability to see the manta rays since the manta came to a distance of fewer than 6 inches from us! Yup, we were pretty much in a panic the first time they flipped underwater.

However, the upside to visiting after 2 days of operations shut down was that the mantas were hungry and pretty much waiting for us to show up! At least that’s what I have convinced myself of.

Oh, and another thing to keep in mind is the presence of planktons. You might think it’s low visibility, but in actuality, the presence of planktons gives the appearance of shiny little particles in the water. This adds to the opacity underwater.

Is there a manta ray season?

On the Big Island of Hawai’i, the mantas are around all year. So, there is no manta ray season. You can see them any time of the year.

What is the difference between a manta ray night dive and a manta ray night snorkel?

The main difference between a manta ray dive and a snorkel is the direction from which you will see them. When you snorkel, you see the mantas beneath you as you float at the water surface. While snorkeling, lights are shone below into the depths of the water, and manta rays swim up to the highest concentrations of plankton. And since the light is strongest at its source (where snorkelers are), they get as close as possible to the snorkelers to get the most food.

On the other hand, while diving, you shine light upward from the ocean floor and you get to view the manta rays from below while sitting on the ocean floor. This offers a unique vantage point. However, you will need to be a certified scuba diver to go for the diving experience. Also, note that for diving, you should not blow bubbles at manta rays as this could scare them away, particularly, the little ones. Diving also offers an opportunity to get super close to a manta ray.

Can you see manta rays from shore?

You can see manta rays from shore at very specific spots on the Big Island of Hawai’i. A popular spot is the Outrigger Kona Resort (previously, Sheraton Kona Resort) located at Keauhou Bay, about 7 miles south of Kona city. From the hotel’s viewing area (with a bar) you can get a prime viewing spot for a sunset. After sunset, the hotel shines lights into the water (there is no beach) and the mantas come to feed.

What is the best time of year to do manta ray snorkeling?

The Hawaii manta rays are present in the waters all year round. This type of mantas does not migrate, unlike the ones you may see in the Maldives. Hence, you can see the manta rays at any time of the year. Water temperatures also remain fairly consistent throughout the year. The only thing to consider is rough ocean conditions, which may cause tours to cancel.

So, should you go for a night time manta ray snorkel in Kona?

A night time manta ray snorkel experience is a life-changing one. There is something about seeing these wild, crazy-looking creatures get so close to you, that will leave you awed, and feeling insignificant. For me, it was humbling to ponder on just how tiny we humans are, in comparison to these fascinating, beautiful fish. Believe me when I say that few, very few experiences will leave you with this feeling. So, if you are lucky to be on the Big Island, definitely go for it. You will have zero regrets.

Have a question or need help?

Do you have any questions that I did not answer here? Or would you like any help with booking a night time manta ray snorkel tour? Drop a comment below or contact me on IG. I will be happy to answer any and all questions!