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Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel

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Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tour - Small-Group Adventure from Keauhou Bay

5.00 33 reviews

(15)

Highlights

Get ready for a 45-min evening manta ray snorkeling tour in Kona. Only 8 guests per floating board

If you do not spot any manta rays during the activity, you can come back again for free!

Enjoy a thrilling ride on speedy ocean raft RHIB style boat for up to 16 guests

Includes everything you will need for a Big Island evening snorkeling expedition

Five daily tours departing from Keauhou Bay, just minutes from Kailua-Kona

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A Wondrous Experience

2023/09/23

Friends Kathy M.

We couldn't have asked for a better trip. I especially appreciated the small group size - eight people - which meant that we were able to watch the mantas without getting in each other's way. My sister and I were at the end of the line, opposite each other. This meant that as the manta rays turned over and swam upside down just under the light board - only a few inches away from us - we could look right down their throats. I was amazed at how clean and empty their large mouths were. It was fascinating to see their gills from the inside as well as the outside. It was wonderful to watch the mantas swim. They move so smoothly they hardly seem to be propelling themselves. The patterns on their backs fluoresce in the light, so they're easy to see. We watched by lining up on either side of a board, holding on to it and floating stretched out away from it, with flotation devices like pool noodles under our ankles. This keeps our bodies away from the mantas, which is for their protection, not ours. (The mantas are harmless. No teeth, no sting. They eat plankton, not people!) Two tips: 1. The staff had us put the pool noodles under our ankles, but in that location, it's easy to lose the noodle. Try putting it just below your knees instead. It's much easier to keep in place that way, and if your knees are at the surface, the rest of your legs will be also. 2. If you do lose your noodle, don't panic or kick. Keep your head down, relax, stay as flat as you can, and allow the water to support your body. Staff members will retrieve the noodle and slip it under your legs again. Kicking disturbs the mantas, and the stress is bad for them.

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Overview

Big Island

2 hour(s)

Available Daily

Pick-up not available

Not Accessible

What to expect

Discover the beauty of manta rays on a night snorkeling tour that has been called one of the most memorable experiences on the Big Island! Watch as they glide through Kona waters, feeding on plankton in illuminated waters as you snorkel among them.

If you only have time for one snorkel trip while visiting the Big Island this is the one to choose. Swimming with the manta rays is often considered one of the most memorable experiences to be had on the Big Island. Cruise to the mouth of Keauhou Bay, a spot known for having the highest concentration of manta rays in the Hawaiian Islands, where you will spend about 45 minutes in the water with these magnificent creatures. Watch them glide through the water turning and doing somersaults in the beams of light as they feed on plankton.

About the Manta Rays The coastal Manta Ray is among the largest of the ray family and one of the largest fishes in the world. On average their wingspan is 8 ft across but can be as large as 12 ft across. Unlike most other ray species, they do not have any sort of barb or stinger on their tail making them completely harmless. They are a docile animal, very curious by nature and are known to come in close to divers. They are filter feeders, feeding on plankton. They use their giant funnel shaped mouths to scoop plankton as they swoop about the reef. Watching them swim somersaults or barrel rolls is a magnificent sight to see. Having one barrel roll inches from you is the ultimate experience.

How It Works Once you are in the water, you will be holding onto a floating board outfitted with underwater lights. These lights will draw in the schools of plankton, which is the food source of the manta ray. You float at the surface and simply just watch as the mantas come in to feed on the plankton. Very little snorkeling effort is required. If you like, you will be provided with a pool noodle to help you with keeping your legs floating at the surface as to not disrupt the mantas feeding behavior. For all manta tours, free snorkeling is not permitted as it will disrupt the feeding behaviors of the mantas and possibly scare them from the dive site for the evening.

Boat information

The Moana Lou is a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) that features seating along the sides and seating with backrests in the middle. With a capacity for 16 passengers, it is operated by a lifeguard-certified crew. Please note that the boats are not wheelchair accessible.

Designed for speed and efficiency, the Moana Lou ensures swift transportation to and from your destination. Alongside its exhilarating high-speed rides, the boat offers comfort and enjoyment. On board, you will find dry storage compartments, life jackets, and other flotation devices. However, please be aware that there are no bathrooms available. We recommend using the facilities near the check-in location before departure.

Night Manta Discovery Adventure

Adult/Child (Age 6 & over)

USD 107.63

Adult/Child (Age 6 & over)

USD 107.63

• Check-in Times: 6:00 PM, 7:10 PM, 8:20 PM (seasonal) & 9:30 PM (seasonal). Check-in starts one hour before the tour.
• Duration: 60 minutes boat tour with 45 minutes of Manta snorkel time
• 8 guests per floating board
• Includes wet suit tops, floatation devices, and snorkel gear
• If you do not spot any manta rays during the activity, you can come back again for free!

Overview

Evening

2 hour(s)

Available Daily

Without pick-up

Not Accessible

Inclusions: Snorkel / Snorkel mask / Short-Sleeve Wetsuit Tops / Flotation devices

Schedule

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Start time :

18:00

Check-in at Keauhou Shopping Center (Dolphin Discoveries Shop)

18:30

Drive to Keauhou Bay

19:00

Evening Manta Ray Snorkeling Tour (1 hr)

20:00

Check-out

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Location

Pick-up/Check-in Time & Location

Drop-off/Check-out Time & Location

Important activity information

To ensure the best experience, please read the restrictions and requirements before booking.

Important activity information

Restrictions

This activity is not wheelchair accessible.
If less than 6 participants are booked, the activity may not operate.
Children 6 years old and above can participate in this activity.
Guests must be below 285 lbs (129 kg) to participate in this activity.
Participants are not permitted to touch the manta rays at any point during the activity.

Other requirements

Minors are required to have a parent or guardian sign their liability waiver.
Participants are required to sign a liability waiver in case of injury or natural disaster.
Participants must be able to swim and have prior snorkeling experience.

Booking requirements (# of participants, vehicles, hours, etc.)

You can book a maximum of 16.

Required items to bring & attire

Towel
Swimsuit
Change of clothes
Bring something warm to put on after your snorkel

Additional notes

The activity schedule is subject to change or cancellation due to weather or traffic conditions.
The tour guide has full discretion to refuse service to customers based on attire, behavior, physical fitness and condition.
Gratuity is not included in the price.
Manta Sighting Policy: If you do not spot any manta rays during the activity, you will receive a complimentary return trip. Please reach out to the activity provider directly to make the necessary arrangements.

What qualifies as a manta sighting is determined by a trained member of the crew.

This non-transferable offer allows you to reschedule your tour for free; it does not entitle you to a refund.
There are no refunds provided if you do not view the mantas during any trip, and you are unable to reschedule or space is unavailable for a future date.

Traveler's photos

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Traveler's photos

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Reviews

Activity Provider Dolphin Discoveries

Activity Provider

FAQ

Please visit VELTRA Support page to send an inquiry about this activity.

Payment / Cancellation Policy

Payment Methods

Credit card payment

Cancellation Policy

Any cancellations made after 15:00 local time, 2 business days prior to the activity will be subject to a charge of 100% of the total amount.

Change Policy

Any changes made after 15:00 local time, 2 business days prior to the activity will be subject to a charge of 100% of the total amount. This includes, but not limited to, change of the activity date/ time, package, the number of participants, etc.

Operation days