Manta Ray Night Snorkel Experience of a Lifetime
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Attention to detail, safety, and our expert crew set this excursion apart. During this tour we can visit either the northern manta site near the Kona airport, or venture further south to Keauhou depending on where the best manta sightings have been. Our licensed captains and dedicated guides are pulling out all the stops to make sure you get the best viewing possible.
Prior swimming & snorkeling experience is required to book this activity. Guest's must be able to independently climb up a vertical boat ladder. Not recommended for guest's who have undergone surgery or have mobility/physical restrictions. Not recommended for pregnant women. Contact tour operator for exceptions.
This family run business takes pride in sharing the importance of taking care or our land, ocean, animals, and each other.
You must arrive on time for check in time provided by your tour provider, check in time may be up to 40 minutes prior to scheduled tour time.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Basic swimming skills are required
Previous snorkeling experience is required
Guests must be able to independently climb up a boat ladder
Guest must be able to converse in English to understand verbal instructions and safety briefings
Your safety is our priority! If you or anyone in your group would like a lifejacket please contact our reservation line.
Our Manta Policy: Manta Rays are wild animals and Snorkel Big Island cannot guarantee their presence. If a manta ray is not seen on your night out with us you may try again on a different night, or on your next visit. Guests who purchased tickets at our full online booking price may come back out again for free. Tickets Purchased through a 3rd party or at a discounted rate may join again for an additional $60 per person. Please keep in mind that seats may be extremely limited during certain times of the year. We usually are very successful in finding mantas for you; however, if they decide to take the night off the costs involved with setting up the charter will not allow us to offer you a refund. We appreciate your business and understanding of this policy.
Please confirm your check in time directly with tour provider. Check in time may be up to 40 minutes prior to tour time.
Not recommended for travelers with physical or mobility restrictions
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Snorkel with the famous Manta Rays with Big Islands most experienced captains and tour guides. Please confirm your check in time directly with tour provider. Please call tour provider to confirm your reservation has been received correctly. Check in time can be up to 40 and no less than 15 minutes prior to tour time. Departing from Honokohau Harbor a 15-20 minute boat ride gets you to either Garden Eel Cove (northern manta site "Manta Heaven") or further south down to Keauhou "Manta Village". Slide in and relax hanging onto our custom-made light board to witness these huge, acrobatic, gentle giants feed on tiny pieces of plankton. Our experienced guide helps get everyone in the best possible viewing position to give guests an up close and personal encounter all while keeping everyone safe and comfortable. Be sure to look up checking out the stars and the city lights during the ride back. A night filled with magnificent mantas and fun memories is sure to be remembered.
What‘s Included
Certified In-water Guide/Lifeguard
Use of Snorkelling equipment
Shorty Wetsuit
Gratuities
Private transportation
Prescription Snorkel Mask
Options
6:30 Manta Ray Night Snorkel
8:30 Manta Ray Night Snorkel
Reviews
512 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
We gave it a try
AlisonM P,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00Nature wasn’t with us on our tour….we didn’t get to see a single Manta Ray. This wasn’t the crews fault, they got us there and back safely. On the ride there they were talking about how big these creatures get and how close to your face they will be, making jokes about not kissing them. Expectations were set so high, and ultimately, the group was disappointed. I’d highly recommend changing that strategy by starting with “we can’t schedule nature”, and teach the group some things about nature, and then continue with “if we are lucky enough to see them….”. It would better set expectations.
Exceptional experience with great guides
John O,Feb 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This experience is surreal! The Rays circle up from below you and come right up next to you in a graceful dance in the water. This tour company was amazing at making sure every had a fantastic time and got to see at least a dozen manta rays.
Great crew! Friendly fun...
REBECCA G,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great crew! Friendly fun and the experience was amazing. We seen so many Mantas i would definitely recommend this crew it was a small crowd and everyone enjoyed it.
top thing in hawaii
Michael B,Feb 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00this was amazing to say the least huge gentle creatures. majestic to watch, and our crew with capt Jay knew exactly what to do
Amazimg mantas
Samantha H,Feb 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The most amazing experience. We saw five manta rays and they came close enough to bump into you. The crew was amazing and the whole night was the coolest thing.
This was an amazing...
Michelle W,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was an amazing experience I won’t ever forget….its a must while on vacation. Captain and deckhands were excellent
No mantarays
Kami C,Feb 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00Unfortunately, we did not see any manta rays during our experience. I’m also not convinced there had been any confirmed sightings prior to us being guided into the water. The water was very cold, which made the experience more uncomfortable given the lack of activity. At the end of the night, we were told we could come back another evening for free, which I appreciated since sightings can’t be controlled. However, when I later called to reschedule, I was told only a small discount was available instead. That was disappointing and felt inconsistent with what we were originally told.
Crew did everything they...
Eric J,Jan 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Crew did everything they could but only saw one manta at a distance. Knew other people who did the same night with other tours and had same experience so important to realize it could happen and not the fault of the tour. It does get cold so definitely take their advice and bring a sweatshirt or something like that.
DO NOT BOOK ... I emailed the company afterwards and got no response!
Debby P,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00I fully understand that manta rays are wild animals and sightings can never be guaranteed. However, my disappointment was not about unpredictability of wildlife—it was about tour execution and overall quality. During our tour, we saw only one manta ray, and it was not feeding or circling. According to the crew, one of the main lights used to attract plankton was not functioning, which clearly impacted viewing conditions. He also told us that sometimes the earlier group will make mantas full so the later group can't see anything...This felt like a basic operational issue that should not happen on a premium-priced tour. Additionally, the overall energy and engagement from the captain and crew were lacking. While they were informative before we entered the ocean, the tone throughout the trip was noticeably pessimistic, repeatedly emphasizing that we likely wouldn’t see much and of course we only saw 1. This set a discouraging mood for the entire group and further diminished the experience. No effort was made to elevate the atmosphere or make guests feel excited or valued. This review is not a complaint about nature being unpredictable, but about service quality, preparedness, and guest experience not matching what was advertised or reasonably expected for the price. As well, if they could pick a location with more manta rays or have more lights, perhaps it would've been slightly better experience. I hope the company takes this feedback seriously and improves both equipment readiness and crew engagement for future guests.
No Manta Rays !
Katherine N,Jan 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00It was still fun, but we didn’t see any Manta rays! At the original meet-up we received our wetsuits and the woman in charge said we would be able to have extra time in the water since they didn’t have any other tours that night. However, after 30 min minimum in the water, our guide told us we had to get out of the water and back on the boat after seeing no mantas. We did see a lot of small fish and some sharks which did provide some excitement. On the ride back to the marina I asked our guide ( who was nice and friendly) how often no mantas are seen on the tour, he avoided answering my question and deflected into other facts and info without answering.. hmmm? The tour was still fun anyway though.
From US$137.00
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