Kona Manta Ray Snorkel Tour: Guaranteed or come again free
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 20 minutes
Mobile ticket
Why Choose Us for Your Manta Ray Night Snorkel?
Manta Guarantee Policy
Didn’t see a manta ray? Come again for FREE until you do!*
(Based on availability. See full policy for details.)
Smaller Group Size than boat boats!
Avoid big boats that carry 25 to 50 guests.
Shorter Boat Ride
Get to the action faster with a quick 3-minute ride to the manta site—no long 30-minute boat ride like other operators.
Unmatched Light Power
Our custom light boards use over 200, 000 lumens of blue or white dive light, attracting more plankton and increasing your chances of manta sightings.*
(*Mantas are wild animals—sightings are common but not guaranteed.)
Statistically Better Later Tours
Later tours often have fewer boats and more manta activity, enhancing your experience.
Fully Staffed & Safety-Focused
Every tour includes a licensed captain, swim guide, and certified lifeguard to keep you safe and informed.
Water time is approximately 20 to 40 minutes
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
17 Guests maximum per group
Not recommended for those who have recently undergone surgery or who may have mobility/physical restrictions.
Maximum weight cannot exceed 275 pounds per guest.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Manta guarantee policy, if you don’t see them come again Free! Manta Ray Night Snorkel in Kona! After a 3 minute boat ride from the harbor, you’ll enter the water and float on the surface while holding onto our custom-built light board. The powerful 150,000+ lumen dive lights attract plankton, which in turn draw in majestic manta rays that glide and feed just inches below you. It’s a breathtaking, up-close experience guided by our professional team, including a licensed captain, swim guide, and certified lifeguard. Water time is approximately 20 to 40 minutes depending on various situations ocean conditions, etc. *Statistically the later at night you go the more manta rays and the more time we have the manta rays increases significantly! The earlier you go, very crowded, making it harder to get manta rays must know how to swim and be comfortable in open ocean conditions. Wetsuits & lifejackets are optional rentals and can be arranged. Free masks and snorkels are provided, or you may bring your own.
What‘s Included
Floatation Life Belt
USCG Captain, Water snorkel guide & Lifeguard
Dive lights with manta board to hang onto
Mask + Snorkel
Wetsuits are NOT mandatory. $10 upper Jacket or $20 Full Body Wetsuit
Hotel pick-up and drop off
Gratuities
Lifejackets are NOT mandatory. $10 lifejacket if wanted. We have free lifebelt and floating board
Options
GUARANTEED Manta Ray Snorkel
Guest ENTERING the water price: For guest who want to enter the water and snorkel with manta rays! The Guarantee Policy: if No Mantas seen, come again FREE!
NOT Snorkeling price option!
Guest NOT entering the water!: Only book this option if you plan on staying on the boat! To snorkel with Manta Rays, please book the other ticket option
Reviews
2,492 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent expedience.
billeM972WJ,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Initially very difficult to sort through all the operators offering this tour (with names that are not all that different). Many were sold out one or two days in advance, so I was a little hesitant as this company had many more nightly tours, hence more openings. The fact that they are the most affordable, certainly added to my apprehension. I was soooo wrong. These guys were great for our family. Ranging in age from 15 to 57, all decent swimmers, and not looking for a hand-held experience, Hawaii Island and Ocean Tours ran a timely, tight, and well oiled operation and we had some amazing really close Manta encounters nicely encapsulated in a 1 hour package. Capt. Rory, guides Kaleia and Greg made us comfortable before we ever jumped in that nighttime water (and I know you’re as scared as we were, just reading about it). Totally perfect!!!! Don’t hesitate to go with them.
Do ittt!!
Keyla V,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was awesome, it was one of the coolest things I’ve ever done and the Manta Rays came up so close it was sooo! Workers were so sweet and funny and such a good vibe!!!
Must-Do!
Yesenia C,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00From Davin offering extra swimming gear to Greg, Rory, and Leila taking such great care of us on the boat, they truly made the whole experience even more enjoyable. The manta ray encounter is an absolute must-do!!! It’s so incredible!
The crew was amazing....
Keerthi P,Mar 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The crew was amazing. Steve was a very helpful person. We saw a ton of manta rays . I really love how they drill down a very key point to not touch the manta rays.
No mantas
amandasH9846IW,Mar 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00We saw no mantas tried to rebook to go out and only had 11 pm to go out. That time doesn’t work when you have kids.
Trip cancelled
W438DPjamesr,Mar 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Excursion was cancelled due to poor weather.
Magical Must Do Experience is to swim with the MANTA
bibykurian,Mar 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an absolutely amazing experience with Hawaii Island and Ocean Tours on their Manta Ray excursion! We called the same day and they were able to fit us in right away. Check-in was quick and easy, and Chris was always super responsive and helpful. Deavon and the crew—Greg and Rory—was fun, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable, making the experience even better. Once in the water, we saw about 10–12 manta rays up close—it was truly magical to watch them flipping and turning right next to us. The whole experience felt safe, well-organized, and unforgettable. If you’re visiting Hawaii and want a top-notch ocean adventure, I can’t recommend Hawaii Island and Ocean Tours enough!
No guarantee in reality
Grace G,Mar 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00There’s really no guarantee to see manta rays and we didn’t have the luck for our tour. The staff were very nice and said we could join next time for free. However, to us, this offer was like none, because we would leave the island the following morning, and traveling to Kona again from Maryland is indeed not planned for the near future.
Once in a Lifetime Experience
PamelaA212,Mar 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a once in a lifetime experience. We had non stop manta rays swimming underneath us for 20 minutes straight! It was intense, so definitely not for those easily scared or not comfortable in the ocean with large creatures. The staff was all well trained and very calm. You can tell they have done this many many times. They made sure everyone felt comfortable and if someone didn’t they swam with them back to the boat. They also allowed someone to get in after the main group was all set up in the water so they could try the experience. The main woman who guided us in the water was great! Deaven did a nice job checking us in and fitting us for our wet suits. He was very patient with one person in our party who couldn’t decide which size felt best. Seeing these large creatures up close was something I’ll never forget. On a side note, Trip Advisor allowed me to sign up and pay for a n empire person they’ll a they had room for, so one person in my party could not go. It was hard at the time. TA said they’ll refund us. I happen
Kona Hawaii adventures night manta snorkel
Darryl A,Mar 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We had a great experience. The crew members Dave and his fellow shipmates, were polite, helpful, humorous, knowledgeable. Big girl Amanda arrived shortly after our arrival. She made a few passes and rolls before disappearing into the night ocean
From US$35.00
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