Sunset & Manta Ray Snorkel Combo Tour

Best Value Night Snorkel

Experience an unforgettable 2-hour, 15-minute combo tour from Kailua-Kona that seamlessly blends two breathtaking ocean adventures. Departing in the late afternoon, witness the sun’s vibrant descent into the Pacific, revealing a stunning vista absent from shore. As darkness falls, underwater lights flicker on, drawing graceful manta rays near.

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Activity Price

137 USD

Duration

2 hours, 15 minutes

Age

All Ages

Location

Kailua-Kona, HI

Amenities

Snorkel gear is provided on board, including masks, fins, and flotation devices for the manta ray portion of the night. This means you don't need to haul your own equipment to the dock or rent separately — the crew will fit you before you hit the water and can swap out a leaky mask without drama.

The boat is equipped with underwater lights specifically designed to attract plankton, which in turn draws the manta rays to the snorkel site — this isn't luck, it's a system that works night after night. Guests who aren't comfortable entering the water can watch the mantas from the surface using a boogie board or from the vessel itself, so no one gets left out of the spectacle.

Special Instruction

Sunset Fades. Mantas Rise. Magic Begins.

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The Kona Sky at the Last Light

About 45 minutes into the tour, the horizon goes from orange to deep violet and the silhouette of Mauna Kea appears behind you in the fading light — you’re floating on open ocean with nothing between you and that view. The crew cuts the engine just long enough for everyone to go quiet, and for a minute you can hear the hull moving through the water and nothing else.

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A Manta Ray Rolling Beneath Your Fins

Once the underwater lights are on and the plankton clouds form, the mantas come in close — sometimes within arm’s reach, though you’re asked not to touch them. Watching a 10-foot wingspan bank through a column of light in black water, mouth open in a slow-motion loop, is one of those moments where you forget to breathe until your snorkel reminds you.

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Between the Two Sites, the Ocean Owns You

There’s a stretch in the middle of the tour — after the sunset colors fade and before the manta lights go in — where the boat is running in full dark and the only thing lit is the white water off the bow. The air smells like salt and engine exhaust and something faintly alive, and you realize you’re miles from shore with nothing solid beneath you for thousands of feet. It’s not scary exactly, but it recalibrates something, and by the time the crew drops anchor and calls everyone to the rail, you’re paying attention in a way you weren’t two hours ago.

Complete Combo Tour Package

About

Additional information

Pricing

Cancellations

Overview

Duration: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Location: 75-5660 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Cancellations: 48 hours prior to scheduled departure
Age Requirement: Open to all ages (99 and under)
Group Size: Maximum of 36 participants
Accessibility: No wheelchair access

Activity Details

Experience Kona’s #1 marine encounter on an unforgettable journey through the beautiful waters of Kailua-Kona.

Your adventure begins with a breathtaking Kona sunset as we sail along the coast to our snorkel destination—Manta Ray Village. Once we reach the location, you’ll receive a comprehensive safety briefing before heading into the water with our expert guides to snorkel alongside the majestic hahaluas (manta rays).

After your exhilarating underwater experience, return to the boat and relax with a warm cup of hot cocoa or hot tea while enjoying the stunning lights of Kona town as we sail back to the pier.

Since manta rays are wild animals, we offer one of the best Manta Guarantees in the industry: If you don’t see a manta ray during your tour, we’ll rebook you for free (subject to availability; not applicable to “ride along” guests).

What’s Included:

Full snorkel equipment (with instruction)
T-top wetsuits
All non-alcoholic beverages
Beer, wine, and spirits available for purchase

What’s Not Included:

Swimwear
Towel
Sunglasses
Long-sleeve shirt or light jacket
Camera

Itinerary:

Begin the tour by watching the iconic Kona sunset while sailing along the coast to Manta Ray Village.
Once we arrive, receive a safety briefing and then snorkel with the majestic manta rays for approximately 30 minutes.
After snorkeling, return to the boat for hot cocoa and hot tea while enjoying the lights of Kona town as we make our way back to the pier.

Highlights:

Scenic sunset sail along the Kona coast
30 minutes of snorkeling with majestic manta rays
Unlimited non-alcoholic beverages
Hot cocoa and tea after snorkeling
Easy water entry/exit with our grand staircase (no ladders to climb)
Reduced “ride along” rate for guests not entering the water
Enjoy the beautiful lights of Kona town

Join us for a truly memorable experience with Kona’s incredible manta rays!

Check-In Details
Check-in begins 30 minutes before departure at our store, located at the Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha Hotel and Resort, adjacent to the pool and fitness center.

What to Bring:

Swimwear
Towel
Sunglasses
Long sleeve shirt or light jacket
Camera

Special Requirements:

All guests participating in the water activity must know how to swim independently, without the assistance of a flotation device.
Children aged 4 and under are not allowed in the water and must remain onboard the boat with a parent or legal guardian.
Guests entering the water must weigh 300 lbs or less.
Manta rays are wild animals, and in the event that manta rays are not seen during your tour, snorkelers may be rebooked for free on another night (subject to availability and applies only to snorkelers).
Please note: This purchase is non-refundable, including for snorkelers who are directed back to the boat due to lack of swimming ability (as determined by our captain or crew), guests who are denied water entry due to exceeding the 300 lbs weight limit, or in the unlikely event that no manta rays are seen.

Restrictions:

We do not recommend pregnant women in their third trimester participate in our tours. Pregnant guests should consult their healthcare provider before booking.
Full-face snorkel masks are not allowed on any of our excursions.
Our vessel is not wheelchair accessible.

Health & Safety:

Pregnant women in their third trimester should not participate in our trips and must consult with a healthcare provider before booking.
Full-face snorkel masks are prohibited on our excursions.
Our vessel is not wheelchair accessible. Guests must be able to board and move around the vessel independently. This includes:
- Navigating five-rung ladders to access restrooms
- A two-foot step over the transom
- Five steps to access the loading/unloading ramp

Disclaimers:

All snorkeling activities are subject to weather and ocean conditions. We reserve the right to modify or cancel trips for safety reasons.
Guests must follow crew instructions at all times. Participation is at your own risk.
Our crew cannot be held responsible for personal belongings lost or damaged during the trip.
Wildlife sightings, including marine life, are natural occurrences and cannot be guaranteed.
Manta rays are wild animals. If manta rays are not seen during the tour, snorkelers may be rebooked for free on another night, based on availability. This offer only applies to snorkelers.

Pricing:

US$137 – Adults (13 years and older)
US$125 – Youth (5-12 years old)
US$75 – Infants/Children (Ages 4 & Under) – Must stay on the boat, not allowed in the water
US$75 – Ride Along (All ages) – Stays on the boat, does not get into the water

Cancellations / Rebookings

Full Refund: Cancellations made at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled departure time (or 7 days for private charters) will receive a full refund.
No Refunds: Cancellations within 48 hours of departure, no-shows, or guests who check in late and miss the tour will not be refunded.
Rebooking Fee: If you reschedule within 48 hours of departure (7 days for private charters), a rebooking fee will apply.
Operator Cancellations: Customers will receive a full refund in the event of operator cancellations due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

Manta Ray Guarantee

Manta rays are wild animals, and we do not offer refunds if manta rays are not seen during the snorkel experience.
If you do not see manta rays, we will attempt to rebook you for another night for free (subject to availability).
We recommend booking this experience early in your stay to allow us the ability to rebook you in case of a missed manta ray sighting.
Please note: The manta ray guarantee for rebooking does not apply to “ride-along” guests who remain on the boat.

Sunset & Manta Ray Snorkel Combo Tour — Frequently Asked Questions

Are manta ray sightings guaranteed on this tour?
No operator can legally guarantee wild animal sightings, but the Kona manta ray site has one of the most consistent encounter rates in the world — some guides estimate a 90–95% sighting rate on most nights. The underwater lighting system used on this tour is specifically designed to attract the plankton that mantas feed on, which is why the site works so reliably compared to just swimming out and hoping.
Do I need to know how to swim or be an experienced snorkeler for the manta portion?
You don’t need to be an experienced snorkeler, but you do need to be comfortable floating in open ocean water at night — which feels different from snorkeling in a calm bay during the day. Flotation boards and life vests are provided, and guests who prefer not to enter the water can still view the mantas from the surface with a boogie board or from the boat itself.
What should I wear and bring on the Sunset and Manta Ray Snorkel Combo?
Wear your swimsuit under your street clothes and bring a light jacket or hoodie for after the snorkel — the temperature drops noticeably on the water once the sun goes down and you’re wet. Leave valuables at your hotel; there’s limited secure storage on board, and a waterproof phone case is a smart call if you want photos of the sunset portion.
Is this tour good for kids, and is there a minimum age?
The tour is listed as all ages, and families with keiki regularly join — the manta rays are not dangerous and tend to be a highlight for kids who are comfortable in the water. That said, younger children who are nervous about swimming in dark ocean water may find the night snorkel portion stressful, so use your judgment about your own child’s comfort level before booking.
What's the difference between booking just a manta ray snorkel vs. this combo tour?
A standalone manta ray snorkel on the Kona Coast typically runs $80–$100 and just gets you to the manta site after dark with no additional experience built in. This combo adds a dedicated sunset viewing portion from open water — which is a genuinely different and better vantage point than watching from shore — making the overall value significantly stronger at $137 for 2-plus hours on the water.
Will I get seasick on this tour, and how rough does it get?
Kona’s leeward waters are generally calmer than the windward side of the island, but open ocean at dusk can have enough swell to affect guests who are susceptible to motion sickness. If you have any history of seasickness, take a non-drowsy motion sickness tablet like Bonine at least an hour before departure — waiting until you feel queasy on the boat is too late for it to work effectively.

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