Overview
Duration: 1:30 Hours
Meeting Point: 75-6082 Ali’i Drive, Kailua Kona, HI 96740
Cancellations: 100% refund if canceled 24+ hours in advance
Age Requirement: 6+
Group Size: Maximum 17 guests
Activity Details
Experience the thrill of swimming with majestic manta rays—an unforgettable activity exclusive to Kailua-Kona, one of the few places in the world where you can snorkel with these incredible creatures at night.
At Hawaii Island & Ocean Tours, we prioritize your safety while ensuring you get as close as possible to these magnificent animals in their natural environment. Using our custom-built light boards, we attract zooplankton, drawing the manta rays in for an up-close encounter.
You’ll swim approximately 50 feet from the boat to the paddleboard-based lighting system, which serves as a gathering point for the manta rays. To help you maintain the right position, you’ll wear a flotation belt around your ankles, keeping your body flat on the surface as you watch the mantas barrel roll and feed beneath you.
Important:
This is an active ocean tour. Guests must be confident swimmers. First-time snorkelers should be experienced swimmers, as this tour is not suitable for beginners. You must feel comfortable in the ocean and follow the guide’s instructions throughout the experience.
Our professional guides will provide assistance with positioning and safety, ensuring you have the best possible chance to witness these gentle giants up close.
What’s Included:
Mask & snorkel
Waist flotation belt
Wetsuit rental (Available upon inquiry at check-in)
Life jacket rental (Available upon inquiry at check-in)
GoPro rental (Available upon inquiry at check-in)
Prescription mask rental (Available upon inquiry at check-in)
What’s Not Included:
Gratuities for the crew
Rental items are not included for free (see included items list)
Itinerary:
Check-in: At least one hour before your tour time at the BIO (Big Island Outdoor) storefront
Drive: 12-15 minutes (in your own vehicle) to the harbor location, provided at check-in
Boat Ride: 4–5 minutes to the manta ray viewing site
In-water snorkeling: 20–40 minutes of guided snorkeling with manta rays
Return Boat Ride: Back to the harbor
Highlights:
Short boat ride to manta ray viewing site
Statistically higher chances of seeing mantas on later tours
Maximum of 17 guests for an intimate experience
Over 150,000 lumens of blue dive light for enhanced manta viewing

