Keauhou Bay Late Night Manta Snorkel

Book Keauhou Bay Late Night Manta Snorkel

Short Boat Ride to Mantas

Experience the magic of Keauhou Bay after dark, where majestic manta rays glide beneath the surface, illuminated by underwater lights. With wingspans of six to twelve feet, these gentle giants barrel-roll through clouds of plankton just inches away. This 90-minute snorkel tour, priced at $99, offers an intimate encounter at one of the world’s top manta feeding sites, boasting over 80% sightings.

Manta Ray Late Night Snorkel in Keauhou – Kona f-1

Activity Price

99 USD

Duration

1:30 Hours

Age

Ages 6+

Location

Kailua-Kona

Amenities

Snorkel gear, wetsuits, and flotation boards are provided for every guest. The wetsuit matters more than people expect — even in Hawaiian waters, floating motionless at night for 45 minutes will chill you down, and the 3mm suit they provide makes the difference between an amazing experience and a teeth-chattering one.
The boat is equipped with underwater LED lights that attract the plankton bloom the mantas feed on, which is the entire engine behind why this experience works. Without those lights there are no mantas, so this isn't just a convenience — it's the core technology that makes the encounter possible, and the guides manage them strategically throughout your time in the water.

Special Instruction

Manta Rays Rise Into Your Flashlight Beam

Manta Ray Late Night Snorkel in Keauhou – Kona f-1
The First Manta Pass at Keauhou Bay

You’re floating flat on the board, face in the water, and the guides have killed the boat’s above-surface lights so the only glow is coming from below. Then a shadow the size of a dining room table materializes from the dark and glides directly beneath you — so close you could touch it, though you won’t, because you’re completely frozen. That first pass is the moment every review mentions, and no amount of reading about it prepares you for how enormous and how graceful they actually are.

Manta Ray Late Night Snorkel in Keauhou – Kona f-1
Barrel Rolls Beneath the Plankton Cloud

When the plankton density is high, the mantas don’t just pass through — they loop. A single ray will roll backward through the light column again and again, its white belly flashing upward on each rotation, mouth wide open, cephalic fins curled forward like two horns funneling the water in. Watching three or four of them do this simultaneously, from above, is like watching living geometry — pure fluid motion that makes every other wildlife encounter feel ordinary by comparison.

Manta Ray Late Night Snorkel in Keauhou – Kona f-1
The Moment the Wetsuit Goes Cold

Stepping off the back of the boat into Keauhou Bay at night is its own small act of courage — the water is warmer than you expect, but the darkness beyond the light cone is absolute, and for about ten seconds your brain is loudly unconvinced this is a good idea. Then the guide positions your board over the glow, you press your face into the water, and every nervous thought dissolves the instant you see the mantas already waiting below, slow and unhurried, like they’ve been there all along. That transition — from mild dread to total awe in under a minute — is something no highlight reel ever quite captures.

Book Keauhou Bay Late Night Manta Snorkel

Complete Manta Ray Snorkel Package Inclusions

About
Additional information
Pricing
Cancellations

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

Guest Check-In Instructions
Important Arrival Information for All Guests

To ensure a smooth and timely experience, please review the following check-in details carefully:

Must Check In at Least ONE HOUR BEFORE YOUR SCHEDULED TIME!

Check-In Location:
Big Island Outdoor Storefront Office
75-6082 Ali’i Drive, Kailua Kona, Hawaii 96740

Check-In Time:
Guests are required to check in at least one (1) hour before the scheduled tour time at the Big Island Outdoor office. This allows time for gear fitting, safety briefings, and ensures on-time departures for the tour.

What to Expect:

  • Upon arrival, you’ll receive your rental gear (wetsuits, lifejackets, etc.).

  • Our staff will guide you through the check-in process and address any last-minute questions.

  • You will then be directed to the harbor for your scheduled tour.

Please Note:

  • The check-in time listed on your confirmation is not the boat departure time.

  • Arriving late may result in forfeiting your spot.

  • Keep your phone accessible for any updates or changes to your tour time.

Contact Us:
If you have any questions or issues on the day of your tour, please call us at 808-313-1116 or email info@konasnorkeltour.com.

We look forward to giving you an unforgettable experience on the water!

What to Bring

  • Arrive in your swimsuit

  • You may bring an underwater camera (underwater action cameras are available for rent upon request at check-in)

  • Guests may bring the following onboard:

    • Underwater camera

    • Prescription glasses

    • Small medical devices

    • Personal mask and snorkel (if you do not have your own, we will provide them at no extra charge)

Not Permitted Onboard:

  • Bags

  • Towels

  • Change of clothes

  • Car keys

  • Any personal items not listed above

Storage Options:
All non-permitted items must be left at the wetsuit van before boarding. Our crew will safely store and watch over your belongings during the tour.

Physical & Ocean Readiness Requirements

  • Guests must be physically fit and able to climb a boat ladder unassisted.

  • This activity is not suitable for individuals with back, neck, or mobility issues.

  • You must be able to swim confidently and handle varying ocean conditions, which may range from calm to moderately rough.

  • Our tours take place in the open ocean, not a controlled environment.

  • By booking this tour, you acknowledge you are participating at your own risk, both on the boat and in the water, regardless of weather or ocean conditions.

  • Please do not book if you are uncomfortable with open water or unsure of your swimming ability. (Life jackets are available for rent at check-in.)

Participant Requirements:

  • Guests must be able to swim confidently, snorkel independently, and climb a boat ladder without assistance.

  • Participants must weigh under 300 lbs for safety and equipment limitations.

Important Notes About Timing & Flexibility
Please understand that our Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tour is a wildlife-based experience, and as such, the schedule may vary due to factors beyond our control.

  • Tour duration and water time are approximate and not guaranteed.

  • This is not a rigidly timed activity, so flexibility is important for the best experience.

Factors that may affect timing include:

  • Ocean and weather conditions

  • Manta ray activity and movement

  • Boat traffic at the harbor

  • Seasonal changes in sunset and visibility

As a result, tours may run late—sometimes by an hour or more. This is typical for wildlife-based experiences and is common with reputable operators.

Additionally, check-in times may be adjusted on rare occasions due to:

  • Minimum boat capacity not being met

  • Sudden weather changes

  • Seasonal sunset shifts

We ask that you keep your evening schedule open and remain available to adjust your check-in time if needed. Please keep your phone on and accessible throughout the day and evening of your tour, as any changes will be communicated directly via text or call.

We appreciate your flexibility and understanding—it helps us provide the safest and most rewarding manta ray experience possible. Thank you!

$99 per person, plus taxes and applicable fees.

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By booking, you agree to our policy terms and conditions.

PLEASE READ CANCELLATION POLICY:

  • Full Refunds: Customers will receive a full refund in case of operator cancellation due to weather, boat mechanical issues, or other unforeseen circumstances. Contact us by phone to inquire about a cancellation.

  • 72-Hour Cancellation: Full refund if canceled 72 hours before the tour.

  • No-Shows: Will be charged the full price.

  • Parties of Six or More: Must cancel seven days before the tour.

  • Boat Capacity: If boat capacity is not met, the tour time may be moved.

Guests can also receive a full refund if they cancel within the 72-hour window and if other guests book and replace their tickets.

No Refund Disputes:
Disputing charges with banks or credit/debit cards will be considered fraud and handled legally by our attorney.

If you require a refund due to a cancellation by us, we will process the refund for you.

BOAT CAPACITY POLICY:

  • A minimum of 8 guests is required for the tour to operate.

  • If the minimum is not met, we will move your reservation to another time or day.

  • You will be contacted at least 30 minutes prior if your tour needs to be rescheduled.

By booking, you agree to these policies:
Whether you book directly or through a third-party agency, you are responsible for reviewing and understanding these terms.

Tour Duration & Schedule:

  • Tour duration is approximate—don’t expect a set schedule.

  • As a wildlife tour, conditions such as weather, manta ray sightings, and boat traffic can affect timing.

Guarantee Policy:

  • No refunds for wildlife sightings. Wildlife is not guaranteed.

  • Come Again Free: If manta rays are not seen, you can return for another tour, based on availability, one hour before the desired tour time.

  • If these terms and policies do not work for you, please cancel your booking.

Risk Acknowledgment:
Understand that there are inherent risks involved with snorkeling and boating, including but not limited to:

  • Equipment failure

  • Perils of the sea

  • Harm from marine creatures (bites & stings)

  • Acts of fellow participants

  • Entering and exiting the water, boarding/disembarking the boat, and activities on the dock

By booking, you assume these risks. No refunds will be provided for these occurrences.

Review Policy:
By purchasing tickets, you agree not to leave negative reviews based on circumstances beyond our control, such as weather, mechanical issues, or boat capacity not being met.

By booking with us, you agree to all of our policy terms and conditions.

Keauhou Bay Late Night Manta Ray Snorkel — Frequently Asked Questions

  • No operator can guarantee wildlife, but Keauhou Bay has one of the highest manta sighting rates in Hawaii — most nights you will see them, and many nights you’ll see several. The combination of the bay’s natural plankton concentration and the underwater lights creates reliable feeding conditions that draw mantas in consistently. If conditions are completely unfavorable, the operator will communicate that before departure rather than running a tour into empty water.

  • You don’t need to be a strong swimmer — you’ll be holding onto a flotation board the entire time, which keeps you on the surface without any effort. Basic comfort in the ocean is helpful, meaning you shouldn’t be panicked by dark water or the sensation of floating in open ocean at night. If you can float calmly and breathe through a snorkel mask, you have all the skills this tour requires.

  • The mantas at Keauhou typically range from six to twelve feet in wingspan, and a few resident individuals are even larger. They are completely harmless — they have no stingers, no teeth capable of biting, and no territorial aggression. The name ‘manta’ comes from the Spanish word for blanket, referencing their shape, not any threat. Their only interest in you is as an obstacle to swim around on their way to the plankton.

  • Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and bring a layer to pull on after you get out of the water — ocean temps around Kona run in the low-to-mid 70s°F at night, which feels colder when you’ve been floating stationary for 45 minutes. A wetsuit is provided and you should absolutely wear it. Leave the sunscreen in the hotel room; it’s nighttime, you don’t need it, and the chemicals are harmful to the mantas.

  • Departure is from Keauhou Bay, which sits approximately six miles south of the Kailua-Kona town center along Ali’i Drive. Most people drive and park at the bay — there’s a small lot nearby. If you’re staying in Kailua-Kona, it’s an easy drive; if you’re coming from the Kohala Coast resorts, budget around 45 minutes. Confirm your exact check-in location and time when you book, as late-night logistics sometimes differ from daytime departures.

  • The minimum age is 6 years old, and kids who are comfortable in the water tend to absolutely love this — there’s nothing scary about the mantas themselves, and the wonder on a child’s face during that first close pass is something parents talk about for years. That said, floating in dark open ocean at night can feel intimidating for some younger or more anxious kids, so use your judgment about your child’s specific comfort level with dark water before booking.

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