Manta Ray Adventure: Kona's Best Snorkeling

Dive into adventure with giant manta rays in Kailua Kona. Experience unmatched safety and expertise. Book now for an unforgettable underwater journey.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Snorkel Big Island - Begin your Manta Ray Snorkeling Adventure on the North side of Honokohau Small Boat Harbor. Our friendly check-in staff will provide you with a shorty wetsuit (included) to ensure maximum comfort during your snorkeling experience.
    Board our spacious, safe, and comfortable USCG-documented vessel for a 15-20 minute journey as our…
What's Included
  • Red Cross Licensed In-Water Guide/ Lifeguard
  • Use of snorkeling equipment
  • Wetsuit
What's Not Included
  • Private transportation
  • Gratuity
  • Prescription Snorkel Mask
Additional Information

An exciting opportunity for a seasoned company and team. Snorkel Big Island has been offering Manta Ray Snorkel Excursions for over 12 years. The focus on detail, safety, and the expertise of the crew make this excursion unique. During this tour, participants can explore either the northern manta site near Kona airport or head further south to Keauhou,…

Location
Snorkel Big Island
Kealakehe Parkway
We depart on the north side of Honokohau small boat harbor. The address is 74 Kealakehe Pkwy, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA (GOOGLE MAPS SEARCH: "Snorkel Big Island" and it will lead you to the correct side of the harbor.)
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.6
(114 Ratings)
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Sandy_m
Oct 1, 2025
Manta Ray Night Snorkel - This was amazing. The crew was very friendly and knowledgeable. They got us to a place where we saw one ray very quickly, and then there were none for several minutes. So they moved us to another area where they said there was more activity, and we saw so many rays. They were absolutely stunning, and they came so close. We also saw a shark before we went back in. It was just the right amount of time in the water and we definitely got to see a lot of rays. I highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Hopel616
Sep 24, 2025
Huge rays!! - Such an amazing experience!! Once in a lifetime chance while on the big island. Wear the wetsuit provided and bring a towel :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michael
Sep 16, 2025
Awesome - bucket list experience - We went out on the 8:30 pm manta ray trip. Great easy experience. Snorkeled about 20 feet from boat and hung onto lighted surfboards. Had about 15 manta rays cruise/feed at our boards lights. Some were up to 10’ across. They cruised so close that I could have head butted them every time! Absolutely awesome experience. They are huge but harmless. Most impressive/incredible wildlife experience I ever had. 10 star experience
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rich_s
Sep 3, 2025
Outstanding experience and one of the better operators - Nigut swimming with manta rays was a highlight of our trip. We had several sightings and they got very close. The crew was helpful and set us at ease. They were a little late to the pickup point, but called right away when I texted. You should know this crew uses a method that attracts plankton upward, enticing the mantas to swim high and show off. It's ethical and sensible. By my view, it appeared at least one other operator did not do this and instead used a huge floodlight on the floor. While it might have looked cool, they had not seen a single ray by the time we left and I was grateful to be on a boat using our method.
Review provided by Viator
Tren2nq
Aug 23, 2025
Great Manta Ray Experience with a well-seasoned crew - Snorkel Big Island had a great experience for night snorkeling with the manta rays. The boat was comfortable for the ride there and back, and was clean and well kept up. The crew was very knowledgeable and kind, while being firm on certain rules since you’re interacting with wildlife—which must be taken as a privilege to interact with, so I think the approach is warranted. The experience itself was great, 30 minutes while being inches away from huge manta rays feeding was a very memorable experience. Of course, you have to understand that you’re dealing with wildlife, so your experience will be different every time, which is a great excuse to go again and again! Highly recommend this activity for the price.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Krista_k
Aug 22, 2025
We did the 6:30pm snorkel... - We did the 6:30pm snorkel and it was amazing! We saw about 8 manta rays and it was the highlight of our trip. The boat ride at sunset was beautiful and the whole process of meeting up was easy and direct. Would definitely recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Bhavisha_j
Aug 21, 2025
Loved it - Was amazing experience to float with manta rays in the sea at night, with beautiful stars in sky. Shall recommend to do in hawai
Review provided by Viator
Im4pro
Aug 18, 2025
More Experience Needed - The crew was helpful and apologetic but just did not have thier act together. They started the tour late, getting us to the viewing spot after all the other boats were already anchored and veiwing. I believe we got the least desirable location because we were beat out by all the other boats. So, we saw virtually no Mantas and recieved no compensation.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
D2182esmarcelom
Sep 5, 2025
Choose carefully - We know that sometimes the mantas doesn’t appear, it’s not a guarantee tour, ok. But they were there around others boats and the crew made no effort to reach them, as move the boat to a better spot. We waited 30 minutes, in a cold water at night, at the same spot, seeing couple fishes. The crew should have more empathy and demonstrate more passion about their job. Nobody explained anything about the mantas, or why they are attracted by the lights, or even the harbor, big island or the place we dove. They just explained some mandatory infos about the boat, security and made some jokes about pee in the wetsuit. Maybe they should invest in better equipment, more powerful lights, like some other boats. It’s about the experience that you provide, not only about money and see mantas.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lawrence_c
Aug 17, 2025
Inexperienced crew - No Manta ray to be seen. waste the whole night and all the preparations with it. I went with another Viator tour 3 weeks ago and saw lots of rays.
Review provided by Viator
From $137
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).