All things to doKona and the west coast
Manta ray night snorkel in Kona
Reef mantas feed under the boats’ lights almost every night of the year. You float. They do the swimming. Book it before you fill your evenings.
- Time
- About 2 hours, after dark
- Leaves from
- Keauhou or Honokōhau
- When
- Year-round
- Book
- 1–2 weeks ahead in winter
Why it is worth paying for
You cannot replicate this from shore. Operators set lights in the water, plankton gathers, and the mantas come to feed, often within arm’s reach. Wingspans run around three metres. They have no stinger. Do not touch them.
Winter boats sell out. If the trip is in December through April, book a week or two ahead and keep the evening clear. A luau and the manta snorkel should not be the same night.
What you are actually doing
Most trips last about two hours and leave from Keauhou Bay or Honokōhau Harbor after dark. You wear a wetsuit, hold a lit board, and stay in one spot. A guide is in the water. If you are a weak swimmer, ask for a vest and read the longer guide before you choose a boat.
Pick a boat that says what happens if no manta shows. Some offer a free retry, some do not. That policy matters more than the photos.
