Hawaii · MANTA RAY NIGHT SNORKELS

Manta Ray Night Snorkels in Kona: The 15 Best Trips

22 tours  ·  from $25 a head

One stretch of Big Island coast, a few permitted boats and a single slot each evening. These 15 differ on harbour, group size and whether a blank night buys you a free re-ride.

Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel - Getting into the water after dark
Manta Ray Night Snorkels, Snorkeling, Snorkeling in the Big Island, Tour Reviews, Tours in the Big Island

Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel

1.Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,656 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $84Our pick

Meet Hang Loose Boat Tours at Keauhou Bay for a short sunset cruise, then enter the water with a guide, flotation gear, and a wetsuit top. You hold a lighted viewing board while manta rays glide below and sometimes pass within inches. Crews may include Bryce, Noah, Vince, Aden, Jordan, or Bruno. Non-swimmers can ask about the ride-along option.

“The best! Crew was incredible, made it fun, but safe, lots of options for all abilities- far exceeded our expectations! If you do a Manta tour - you need to go with this company hands down! Big boat, snacks, attentive crew, and all around nice guys :)”

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Big Island: Kona Manta Ray Snorkel Tour in Keauhou Harbor - The light board brings the rays close
Manta Ray Night Snorkels, Snorkeling, Snorkeling in the Big Island, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in the Big Island

Big Island: Kona Manta Ray Snorkel Tour in Keauhou Harbor

2.Kona Manta Ray Snorkel Tour in Keauhou Harbor

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,465 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $25Best value

Meet at Keauhou Harbor, collect your mask and snorkel, then take a three-minute night boat ride to a manta feeding site. An in-water guide such as Greg, Mahina, or Eric helps you float safely beside the rays for up to 30 minutes. Groups can reach 17 people, wetsuits cost $10, and the tour returns to the same harbor.

“What a great way to spend New Year's Eve with my boys. It was a great experience and I would for sure do it again. We saw 3 rays up close. Crew did a great job at making us feel comfortable. You cannot bring anything on the boat, but can bring a towel and small bag to leave at van. Highly recommend.”

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KONA Manta Ray Night Snorkel - FREE re-ride if no Sightings - Why Kona’s night manta encounter is so special
Manta Ray Night Snorkels, Snorkeling, Snorkeling in the Big Island, Tour Reviews, Tours in the Big Island

KONA Manta Ray Night Snorkel – FREE re-ride if no Sightings

3.KONA Manta Ray Night Snorkel – FREE re-ride if no Sightings

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,212 reviews · 1 hour 20 minutes (approx.) · from $49

From a small 23-foot RHIB near the Outrigger Resort, you’ll cruise a few minutes to Kona’s manta viewing area, then spend about 25 to 30 minutes in the water. Guides such as Taco, Peyton, and Mike explain manta behavior while you float above these gentle giants. Strong swimming and basic snorkel skills are required.

“Wonderful adventure! Capt Mike did great job and Taco told us all about the mantas. He was great and very informative. Keiki helped with everything else. Water was not too cold, boat ride short and amazing time in the water. Such beautiful majestic creatures.”

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Manta Ray Night Snorkel at Kona, Big Island - The short boat ride to Keauhou Bay
Manta Ray Night Snorkels, Snorkeling, Snorkeling in the Big Island, Tour Reviews, Tours in the Big Island

Manta Ray Night Snorkel at Kona, Big Island

4.Manta Ray Night Snorkel at Kona, Big Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,758 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $44

Meet Dolphin Discoveries in Kailua-Kona, check in, collect your mask, snorkel, and short-sleeve wetsuit top, then head to Keauhou Bay by boat. You will hold a lighted float while manta rays feed below and may pass within inches. Guides such as Bryce, Vinny, and Brianna have helped first-timers feel at ease, but you must swim confidently in dark, open water.

“I had manta rays millimeters from me! Totally safe for all ages and does not require much muscle. Guides are very communicative. One of my favorite memories from big island is this manta snorkel trip”

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Glow of the Deep: Night Snorkeling with Manta Rays - Pick the departure that fits your evening
Manta Ray Night Snorkels, Snorkeling, Snorkeling in the Big Island, Tour Reviews, Tours in the Big Island

Glow of the Deep: Night Snorkeling with Manta Rays

5.Glow of the Deep: Night Snorkeling with Manta Rays

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,254 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $80

From Honokohau Harbor, you’ll cruise offshore at sunset, suit up, and spend about 45 minutes floating above giant manta rays in 30 to 35 feet of water. Guides provide wetsuits, snorkel gear, flotation, lights, snacks, and safety support. You may also ride along without entering the water.

“It’s awesome , we had an all girl team and they were great, they were very helpful , well experienced”

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Kailua Kona: Night Manta Ray Adventure on the Big Island - Holding the Light Board Beneath the Mantas
Manta Ray Night Snorkels, Tour Reviews, Tours in the Big Island

Kailua Kona: Night Manta Ray Adventure on the Big Island

6.Night Manta Ray Adventure on the Big Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,199 reviews · 2h 30m · from $121

Cruise from Kailua Kona to a nighttime manta site, then hold a light board while plankton draws giant rays within inches of your mask. Hang Loose Boat Tours provides snorkel gear, wetsuit tops, floats, snacks, and drinks. Expect about 20 to 30 minutes each way and roughly 45 minutes in the water, with a ride-along option for non-snorkelers.

“My husband and I booked this adventure for our honeymoon and are SO glad we did! It ended up being one of the best highlights of our trip. And this is coming from two people who can’t swim 😂 Our guides Aidan, Gary and Noah were hilarious and SO accommodating. We were initially fit with some snorkeling gear and quickly got on the boat to ride out about 20 min to the manta rays. We were given some life vests and noodle floats (to stay flat in the water). Even though I was panicked the first portion of getting in the water, our guides were always nearby & ready to…”

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Manta Magic: Small-Group Manta Ray Night Snorkel in Kailua Kona - Holding the Board Above the Mantas
Manta Ray Night Snorkels, Snorkeling, Snorkeling in the Big Island, Tour Reviews, Tours in the Big Island

Manta Magic: Small-Group Manta Ray Night Snorkel in Kailua Kona

7.Manta Magic: Small-Group Manta Ray Night Snorkel in Kailua Kona

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,141 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $145

From Keauhou Harbor, you’ll make a short boat ride to Kona’s manta site, where a small group holds onto a glowing light board as manta rays gather below. Hawaii Oceanic provides snorkel gear, drinks, and optional wetsuit tops. Guides such as Sara, Molly, Jason, and Lexi help with safety and manta facts.

“Exceeded expectations! Staff were helpful, knowledgeable and friendly. Made the whole experience amazing”

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Sunset and Manta Ray Snorkel Adventure - Why the 50-foot catamaran matters
Manta Ray Night Snorkels, Snorkeling, Snorkeling in the Big Island, Sunset Cruises, Sunset Cruises in the Big Island, Tour Reviews, Tours in the Big Island

Sunset and Manta Ray Snorkel Adventure

8.Sunset and Manta Ray Snorkel Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 843 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $154

Sail the Kona coast aboard a 50-foot catamaran as the sun sets, then hold onto a lighted board while manta rays feed below you. Kona Style supplies snorkel gear, a wetsuit top, drinks, and hot cocoa afterward. Captain Dan and the crew focus on safety, clear instruction, and keeping nervous swimmers comfortable. The boat carries up to 36 people.

“The staff were very friendly and informative . A thorough explanation of what to expect was given by staff . Experience of getting in the water with the manta rays was amazing! The crew was fun and great at what they do! Would recommend choosing Kona Style for your manta ray snorkel experience !”

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Manta Ray Night Snorkel in Kona - The 4:00 pm departure from Kailua-Kona
Manta Ray Night Snorkels, Snorkeling, Snorkeling in the Big Island, Tour Reviews, Tours in the Big Island

Manta Ray Night Snorkel in Kona

9.Manta Ray Night Snorkel in Kona

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 777 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $125

Join Manta Adventures for a sunset cruise from Kailua-Kona to Garden Eel Cove, then watch manta rays feed beneath bright underwater lights. The Maheli-Heli carries up to 24 people and provides masks, fins, wetsuits, flotation gear, snacks, water, a bathroom, and a warm rinse. Captain Bill, Captain Dan, Drew, Sam, Cal, Melissa, and Karen are among the crew members associated with this trip.

“It was amazing! It's good to know the habits and more about the manta rays. The personal was really friendly!”

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Night Manta Ray Experience - How close do the manta rays get?
Manta Ray Night Snorkels, Tour Reviews, Tours in the Big Island

Night Manta Ray Experience

10.Night Manta Ray Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 751 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $146

Sea Quest Hawaii takes you from Kailua-Kona into warm coastal waters for a 90-minute nighttime manta encounter. You hold a lighted flotation board while manta rays feed on plankton below, sometimes passing within inches. Snorkel gear, wetsuits, flotation devices, and hot chocolate are included. Guides such as Kim, Rick, Em, and Sage have been praised for clear instruction and calm support.

“The staff and crew are great. Could not be nicer or more helpful. A must experience if you can. We saw four mantas on this night.”

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Snorkel with Manta Rays Guaranteed - From Keauhou Bay to the Hokulani
Manta Ray Night Snorkels, Snorkeling, Snorkeling in the Big Island, Tour Reviews, Tours in the Big Island

Snorkel with Manta Rays Guaranteed

11.Snorkel with Manta Rays Guaranteed

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 738 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $141

From Keauhou Bay, cruise aboard the trimaran Hokulani to Manta Ray Village. After a safety briefing, you’ll use a lit flotation device to watch manta rays feed below for about 45 minutes. Wetsuits, masks, snorkels, drinks, and in-water support are included. The boat returns to Keauhou Bay after roughly 90 minutes.

“a very incredible night, saw 6 manta rays. staff were fun and friendly and very helpful. It was so majestic seeing the Manta rays swimming and passing by.”

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Manta Ray Snorkeling by Night in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii - Meeting in Kailua-Kona and getting ready
Manta Ray Night Snorkels, Snorkeling, Snorkeling in the Big Island, Tour Reviews, Tours in the Big Island

Manta Ray Snorkeling by Night in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

12.Manta Ray Snorkeling by Night in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 672 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $127

Meet Eka Canoe Adventures in Kailua-Kona for a short ride on a traditional-style Hawaiian double-hulled canoe. In the water, you hold a lighted float and watch wild manta rays feed on plankton. Groups are limited to 12, with wetsuits, flotation gear, standard and prescription masks, and guides included.

“Beautiful experience that should be on everyone's bucket list. We could not believe how awesome this was.”

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Manta Ray Night Snorkel from Kona — Small Group - From Honokohau Harbor to the open water
Manta Ray Night Snorkels, Snorkeling, Snorkeling in the Big Island, Tour Reviews, Tours in the Big Island

Manta Ray Night Snorkel from Kona — Small Group

13.Manta Ray Night Snorkel from Kona — Small Group

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 657 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $123

Join Captain Kris or Chris and a small crew from Honokohau Harbor for a sunset-to-moonlight snorkel with manta rays. You get a wetsuit, flotation gear, snacks, and about 40 minutes in the water at Garden Eel Cove or Manta Heaven. The boat carries up to 16 people, and a second trip is free if no mantas appear.

“Kris and Tori were great. Picked the right spot for us and we saw a lot of mantas! They shared that leaving from where we did, we had a legit choice of two locations. If we had chosen a tour that started to the south they would not have been able to go to a more northern spot because it would have been too long a ride. Tori was super helpful with a few of the guests who got seasick; she really took care of them and helped them settle. I had a GoPro with me and she offered to take it under the platform for some different angles.”

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Big Island: Manta Ray Night Snorkeling Adventure in Kailua-Kona - Getting ready for the night snorkel
Manta Ray Night Snorkels, Snorkeling, Snorkeling in the Big Island, Tour Reviews, Tours in the Big Island

Big Island: Manta Ray Night Snorkeling Adventure in Kailua-Kona

14.Manta Ray Night Snorkeling Adventure in Kailua-Kona

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 593 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $75

Cruise from Honokohau Harbor at sunset, then hold onto a lighted float while manta rays feed below and glide within inches of you. Kona Coast Boat Tours supplies snorkel gear, a wetsuit top, flotation aid, snacks, water, and an onboard restroom. Expect a bumpy ride, chilly water, and about 30 to 45 minutes in the ocean.

“This was an amazing experience. The manta rays were so close they touched me multiple times! Definitely an up close and personal experience. Our captain Kelly and crew were great! The boat ride out there was also quite the experience!!! 😅 No regrets!”

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Manta Ray Night Snorkel Experience of a Lifetime - Getting fitted with wetsuits and gear
Manta Ray Night Snorkels, Snorkeling, Snorkeling in the Big Island, Tour Reviews, Tours in the Big Island

Manta Ray Night Snorkel Experience of a Lifetime

15.Manta Ray Night Snorkel Experience of a Lifetime

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 505 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $79

From Honokohau Harbor, you’ll boat 15 to 20 minutes to Manta Heaven or Manta Village, then float at a light board while wild manta rays feed below. Snorkel Big Island supplies gear, wetsuits, and certified in-water guides. The small-business tour carries up to 18 people and lasts about two hours.

“The most amazing experience. We saw five manta rays and they came close enough to bump into you. The crew was amazing and the whole night was the coolest thing.”

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★ 4.5Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tour from KonaFrom $160250 reviews

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