Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel FAQ
You've Got Manta Questions, We've Got Manta Answers
These standards are set for your safety, our crew’s safety, and the safety and enjoyment of other guests. This manta ray night snorkel is an open ocean nighttime snorkeling activity. Those who cannot swim cannot join.
For safety, swimming skills are required for all guests – this is a nighttime open ocean activity
Can you swim 50 yards without additional floatation?
A life vest is not a replacement for swimming skills – if you cannot swim you cannot participate in this tour
Prior snorkeling experience is required and you must consider yourself an intermediate snorkeler
Join us on a daytime charter to dial in those snorkeling skills
Non-swimmers are not permitted on this tour
Children (under 18) must be at least five years of age and demonstrate strong swimming ability and be accompanied by an adult at all times
Everyone in the party must be able to converse in English for safety instructions, no exceptions
Pregnant women are not permitted due to the adventurous nature of the boat ride – our vessel is not for everyone!
Those that experience reoccurring back or neck pain cannot participate in this tour
Those with any problems with their shoulders cannot join this tour. You are lying prone in the water with your arms outstretched for 30-40 minutes. Those with reoccurring dislocation issues are not permitted to participate in this activity
While there is no weight restriction as we all carry it differently we do not recommend our tour for those over 300lbs. Guests must be able to physically and safely maneuver on and off the vessel without assistance (climbing a ladder). Snorkeling is a physically exerting activity and we are 20-45 minute boat ride from medical care in the event of an emergency – you should be in good physical and mental health
Those with injuries that limit their mobility cannot participate in this tour
This can be a stress-inducing activity and is not recommended for those with heart conditions, high blood pressure, or those who have severe asthma.
Ridealongs are welcome provided you meet our requirements, but please note there is no difference in price. Our vessel has limited capacity, so every seat counts. Keep in mind that remaining on board can increase the likelihood of seasickness, so we recommend taking preventative medication before your trip for a more comfortable experience.
The manta ray snorkel is one of Kona's most popular activities. Hundreds of people come from around the world to participate in the Kona manta snorkel each night. The manta rays are massive gentle giants that come close to shore at night. They feed on the plankton hiding in the reef during the day. Bright lights bring the mantas in close. They open their mouths and scoop up water with their gill rakers (kind of like paddles). They will sumersault and swim upside down as they collect the plankton.
Snorkelers will lay on top of the water floating near the surface as the mantas come in close. Snorkelers will wear wetsuits and floatation to keep as near the surface as possible.
There are 2 ways to save on a manta ray snorkeling tour:
1. Book ahead and get one of the first 12 spots on the boat. Similar to booking an airplane seat, we offer better pricing when you book ahead.
2. Book Captain Cook Snorkeling Tour and save 15% off the Manta Ray Night Snorkel. Click the button and provide your information. The manta ray tour option will appear with 15% off in the checkout process.
Our boat, Orca, is a 27.8’ rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) with twin Yamaha 200 outboard motors, allowing us to move quickly down the coastline. Orca is a retired Navy Seal vessel.
Yes, we do! Purchase a FREE Kama'aina Membership. This will enable you to enter your membership number in your booking and receive 15% off without having to show us your ID again.
5+ for the manta ray snorkel tour
3+ for an daytime tours
While mantas are massive and they do come extremely close to snorkelers they are completely harmless. They don't have teeth or stingers on their tails like some rays. They eat tiny plankton suspended in the water so their mouth is designed to scoop water and filter it through their gills. Their mouth parts are very soft and snorkelers must do their best to avoid bumping them and causing harm.
The Kona manta ray night snorkel is the original and best snorkel available in the world. This is because there are so many manta rays and the experience is well established with many many operators offering manta ray snorkel tours.
Kona's #1 Manta Ray Snorkel Tour Company
Of all of the operators on the Big Island, Kona Snorkel Trips is by far the best with the most and highest reviews of any operator.
Mask (Prescription Available)
Snorkel
Wetsuit (Kids to Adult 3x)
Float Belt for Extra Floatation - you still have to know how to swim!
Yes! You should be able to swim 50 yards without additional floatation. You should have prior snorkeling experience and consider yourself an intermediate snorkeler as this is a nighttime open ocean activity.
Non-swimmers are not allowed on this tour.
20 - 40 Minutes depending on where the mantas are showing up best that night. There are two sites to see the mantas. Both have mantas more than 80% of the time.
Both trips take about two hours and will visit the same site. The only difference is when you leave and arrive. The mantas aren’t particularly more prevalent on one trip or the other. This is the most popular tour on the island which is why we offer two tour times so that we can accommodate all the guests that want to attend. The chances of mantas are the same for both tours.
Early Trip
Leave around sunset and witness a famous Kona sunset on the ride to the site. The site will have more boats and people in the water at this time, but you get home at a respectable hour.
Later Trip
Depart the boat harbor after sunset and under the stars. When you arrive at the manta ray site there will be fewer boats and people in the water. Fewer boats do a second trip. You’ll get home late – especially during the summer months.
This is the most popular tour on the island which is why we offer two tour times so that we can accommodate all the guests that want to attend.
You will get your own snorkel, mask, and wetsuit. This will allow you to float comfortably on the surface of the ocean and see underwater while still being able to breath. You lay on your stomach and the mantas (if you're lucky) will come right up to you!
30 Minutes - which is a good amount of time to see the mantas and still stay warm.
If you don't happen to be the 80% of people that see the manta's don't worry! You may return again on a space-available standby basis. Keep in mind that this is a popular activity and space is extremely limited.
Keep in mind that manta rays are wild animals. We don't have any say on when and how many show up!
Does it expire?
No!
Is it Transferrable?
No
The costs involved in running these tours make it infeasible to offer a refund.
This policy is standard across all manta ray snorkel operators in Kona.
Refundable Ticket: Cancellation: Full refund if canceled up to 48 hours before the trip. Rebooking: Free rebooking up to 48 hours before the trip.
All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing at least 48 hours before the trip’s start. Reservations made within 48 hours are not eligible for a refund.
Non-Refundable Ticket: Cancellation: No refunds. Rebooking: Rebooking allowed up to 48 hours before the trip.
What if we cancel?
We may cancel if the ocean conditions are unfavorable or the passenger count does not meet our minimum required. We will try our best to re-schedule or issue a full refund based on availability.
While mantas are around during the day it's less likely you will see them. This is because they spend most of their time in deeper water and only come close to Kona's reefs at night to feed on the plankton that comes out of the reef and feeds near our lights. If you were to see mantas during they day they are likely swimming along the reef or stopping at a cleaning station for a brief time and then moving on.
They do not have stingers like other rays.
Seasickness is worse for some people. If you're not sure if you're prone to seasickness or you are it's best to be pro-active. We recommend Bonine as a non-drowsy way to keep your dinner on the inside. Check out this guide to learn more about seasickness. Alternatively you may pre-purchase Seabands when you make your reservation.
Please be aware of severe health risks – this can be a stress-inducing activity and is not recommended for those with heart conditions, high blood pressure, those who have severe asthma, or those who just got off a long-haul flight. Please read the Snorkel Safety Study and Conclusion to educate yourself on snorkeling risks.
It may be nighttime but the water is lit up by all of the light coming from ours and other manta boards. Our board alone has over 60,000 lumens of light! This is equivalent to the light from 200 flashlights. This makes the manta ray night snorkel look like a broadway production where the rays are the stars.