Manta Ray Night Snorkel from Manta Village (small group)
Snorkel in the dark with manta rays from Manta Village in Kona for an epic adventure! You’ll be with a smaller group than most similar tours making this experience extra special and personal.
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Activity Overview
Manta Ray Snorkeling Small Group Highlights
- 50-minute duration
- Multiple evening departure times between 6:30 pm and 10:30 pm daily
- There is no statistical evidence that you will have a better chance of seeing manta rays on an early or late tour. Pick the one that is convenient for you!
- Departs from Keauhou Harbor, just 15 minutes south of Kailua-Kona (click for directions)
- Small group experience with a maximum of 12 guests per tour
- Swim and snorkel with manta rays, watch them perform, and get up close and personal with these beautiful creatures!
- All snorkel gear is provided, including wetsuits, floaties, and nonalcoholic beverages and snacks
- Ages 7 to 70 are welcome!
Watch Our Experience!
I did this tour and loved the boat, the crew, and the small group experience! Watch my quick video below to understand this tour better before you book. Thanks for booking on our website, as that helps us make more reviews like this one!
Manta Ray Snorkeling Small Group Details
Take a 5-minute slow boat ride to the snorkel destination, and slip into the water at sunset or in pure darkness to swim with manta rays. A night snorkel is a truly unique experience, as darkness adds an exciting element.
This tour leaves from Keauhou Harbor, which is in Manta Village and next to Kona Outrigger Resort. It is a smaller group than other manta night snorkels from Manta Village, so you get an extra intimate experience. It will be just your tour members hanging onto the SUP board. They won’t string a bunch together for this tour.
You will have one guide with your SUP board, making it easy to hear the guide provide facts and details on the manta rays you are looking at while you snorkel.
You’ll want to arrive early to find parking and the tour operator, as several other night snorkel tours leave from the area. This tour operator has a white van at the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa entrance. Follow the meeting location instructions that they will send you after you book!
Get to the meeting spot for Hawaii Oceanic 30 minutes before tour departure for a wetsuit fitting, put on your floaties, and check in. You will want to wear a wetsuit as the water is 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and it still gets chilly during the long snorkel.
What Tour Time is the Best?
We frequently receive this question, and it is a great question. I ask the guides this on every trip to see if I get a different answer.
The tour time, early or late, doesn’t matter when it comes to seeing manta rays. There is no statistical evidence that they come later or earlier in the evening to feed.
Pick the time that works for your Big Island itinerary. I prefer the early tour time because I like going to bed early in Hawaii. I did it late at night when I drove down from Waikoloa Resorts. It enabled me to arrive in time, but it made for a late night.
I like this manta ray night snorkeling tour company because it offers three to four evening tours. They are fast at turning around the boats. It is a no-frills, see the manta rays, and never forget your 50-minute tour type of experience.
Book a few weeks before your trip to get the time and date for your trip!
If you’re apprehensive about snorkeling in the dark or really want to catch a sunset on the water with this tour, we recommend booking their earliest timeslot. Tour times change slightly throughout the year to stay with the sunset.
Be sure to also check out their Kealakekua Bay Snorkeling tour!
Manta Ray Snorkeling Small Group FAQ
What is the cancellation policy?
Customers will receive a refund, minus the 6% transaction fee, with a minimum of 24 hours notice of cancellation. Customers will receive a refund in case of operator cancellation due to weather, not meeting the minimum required passengers, or other unforeseen circumstances. If your tour does not meet the minimum required passengers, you will be presented with an option to receive a full refund, rebook to a different tour, or pay for additional seats and run the scheduled tour. Contact by phone or email to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. No-shows will be charged the full price.
Are manta ray sightings guaranteed?
They do offer guaranteed sightings, meaning if you do not see a manta ray on your tour, you can book another tour at no cost. They see manta rays on 92% of their tours, so there is only about an 8% chance you’ll miss out. Be sure to book your tour early in your trip so you can be rebooked if necessary.
What’s the difference between the earlier and later tours?
The primary difference is light. On the first tour of the night, you’ll get a nice Kona sunset and you’ll still have light as you get into the water. On the later tours, it’s dark so it is a very different swimming and snorkeling experience. If you’re not a strong swimmer, you’ll want to stick with the first tour of the evening.
Are manta rays dangerous? What do they eat?
No, manta rays are not dangerous as they have no barbs or stingers. They eat plankton, and members of the community have taken to providing lights that attract plankton for the manta rays.
What if I’m not a strong swimmer or can’t swim?
If you can comfortably swim 25 yards in the ocean, you can safely snorkel on the tour. If you’re not there, you’re still welcome to get a ride-along ticket and not enter the water. Please keep in mind that once the sun sets, snorkeling in the dark adds more of a challenge to swimming and orientation, so do what is safest for you.
About Hawaii Oceanic
Established in 2013, Hawaii Oceanic has been providing excellent tours. They take off on Pueo Kai 2, their Coast Guard-certified 27-foot Force Marine powerboat with a full cabin and some shade. This charter boat was designed for Hawaiian waters and was built in Hawaii.
We are affiliate partners with Hawaii Oceanic which means we receive a small commission for each completed booking made through this site. This is done without any additional cost to you. You can read more about our affiliate policies here. Know that we only recommend tour operators that we know and trust. Your positive experience and your trust in us mean more than any affiliate commission. By booking tours through our website you help us to provide free information and videos to help you and other readers plan their perfect Hawaii vacation. Thank you so much for your support — you are amazing!