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
- 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, plus nonalcoholic beverages.
- Children 5 and older are welcome!
Watch Our Experience!
I did this tour and loved the boat, the crew, and the small group experience! This tour used to depart near the airport (when this video was filmed), but they have changed locations to leave from Manta Village so the boat trip is 5 minutes or so long.
Manta Ray Snorkeling Small Group Details
Take a 5-minute slow boat ride over 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.
You’ll want to arrive early to find parking and your tour operator as there are several other night snorkel tours leaving from the area. Get to the meeting spot for Hawaii Oceanic 30 minutes prior to tour departure for a wetsuit fitting (if desired) and check in even if you won’t be using a wetsuit. We recommend wearing a wetsuit!
They have several tour times each evening so book the one that works best for your group. You won’t have to worry about missing the mantas as you’re just as likely to see them across all tour times. 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.
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