This is Kona’s most magical wildlife experience, where you'll be up close with manta rays at night! Step into one of the world’s most awe-inspiring wildlife encounters with our nightly Rigid Inflatable Manta Ray Night Snorkel. Limited to just 10 guests, this small-group tour offers a front-row seat to watch these gentle giants glide within inches of you in the moonlit waters off the Kona coast. Equipped with custom light boards, wetsuits, and expert in-water guides, you'll float effortlessly above the reef as massive manta rays, some with wingspans up to 16 feet, swoop and somersault beneath you. It’s safe, surreal, and absolutely unforgettable. Backed by our “Manta Guarantee,” this is a rare opportunity to witness nature at its most mesmerizing.

What to Expect

Check in at Honokohau Harbor at our slip G8, where you’ll meet your captain and crew. After a quick safety briefing and an overview of manta behavior and conservation, you'll board Nature School II, our 31' Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) built for speed, comfort, and maneuverability. With all forward-facing seats and limited capacity, the ride out is smooth, intimate, and scenic as the sky fades into twilight.

After a short cruise to the manta site, our crew will suit you up with complimentary wetsuits, snorkel gear, and flotation. Before entering the water, your guide will review essential safety tips and what to expect during the encounter. Once everyone is ready, you’ll gently slide into the warm Pacific and hold onto our specially designed LED light board. These lights attract plankton, manta rays’ favorite food, which in turn draws the mantas in close.

Then the magic begins...

With only the soft glow of the lights below you, the dark ocean transforms into a stage. Manta rays begin to appear from the shadows, graceful, curious, and impossibly large. They swoop upward in slow-motion barrel rolls, sometimes brushing within inches of your body. You’ll feel their power and elegance as they pass, guided only by instinct and the need to feed.

In-water guides float beside you the entire time, ensuring safety and helping position you for optimal viewing. The experience is peaceful, exhilarating, and deeply humbling. No two nights are ever the same.

Back aboard the boat, warm up with hot cocoa, tea, and snacks. We'll share free GoPro photos and videos from your tour so you can relive the moment long after the night ends. If, in the rare case, no mantas are seen, you’ll have the option to return on a future tour at no cost (subject to availability).

Included

• Night snorkel with manta rays in Kona’s best viewing location
• 31' Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat with all forward-facing seats
• Expert captain and in-water snorkel guides
• Custom-made LED light boards for attracting manta rays
• Complimentary wetsuits, snorkel gear, and flotation
• Hot cocoa, hot tea, cold drinks, chips, and cookies
• FREE GoPro videos and photos from your tour
• Small group size – maximum 10 guests
• “Manta Guarantee” – rebook for free if no manta rays are seen

Requirements

• Guests must be comfortable in the water and able to swim
• All non-swimmers must remain on the boat
• Not recommended for pregnant guests or those with back/neck injuries
• Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult
• Gratuity not included and left to guest discretion
• Light jackets recommended for cooler ocean conditions