Kona Manta Ray Night Dive & Snorkel [Hawaii]: Bucket List Experience

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If you’re planning a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii and are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime underwater adventure, look no further than the world-famous Kona manta ray night dive. This extraordinary experience allows you to witness the majestic manta rays of Hawaii up close, in their natural habitat, twisting and gliding as they gobble up as much plankton as they can.

Alternatively, you can opt for the Kona manta ray night snorkel if you’re not a scuba diver.

Whether you’re a certified scuba diver or a curious snorkeller, the Kona manta ray night dive or snorkel is one of the most sought-after marine activities in all of Hawaii and for good reason.

In this post, we’ll share our experience of doing the manta ray night dive and snorkel off the Kona Coast. We’ll cover tips, comparisons between diving and snorkelling, and everything you need to know to plan your own unforgettable encounter.

Why the Manta Ray Night Dive in Kona Is So Unique

The Kona Coast, on the west side of Hawaii’s Big Island, is one of the few places on Earth where you can reliably see giant manta rays at night. These gentle giants, some with wingspans up 5 meters / 18 feet, are drawn to the area by underwater lights that attract their favourite food, plankton.

As the plankton come into the light, so do the mantas. They loop and roll right in front of you. Watching these enormous creatures glide silently through the water is an awe-inspiring experience and one of the top-rated things to do in Kona.

Booking a Manta Ray Night Dive or Snorkel Tour in Kona

Several reputable tour companies based in Kailua-Kona run nightly snorkel and dive excursions to the most popular manta ray locations: Manta Village, near the Sheraton Kona Resort, and Manta Heaven, off the Kona International Airport.

Tours generally include:

• Scuba or snorkelling equipment and wetsuits
• Safety and wildlife behaviour briefing
• Boat transportation to the site
• Floating light rafts (for snorkellers) or underwater light “campfires” (for divers)

We booked with Jack’s Diving Locker and highly recommend them. The crew was friendly, professional, and genuinely passionate about marine life and conservation.

They also guaranteed a sighting or you could return nightly (as space permits) until you see Mantas. We were lucky to see them the first try, especially since it was the last night we could dive this trip.

Pre-Dive Check-In and Boat Journey

The evening began with a check-in at Honokohau Harbour, just before sunset. After gearing up in wetsuits and fins, we were given a thorough briefing about manta behaviour, underwater etiquette, and what to expect. As the boat sailed out along the coast, the sun set in a spectacular fashion, casting a golden light across the water.

Our tour was a 2-tank dive / 2 snorkel stops. We first visited the colony of garden eels before the sun set. After a light snack and rest, we moved on to the manta rays!

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Kona Manta Ray Night Dive

I, Serres, went on the manta ray night dive as I’m a certified diver (requirement to participate). With my camera and spotlight in hand, we rolled off the boats and descended slowly to a depth of about 30 feet.

Here the guides set up an underwater light source while other diver’s and I knelt on the sandy bottom, keeping still while the plankton gathered above.

Then, the magic happened.

➤ The Experience

As the lights gathered, so did the plankton. There were a few minutes of waiting and wondering if they’d show, but then one by one, giant manta rays glided into view They swooped through the beams of light in graceful loops.

At times, they passed just inches above our heads, even sometimes rubbing up against them. It was spectacular and surreal; unlike anything I’d ever experienced underwater. Their sheer size was humbling, yet their movement was so effortless.

The dive lasted around 40 minutes, but I could have stayed down there all night.

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Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel

If you’re not a certified diver, don’t worry as the Kona manta ray night snorkel is just as magical. It’s one of the most accessible and unforgettable ways to witness Hawaii’s incredible marine life up close.

After the first snorkel spot, the snorkel guides explained to Chaz and other snorkellers how the floating light raft would work, and what they could expect in the water. A few participants were nervous about the night snorkelling, but the guides reassured them that the snorkel was perfect for all levels, and they’d be wearing a flotation belt as well.

When it was time to enter the water, the crew lowered a raft decked out with lights into the water. The snorkellers held onto the handles of the raft and laid flat on the surface of the water. Chaz found it surreal floating in the dark, face down, with the only light coming from the below.

➤ The Experience

At first, the water seemed empty. Then the plankton arrived – millions of tiny specs dancing in the light. Moments later, Chaz recalls being ambushed at the surface by a giant Manta with little warning of it’s presence. He was startled then in awe of the giant creatures gracefully gliding below him. It swooped in from below, mouth agape, making wide, elegant circles through the light column.

Before long there were a few giant mantas gracing us with their presence, seemingly unwavered by our presence.

➤ Do You Need to Be an Expert Swimmer?

What stood out most about the manta ray night snorkel in Kona was how easy it was to participate. You don’t need to be an expert swimmer, and the light raft provides all the buoyancy and visibility you need.

The guides were in the water with participants, checking in, pointing out different rays by their unique underbelly patterns.

If you’re travelling with kids, older relatives, or just aren’t ready to scuba dive, this is a fantastic alternative that still gets you and incredibly up-close encounter with the mantas.+

➤ Who Can Do the Manta Ray Night Snorkel?

The Kona manta ray snorkel tour is ideal for:

• Beginners and non-divers
• Families with children (usually aged 7 and up)
• Adults who are not strong swimmers but comfortable floating
• Anyone looking for a low-barrier, high-impact wildlife experience

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Dive vs Snorkel: Which Manta Ray Experience Is Best for You?

Both options offer jaw-dropping encounters, but they differ slightly in feel and perspective:

Manta Ray Night Snorkel vs Dive

FEATURE	SNORKEL	DIVE
Ideal For	Beginners, families, non-divers	Certified divers
Perspective	Watching from above	Looking up from below
Depth	Surface only	~30 feet (10m)
Movement	Completely stationary	Kneeling or laying on seafloor
Ease	Very accessible	Requires certification

Whether you’re floating on the surface or settled on the seafloor, the manta rays frequently pass within inches of you, offering extraordinary photo and video opportunities (bring a GoPro or underwater camera if you can).

Why Kona Is One of the Best Places to See Manta Rays

Hawaii’s Big Island is one of the most reliable places in the world to see manta rays. The combination of nutrient-rich currents, calm west coast waters, and the use of lights by tour operators and resorts creates ideal conditions for manta ray encounters.

In fact, manta ray tours in Kona have a success rate of over 90% for manta encounters, making it one of the best places on the planet to be up close and personal with these magnificent creatures.

Is it Safe?

Yes, both the snorkel and dive tours are considered very safe. Manta rays are completely harmless: they don’t bite or sting, and seemingly unbothered by the presence of humans.

Tour operators provide safety briefings, flotation gear, and in-water guides to ensure you feel comfortable and always protected.

So, is the Kona Manta Ray Night Dive & Snorkel Worth It?

Without question, yes. We absolutely loved these experiences and will do it again when visiting the Big Island of Hawaii.

Whether you’re floating on the surface or kneeling on the ocean floor, seeing manta rays up close in their natural environment is one of the most moving and memorable wildlife encounters you’ll likely ever had.

The Kona manta ray night dive and Kona manta ray night snorkel tours offer two ways to experience the same magic and either option is worth every penny.

So if you’re headed to Hawaii’s Big Island, make sure to add this to your itinerary. It’s a heart-stopping and awe-inspiring adventure you’ll never forget!

Ready to plan your next adventure? Head over to our Travel Resources page—it’s packed with the booking tools and travel essentials we swear by to make every trip amazing!

Swimming with manta rays is not just a spiritual experience; it’s humbling and an emotional roller-coaster with a very happy and inspirational ending.

Manta Ray Advocates