Small Group, Kona Manta Ray Snorkel Adventure

Join our Kona Manta Ray Snorkel Adventure for an unforgettable, intimate experience with expert guides. Swim with gentle giants in just minutes!

Duration: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • 787154 Kaleiopapa St - Please arrive on time for the start of your scheduled tour.
    40 minutes is allocated to prepare guests before going out on the boat.
    Short 5 min boat ride to the snorkel destination
    Snorkel time is 20-30 minutes.

Our experienced in-water guide, lifeguard & captain are stationed at the viewing site, with light board, underwater dive lights, & manta rays anticipating your arrival. All crew are highly knowledgeable, full of interesting facts . 13 guest total ensures your safety & extra personal attention as needed. Aviod boats have 20 to 50 people on board!

You will float on the surface of the water, snorkeling, while holding on to our custom light board for up to 30 minutes. The light board attracts plankton, and in turn the manta rays enjoy swimming close by in order to scoop up the concentrated accumulation of food in the lights below you.

Seats are limited. All guests must have basic swimming skills to enter the water.

Prescription snorkel masks are NOT available.

What's Included
  • Wet suit
  • Use of snorkeling equipment
Additional Information

Our unique offering is a brief 4-minute boat ride with small parties of no more than 13 guests. We ensure your safety by having a Captain, Swim guide and Lifeguard aboard.

To participate in this tour, basic swimming abilities and previous snorkeling experience are essential. Guests should be capable of swimming a short distance to our snorkel board and independently ascending a side boat ladder. For proper understanding of verbal instructions and safety briefings, English proficiency is required. The tour is not advised for individuals who have had surgery or face mobility or physical limitations. For exceptions, please reach out to the tour provider.

Experiencing snorkeling with our stunning Kona manta rays is something you certainly won’t want to skip. The spectacle of these serene behemoths swimming gracefully before you will forever be etched in your memory. Our seasoned captains and in-water guides will make every effort to secure you the best viewing possible.

As a family-owned business, we’re deeply committed to preserving our land, ocean, animals, and community.

  • Manta Rays are wild animals and Hawaii Island and Ocean Tours cannot guarantee their presence
  • Basic swimming skills are required Previous snorkeling experience is required Guests must be able to independently climb up a boat ladder Guest must be able to converse in English to understand verbal instructions and safety briefings Your safety is our priority! If you or anyone in your group would like a lifejacket please contact our reservation line
Location
78-7138 Kaleiopapa St
Kaleiopapa Street
Please arrive on time! Address is 78-7138 Kaleiopapa Street. Look for "Hawaii Island and Ocean Tours & Kona Snorkel Tours" White Van near the Outrigger Hotel or boat launches. Park Free along road, NO parking in the long narrow stalls designated for vehicles w/boat trailers.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(35 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Safariaddict123
May 21, 2024
Highlight of Our Hawaii Trip! - It was a small group, a family of 7 and us. Not at all strenuous or difficult; we are in our mid-70s, but fit, and we had no problem at all. The water was chilly, but warm enough with a "shortie" neoprene suit, which was provided. The mantas were amazing- glided right up from the depths with their mouths wide open to capture the plankton, and often inverted just as they past us, so we were VERY close! It was a thrill to see these massive but gentle animals in their natural habitat. It could be scary for younger kids if they don't know that the mantas are only interested in eating the tiny plankton!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Colette_p
May 1, 2023
Amazing experience - This was such a cool experience! We got lucky and saw ~6 manta rays, the biggest of which had a 13ft wingspan. They got really close and put on quite a show. Very special to see these magnificent creatures. I would recommend booking this for early in your vacation so that if you don't see any manta rays, they can reschedule you (for free) on a later trip.
Review provided by Viator
Radhakrishnan_m
Dec 24, 2022
Joyful Night watch - Both ride and monta ray watch was really enjoyable. Both captain and diver are friendly and enjoyable. I strongly recommend for families.
Review provided by Viator
Chloe_r
Nov 17, 2022
Manta ray trip - Awesome crew! Saw heaps of manta ray's and the boat ride was just as fun! The manta ray's get so close. Highly recommend!!
Review provided by Viator
Paradise822157
Oct 20, 2022
Snorkeling - Boat ride was a blast. Good information from the captain Ryan and Colleen was the best ! I’d do it again for sure. Very smooth ride saw dolphins ate sweet pineapple. It was perfect!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
398rachelk
Oct 16, 2022
DO THIS EXCURSION - Several Manta Ray night snorkeling options, pick the boat you want to ride in and DO THIS EXCURSION, it was AMAZINIG! I'm not gonna lie, was a bit nervous about snorkeling at night, but with the lights and boat next to you it was all OK and went beyond my expectations. There were a few that were VERY anxious and our guides helped them immediately so we could all enjoy.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mariaf_m
Oct 11, 2022
Amazing Experience - Amazing experience with two incredible captains on board! Always felt secure and guided in the tour.
Review provided by Viator
Ash1609821
Dec 30, 2022
Manta Ray night tour - It was fun experience. Husband and kids enjoyed it. Would highly recommend this. It’s a speed boat and would highly recommend for some one who knows swimming and loves adventure
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tina_s
Jul 27, 2024
I would avoid this one - The good: The manta rays were visible. Arrive at tour, bearded guy at the van did not even greet us. Then they make you strip down like you are in jail, only allowed your bathing suit and shoes and no towel. Bearded guy made us leave bags and towels by his van in unsecured bin that stayed there. Again the guy was not nice and made a rude comment to me and made me feel small and embarassed when I asked about how my valuables would be secure. I paid for snorkel, fins and wet suit. He said " no fins tonight, and acted put out when I asked for the wet suit. At NO TIME did they talk about the experience except the bare minimum. and without fins the captain Justin dropped us far and we had to swim- swimming in the ocean on these tours is usually done with fins, but it seemed like they just don't want to be bothered by this. I felt like they wanted to drop us in the ocean and be done. They minimally interacted with us. We had a couple of guests that were not prepared because of this and it caused an issue for all of us. It was to the point where the person was going to be asked back to the boat. They also crammed so many people on a paddle board with rope and I was squeezed between two men and one didnt have the hang of this so he put is legs and feet on my legs while he was struggling , the "guide dude " offered no help so the experience was lessened for all of us. This was my 5th time doing this and the first time with this outfit and I can say that arguably this is the worst of the 5. Not worth the money. For your money you get stripped, crammed on a boat and let in the water for 30 minutes. Such a disappointment. And the kicker after it was over they wanted a tip-- they did nothing and even did less than what we expected. I mean not even wanting to let us use all the fins that were right there in the van, the guide had them. Just some fake customer service skillls would be fine and they maybe would have recieved a gratuity. But they were unfriendly and did nothing. I'm a small older woman and they would not even help me on the ladder and to get back into this the ladder was high and not easy to get myself up to with my small legs. Because of the care they took with the people and the equipment--didn't even let us size our mask- you just took one that was on the boat and between boats I didn't see masks and snorkels being cleaned. So there was that too. This place is not the same standard as other tour companies. I think a little training in giving people an experience would result in better reviews and better tips. I'm so glad not everyone experienced it like we did. It felt as if they just didn't like us and I found the group to be pleasant.
Review provided by Viator
Christina_b
Jul 15, 2023
Do not use Viator - Buyer Beware - Buyer Beware. Purchased tickets with Viator, showed up for tour and they had no record of our purchase or tickets. Our confirmation number and email meant nothing. Tour was full so we were turned away. A refund will not make up for the missed opportunity and disappointed family. Time on vacation is precious and we wasted a night getting to the tour destination only to turn around.
Review provided by Viator
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September 2024
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