Our Tour
Price: Starting at $145 per guest for shared tours, or $900 for the private Hōkū Exclusive Charter
Duration: 2.5 Hours
Minimum age: 7 years old
Maximum Passengers: 6
All required gear is provided: snorkel, mask, and wetsuit
What to Expect on Your Night Manta Ray Snorkel
As dusk falls along the Kona coast, you'll board our vessel and set out to one of the manta ray aggregation sites just off the shoreline. Once we arrive, we’ll set up our lightboards — these attract plankton, which in turn attract the mantas. You’ll gear up (snorkel, mask, and wetsuit), and with an in-water guide holding a light-board, you’ll float on the surface. From there, it’s a front-row seat to one of nature’s most amazing performances: graceful manta rays gliding, performing barrel-rolls, and feeding through the water around you.
We usually stay in the water for around 35-45 minutes (based on conditions), giving you enough time to soak it all in. Back on the boat, our crew will help you aboard where you can dry off and cruise back under the night sky.
Safety is key: we’ll give a full briefing before entering the water, including how to hold onto the light board, where to float, and how to behave around the mantas. Our guides are experienced and know the manta behavior well. Expect calm to moderate ocean conditions; visibility depends on plankton / water clarity. Weather or sea conditions may influence the exact location or timing.
Manta Night Snorkel FAQ
What is the minimum age / swimming ability required?
What should I bring?
How long is the tour / how much in-water time?
Is snorkeling at night safe?
What about sea sickness / motion discomfort?
Will I definitely see manta rays?
What happens if the weather/seas are bad?
Do I need a wetsuit / what about temperature?
Can I bring a camera / underwater photography?
How to get there / check-in times?