Head down into the ocean at night and swim with majestic sea creatures. Snorkeling with manta rays in Hawaii was one of the best things we did on our trip to the Big Island! So, you must add it to your bucket list.
Before we went on our snorkeling trip, my husband said “We are going into the ocean at night?!” 😳 He was afraid.
But, once we went on our tour with Sea Quest Adventures, he realized there was truly nothing to worry about and it was one of the most magical wildlife encounters that we’ve ever had. So, now I want to help you plan your snorkel trip with manta rays.
This comprehensive guide will tell you what you need to know before you go. Including the best manta ray tours on the Big Island, what to expect, and what to pack. So, you can have an amazing experience too!
Disclaimer: There are affiliate links in this blog post. I may get a small commission at no extra charge to you.
Snorkeling with Manta Rays in Hawaii Guide
Things to Know Before You Go
💵 Tours to snorkel with Manta Rays on the Big Island cost anywhere from $65-$150 a person. It really depends on the tour and what is included. Tours last 2.5 hours usually.
☀️ It can get very windy in Kona. Tours can get cancelled for weather, so it’s best if you have flexibility on your trip. That way you can reschedule your tour if bad weather happens.
🤿 Tours will provide you with wetsuits and snorkels. However, if you feel more comfortable using your own, then you’re welcome to bring them.
🚫 It is illegal to touch the manta rays. That being said, if they rub up on you that’s totally fine. You just can’t be the one initiating contact.
🍃 Remember to follow the Leave No Trace Principles. As always, you want to leave nature looking better than you found it.
Manta Ray Location in Kona
The Manta Rays swim just off the shores of the Outrigger in Kona on the Big Island. A hotel that was there before put up lights to shine into the water. 💡
When the hotel put them up, they had no idea it would become a very popular manta ray feeding ground.
But those lights attracted lots of plankton, which consequently meant they attracted manta rays as well. When they found out that manta rays loved to feed there, they decided to start tours in the area to swim with them.
What to Expect on a Manta Ray Tour in Hawaii
Manta Rays are majestic creatures that are completely harmless. But, snorkeling with them at night may sound a bit scary at first.
Once you get in the water, you will feel completely calmed. First of all, you only travel about 5 minutes from shore so you are not in a deep area.
The tours shine lights down into the water so you can see the bottom of the ocean, which makes it a lot less scary.
Then, when you get in the water, they will have you hold on to a floating raft and will have pool noodles to put under your feet so that you rise to the top of the water.
Manta rays do their feeding in this area and they will dive down to feed on plankton and then swim up towards the rafts. They like to rub their bellies on the rafts and the people floating.
It’s honestly magical to watch them as they glide through the water and you will get to observe them for about an hour. 🤩
While you’re in the water, your tour guides will tell you about the manta rays and make sure that everyone is doing okay. It’s such a fun experience and I really recommend it to everyone visiting the Big Island!
Best Manta Ray Tour on the Big Island
There are tons of snorkeling with Manta Ray tour operators on the Big Island. For the most part, you will get good service on all of the tours and a great experience with the rays.
That being said, I think that Sea Quest Adventures is a bit better than the other tours for a few reasons.
- Sea Quest is the only tour operator that has a physical building at the marina. Every other tour operator is run out of a truck from the pick up spot.
- Because Sea Quest has their own building, there are tables to sit and wait for the tour, they have a place to store your things, and a gift shop to explore.
- There was one tour guide per five people, which meant that you got a lot of attention and they made sure you were okay in the water.
- Sea Quest guarantees that you see manta rays and if you don’t they will refund or reschedule your tour.
- Finally, they end the tour with hot chocolate and cookies 🍪 around their tables while you dry off and put your clothes back on.
👉 You can book your Sea Quest Adventures tour here!
What to Pack for Your Manta Ray Tour
Luckily, the tours you’re going on will have you covered with snorkel gear, wetsuits, and pool noodles to stay afloat. So, you don’t have to bring much on the tour.
The only things you will need are:
Final Tips for Snorkeling with Manta Rays
Alright, you’re almost set for your snorkeling trip with Manta Rays. However, I have a couple more tips for your journey.
First, make sure that you pack something to film 🎥 the manta rays so that you can have videos of the experience. Secondly, make sure to bring a change of clothes for after the trip. Last, eat something a little before you go on the tour, so that you don’t get seasick while floating in the ocean.
Now, you should be all set to enjoy your time snorkeling with manta rays!
Let me know if you enjoyed this guide in the comments
👇 Explore more of my Big Island Hawaii posts here to help plan your trip 👇
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