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I am fortunate enough to have had many incredible, bucket list-worthy travel experiences in my life, but this particular encounter goes down as one of my favorites.
Back in November, I planned a trip to The Big Island of Hawaii pretty much around this one experience: snorkeling with wild manta rays at night. I first learned that this was even a possibility when I was researching activities for my first trip to Hawaii back in May 2022. Read more about the best activities to do on Oahu here. At that time, budget and PTO constraints only allowed for me to stay on Oahu for one week, but I knew I would be drawn back to Hawaii someday. Fast forward two years, and my dreams of traveling back came true, but this time to The Big Island to come face-to-face with one of the ocean’s largest aquatic creatures.
If you’re reading this post, I am assuming that you are either considering swimming with manta rays on an upcoming trip to The Big Island, or you have already booked your tour and want an insider preview of what to expect. I can honestly say that this experience is one of the best activities you can do on the Big Island (read about my other favorites in this blog post: 10 Best Activities To Do On The Big Island of Hawaii). Although mantas are some of the most gentle and docile sea creatures, jumping into the dark ocean and getting up close to them with their 10+ foot wingspan can be intimidating. In this post, I’ll share what to expect, some of my tips to help you feel as comfortable as possible, and why this experience is one you don’t want to miss.
Manta Ray Facts and Why Night Snorkeling With Them is Special
For anyone reading this who doesn’t know my background, I worked as an educator at an AZA accredited aquarium for four years. That being said, I have an especial affinity for aquatic life and the natural world, so it’s obvious why I would want to get up close to wild manta rays. But this experience is special for anyone who can appreciate being in the presence of something so powerful and magnificent - you don’t need a background in marine biology to experience the thrill and awe that this activity brings.
As I mentioned, manta rays are some of the ocean’s largest marine creatures. There are two species of manta rays that live in Hawaii: the reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi) and the oceanic manta ray (Mobula birostris). Reef mantas, the more common of the two, have a wingspan of up to 14 feet. Oceanic mantas, on the other hand, can have a whopping 26-foot wingspan. However, the rays you will most likely observe during your snorkel session have a wingspan that typically falls between 5-10 feet, but our tour guides did mention how one of the mantas (named Big Bertha) in the area is about 14 feet wide. The two main species are very similar and it can be tough to identify one between the other, but I’m fairly positive that we saw 2-3 individual reef mantas during our tour. Each individual has a unique spot pattern on their underside, similar to a human fingerprint, which allows researchers (and tour guides) to identify them. Our guides even had names for each of them!
These manta rays congregate around The Big Island, particularly off the Kona coast, because of the abundance of their primary food source: plankton. That’s right - despite their huge size they eat some of the smallest microscopic organisms in the ocean! Mantas are filter feeders, eating copious amounts of plankton and krill by swimming slowly forward and filtering water through their gills and mouth.
Plankton are attracted to light, so tour operators often use lights to draw them in, creating a buffet-of-sorts for the manta rays.
It is common for people to confuse manta rays with stingrays, but these two creatures are quite different, both in behavior and physical characteristics. Manta rays are much larger and they lack the intimidating stingers (barbs) that stingrays are known for. Unlike stingrays, which tend to stay near the ocean floor, manta rays are pelagic, meaning they spend most of their time gliding gracefully through open waters. Another common misconception is that manta rays are dangerous, but they are actually harmless filter feeders that consume plankton, not other marine life or humans. Understanding these differences can help you appreciate manta rays even more during your snorkel.
Snorkeling with manta rays is one of the most awe-inspiring experiences you can have on The Big Island. I’ve always believed that you take care of what you love. And in order to love something, you need respect and an understanding of it. This experience will no doubt more closely connect you with these magnificent marine creatures, and I hope in turn brings you a greater appreciation, respect, and either a new or an affirmed love for wildlife and the natural world.
Planning Your Trip
The Best Time of Year To Go
Choosing the best time to visit The Big Island of Hawaii is key to planning your trip. The truth is, there’s really no bad time to go. With its incredible geographic diversity, the island offers something for every type of traveler. That being said, if you have a flexible schedule and you’re planning your trip around snorkeling with manta rays, there are a few times out of the year that might be better than others.
The best time to go snorkeling with manta rays is during the dry season, which typically runs from April to October. During this time of the year, the waters are generally clearer and calmer, providing optimal conditions for viewing the manta rays in their natural habitat. The summer months (June through August) often offer the best visibility, as there’s less rainfall and the ocean tends to be more tranquil. However, this is also peak travel season, so I highly recommend booking your excursion well in advance.
In contrast, the winter months (November to March) can bring choppier waters and higher chances of rain, which might affect visibility and comfort during your experience. While manta ray tours still operate year-round, winter weather conditions may lead to cancellations or rescheduling. However, we went in November and lucked out with incredibly calm and clear water.
Regardless of when you visit, this experience is sure to be a highlight of your trip!
Where to Go
If you want to snorkel with manta rays, you will want to consider staying in Kailua-Kona as opposed to the other popular town on the island, Hilo. I stayed at the Royal Kona Resort, and it ended up being the perfect location. If you take a walk down the famous Ali’i Drive in Kailua-Kona, you will most likely notice signs and advertisements for manta ray encounters. There are three primary manta viewing sites along the Kona Coast that most tour companies congregate: Manta Point (Kohala Coast), Manta Haven (near the airport), Manta Village (in Keauhou). These locations are known for their consistent manta ray activity. We chose a tour company that takes you to Manta Village.
When it comes to choosing a snorkeling tour, it’s important to note the differences between operators and tour types. Some tours offer small-group experiences for a more intimate encounter, while others accommodate larger groups. Some tours last multiple hours long and include dinner and/or snacks. Additionally, it’s important to make sure you are booking with operators who focus on eco-friendly practices, ensuring minimal impact on the marine environment.
Finding the Right Tour For You
Whenever you seek out an animal encounter like this one, you will want to make sure you are booking with a reputable tour company that will prioritize the animals’ health and well-being. Like I do with most trip excursions I book, I started researching on Viator. Since this activity is pretty straightforward, it can be challenging to spot the differences between tour companies. That’s why it’s especially important to read all of the details to make sure you are getting what you want. Reading reviews is also extremely helpful and can give you a good idea of what to expect. After I find a few good options on Viator, I usually dive deeper into researching the tour company itself to make sure they follow sustainable, eco-friendly practices.
For our tour, we booked with Hawaii Island and Ocean Tours & Kona Snorkel Tours. We loved that they offered a no-nonsense, 1.5 hour tour and that the meeting point was only about a 15 minute drive from where we were staying (Royal Kona Resort). It also only required a 3 minute boat ride from the dock to where we snorkeled, and as someone who is battling motion sickness more as they get older, the shorter the time on a rocking boat, the better it is for me. Additionally, we typically prefer smaller groups for excursions, and the capacity for each time slot was 13 people.
Never attempt to snorkel at night by yourself, as it can be dangerous. Always join a reputable tour with experienced guides who prioritize your safety and ensure a secure, enjoyable experience.
When You Should Book
No matter what time of year you are planning your trip, I highly recommend booking your tour at least two weeks in advance. Fortunately, most tour companies offer multiple time slots per day, but they can fill up - especially during peak season.
And be sure to schedule your manta ray snorkel early on in your trip's itinerary, since most companies have a “manta ray guaranteed” policy. That means if you don’t spot any manta rays on your tour, they’ll let you sign up again free for a different night! (In my opinion, that’s an incredibly great deal when you’re talking about wild animals and can’t ever guarantee they’ll be observable and active at any given time.)
What to Expect on the Tour
Hawaii Island and Ocean Tours & Kona Snorkel Tours offered multiple time slots each evening. We signed up for the 7:40pm time slot, knowing that the sun would already be set but we wouldn’t be overly tired after a full day of activities. The meeting point was a van parked outside of the OUTRIGGER Kona Resort and Spa. We parked along Kaleiopapa Street and had no problem finding the check-in area. They instructed us to arrive no more than 5 minutes before our selected time because the tour before us would be finishing up in the same area that check-in is at (again, we loved how this was a no-nonsense tour with limited wait time). After the check-in process was complete and wetsuits were distributed to those who requested them, we took a short walk as a group down to the docking area.
This was my first time ever being in the open ocean at night, and I’ll admit I was a bit intimidated at first. However, I never felt unsafe or too uncomfortable to get into the water. The boat we loaded onto was small, but like I said, the group itself was under 13 people and we didn’t need a lot of space. There were three crew members along for the tour, including one captain and two guides who got into the water with us. The ride from the dock to the manta ray viewing site took about three minutes. During that time, the crew gave a safety speech and a brief overview of what to expect. They also let us know that they had seen quite a few mantas already that evening with other tour times, which was exciting to hear! Once we got to the snorkel site, there were very few other boats in the area, which was refreshing to see and led me to believe that the impact of ecotourism was hopefully limited.
Hawaii Island and Ocean Tours & Kona Snorkel Tours (and most of the other companies you can book this experience with) encourage the mantas to come to the surface of the water by using a light source to attract the plankton that they feed on. Essentially, they had an oversized surfboard with bright lights on the bottom and handles going all the way around for us to hold onto. They also provided us with pool noodles to slip under our feet to help keep us afloat and to not scare the mantas away with a lot of movement or kicking. They handed us the noodles when we were still on the boat and then instructed us to jump into the water and swim about 20 feet over to the surfboard. I’ll admit that I am not a very strong swimmer, so jumping into the water at night without wearing a lifejacket was a bit anxiety-inducing for me, but the crew was very patient and comforting, ensuring me that the noodle will help support me. (If you would feel more comfortable wearing a lifejacket for this experience, just be sure to ask the crew at check-in, or bring your own.)
Once the entire group was gathered around the surfboard and pool noodles were situated under our feet, it did not take long for the manta rays to arrive. It was both thrilling and exhilarating watching them appear out of the dark abyss and glide closer and closer to us until we were nearly touching. During the approximate 20-25 minutes we were in the water for, we saw multiple individual rays gracefully “dancing” through the water. I remember feeling a flood of emotions while observing the beautiful ocean creatures completing their mesmerizing feeding loops. Our guides were clearly experienced and were able to predict the behaviors and movements of the mantas - they always gave us a heads-up when one was approaching and provided us with a lot of interesting information in between visits from the rays.
Tips for a Great Experience
What You Should Bring With You
Being prepared with the right gear and necessities can ensure your manta ray snorkeling experience is as enjoyable as possible. While Hawaii’s warm climate might have you thinking otherwise, nights on the water can be cold, so dress in layers or bring a light sweater to stay warm. After 20-25 minutes in the water with the mantas, I was freezing and ready to dry off! A towel and a change of clothes will come in handy for after your snorkel. If you have your own snorkel gear (mask, life vest, wetsuit, etc.), feel free to bring it along for a more familiar and comfortable fit, though most tour operators provide gear if you need it. I was so glad that we had room in our bags to bring our own on this trip because it allowed me to get some practice snorkeling earlier in the day before jumping into the water with the mantas. And if you’re like me and prone to seasickness, consider taking motion sickness medication, like Dramamine, or applying motion sickness patches ahead of time to ensure you can fully enjoy this unforgettable adventure without discomfort.
Staying Comfortable in the Water
Staying calm and comfortable in the water is key to enjoying your manta ray snorkeling experience, especially if it’s your first time or if you’re feeling a bit apprehensive about snorkeling at night. Start by taking deep breaths and focusing on relaxing your body; this will help you float more easily and stay calm in the water. If the thought of being in the ocean at night makes you nervous, remember that the tour guides are there to support you and ensure your safety - don’t be afraid to let them know how you are feeling.
For those who might feel overwhelmed, you can still have an incredible experience by viewing the manta rays from the boat.
Capturing the Moment
Capturing the magic of your manta ray snorkeling experience can be tempting, but it’s important to strike a balance between enjoying the moment and fiddling with a camera. If you decide to bring an underwater camera, GoPros are a popular choice. I use an older GoPro model, and it still gets the job done. Just make sure your camera is securely attached to a float or wrist strap to avoid accidental loss and hold it super close up against your body to prevent interfering with or touch the mantas while they are feeding. If you’re not confident in your photography skills or want to fully immerse yourself in the experience, consider leaving it to the professionals (ours did not, but many tour operators offer packages that include high-quality photos or videos) or see if a fellow tour-member with a camera would be willing to exchange contact info and share their photos/videos with you afterwards.
Safety and Environmental Awareness
Honestly, if you book through a reputable tour company and follow the guides' instructions, you shouldn't have any issues during your excursion. That being said, this section is less about your safety and more about how to keep the manta rays safe and protected.
The exact number of manta rays left in the wild is unknown, but research shows us that their populations are declining. This is largely due to a combination of human activities as well as the natural biology of mantas. Manta rays often fall victim to bycatch in fishing nets, a significant threat to their survival. Pollution and climate change further disrupt their habitats, affecting the availability of plankton, their primary food source. Compounding these issues is their slow reproduction rate; manta rays only give birth to one pup every 4–5 years, making it difficult for populations to recover from losses. Additionally, unregulated ecotourism can unintentionally harm manta rays, as irresponsible practices may disturb or stress these gentle giants. Knowing their vulnerability is important to understand how critical it is to practice responsible snorkeling and ecotourism, ensuring we minimize our impact and help protect manta rays.
When in the water with manta rays, it's important to keep your hands and feet still to avoid touching them. This isn't just for your safety - it's for the safety of the mantas. Manta rays are covered in a mucous layer that's important for their immune system, and touching them can make them vulnerable to disease. Maintaining a respectful distance, and always following the guides’ instructions, not only protects the rays but also allows you to observe their natural behavior without causing stress or disruption.
Protecting manta rays and their habitat starts with simple eco-friendly choices. When you travel, use reef-safe sunscreen to prevent harmful chemicals from entering the ocean, and be mindful of minimizing waste by properly disposing of trash and avoiding single-use plastics. Small actions like these help preserve the delicate marine ecosystems that manta rays depend on.
Final Thoughts
Snorkeling with manta rays is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. For me, it was a humbling reminder of how interconnected we are with the ocean and its incredible creatures. Watching manta rays glide effortlessly through the water left me in awe of their grace and resilience, and it deepened my appreciation for the need to protect our marine ecosystems. If you’re looking for an unforgettable encounter with nature, this is it.
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