Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Skip to footer

SNORKEL WITH MANTA RAYS IN KONA, HI


MANTA DISCOVERY ADVENTURE

PRICE: $120 adult / $110 children
DURATION: 1.5 hours

If you only have time for one snorkel trip while visiting us here in Kona, Hawaii, this is the one to choose. This tour includes an evening snorkeling adventure considered to be the most memorable and best value of any of the island’s numerous snorkel trips.

Let our expert “in water” guides give you an experience of a lifetime. Imagine floating in a dark ocean near the water’s surface holding on to our state-of-the-art flotation device outfitted with lights that attract plankton, when giant prehistoric creatures with wingspans over 12’ glide silently and effortlessly into view from out of the inky dark boundaries of light.


Come aboard our vessel as we set out into the Pacific Ocean on a short cruise to the mouth of Keauhou Bay for an in-water observation of the manta rays. The manta ray is the largest of the ray family and one of the largest fish in the world, with wing spans up to 12 ft. wide or more.

Due to an abundance of plankton that come to Keauhou Bay, each night after sundown this shallow bay is home to one of the highest concentrations of manta rays in the Hawaiian Islands.

Plankton are attracted by the strong lights that shine directly on the bay from atop the nearby hotel as well as from our flotation boards specially equipped with powerful LED lights. Manta rays swoop through the water with their mouths wide open and feast on the plankton that are attracted by these lights. Sometimes as they feed, the manta ray will swim while doing somersaults (barrel rolls) and turning gracefully in the beams of piercing light, giving you the most unforgettable snorkel adventure EVER!

A BREATHTAKING EVENING EXPERIENCE!

a fish swimming under water
Swimming with Manta's

What a fantastic way to spend an hour in the evening. We had 5 or 6 Manta's swimming within inches of us. The guide Jenn was excellent and helped keep us positioned for best viewing and helped some other guests that were not as experienced in the water and needed help with noodles. Captain Kai did a great job with the briefing and navigating around other boats with lots of folks in the water in the dark. Felt extremely safe and what a fun experience to have huge Manta's swim so close they rub against you. Highly recommend this experience and company.

– bikerron | Tripadvisor
a fish swimming under water
Beautiful Manta Ray experience

The captain and crew/guides were great. At one point had 6 Manta Rays gliding under us. We had plenty of time to enjoy the graceful beauty the Rays shared with us.

– dean&lisa | Tripadvisor
a fish swimming under water
I love manta rays!

This was by far the best ocean experience I have had on my trip. Captain Shelly and Conner were so knowledgeable and they made it fun!

– M B | Tripadvisor
a fish swimming under water
Manta Experience

The crew for Dolphin Discoveries were great in keeping us all safe and informed during our night snorkel. It was an amazing experience to see these beautiful manta creatures in their habitat. I would highly recommend this adventure for anyone kids and adults, an experience of a lifetime with my 13 year old daughter. We saw 3 gigantic mantas doing their thing up close and personal. Mahalo to the crew!

– Angelique R. | Tripadvisor
a fish swimming under water
Must-do while on the Big Island

You cannot miss this opportunity if you are on the Big Island! It was truly one of the most amazing experiences my family and I have ever had. Not sure if we were just extra fortunate, but managed to see a constant flow of manta rays during the 45 minutes we were in the water. The experience felt so surreal as you watched these beautiful creatures swimming right below you - inches from your face.

– MelKid20 | Tripadvisor
a fish swimming under water
Great Experience

It was such a wonderful experience! We saw so many manta rays! The guides were super helpful and kept us entertained all throughout the night. They made sure that everyone felt comfortable. They were very knowledgable and told us many facts throughout the whole trip. I've gone to other night manta ray snorkeling, but the tour with Dolphin Discoveries was by far my favorite! You can tell that the crew really care for their customers.

– Steph K. | Tripadvisor
a fish swimming under water
Amazing Manta Ray experience

This was a fantastic experience. We saw so many manta rays during this trip! Those 45min in the water flew by as we had multiple rays barrel roll right beneath us, sometimes less than an inch away. Well organized and exactly as described. Appreciated that they provided wet suit tops and snorkel gear. Our trip was the 7:30pm time slot and we were back to our car by around 9:30.

– Caitlyn K. | Tripadvisor
a fish swimming under water
Great for nervous boat/snorkeler!!

Such a cool activity!!!! We had a nervous snorkeler and they took such good care of him! It all felt very safe! The Manta’s dance right in front of you!!!! Its mind blowing!! Did I mention it’s only a 5 minute boat ride!!!!! BOOK IT NOW!!!!

– Ami L. | Tripadvisor