Manta ray night snorkel kona – The Experience of a Lifetime
» Swim with Manta Rays in Kona, Hawaii
» Environmentally sensitive
» Highly educational
A Life-Changing Adventure
Swimming and snorkelling with manta rays is not an everyday event for you; you want an amazing underwater adventure you can thoroughly enjoy.
However, with 50+ operators offering the manta ray activity on the Big Island of Hawaii, chances are you’ll get packed with a boatload of tourists. You don’t want to end up in the water with dozens of other snorkellers and divers, lost in the chaos – and disturbing the manta rays on top of that.
What Makes Our Manta Ray Snorkle Experience Unique?
Sustainable
At Manta Ray Advocates, the mantas always come first. We adhere to strict guidelines to make sure the manta rays don’t get disturbed by our presence. We approach the mantas from the beach, an eco-friendly alternative to sightseeing boats.
Safety First
The manta ray night snorkel in Kona should be completely safe, for the mantas as well as for you. With 50+ years of combined field experience, we know how important it is to brief you on safety before we start – and we only work with top-notch equipment.
Private Setting
Instead of traveling on a boat to one of the busy viewing areas, we enter the ocean from a georgous white sandy beach and swim to where the manta rays are feeding. Read more about the location here! We work with small groups (up to 6 people), so we can give every guest the personal attention they deserve and make the experience highly educational for everyone.
Book a Manta Ray Night Snorkel in Kona, Hawaii
Interested in joining us for a moonlight swim with manta rays?
- See our availability – and choose a day and time that fit your travel schedule
- As soon as you’ve booked and paid, we’ll send you an email confirmation
We can’t wait to meet you… so you can meet the mantas on the Kona Coast!
One of the most amazing experiences a human can have. And one flicked its wing and hit me on the hand – it was unexpected and so exciting. Made me feel blessed to be so fortunate. A wonderful antidote to negativity bias!
As Featured In…
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the manta ray snorkel scheduled at night?
This is the time of the day when manta rays come to feed. Lights at the viewpoint attract zooplankton, and the manta rays associate those lights with food. Read more about this here.
Where can we read more about the Manta Ray snorkel Kona Coast location?
We’ve been using our location at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel for several years now – we love that we get to use a private beach for a unique and relaxing experience. No boat involved. Read more about the location here.
Do I need a guide? Can’t I do this on my own?
There are 3 reasons why you need a guide:
- Our experienced guides keep you safe and away from currents, jellyfish, sharp lava rock and coral, sea urchins, rogue waves, and other potential dangers.
- Swimming in the ocean at night requires planning and proper equipment; we work with top-notch material plus safety lights and swim vests.
- We will also show you how to passively interact with the manta rays, so they aren’t frightened or injured by your presence – and we don’t interrupt them while they eat.
Do I need a wetsuit? Is the water colder at night?
No, the water temperature does not change between day and night. It is generally around 78-82 degrees Fahrenheit (21-25 degrees Celsius).
Do I have to be in "good shape" to do this? Are there any age limits?
We have designed the tour to be relaxing and not too taxing. We do require you to be able to swim in water too deep to stand and have basic ocean snorkel experience. We encourage you to refresh your snorkel skills in the hotel pool and ocean and establish a comfort level with the equipment in the brightness of the day.
Our moonlight swims are open to anyone over 12 years old. We even get guests that are over 80 years old…
Can the manta rays hurt me?
No, manta rays are notorious pacifists. In case you’re wondering – Steve Irwin was killed by a stingray, a much different creature. In 30 years of scuba diving along the Kona coast, we have only seen stingrays twice – and never at our location. Stingrays stay in much deeper water, and are very shy creatures.
Do I need to worry about sharks?
No, we have never seen sharks during the activity.
Can we touch or even ride the manta rays?
No, touching removes a protective coating from their skin and this is harmful to the manta rays. Trying to ride or touch them can harm or kill them. More about this here.
Are we going snorkeling or scuba diving?
Snorkeling only. If you’d rather scuba dive: see Hawaii Ocean Watch Greenlist.
What can I do to prepare for swimming with manta rays?
Take it easy on the day of the activity by relaxing on the beach. Practice snorkeling in the hotel pool and ocean so you’re confident the gear is comfortable and fits right. Eat something so you are not hungry during the activity. Have a Plan B just in case we have to cancel due to ocean conditions.
What happens if the manta ray experience gets cancelled?
Sometimes, ocean conditions force us to cancel our moonlight swim, especially during the winter months from mid-December to end of March. We keep you updated by text and email so you’ll know as soon as we know.
Does it get rescheduled? – YES, if possible, we do our best to make things happen for guests.
Is there a chance we won’t see manta rays at all?
In 2021, the chances to see at least one manta ray were over 80%! Our policy is: if we go in, there is a full charge. When no mantas are in the bay, we offer you to opt-out and there will be no charge. If you’d like to try anyways and get wet to enjoy a fun reef snorkel, then we charge the full amount regardless if there are no manta rays. Rest assured we are fully transparent and want you to have the best time of your life.
Where do we meet for the moonlight manta ray snorkel?
We meet at the beach activities kiosk of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.
What do I need to bring - and what do you provide?
Please bring a swimsuit, swim shirt and you are welcome to use your own snorkeling gear.
—> Full-face masks are not permitted, only the classic style mask with a separate snorkel.
We supply high-quality masks, fins, snorkels, safety flotation vests, and towels.
There is a freshwater shower for your convenience, afterward, as well as restrooms and changing rooms.
How long does the Manta Ray snorkel last?
90 minutes of total engagement with 30-40 minutes of in-water time.
I’ve got more questions!
Please feel free to call us at 808-987-5580 – or email info@mantarayshawaii.com.
Our reservation team with Darlene, Janine, Lindsay, and Martina is best reached from 9 AM – 3 PM Hawaiian Standard Time.
Click here for the World Clock. We are happy to help seven days a week.
What We Offer
MANTA Night Snorkel
Ready to go snorkelling with manta rays? Reserve your moonlight swim with us today! Click the button below to see our availability – and book right away if it matches your travel plans.
Kona Coast Vacations
We offer three different holiday rentals on our property in Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. We love sharing our passion for manta rays and interacting with guests – if that’s what you want!
Mauna Kea Beach Resort
Looking for all inclusive accommodations? We start our moonlight swims on the private beach of the legendary Mauna Kea Beach Resort. This is for you if you want luxury & relaxation.
About Your Guides
James L. Wing
Underwater cameraman at heart, James founded “Dolphin Dreams Imaging” (and today’s Manta Ray Advocates) in 1991. He was the first photographer for the manta ray dive at Manta Village (Keauhou) and established Manta Heaven (airport) in 1999.
When he retired from diving and filming in 2014, he pivoted from production and set up the manta ray moonlight swim program with the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.
He’s a PADI master diving instructor, ocean educator, and loves sharing his in-depth knowledge about manta rays. His field-experience with the gentle giants along the Kona Coast is unmatched.
Martina Wing
Martina is a passionate manta ray advocate, ocean educator, and underwater camerawoman. She lives in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, with hubby James.
Martina’s all about raising awareness and spreading knowledge about the gentle giants of the sea, so we can better protect them from harm – and people will be able to experience manta rays (online and in real life) for generations to come.
Her love for the mysterious manta rays inspired her to teach other people about marine life and the uncountable wonders taking place in our oceans. Martina has been filming manta rays (and other underwater stories), as well as guiding people who come to swim with the gentle giants in Hawaii for over 20 years.
Kerstin Windberg
Kerstin got her diving certification in the Maldives in 1998. After finishing her divemaster in Thailand (2010), she followed through with the PADI Instructor (2011) and has worked around the beautiful reefs of the Red Sea (Egypt), Bali, Thailand, and the Florida Keys. In 2017 she moved to the Big Island of Hawaii.
Kerstin cherishes small critters and large marine life alike and loves introducing people to them. She’s passionate about making the mantas’ home safer and working towards a sustainable future for the ocean, that everyone can benefit from.
Darlene Richard
Darlene grew up diving in the cold lakes of Michigan, but now happily calls Hawaii home. Originally scuba certified in 1994, that is when her love affair with all things underwater began. She attended college and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with an emphasis in marine ecology.
Darlene completed her dive instructor course in 2001 and began working with manta rays on the charter boats in Kona, and it’s where she first met Martina and James.
After several years living off-island and working in the veterinary field, Darlene returned permanently in 2020 and changed out her stethoscope for mask, snorkel & fins, and joined the Manta Ray Advocates team.
What They Are Saying
