Snorkeling with manta rays is a thrilling experience that many people dream of. The opportunity to witness these majestic creatures gliding through the water in their natural environment is both awe-inspiring and humbling.
However, it’s important to recognize that snorkeling in the ocean at night comes with its fair share of risks. While the activity is not inherently dangerous, it requires a fair amount of preparation and awareness.
By understanding the risks, we hope you can make an informed decision about whether this activity is suitable for you and, if so, what you need to do to prepare for the adventure of a lifetime.
Watch the video below – or scroll down to read more!
Why Participants Need to Be Confident Swimmers
Swimming in the ocean during daylight hours can be intimidating for inexperienced swimmers, let alone venturing into the dark waters surrounded by giant fish.
When participating in our Moonlight Manta Ray Swim, you must know how to swim in water too deep to stand. This way, you can focus on the incredible encounter with the manta rays instead of worrying about staying afloat.
Why Recent Ocean Snorkeling Experience Is Important
Feeling comfortable in the snorkeling gear takes practice, and fumbling around with equipment can prevent you from fully appreciating the experience. You could even get in trouble if you’re not sufficiently familiar with your gear.
We require all participants to practice snorkeling in the days leading up to the activity to get familiar with the gear and fine-tune their technique.
If you haven’t snorkeled in the ocean within the past year, we offer a refresher class to re-acquaint yourself with the fundamentals of snorkeling, gear usage, and problem-solving techniques.
– Find out more about the snorkeling refresher here
Last but not least: if you’re bringing your own snorkeling gear, please make sure your equipment is in good working order. Note that we do not allow the use of full-face masks find out why on this page.
If you don’t have your own gear, we will provide you with everything you need to snorkel with manta rays.
Why We’re Not Allowing Young Children to Participate
While other tour operators may allow younger children to join snorkeling trips, we have decided to restrict participation to those who are at least 12 years old. There are several reasons behind this age requirement:
1. The safety briefing: young children often find it challenging to pay attention during our pre-swim briefing, which covers important safety measures for snorkeling with manta rays at night.
2. Fear factor: going into the water in the dark and being surrounded by giant fish can be overwhelming even for adults. For young children, this experience can be scary, and might create a lasting fear of the ocean.
Restricting participation to older children and adults helps sustain a more relaxed atmosphere, and ensures a safe and unforgettable encounter with the manta rays.
Health Factors to Take Into Account
Snorkeling with manta rays at night can be physically demanding. It can pose additional risks for participants with certain health conditions or impairments. Please consider the following before you decide to participate:
Individuals with cardiovascular conditions or respiratory problems should carefully evaluate their ability to handle the physical demands of snorkeling in the ocean at night. Engaging in strenuous activities without proper medical guidance can pose serious risks to your health. If you have any concerns, consult with your healthcare provider before booking.
The manta ray activity can be challenging for individuals with mobility limitations or other disabilities. Be mindful of your personal limitations and discuss any concerns with our team to ensure appropriate accommodations can be made. In that case, please get in touch so we can evaluate the situation together.
Why you should Eat, but Not Drink (Alcohol)
We recommend eating something light beforehand to prevent discomfort or dizziness while you’re snorkeling.
However, refrain from consuming alcohol before the swim. Alcohol and ocean activities do not mix well, as even one glass can impair your swimming abilities and compromise your awareness, turning a beautiful experience into a safety hazard.
Risks Posed by the Animals We Encounter
One of the main attractions of snorkeling with manta rays is the opportunity to observe the gentle giants up close. While you are in the water, you may also encounter other marine animals.
- Manta rays are known pacifists and pose no threat to humans.
- In over 30 years of scuba diving along the Kona coast (5 times a week), we have never encountered predatory sharks during the moonlight swim experience.
- Depending on the time of the month, there may be an increased presence of box jellyfish in the area. We closely monitor jelly activity and will inform you if you book a high-probability jellyfish night.
Our experienced swim guides are here to instruct participants on how to passively interact with the marine life you encounter. During the safety briefing at the beginning of the activity, you will receive detailed guidelines on how to avoid frightening or injuring the manta rays and how to respect their natural behavior while they feed.
Why Every Participant Needs to Speak English
All participants in our group tours need to be able to understand and speak English. Clear communication is crucial for your safety and the smooth operation of the activity.
Having a common language allows our guides to deliver instructions effectively and quickly address any concerns or questions. Waiting for instructions to be translated by someone else in the group could lead to delays, confusion, and risky situations.
Our Swim Guides to the Rescue
Our exceptional team of experienced swim guides is dedicated to your safety and comfort throughout the activity.
Here’s what you can expect from our swim guides:
- Before entering the water, our experienced guides provide a thorough briefing about equipment and safety.
- During the briefing, our swim guides demonstrate how to passively interact with the manta rays and other marine animals you may encounter. This ensures the animals’ well-being and prevents them from being frightened or harmed by human presence.
- Swimming in the ocean at night requires proper planning and high-quality equipment. We supply top-of-the-line gear, including safety lights and swim vests, to enhance visibility and buoyancy during the activity.
- During the activity, our guides help you stay away from strong currents, jellyfish, sharp lava rock and coral, sea urchins, rogue waves, and other potential nighttime dangers in the ocean.
All our guides hold lifeguard certifications, which include training in first aid. Their extensive knowledge and experience enable them to respond swiftly and effectively in emergency situations.
Our team also maintains a steady communication loop, allowing us to adapt to different group dynamics and changing ocean conditions.
We pride ourselves on providing exceptional customer service and maintaining a strong focus on safety. Although our groups are small (maximum six guests per group), our swim guides cannot devote their full attention to a single individual throughout the entire duration of the experience. If you have different needs or would benefit from direct attention from a guide, you can book a private tour.
Sign Before You Dive
Each participant must sign their own liability waiver, acknowledging that they meet the prerequisites for the activity.
Please note that we do not issue refunds if you are unable to participate due to not meeting the prerequisites, even if you were unaware of them because you didn’t sign your own waiver.
Ready to Dive In?
If you follow the above guidelines and prerequisites, you are all set to meet the mantas and make your swim a risk-free adventure to remember!
If you are organizing a snorkeling tour for someone else, or surprising a loved one with a moonlight manta ray swim experience as a gift, make sure they have the necessary skills and enthusiasm for going into the dark ocean at night to swim with giant fish – this activity is not for everyone!
Excited to learn more about the experience? Download our guide to swimming with manta rays here to make the most of your encounter, and ensure to go through these 8 safety tips to be fully prepared!
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