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Swim With Manta Rays Kona
There’s nothing quite like the moment a manta ray glides just inches from your face in the dark. Swimming with manta rays in Kona isn’t about chasing wildlife — it’s about floating calmly on a lit board while these gentle giants come to you, drawn in by plankton in the light. This page walks through exactly what the swim feels like, the technique we use to keep it safe, and what to expect in the water.
The Light-Board Technique
Here’s how we keep the experience safe and comfortable for everyone in the water:
- You hold the edge of a floating, illuminated board — it does the work of staying in place, so you don’t have to tread water.
- The light attracts plankton, and the plankton is what draws the manta rays in — you’re not luring the mantas directly, you’re part of their natural feeding environment.
- You stay still and let the mantas approach. No fin-kicking, no reaching out, no diving down.
- Your swim guide stays beside you the entire time, managing group positioning so everyone gets a clear view without crowding the animals.
What the Swim Actually Feels Like
Unlike daytime reef snorkeling, a manta ray night swim in Kona is mostly still. You’re not swimming laps or chasing fish — you’re floating face-down on the surface, holding the edge of a lit board, watching manta rays perform slow barrel rolls in the water beneath you. It’s calm, quiet, and surprisingly meditative, even with an 8–12 foot animal moving just below you.
Pricing Departure Times
Prices and exact departure times shift slightly with sunset throughout the year.
$25 Early tour (6:00–8:15 PM)
$25 Late tour (8:30–10:30 PM)
$25
Youth (5–12)
(808) 333-1118
Join Us
Meeting Point
We depart from Honokohau Harbor, Slip G-8 — look for the Hawaii Marine Life Charters sign near the light-tan restroom building with the red roof. Free parking is available on-site.
Other Activities
Challenge your self in water sports
Ready for more adventure? Explore our other Kona water activities — from daytime reef snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay to private charters — all designed with the same small-group, safety-first approach.
Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tour
From $95 (30–40 Minutes)
Why Book This Kona Night Manta Ray Snorkel With Us
Frequently Asked Questions
No — in fact, we ask guests not to reach for or touch the mantas. The experience is about observing them safely as they come close on their own.
No — the light boards are specifically designed to illuminate the water clearly, so visibility around you is actually quite good despite it being nighttime.
Your swim guide stays right beside you the entire time, and you can hold onto the light board for stability throughout — there's no requirement to swim actively or keep moving.