Hawaii Ocean Sports
An action-packed Big Island adventure, a tour with Hawaii Ocean Sports provides incredible opportunities for memorable and photo-friendly vacation activities.
Manta Ray Night Dive with Kona’s Gentle Giants
Big Island Guide
Travel Guide
One of the most memorable and fascinating activities to seek out on your Big Island adventure doesn’t take you far from the comforts of Kailua-Kona, but you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to another place and time. Swimming, diving, and snorkeling with the manta rays off the Big Island coast is a remarkable activity you can enjoy with your family or friends, making memories that will last a lifetime.
About Kona’s Manta Rays
The manta rays native to the waters of Hawaii are of the Manta alfredi species, the second largest in the world. While their wingspans can reach up to 18 feet, most manta rays around Kona average between 10-12 feet in wingspan. The rays are incredibly graceful and gentle and watching them swim is more like watching a bird in flight than a marine animal swimming.
Surviving on a diet of mostly plankton, Kona manta rays feed with their mouths wide open and reside in the coastal waters around the islands for the entirety of their lives. Because they live to be nearly 50 years old and return regularly to the same locations, many of the manta rays in Hawaii have been given their own names.
Manta Ray Dives and Snorkeling – an Unforgettable Experience
Few other places in the world make viewing manta rays up close so easy and accessible, but only Hawaii allows you to experience the rays at night, while they feed.
Several locations on the Kona side of the Big Island allow for manta ray viewing and activities, but so-called ray bay is the hotspot. Directly below the Outrigger Kona Resort at Keauhou, these manta rays are often attracted to the plankton that moves near the surface as the resorts spotlights turn on and the sun begins to set. Visitors to the resort can watch the rays feed from the resort’s viewing platform, but for an up-close experience, getting in the water with these amazing animals is the best option.
Manta Ray Night Snorkeling
Most manta ray snorkeling trips include a guided tour to the location, gear, and floatation devices. You’ll be looking at the rays while as they feed, illuminated by nearby spotlights and viewing lights projected by the tour boat. You will be looking down into the water, wearing snorkel gear and holding on to a floating platform with handles.
Because plankton are attracted to these bright lights, you’ll be awarded a unique perspective to see the manta rays feeding up close without venturing too far from the boat. If the tour boat is crowded, the experience can be overwhelming for people who are claustrophobic or uncomfortable in snorkel gear.
Manta Ray Night Diving
While this option is restricted to certified scuba divers, there are plenty of options for those who meet that requirement. Whereas tours and snorkeling have you looking down from above on the animals as they feed, diving provides the unique perspective of seeing the rays from below and affords more freedom of movement. Scuba Diving near the majestic manta rays as they glide through the water gives you a feeling somewhat like flying.
Manta Ray Night Boat Tours
If you’re not inclined to snorkel or dive in the dark, you can still see the manta rays from above the water and get a good view. Some of the tour operators offer non swimmers a seat on their boats as a ride along. This experience still provides an up-close illuminated view of the ocean, where the manta rays feed by the bright lights of the boats and harbor. I would opt for a catamaran if I was staying on board, they are far more comfortable and stable (the snorkel link above is for Sea Paradise and their boat is a catamaran).
Manta Ray Viewing from Observation Areas
While it’s not quite the same experience, another option is to catch a glimpse of the manta rays from one of the viewing platforms at the Outrigger Kona Resort or the Mauna Kea Resort. Check with the specific hotel to see if you need to be a guest of the resort to access the platforms and watch the manta rays, this has changed over the years.
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