Quick Details
Dive and snorkel with Kona’s majestic Manta Rays for an unforgettable vacation highlight. This world-renowned experience in the Hawaiian Islands is often described as surreal and ranks among the top ten dives globally.
Snorkeler
Gear Provided
$ 129
Manta Private Charter 2-10 Passengers
$ 1,400
Manta Private Charter 11-18 Passengers
$ 1,900
Certified Divers
$ 159
This activity is the classic manta snorkel and dive, but we get to watch the sun set as we cruise to the site! It gets dark very quickly and that’s when we enter the water to see the majestic manta rays under our lights!
Dive and snorkel with Kona’s majestic Manta Rays for an unforgettable vacation highlight. This world-renowned experience in the Hawaiian Islands is often described as surreal and ranks among the top ten dives globally.
The dive/snorkel experience takes place in a serene and sheltered bay with calm waters, making it an ideal location for underwater exploration. The dive boats anchor around a sandy area that descends to a depth of approximately thirty feet. As the participants gather together, divers settle on the sandy bottom, while snorkelers effortlessly float above.
The remarkable aspect of this dive/snorkel adventure is the concentration of plankton in this area, allured by the radiant glow of our lights. This concentration of plankton attracts the magnificent Mantas, graceful giants of the ocean who thrive on this microscopic feast. With wingspans that can reach an impressive 15 feet and weighing over 1000 pounds, Kona’s local Mantas gracefully glide amidst the divers and snorkelers, performing continuous flips as they seize mouthfuls of plankton from their nightly buffet.
Getting on this underwater journey allows you to witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. Whether you choose to observe from the sandy bottom or from above, the proximity to these gentle giants promises an unforgettable encounter in the mesmerizing underwater world.
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Trip Itinerary
Approx. Time Tour Activity 5:30 pm Check in time, where we provide everyone with wetsuits, equipment, loading onto the boat, and a boat safety briefing 6:00 pm Departure time, leave the dock, leisurely cruise the beautiful coastline to the manta site looking for dolphins, whales, and often seeing rainbows! 6:25 pm Arrive at the manta site garden eel cove, relax with snacks and drinks, gather on the front of the boat for an educational briefing from our captain Michael about manta rays where we learn about the animals, and gain a better knowledge and appreciation of how amazing these creatures are. 6:45 pm Watch the sunset during the Snorkel / Dive briefing, a quick explanation from your in water guides about how we snorkel with the mantas using the lightboards and divelights and exactly what you need to do in the water. This is also the time we can help novice snorkelers how to properly use a mask and snorkel. 7:00 pm Putting on our wetsuits and equipment, sliding into the water to see the manta rays!! 7:45 pm Getting back onto the boat, using the hot water shower to rinse off and grabbing another snack / drink. Boat returns to the harbor. 8:05 pm Back at the harbor. -
- Snorkel equipment
- Wetsuits
- Scuba equipment rental
- Snacks including chips, nuts, cookies, and rice krispy treats
- Assortment of soft beverages, sparkling water, and bottled water.
Not included – towels
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Over 30 years of experience and owner operated: Our long term captain and crew are certified Lifeguards through the American Lifeguard Association and Emergency First Responders through the Red Cross Association. Our guests are in secure hands on our USCG certified 38ft vessel, equipped with all the safety equipment and procedures federally required by the US Coast Guard. Safety is our priority, fun is our passion. Our boat also has a hot freshwater shower, restroom, and large swim step and boat ladder to make getting in and out of the water easy and enjoyable.
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- Everyone in the group can swim 50 feet without additional floatation
- Everyone has prior snorkeling experience and considers themselves to be an intermediate to advanced snorkeler
- Everyone in the group can climb a short ladder to re-board the boat
- No one in the group is pregnant or has shoulder, back, or neck issues.
- Everyone must understand that due to the nature of the boat and ocean conditions, it can be a bouncy adventurous ride
- Everyone must have read and understood the Manta Guarantee and cancellation policy
- Everyone in my party can converse in English
- Everyone will arrive on time and you acknowledge the forfeiting of your seat/s will occur if arriving 15 minutes past check-in. No refunds will be offered.