How to See Manta Rays on the Big Island (With or Without Getting Wet!) 💦🤿

Whether you’re a seasoned diver or prefer to keep dry with a cocktail in hand, here’s how to experience the manta magic on the Big Island.

If you’ve spent any time researching things to do on the Big Island, you’ve probably come across the Manta Ray Night Snorkel. It’s often called one of the most unforgettable experiences in Hawaii—and for good reason.

These gentle giants of the sea, with wingspans that can reach up to 14 feet, glide and spin just inches from your face in the dark ocean, feeding on plankton drawn to bright lights in the water.

It’s like being dropped into a National Geographic special.

In fact, the Kona Coast is the only place in the world where you can reliably snorkel or dive with giant manta rays at night any time of year (though the winter months can be a little dodgy with rougher seas).

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to book through these links, I receive a small commission, which I will likely blow on mai tais, poke, and shave ice.  All of this internet voodoo takes place at no additional cost to you. 

And while the full manta ray snorkeling experience is something many travelers add to their Hawaii Bucket List, not everyone is ready to hop into deep waters with wild animals after dark.

But there’s a good reason this is one of the top experiences on the Big Island (it really is amazing!). So it’s worth making it a priority on your visit to the island.

Read More: 10 Incredible Things to Do on Hawaii’s Brilliant Big Island

Luckily, you’ve got options.

Whether you’re a seasoned diver, a beginner snorkeler, or someone who prefers to keep two feet on dry land, there’s a way for you to experience the mantas on the Big Island.

Here’s a quick overview of the three options as seen from one of the most popular spots for tours, Kauna’oa Bay:

Now, let’s dive a little deeper into each option:

1. Book a Classic Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tour 🛥️

The most popular—and immersive—way to see manta rays is to join a Manta Ray Night Snorkel with one of the many tour operators based along the Kona Coast.

There are several to choose from, but this is one of the island’s most popular, highly-rated tours:

Most tours launch from the mouth of Keauhou Bay near the Outrigger Kona Resort or from the Kona Marina near the airport. There are a few different areas along the Kona coast known for mantas, and different tours visit different areas.

Here’s what to expect:

• A short (about 30 minutes) boat ride to the site
• A safety briefing with a professional guide
• Use of snorkel gear, flotation vests, and sometimes wetsuits
• Time in the water holding onto a light board that attracts plankton and, in turn, the manta rays
• A front-row seat to the mantas’ signature barrel roll feeding behavior

Tours usually last around 1.5 to 2.5 hours and are open to confident swimmers of almost any age (some companies do have age restrictions).

Many operators offer another chance on a future night if the mantas don’t show up, though the success rate is 80% or higher to check this off your Big Island Bucket List on your first try.

Read More: The Ultimate Big Island Bucket List: 40 Fun Things to See, Do & Eat! 🌋☀️

With that in mind, it’s best to schedule this earlier in your stay in case you have to try again on another night. It’s a great experience for adventurous travelers who want to get close to the manta rays in their natural habitat.

Tip: The water will be colder than you expect—ask about wetsuits, even in the warmer months. Many companies can provide them.

Best for: Experienced snorkelers, confident swimmers, and anyone up for an adventure!

2. A Snorkel Tour from Mauna Kea Beach🤿

If the idea of a boat ride or swimming in the open ocean at night gives you pause, there’s a quieter option: a shore-entry snorkel tour from Mauna Kea Beach.

A company called Manta Ray Advocates offers small guided snorkel tours from the beach in front of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (more on that hotel in a moment!).

After donning a headlamp and snorkel gear, you’ll enter the water from the beach and swim a short distance to the lighted manta site at Manta Ray Point. There’s no boat involved, so this tour is considered more eco-friendly.

Plus, the swim is short, and the water tends to be calmer than the deep waters around the boat-access sites. 

But there are trade-offs:

• These are small group experiences and may be more dependent on ocean conditions
• On one night during my recent visit, a group had to turn back almost immediately due to jellyfish in the water (so it’s not always a sure thing)

Still, it’s a nice middle ground if you want to get in the water but prefer to skip the boat ride and stay in shallower depths.

Best for: Beginner snorkelers who prefer more shallow water or anyone who wants to avoid the boat ride.

3. Watch from Manta Ray Point (No Snorkel Required!)

If you’re not into night swimming but still want to see the majestic manta rays, head to the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and make your way to the Manta Ray Point lookout, located just below the hotel’s Manta restaurant.

The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is my favorite hotel on the Big Island, and the ability to watch the mantas every night is a big reason why. Of course, the hotel is also located on my favorite beach on the Big Island…that doesn’t hurt either!

Read More: The 7 Most Beautiful & Unique Beaches on Hawaii’s Big Island 🏖️🌺

Each night, the hotel turns on a special high-powered light that shines down into the ocean floor, attracting plankton—and, in turn, the resident manta rays. We stayed at the hotel recently and spent every evening watching the mantas glide and spin through the light beams.

We could even see them from a distance from our balcony. It was mesmerizing.

But if you’re staying elsewhere on the island, you can still stop by in the evening to see them. The best way is to book a reservation at Manta restaurant and walk down to the lookout after dinner. Catch the show around sunset or just after—it’s a magical combo of great food, beautiful views, and incredible marine life.

You can visit the lookout point whether you’re staying at the resort or not. But there is a security gate where you’ll have to stop if you’re not a guest, and you’ll have to pay for parking.

On any given night, you’ll find a small group of guests gathered to watch the rays. During our stay, there were a few nights we had the spot all to ourselves (which was pretty magical!). And there were a few nights it was crowded with post-dinner guests from the restaurant.

But every night it’s amazing. If you’re not up for getting in the ocean at night, this is definitely the next best way to see the mantas.

Best for: Families with young kids, non-swimmers, or anyone who is skittish about the ocean at night (that’s me!).

Which Manta Ray Experience Is Best for You?

Each of the three manta ray viewing options offers something a little different, and the right one for you depends on your comfort level, budget, and sense of adventure.

Whether you dive in or stay dry, seeing manta rays on the Big Island is a must-do. These graceful, filter-feeding, cartilaginous fish are truly mesmerizing in motion—and the Kona manta ray snorkel is one of the most memorable wildlife encounters anywhere in the Hawaiian Islands.

What makes it even more special? This is the only place in the world where you can have this experience so reliably. These aren’t captive animals—they’re wild animals, returning to the same spots night after night, drawn by the light and the plankton it attracts.

If you’re up for the adventure, book the tour and dive into the magic of manta ray night snorkeling. If not, take the dry-land route and enjoy the show from dry land. Either way, it’s an experience you’ll never forget.

Read More: The First Time Visitor’s Travel Guide to Hawaii’s Big Island

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