Let’s explore the enchanting world of the manta ray under the moonlight in Kona. This small-group snorkel tour offers a chance to swim alongside these majestic creatures, marveling at their impressive wingspans of up to 20 feet. With personalized attention and a guaranteed sighting, you’re in for an unforgettable adventure in the stunning waters of Hawaii. But what makes this experience truly special? Let’s dive in and find out.
Key Points

- Unique opportunity to swim alongside manta rays with wingspans up to 20 feet during a 2-hour small-group guided snorkel tour.
- Tour includes all necessary gear, light snacks, and refreshments, with pickup from a designated meeting point in Kailua-Kona.
- Comprehensive safety briefing provided by expert instructors, covering proper techniques, hand signals, and manta ray interaction protocols.
- Tour operator guarantees manta ray sightings or offers a free second outing, with a maximum group size of 16 travelers for an intimate experience.
- Tour has a strong average rating of 4.7 stars based on over 600 traveler experiences, though some negative feedback exists regarding crew behavior and organization.
Tour Overview and Experience
Whether you’re looking to witness the graceful movements of these gentle giants up close or simply learn about the natural wonder of the ocean, the Small-Group Manta Ray Moonlight Snorkel from Kona offers an unforgettable experience.
During this 2-hour tour, you’ll have the chance to swim alongside manta rays with wingspans up to 20 feet. With guaranteed sightings or a free second outing, you can rest assured you’ll encounter these incredible creatures.
All necessary gear, snacks, and refreshments are provided, ensuring a hassle-free and enjoyable adventure.
Looking for more options in Big Island of Hawaii? We've reviewed plenty of other experiences.
Inclusions and Requirements

The Small-Group Manta Ray Moonlight Snorkel from Kona provides all the necessary gear and amenities for a seamless experience.
We’ll enjoy:
- Snorkel gear, wetsuits, and flotation devices to keep us comfortable and safe in the water.
- Light snacks, island juices, soda, and bottled water to fuel our adventure.
- A conveniently located meeting point at 74 Kealakehe Pkwy, Kailua-Kona, HI.
- Arrival 15 minutes before departure to ensure a smooth start.
Just remember to bring your swimsuit, towel, and warm clothes for the return ride.
This experience isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those over 265 lbs.
Safety and Briefing

Before entering the water, we’ll receive a comprehensive safety briefing from the expert instructor leading our tour.
They’ll cover proper snorkeling techniques, hand signals, and safety protocols. We’ll learn how to safely interact with the manta rays and avoid disturbing them.
The instructor will also point out any potential hazards in the water and ensure we’re comfortable with the gear provided.
Throughout the experience, the guide will be in the water with us, keeping a close eye on the group and ready to assist if needed.
This briefing ensures a safe and enjoyable encounter with these magnificent creatures.
Customer Feedback and Experiences

According to the reviews, the small-group manta ray snorkel tour has a strong 4.7-star average rating based on 612 traveler experiences.
Customers praise the crew’s friendliness, tour organization, and the small group advantages. However, some report negative experiences related to crew behavior and organization.
The highlights include:
- Close encounters with manta rays, some with wingspans up to 20 feet
- Additional sightings of diverse marine life
- Witnessing manta rays feeding on plankton attracted by underwater lights
- Enjoying the included snacks, drinks, and gear during the 2-hour tour.
Booking and Cancellation Policy

The price for the small-group manta ray snorkel tour starts from $139.00 per person.
We offer a free cancellation option up to 24 hours before the tour begins, so you can book with peace of mind. Plus, you can reserve your spot now and pay later. Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive instant confirmation.
The tour has a maximum of 16 travelers, ensuring an intimate experience. So, if you’re ready to swim with these magnificent creatures, don’t hesitate to secure your spot.
We look forward to guiding you on this unforgettable manta ray adventure.
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Manta Ray Sightings and Encounters

When you join us on this small-group manta ray snorkel tour, you’ll have the chance to witness these magnificent creatures up close.
We guarantee manta ray sightings, with some having wingspans of up to 20 feet (6 meters). You’ll see them feeding on the plankton attracted by our underwater lights, providing an unforgettable experience.
Our expert guides will ensure your safety and lead you through this once-in-a-lifetime encounter.
- Witness manta rays feeding up close
- Observe their massive, graceful movements
- Spot additional marine life during the tour
- Enjoy a truly remarkable and unique experience
Preparing for the Snorkel Tour

To make the most of your manta ray snorkel adventure, let’s go over a few key preparation tips.
Arrive 15 minutes early to the meeting point at 74 Kealakehe Pkwy. Bring a swimsuit, towel, and warm clothes for the ride back.
We’ll provide all the necessary gear like snorkel equipment, wetsuits, and flotation devices.
Remember, this tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those over 265 lbs.
With a maximum of 16 guests, you’ll enjoy a small-group experience led by an expert guide.
After a safety briefing, we’ll head out to witness the majestic manta rays feeding under the moonlight.
Additional Marine Life and Highlights

Along With the majestic manta rays, we often spot a variety of other fascinating marine life during the tour.
Some highlights include:
- Pods of spinner dolphins gliding effortlessly through the water
- Sea turtles gracefully swimming alongside us, their shells reflecting the moonlight
- Schools of tropical fish in vibrant colors, darting in and out of the coral reef
- Occasionally, we may even glimpse a frolicking humpback whale in the distance, a true treat for the senses.
These additional sightings make the manta ray snorkel an unforgettable and comprehensive ocean experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Maximum Number of Participants per Tour?
According to the tour overview, the maximum number of participants per tour is 16 travelers. We’ll enjoy a small-group experience as we swim with these magnificent manta rays under the moonlight.
How Deep Do We Swim During the Manta Ray Encounter?
During the manta ray encounter, we’ll be snorkeling at the surface, witnessing the massive creatures as they feed on plankton attracted by the underwater lights. The tour operators ensure we don’t dive deep to observe the mantas.
Are Photographs or Videos Allowed During the Snorkel?
Yes, we’re allowed to take photographs and videos during the snorkel. The tour provides underwater flashlights to illuminate the mantas, so we can capture some incredible close-up shots of these majestic creatures.
Can I Bring My Own Snorkel Gear Instead of the Provided Gear?
You’re welcome to bring your own snorkel gear if you prefer, but the tour includes high-quality snorkel equipment. Using the provided gear ensures proper fit and minimizes hassle, so we recommend letting the experts handle the equipment for you.
Is It Possible to See Other Marine Life Besides Manta Rays?
Absolutely! While the focus is on manta ray sightings, we often see other fascinating marine life like turtles, dolphins, and a variety of tropical fish during these nighttime snorkel tours. The crew works hard to maximize our wildlife encounters.
The Sum Up
The Small-Group Manta Ray Moonlight Snorkel is an unforgettable adventure that allows us to swim alongside these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. With all necessary gear provided and a guarantee of sightings, we’re sure to have a thrilling and comfortable experience in the beautiful waters of Hawaii. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the graceful movements of the manta rays up close.
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