Manta ray night snorkel (Kona, Hawaiʻi Island)

One of Hawaiʻi's most famous experiences: boats leave Keauhou Bay or Honokōhau Harbor near sunset, and you float holding a lit board that draws plankton, and the giant manta rays that come to eat it. Trips take about 2 to 2.5 hours and usually cost about $130 to $180.

• Sites: Manta Village off Keauhou (south of Kailua-Kona) and Manta Heaven/Garden Eel Cove near the Kona airport.
• Boats leave about an hour before sunset; 30 to 45 minutes in the water.
• About $130 to $180 per person; wetsuit and gear usually included.
• Mantas are wild and don't show every night; some operators offer a free return trip, so check the policy and leave a spare day.
• Rules: stay at the surface, don't dive down, chase or touch the mantas; keep fins up near the surface.
• Not ideal for people prone to seasickness or nervous in dark open water.
• Prices are approximate as listed in 2026 and change often; confirm and book directly with the operator.

Source: Hawaiʻi Guide: Manta ray night snorkel (June 2026)

Last checked Oct. 29, 2026. Hours, fees and rules can change, so confirm with the official source before you go.