15 Manta Ray Snorkeling Tours on the Big Island, Ranked by What You Get

1.Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,656 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $84Our pick

Meet Hang Loose Boat Tours at Keauhou Bay for a 2.5-hour night cruise to Kona’s manta-ray site. Guides such as Bryce, Noah, Vince, Aden, Jordan, and Bruno may lead the trip. You’ll receive snorkel gear, a wetsuit top, flotation aid, snacks, and water, but you must already swim and snorkel comfortably.

“The captain, Bryce, and his crew, Bruno and Vince were entertaining, educational and engaging! We had an amazing time. We highly recommend this tour!!”

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2.Kona Manta Ray Snorkel Tour in Keauhou Harbor

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,465 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $25Best value

Meet at Keauhou Harbor, collect your gear, and take a three-minute boat ride to a manta feeding site. You will float for up to 30 minutes beside an illuminated board as guides such as Greg, Jake, Sean, Mahina, and Eric help you watch the rays safely. Wetsuits cost $10 extra.

“The crew was rude and impatient . Will not go with them again . They were shouting at everyone and made the whole experience unpleasant”

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3.KONA Manta Ray Night Snorkel – FREE re-ride if no Sightings

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,212 reviews · 1 hour 20 minutes (approx.) · from $49

Meet My Kona Adventures near the Outrigger Resort in Kailua-Kona for a short RHIB boat ride to a manta ray viewing site. With guides such as Peyton, Taco, Mike, and Rocky, you will learn how to watch these gentle animals without touching them. The 11-person boat keeps the outing personal, though you need basic snorkel skills and confidence in open water.

“Wonderful and knowledgeable staff, a MUST-DO experience on Big Island. Highlight of the trip by far :)”

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4.Manta Ray Night Snorkel at Kona, Big Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,758 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $44

Meet Dolphin Discoveries in Kailua-Kona, then travel to Keauhou Bay for a night snorkel beside wild manta rays. You will wear a short-sleeve wetsuit top and hold a lighted float while guides such as Vinny, Brianna, or Bryce help you stay safe. The boat ride is short, but swimming skills and comfort in dark open water are required.

“It’s an amazing experience…once in a lifetime experience…our guide Brianna was wonderful and friendly…I took a video from the start before I jumped off the boat till almost the end and my vid was only 16 mins ☹️ I thought we will be in the water for 30 mins as indicated … the check in staff at the store was friendly and pleasant as well. Overall, it’s a nice experience and recommends it to everyone.”

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5.Glow of the Deep: Night Snorkeling with Manta Rays

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,254 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $80

Leave Honokohau Harbor for a sunset boat ride and a 45-minute manta encounter in 30 to 35 feet of water. Your crew provides wetsuits, snorkel gear, flotation, snacks, and water. Hold onto a bright light board as giant rays sweep close by. Strong swimmers can enter the water, while ride-along passengers can stay aboard.

“We had a great time with our Captain, Lena, and Deck Hand, Mattie, who were knowledgeable, entertaining, and energetic making this excursion one to remember. We saw fish and had a close encounter with a manta ray that couldn’t stop showing off.”

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6.Kailua Kona: Night Manta Ray Adventure on the Big Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,199 reviews · 2h 30m · from $121

From Kailua-Kona, Hang Loose Boat Tours takes you by boat to a nighttime manta feeding site. After a safety briefing, you hold a light board while plankton gathers below and manta rays sweep close overhead. Snorkel gear, wetsuit tops, snacks, and drinks are included. Guides such as Aidan, Gary, Noah, Jordan, and Ula are praised for calm, hands-on help.

“My husband and I booked this adventure for our honeymoon and are SO glad we did! It ended up being one of the best highlights of our trip. And this is coming from two people who can’t swim 😂 Our guides Aidan, Gary and Noah were hilarious and SO accommodating. We were initially fit with some snorkeling gear and quickly got on the boat to ride out about 20 min to the manta rays. We were given some life vests and noodle floats (to stay flat in the water). Even though I was panicked the first portion of getting in the water, our guides were always nearby & ready to…”

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7.Manta Magic: Small-Group Manta Ray Night Snorkel in Kailua Kona

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,141 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $145

From Keauhou Harbor, you’ll reach Kona’s manta site in about five minutes, watch the sunset, then hold a glowing light board as manta rays feed below. Hawaii Oceanic runs groups of up to 11, with snorkel gear, drinks, and optional wetsuit tops included. Snorkeling is optional, but you must be able to swim unaided.

“The small group was great. Personal service from meeting with Christine to Justin and Shane on the boat to Sara guiding us to the Mantas and telling us about them! Very short time from meeting to seeing the rays VERY up close!”

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8.Sunset and Manta Ray Snorkel Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 843 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $154

Board a 50-foot catamaran near the Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha Beach Kona Hotel, watch the sun set over the Kona coast, then hold a light board while manta rays feed below. Captain Dan and the crew provide gear, safety instruction, drinks, and hot cocoa. The tour lasts about 2 hours 15 minutes and carries no more than 36 people.

“This was one of the coolest experiences of my life. It is truly unbelievable seeing the Manta Rays. Kona Style was also a great company to go with and everyone was super friendly, attentive, and kind.”

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9.Manta Ray Night Snorkel in Kona

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 777 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $125

Join Manta Adventures for a sunset cruise from Kailua-Kona to Garden Eel Cove, where you can snorkel above manta rays under bright viewing lights. Captain Bill or Captain Dan and crew provide gear, wetsuits, floatation aids, snacks, cookies, water, and a warm rinse. You may also stay aboard and watch from the boat.

“If you can float on your belly (and everyone floats in the ocean), this is a must for you... Captain Bill and Crew (Drew and Sam) were all great. We saw 4-5 Mantas for over 30 minutes right in our faces. There were baby tuna and needlefish as well. Thank you for the warm water rinse when we got back onto the boat. An Amazing trip for sure...”

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10.Night Manta Ray Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 751 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $146

At Sea Quest Hawaii in Kona, you take a short boat ride to a nighttime manta feeding site, then float at the surface while guides such as Kim, Rick, Em, and Sage explain the action. Snorkel gear, wetsuits, flotation devices, and hot chocolate are included. You must swim, snorkel, and climb a short boat ladder.

“This is a quality company that goes above and beyond to be sure their clients have the best experience. Staff is excellent as well.”

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11.Snorkel with Manta Rays Guaranteed

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 738 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $141

From Keauhou Bay, you’ll ride the trimaran Hokulani to Manta Ray Village for a sunset cruise and night snorkel. Hold onto a lit flotation device while manta rays feed below. Wetsuits, masks, snorkels, drinks, snacks, and safety support are included. The boat ride is short, making this a good choice if you get seasick.

“This was an amazing experience. The crew made us feel safe and supported. I didn’t know what to expect, but the manta rays were inches from my face when in the water. It was amazing! They are beautiful creatures. This is a must of you visit the big island!”

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12.Manta Ray Snorkeling by Night in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 672 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $127

Meet Eka Canoe Adventures in Kailua-Kona for a short ride on a historically accurate Hawaiian double-hulled canoe. In a group of 12 or fewer, you’ll use a lighted float and snorkel gear to watch wild manta rays feed on plankton. Guides handle safety, equipment, and narration, while you bring a towel and basic swimming skills.

“Beautiful experience that should be on everyone's bucket list. We could not believe how awesome this was.”

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13.Manta Ray Night Snorkel from Kona — Small Group

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 657 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $123

From Honokohau Harbor, you ride a small boat to Garden Eel Cove or Manta Heaven for a sunset-to-moonlight snorkel with manta rays. Guides such as Captain Kris, Chris, Ryan, and Tori provide gear, flotation, safety help, snacks, and plenty of time in the water. The group is limited to 16, and a second trip is free if no mantas appear.

“Chris and Ryan did an amazing job tonight. They took us to the site- giving us a very explanation of manta rays and what we would encounter. We were all set up and 5 manta rays gave us quite the show. Ryan did another explanation when in the water and answered all our questions. Would definitely recommend them. They made us feel comfortable throughout the trip.”

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14.Manta Ray Night Snorkeling Adventure in Kailua-Kona

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 593 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $75

Meet at Honokohau Harbor for a sunset boat ride to Kona’s manta-feeding site. Captain Kelly, Captain Bryce, and their crews provide snorkel gear, flotation help, wetsuit tops, snacks, and safety guidance. Expect about 25 minutes each way, chilly water, a lighted raft, and close manta encounters before returning to the harbor.

“ABSOLUTELY AMAZING experience!! The water was definitely chilly (can’t control nature), so I’d highly recommend bringing a towel. The crew was super friendly, very professional, knowledgeable, entertaining, and safe always! I cannot rant and rave enough about how wonderful our trip was! I would do this again in a heartbeat! My sister and I made lasting memories, laughed harder than we have in ages, and of course got to enjoy the majestic mantas!!”

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15.Manta Ray Night Snorkel Experience of a Lifetime

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 505 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $79

From Honokohau Harbor, ride 15 to 20 minutes to Manta Heaven or Manta Village. Hold a light board at the surface while wild manta rays feed below. Snorkel Big Island supplies gear, shorty wetsuits, and certified in-water guides. The small boat carries up to 18 people, with guides such as Kelly, Jay, Elijah, and Jonathan helping guests stay safe and comfortable.

“The manta ray experience was one of the best experiences of my lifetime. I have done other manta ray experiences in the past, and nothing came close to how close these manta rays were. I would say it was a spiritual experience.”

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