Night Snorkeling with the Manta Rays

If you plan to visit the “Big Island” then this must be top of your list of things to do. The night manta ray snorkel excursion is by far one of the most incredible things I’ve ever experienced. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with manta rays. Here is what to expect on your adventure!

Though our snorkel tour was comped, all opinions and photos in this article are my own.

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SeaQuest Hawaii
78-7138 Kaleiopapa St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
There are a few reasons we chose to go with SeaQuest Hawaii (there are quite a few companies that offer this excursion), one of which the minimum age. Aurora, our daughter, was nine at the age of our trip and some companies have age restrictions. At SeaQuest the minimum age is seven. This age requirement is based on the fact that you won’t be wearing life jackets in the water, and you will be required to swim a short distance in the open ocean. So, you will want to make sure your child meets the minimum age requirement AND can swim.

The night manta ray excursion takes place at night, and you can choose from two different times, 7:15pm and 8:45pm. We personally did the 8:45pm. Prices are a bit more reasonable with SeaQuest Hawaii, at $118 per person. Wetsuits will be provided for each person and are included in the price.

You can choose to rent a GoPro underwater camera to film the experience for an additional fee which can be reserved in the gift shop prior to your excursion. The gift shop also has souvenirs, t-shirts, and more available for purchase.

You are required to arrive 45 minutes before your scheduled departure time, so you have plenty of time to get fitted in your wetsuit and checked in. If you need snorkel gear, they will provide you with some. We have our own and decided to use them, so that’s also an option.

Once you board the boat it is a really quick 10-15 minute ride to the snorkel spot. Even though the ride is short, I highly recommend taking motion sickness medication about an hour before your snorkel tour. The waves are pretty choppy at night and keep in mind you will be in the water at least an hour feeling them, not just on the boat. I have had great luck with Bonine or Dramamine.

Once you’ve arrived at the snorkel spot two of the SeaQuest workers will get in the water and set up the platform. The platform is a large floating board with handles on each side and large lights on the bottom to illuminate the ocean. Once it is set up each person will get into the water and swim approximately 10-15 yards to the platform.

When you’ve arrived at the platform you will be provided with a pool noodle to put on your ankles. This will enable you to lie completely flat on the top of the water with your hands holding onto the platform and your feet being held up with the pool noodle.

night manta ray snorkel — Here’s an awful photo of me in the pitch black choppy ocean water! haha

Manta Rays do not have barbs (that is a sting ray) so you do not need to worry about being harmed by them. Manta Rays can grow as much as large as 16 feet across and weigh as much as 1000 pounds. These beautiful and massive creatures are absolutely breathtaking to see.

The manta rays eat at night and the lights on the bottom of the board illuminate their food source, bioluminescent plankton. You will see them swoop up from the ocean floor and try to catch the plankton in their mouth as they come by. This is a learned behavior and the coast of Kona off the big island is the only place in the world that manta rays do this.

The photos really dent do the experience justice. I can only describe it as a truly incredible, once in a lifetime experience.

The manta rays do come close enough to touch; however, they are a protected species, and you will not be allowed to touch them. On the other hand, they will most likely touch you. When they swoop up to eat the plankton they do brush up against the boards as well as your arms.

You will be in the water for about an hour. I was definitely tired towards the end. If you’d like to get back on the boat early, it is an option. Aurora got back on the boat early and waited for the rest of the group to get back on.

I used my iPhone 12 pro max to capture these photos. I purchased a dive case from Amazon to use in the water with it. You can shop dive cases above for iPhones.

Once you return from your snorkel there will be hot chocolate and cookies waiting for you. This really hits the spot!

For more things to do and see on the Big Island of Hawaii, check out my other posts HERE.
We also did the Captain Cook Snorkel Excursion with SeaQuest Hawaii, you can check it out HERE.