Overview
Avoid the crowds of the other "cattle boats" in Kona, and enjoy a small-group manta ray snorkeling experience with a maximum of 12 passengers.
This tour departs from Keahou Harbor in South Kona and enjoys a short 5-minute boat ride to our snorkeling site, Manta Village.
Your Captain and snorkel guide will educate you on Kona's famous manta rays and will discuss our safe and humane approach to engaging with the gentle giants.
After entering the water, you'll hold onto our lightboard, with your feet propped up by floatation devices, as the manta rays perform a graceful ballet beneath you. The manta rays filter feed on plankton that naturally gathers at the surface just before sunset, then accumulates underneath our lights. This is an opportunity to enjoy an evening on the water and watch in amazement as the manta rays glide around and dance for you.
We are proud to be a Green Listed company, and we take an environmentally cautious approach to our interactions with the manta rays.
Itinerary
Come aboard the Pueo Kai 2, and enjoy a small-group manta ray snorkeling experience with up to 12 passengers. Snorkeling with Kona's famous manta rays is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that The Travel Channel called "one of the top 10 things to do in your lifetime."
After a quick 5-minute boat ride, we'll arrive at the aptly named "Manta Village."
You'll enter the water as Kona's famous manta rays feed on plankton accumulating under our light boards. The manta rays may fly by our light boards as they feast on plankton, and they may even hang around and do "barrel rolls" beneath us, as they come back for more and more plankton. Every night is different.
After 30-45 minutes in the water, depending on sea conditions and manta ray feeding behavior, you will be guided back to the boat.
We see manta rays about 92% of the time. While we expect to see them every night, manta rays are wild animals and they do take nights off from Manta Village about 8% of the time. If this happens, we will offer you a free trip on any available charter. Since our tours typically sell out several days in advance, we recommend you book this tour as early as possible during your stay on Hawaii Island.
What’s Included
Inclusions
- Professional guide
- Use of Snorkelling equipment
- Wetsuit (optional)
- Local taxes
- Beverages
Exclusions
- Gratuities
- Transportation to/from attractions
Meeting & Logistics
Special Instructions
Please arrive at Keauhou Harbor 30 minutes prior to your scheduled time of departure. You will be checked in and fitted for a wetsuit (optional) prior to boarding the boat.
Keauhou Harbor is located at 78-7130 Kaleiopapa St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740.
When you arrive at Keauhou Harbor, look for our white van with lights on top. We will be parked near the boat ramp. It can be hard to find us in the dark, so please give us a call if you do not immediately see us.
At the time of departure, we will guide you to the boat ramp, where Pueo Kai 2, our 27' Force Marine, will be waiting.
Please note the time of this tour changes throughout the year, depending on the time of the sunset.
September tour departure times are:
- 6:30 pm
- 8:00 pm
- 9:00 pm
- 10:00 pm
October tour departure times are:
- 5:50 pm
- 6:40 pm
- 7:30 pm
- 8:20 pm
- 9:10 pm
- 10:00 pm
We recommend you bring a towel and a light coverup or jacket for the boat ride back to the harbor.
A ticket is required for all passengers, regardless of passenger age or whether they will be entering the water. Our boat is certified by the US Coast Guard for 12 passengers, and we can not exceed this limit.
The minimum age for this tour is three years old.
Manta Rays appear for our tours roughly 92% of the time. While we expect to see manta rays every night, they are wild animals, and we do not see them roughly 8% of the time.
If you do not see at least 1 manta ray, we will offer you a free trip on any tour with availability. Our tours typically sell out several days in advance, so we recommend booking your manta ray tour at the beginning of your stay on Hawaii Island.
Meeting Point
Hawaii
Additional Info
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Must be able to swim without the assistance of a floatation device.
- A ticket is required for all passengers, regardless of age or whether they are entering the water.
- Maximum weight of 280 pounds per traveler.
- Not recommended for travelers with neck problems.
