Kona night Manta snorkel - do it without a tour boat?

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Kona night Manta snorkel - do it without a tour boat?

by Ron
(Ottawa, Ontario)

Hi,

First, terrific website! Wish I had found it before my first trip to the Big Island.

My question. Is it possible, and safe, to do a night snorkel with the Manta Rays in the Kona area on your own, without booking a tour boat?

I would think that is would be reasonably safe to do if there is a beach access to a lighted area where Mantas go to, and the swim isn't to far.

Any feedback and ideas is appreciated.

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Kona night Manta snorkel - do it without a tour boat?

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Mar 07, 2011
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Same Question
by: Galen & Nicole

Hi Ron. We were asking ourselves that exact same question just the other day because we are also going to the Big Island in May, and want to do a night snorkel with the Mantas from shore.

So unless you are going after us, and can wait for our trip report, then the next best bit of information on that subject I found was at this link. Can you can also learn a bit more about where to see the Mantas here. We have also heard that the Mauna Kea resort shines a light into the water to attract mantas.

After looking into it a bit, it looks like taking a boat tour sounds like the way to go, particularly if there is not a lot of shore light.

Anyone else have experience snorkeling with Mantas on the Big Island?

Mar 07, 2011
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Manta Night Snorkel
by: Tim, Chicago

I've done the Manta night dive a couple times. The dive is done about 100 yards from shore directly off the runways of the Kona airport. The area is restricted and my guess is that shore access is not possible. As for access at the hotel, it can be done, I think, but I have only seen a few Mantas there over the years, they have always been small, and I've never seen people snorkel there. It would also have to be quite calm because the lights are mounted on the hotel, not placed in the water, they only illuminate things for about 40 yards, and the lava structure there creates a lot of water motion. So you'd be pretty shallow, close to shore, and subject to the waves and swells.

If you do the boats, I recommend, of all places, the snorkel rental place just South of town on Ali'i Dr (Bob's?). They do a single dive trip that was well run and cheaper than the other place I used, Jack's dive locker. Jack's does a 2 dive trip, the first one beginning before sun down and the Manta's show up, which is great for the SCUBA divers, not worth it for the snorkelers. The first dive results in the higher cost.

On my trips I had 21 Mantas and 30+ another year. The big ones were more than 15 feet across and they brush up against you. Pretty great. They said both trips were unusual and that half that number of animals is more common, but it beats the heck out of a solitary small Manta at the Sheriton.

Apr 01, 2011
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Snorkeling with Mantas on Hula Kae
by: Brenda

In March 2011 we snorkeled with Manta Rays using "Hula Kae". We chose "Hula Kae" because they have an exellent reputation on the Big Island and also because the boat trip was only about 5 minutes long each way. We went in the water in front of the Sheraton Hotel in Keahou. We saw two small Mantas, about 6 feet and one larger one, about 10 feet. It was an incredible experience and I didn't want it to end!! The mantas would touch your legs and swim right under you inches away. There were also about 60 needle nose fish swimming right in front of your mask continuously. We got on the boat at 7:00 and were in the water for almost an hour, came out and were served some delicous gourmet soup, fresh buns and hot chocolate and were back in our car by 8:40. The crew was super friendly and it was a very well organized experience. Next year I would like to try this again and am interested in going out on "Sunlight on the Water". I have heard that you can see 20 plus large manta rays and it is done from the Honokohau Harbor.

Aug 18, 2011
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Night Snorkeling With Mantas
by: Galen & Nicole

Just a quick update. Nicole and I had an amazing experience snorkeling with a record number of Mantas on the Big Island on our last trip. Read the full story and see a movie here.

Jan 22, 2012
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Manta Ray Tour
by: Tim

Galen and Nicole,
For your manta ray adventure, what outfitter did you book with?
Thanks, Tim

Jan 22, 2012
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Manta tour boat
by: Galen & Nicole

Tim, we used Sunlight On Water, and enjoyed the experience. It was all snorkelers.

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Kona night Manta snorkel - do it without a tour boat?

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Kona night Manta snorkel - do it without a tour boat?