You have many different tour companies that offer a night snorkel Manta Ray experience. After extensive research, we booked with Coral Reef Adventures, and I recommend you do as well. They offer many advantages over the larger “cattle” boats. With a maximum of six, you will all fit around one compact light board. You spend more time enjoying these graceful magnificent creatures, and less time waiting your turn to swim to your spot. We selected the 8:00pm “moonlight” slot, that had us at a site with only a dive boat as a neighbor, sweet! Their earlier tour was raving how awesome it was during our check in, a very good sign. This tour exceeded all expectations. The crew were first rate professionals.
Everything moves quickly with this outfit , check in at the pavilion, on the boat, change into the 1mm front-zip “shorty” high quality wetsuit. “E-ticket” boat ride to the site, in the water, then manta’s OMG!! Everyone in our group laid out flat and barely moved. This is important, as pointed out by our extremely knowledgeable guide, Eric. Inexperienced newbies flailing about, can inhibit them from moving closer to the surface. The provided “floaties” wrapped around each ankle w/velcro, helped to aid buoyancy. We all watched about a dozen mantas glide directly under us, rolling over and over again. They came within inches of us. Eric explained this behavior is unique to the Kona area. Letting us linger around 45 minutes, we boarded for the brisk ride back. Although my older waterproof camera did capture some good images, their rental GoPro Hero 9 would have been worth the additional cost.
Great website with lots of info. Booking is a breeze. Responded via text to our concerns with pending weather. Follow their detailed directions to the check in pavilion at Honokohau Harbor. Well lighted with adjacent clean restrooms (none available on the boat). These were locked by the time we returned just before 10:00 pm. The harbor operations staff needs to be a better partner to these tour groups, seriously!
HELPFUL TIPS:
• DO NOT BE THAT PERSON WHO SHOWS UP LATE! 15 min early is good.
• Eat a lighter meal well before departure time, avoid alcohol.
• Take any seasickness medication about 1 hour before tour.
• Wear swimsuit under clothing, baggy knee length board shorts ill-advised.
• Bring a small tote or back pack for towel, gear, wallet, keys, clothing.
• If you bring your own mask & snorkel, you won’t need the fins.
• Wear simple flip-flops, you will leave them on the dock.
• If you bring a camera, set flash to OFF. It is harmful to manta rays.
• Follow guide’s instructions in the water, for manta’s safety.
• Padded benches at stern for less bumpy, in the seated cabin for less windy.
• PLEASE TIP YOUR CREW!! Cash is good….
Mahalo