Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel Keauhou Bay 85-95% Sighting

Highlights

• 85–95% manta ray sighting rate at Manta Village, Keauhou Bay, Kona
• Manta Guarantee — Return free within 7 days if no mantas seen
• Original Manta Village operator since 1985 — Rich Kersten's format
• Named residents: Lefty (1979), Big Bertha (1991), Obama Ray & more
• 450+ documented mantas — Manta Pacific Research Foundation partner

Description

Sea Paradise has been running manta ray night snorkel tours at Manta Village, Keauhou Bay since 1985 — one of the original operators at this site. Owner Richard Kersten pioneered the large-vessel, large-group manta ray snorkel tour format, opening what had previously been an experience limited to small dive groups.

Manta Village is one of the most reliable manta ray encounter sites in the world. Lights attract zooplankton; zooplankton attracts reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi). Through Classical Conditioning over 50+ years, the feeding response is so reliable that Sea Paradise’s sighting rate is 85-95%.

Guests float on Sea Paradise’s custom Manta Flotation Device — also designed by Richard Kersten — horizontally above the feeding manta rays. In-water crew guides are present throughout. No diving certification required. Named resident manta rays include Lefty (first identified 1979), Big Bertha (first identified 1991), Obama Ray, Koie Ray, Quarantina (2020), and Jolene Ray. Over 450 individual manta rays have been documented on the Kona Coast in partnership with Manta Pacific Research Foundation.

The Hoku Nui — Sea Paradise’s 50-foot luxury sailing catamaran, spaciously designed for 49 guests — departs Keauhou Bay at sunset (exact time varies by season). Wetsuit, mask, snorkel, the custom Manta Flotation Device, crew-operated underwater lights, hot cocoa and chocolates included.

MANTA GUARANTEE: Return free within 7 days if no mantas seen. Space available, reservation required.

Sea Paradise's second nightly manta ray tour at Manta Village, Kona — same experience as the 1st tour with a later departure time after full dark. With typically fewer vessels on site. The tour runs approximately 1.5–under 2 hours since the manta floatation device will be set up.

Meeting point is at Keauhou Bay finger pier, end of 78-7130 Kaleiopapa St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740. Meet the crew in blue shirts at the end of the finger pier 15 minutes before departure. Check in 1:45 PM. Departs 2:00 PM. Returns approximately 5:00 PM. Free parking along Kaleiopapa St; allow 3–5 minutes to walk to the boat.