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Manta Ray Night Snorkel Kona Hawaii — 85–95% Sighting Rate

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$141.03 /person
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About the activity

Sea Paradise has been running manta ray night snorkel tours at Manta Village, Keauhou Bay, since 1985. This is one of the most reliable manta ray encounter sites in the world — 85–95% sighting rate.

  • Free cancellation
    Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
  • Instant confirmation & Mobile tickets
    Receive your ticket right away. Use your phone or print your voucher.
  • Live guiding
    English
  • Duration
    2 hours
  • Includes
    • Snorkel gear
    • Masks
    • Snorkels
    • Prescription masks
    • Wetsuits
    • Manta Float floatation device
    • Light snacks
    • Beverages
    • Hot cocoa
    • GoPro rental (optional)
    • Tips
Highlights & Description

Highlights

  • Experience snorkeling with these gentle majestic manta rays
  • Float above the manta rays as they dance under you feeding on plankton
  • Enjoy this unique experience on the Big Island
  • Swim with marine life
  • Experience an 85–95% sighting rate year-round

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 Rich 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 averages 85–95% year-round.

Guests float on Sea Paradise's custom Manta Flotation Device, also designed by Rich Kersten, horizontally above the feeding mantas. In-water crew guides are present throughout. No diving certification required. Named resident mantas 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, capped at 49 guests, departs Keauhou Bay at sunset (exact time varies by season). Wetsuit, mask, snorkel, custom manta light boards, hot cocoa and chocolates included.

Manta guarantee: If manta rays are not seen on your tour night, return free within 7 days.

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.

Good to know before you go
  • Wear your bathing suit attire when you arrive for your tour so you may be fitted into a wetsuit
  • It is a shoeless boat - please wear shoes that are easily removed
  • Bring a towel and light sweater for after the tour
  • All guests getting into the water with the manta rays need to be an experienced swimmer and snorkeler able to swim without any assistance in the ocean
Meeting point

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the cancellation policy for this activity?
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
2. When will I receive the confirmation of my booking?
You will receive an email notification right after your successful payment. If you don't see it in your inbox, check your spam or junk mail folder. When the payment is completed you have the option to download your ticket directly.
3. Are mobile tickets enough or do I have to print them?
Tickets don't need to be printed. You can show your ticket from your smartphone as a PDF.
  • Adults
    13-99 years
  • Children
    0-12 years
September 2026
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