Quick Details
Departure Location: Honokohau Harbor in Kona, Hawaii
Duration: 2 hours
Trip Time: Changes with the setting of the sun
Not Suitable For: Non-swimmers, expectant mothers, or those with back or neck issues
Inclusions: Mask, snorkel, wetsuit, additional flotation
The Manta Ray Swim is open to anyone with a spirit of adventure, can swim, and are comfortable in the ocean. Adults and children (ages 5+) are welcome. All guests need to be able to swim or stay afloat without assistance and it is advised to have some snorkeling experience. Non-swimmers are not permitted on this charter for their safety, our crew’s safety, and courtesy to other guests onboard. (Children (under 18) must be at least five years of age and demonstrate strong swimming ability and be accompanied by an adult at all times.) Everyone in your party must be able to converse in English for safety instructions, no exceptions. This adventurous retired Navy Seal boat will have you off to see the mantas in no time. This is an exciting, and sometimes bouncy time out on the water depending upon ocean conditions. Sometimes the ocean is like glass and sometimes it has a bit more oomph to it, especially during the winter months. Your helpful, Lifeguard Certified, guide will provide all of the necessary equipment (including Rx masks) and keep you safe and happy on your adventure. If you’re a new snorkeler, no worries! Join us on a morning snorkel or an afternoon snorkel to practice! You’ll be able to enjoy the manta ray experience that much more when you feel confident in your snorkeling skills. A manta ray swim can be the crown jewel of your Kona, Hawaii vacation, a great bucket list conquest, and a fun outing for the whole family, don’t miss out!
Important Details
These standards are put in place for your safety, our crews, safety, and the enjoyment of other guests. This is an open ocean nighttime snorkeling activity. Those that cannot swim cannot join.
The difference between the two tour times we offer is that on the earlier trip you’ll see the sunset from the water and enter the water after dark. On the later trip, we depart after dark. This is the most popular tour on the island which is why we offer two tour times so that we can accommodate all the guests that want to attend. The probability of seeing manta’s on either tour is the same.
Please note that the Manta Rays are wild animals and we cannot guarantee their presence. If you do not see a manta on your night out, you can go again on another night on a space-available standby basis. Keep in mind that standby spaces may be extremely limited, especially during the busiest times of the year. This offer never expires, but is non-transferable and has no refund or cash value. We are typically very successful in finding mantas for you; however, if they are not around, the costs involved with setting up the charter and getting all our guests to the location will not allow us to offer you a refund.
Since we go where the most action was on the last trip it might mean we travel 20 minutes north to Garden Eel Cove or 40 minutes south to in front of the Outrigger hotel.
30-40 minutes – we’ve found this is the perfect amount of time for guests.
Kona is home to over 200 named mantas, distinguishable by their beautiful black and white marks. The manta rays come year-round, but their numbers on any given day depend on how much plankton is in the water. These gentle giants lurk just beneath the warm, clear waters and can boast a wingspan up to 16 feet wide. They are some of the largest fish in the ocean. Don’t worry, they’re completely harmless. Unlike stingrays, manta rays do not have stingers or barbs on their tails and have no teeth. Instead, they suck in plankton with their wide, vacuum-like mouths.
Please be informed of our cancellation policy.
Full payment is due at the time of booking. You may make changes or cancellations to your reservation up to 48 hours prior to your trip and receive a full refund. We enforce a strict no refund/no reschedule policy with less than 48 hours notice before the trip.
We are a small business and every seat counts. Thank you for your cooperation.
What if we cancel?
We reserve the right to cancel for any reason including, but not limited to weather, ocean conditions, passenger count, mechanical issues, safety for you, our guests, and our crew. We’ll do our best to reschedule your trip based on availability or you’ll be issued a refund in full. We will contact you via the phone number and/or email address provided in the reservation. We are not responsible if we can not contact you for important information regarding the charter.