Big Island Manta Ray Night Dive or Snorkel – An Experience of a Lifetime

This activity has been rated by Travel Magazine as one of the top 10 things you should do before you die! If you haven’t done it yet, I would highly recommend it. I have done about 1,000 dives and each time is different. The most manta rays I saw in one night was 27 and there were whales singing in the background! I can still remember it like it was yesterday. Seeing just one is still amazing. They saw 7 last night!

How it Started

This dive started back in Keauhou when the Sheraton was the Kona Surf. The hotel had lights installed so their guests could look into the water. The guests then noticed manta rays. You see, plankton is attracted by light and mantas eat plankton.

Today

Now we have 2 locations on the Big Island, one in Keauhou and one by the Kona airport. These manta rays are the gentle giants of the sea, ranging from 2-12 feet wide. They don’t have any teeth or stingers; related to the shark, their predators are humans and larger animals.

Boats go out daily departing from Keauhou Bay or Honokohau Harbor. If you would like to book a charter, check out www.mantarayshawaii.com and ask for Martina, she just happens to be the best videographer on island, and she knows firsthand all about the manta rays, or you can contact me, Tara Kelly, RS at (808)-542-6014. Hope to see you out there on the dive or snorkel!