Guided Manta Snorkel, 2 Hours

2-hour guided night snorkel

Overview

This two-hour night snorkel from Snorkel Big Island puts you in the water off Kailua Kona with manta rays that can reach a wingspan of 16 feet. After check-in at Honokohau small boat harbor, the boat ride out takes roughly 15 to 25 minutes.

It is a family-run operation, and the crew is CPR lifeguard certified. Shorty wetsuits and snorkel gear are provided, so there is no need to bring your own equipment. Reviewers repeatedly describe small groups, an organized operation, and close encounters, with several also reporting dolphins and even sharks passing by during the trip.

The tour suits confident swimmers. Prior swimming and snorkeling experience is required, and guests must be able to climb a side boat ladder on their own. It is not recommended for people with mobility or physical restrictions, guests who have undergone surgery, or pregnant women. If any of that applies, contact the operator before booking to ask about exceptions.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Check in at Honokohau harborMeet at 74-380 Kealakehe Pkwy, Kailua-Kona, on the north side of Honokohau small boat harbor. The check-in attendant meets guests by the Snorkel Big Island truck near the restroom building.
2. Boat transfer, 15 minutesA roughly 15-minute ride out from the harbor to the snorkel site on a spacious, comfortable vessel.
3. Manta ray night snorkelAt least 35 minutes in the water with experienced in-water guides, watching manta rays up close. Wetsuits and snorkel gear are provided.
4. Boat transfer back, 15 minutesThe return ride to the harbor, ending at the same Kealakehe Pkwy departure point.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you prepare for this trip, from what to wear to how the evening on the water feels.

• What to bring. The listing asks for swimwear. Wetsuits and snorkel equipment are provided, so no gear is needed. Tips are not included in the price.
• Fitness required. You need prior swimming and snorkeling experience to book. Guests must be able to climb a side boat ladder independently, so a reasonable level of water confidence matters.
• Group feel. Reviewers often mention small, pleasant group sizes and no overcrowding. Several describe it as efficient and well organized rather than a mass operation.
• Wildlife sightings. Manta rays are the main draw, and reviewers describe them coming very close. Several travellers also reported seeing dolphins, and some saw sharks pass by during the trip.
• Crew support. Guides stay in the water with guests and are described as attentive, patient and friendly. The crew is CPR lifeguard certified. One reviewer noted the guides were patient even with guests who had no snorkel experience at all.
• Arriving on time. The listing stresses arriving on time for your scheduled tour. The check-in attendant may still be out with a previous tour, so a little patience at the harbor is normal.

Common issues. The meeting point at the harbor is a source of confusion for some travellers, who said clearer directions on where to check in would help; searching "Snorkel Big Island" in maps leads to the correct north side of the harbor. One reviewer described the boat as rather small, which they felt kept the group at a pleasant size. Prior snorkeling experience is required, and guests must climb a boat ladder unaided, so this is not a fit for everyone. The tour is not recommended for pregnant women or people with mobility restrictions or who have undergone surgery. Tips are not included.

Choosing A Tour