The first time we did nighttime snorkeling with manta rays on the Big Island it was with Kona Style out of Kailua-Kona. And then we’ve actually gone back out with them several times since then. There are lots of options for doing manta ray snorkeling tours, but Aloha Kona Style is my favorite of the catamarans, so I’m going to share all about it. We’ve done this tour and had experience snorkeling with manta rays quite a few times, including with our kids so have lots to share about it. Kona Style does a great job with their manta excursions, so take a look and see if it’s right for your trip to the Kona Coast.
If you’re unsure of which manta ray snorkeling tour to book, read on and see what makes going out with Kona Style a good experience. You’ll see what sets it apart from other manta snorkel guide services. For any additional questions or if you’d like to leave your own tips, please drop a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more or hear from others about what they love! Mahalo!
Why Choose Kona Style for Manta Ray Snorkeling
We have been out with quite a few tour companies to do the nighttime snorkel with manta rays. We really like going with Eka Canoe because they are right there at Keauhou where the manta ray snorkeling happens, but you go out in the dark and return in the dark. When you do the manta ray snorkeling with Kona Style, you get to depart from the Kailua-Kona Pier, directly across from Kamakahonu Historic Site, before sunset and enjoy a beautiful sail to your snorkeling destination. Getting to have an evening on the water, relaxing and watching dolphins and whales before you get to see the manta rays is amazing. It really sets the tone for a great experience.
Although Kona Style does larger groups (they have a big catamaran) there is still ample staff to make you feel safe and help you through getting ready and actually being in the water with the mantas. The Kona Style staff is really fun too.
Book Kona Style Manta Ray Snorkeling here
Tips for a Good Kona Style Manta Ray Snorkel
When you do the nighttime manta ray snorkeling with Kona Style, you’ll need to arrive in your swimwear and then bring a change of clothes and a towel for afterwards. While the sunset sailing to your destination is wonderful, that does mean that after you’ve been in the water in the dark you’ll need to sail back to Kailua-Kona. It’s not bad at all, but you sail back faster and the breeze really can pick up. You’ll want to be sure you’re warm for the 40 minute sailing trip back.
When it comes to the swimwear you choose, keep in mind that you’ll be putting on a half wetsuit to do the snorkeling. Kids may be put into shorties for the experience, but adults will usually just be in wetsuit tops. Choose the swimwear that works well having a moist neoprene top put over it.
Parking for a Kona Style Tour in Kailua-Kona
The easiest parking for going out with Kona Style is actually the lot behind the King Kamehameha Hotel. When you get your parking ticket, bring it with you to check in at Kona Style and they’ll validate it. You can also park in the lot up the hill behind Kona Style, but it’s a small lot and parking is closely monitored.
Manta Ray Snorkeling Process
When you arrive at your manta ray snorkeling spot, the tour guides will put light boards into the water. These are like large surfboards with handles for the snorkelers to hold onto. On the lightboards are high-powered lights on the underside that attract the plankton and small feeder fish to it. The snorkelers get into the water and arrange themselves along the sides of the lightboard, peering into the area below. From here, the manta rays arrive and swim up, doing barrel rolls and feeding in the light. They come very close to you but don’t usually touch people.
The snorkelers DO NOT TOUCH the manta rays. The rays will swim by and get very close, There no need to touch them and if you do you will hurt the manta ray. They have a coating on their skin that can be damaged by being touched by human fingers. For the safety and health of the manta rays, keep your hands to yourself.
Camera Gear for Nighttime Manta Ray Encounters
It’s so very important in all things to enjoy your experience first and foremost. Take in the atmosphere and the phenomenal sight of flying manta rays in the sea… and then you’ll want to snap some photos too. You do not need to invest in wildly expensive underwater photography gear to get great pictures of nighttime snorkeling with manta rays. Because the lightboard is so bright and manta rays have a white underside, underwater photography is easy.
You can get good photos with a GOOD smartphone camera and a solid underwater phone case with a strap. WITH A STRAP. If you’re not a professional or get into photo and video editing, you can just capture individual shots of the manta rays. For the best images though, set your video settings to the highest frame rate, highest quality and get footage of the manta rays. You can then lift individual frames from the footage. You can use a GoPro if you like, but I don’t have the best experience with them for this particular type of underwater photography.
Kona Style Operating Info
To complete your planning, here is all the information to plan and book your adventure.
- Operating Dates/Season: year round, manta ray snorkeling happens at sunset and after
- Tour office phone number: 808-936-1323
- Company website: About Aloha Kona Style
- Tour check-in address: 75-5669 Ali‘i Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
- Tour booking links: Book Kona Style Manta Ray Snorkeling here
More Kona Coast Things to Do
The Kona Coast is one of my favorite areas in all of Hawaii. I love the different activities, from snorkeling with manta rays to daytime snorkel trips, experiencing Kona coffee culture to learning about historic Native Hawaiian culture. It’s always beautiful and no two visits are the same. Here are our top picks for things to do on the Kona Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii.
- tour some of the many Kona coffee farms and tasting rooms
- walk the seawall in Kailua-Kona and visit the Hulihe’e Palace
- snorkel at Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area
- visit Kaloko Honkohau National Historic Park to see honu (sea turtles)
- do a nighttime snorkel with manta rays
- go to Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park to see tikis and learn about Native Hawaiian culture
- hike at the Haulalai Volcano or Hawaii Volcanoes NP‘s Kahuku Unit
There are many more things to do when you’re putting together your Big Island itinerary, but when it comes to visiting the Kona Coast, these are some of our favorite things to do.
Where to Stay on the Kona Coast
The Kona Coast is big, stretching from Waimea at the north to Naalehu on the South Shore. You’ll find every sort of accommodation here from national travel brand hotels like Marriott and Holiday Inn Express to independent bed and breakfasts (the Ka’awa Loa Plantation is my favorite!), as well are larger resorts. We’ve enjoyed many different places but I really do like being near the town of Kailua-Kona because of the central location. Staying to the north is lovely because it’s so quiet and it’s all about the outdoor adventures. The southern end of the Kona Coast is full of coffee culture, lava flows and remote beaches you can hike to.
I hope you’ll consider doing the Aloha Kona Style manta ray sunset tour. It’s one of the best ways to enjoy the sunset and really shows off the beautiful world of the mantas. If you have any other questions about nighttime snorkeling or other Kailua-Kona tours, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a beautiful Hawaii trip. Aloha!
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