![]() ![]() Located on the Kohala Coast near the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Manta Point offers both a viewing area from land as well as an option for swimming with manta rays at night. Most tour operators will take you to dive or snorkel with manta rays at one of these three locations.įrom north to south the three manta viewing areas are: Manta Point (Kohala) After years of conditioning, mantas know that these viewing areas are great places to be fed. Lights placed underwater attract plankton, the main food source of manta rays. These spots have such a high chance of seeing manta rays because they consistently show up to feed here night after night. There are three spots where you’ll be able to snorkel or dive with manta rays on the Big Island: Manta Point, Manta Heaven, and Manta Village (Keauhou). Best spots to snorkel or dive with manta rays on the Big Island? So if you do try to go manta ray snorkeling on Oahu or Maui, prepare to be disappointed. Unlike the Big Island, there are no specified feeding areas where you can reliably find manta rays night after night (more on the Big Island feeding areas below). On Oahu and Kauai, you’ll find even fewer chance encounters. On Maui, you might have the chance to see a manta ray while snorkeling Molokini or Olowalu, though this is very rare. Technically, you can see manta rays on any Hawaiian island, though if you are diving on Oahu or Maui, seeing a manta ray comes down to luck. Can you snorkel with manta rays on Oahu or Maui? The Big Island tour operators publish a success rate for sightings of over 80%, so if you want the best odds of finding a manta ray, head to the Big Island. There are numerous tour operators that will take you into the water at night and spend some time with these gentle giants. If you’re looking to dive or snorkel with manta rays, the best place to do so is on the Big Island. Best places to snorkel and dive with manta rays in Hawaii These tour operators operate to the highest environmental standards while still providing you with an amazing experience. These are our favorite manta ray night snorkeling (and diving) tours on the Big Island. Many Big Island tour operators offer a manta guarantee, something you won’t find on the other islands. While there are manta rays on the other islands, sightings aren’t as good or reliable, so if you’re hoping to see manta rays while in Hawaii, head to the Big Island. The best place to see manta rays in Hawaii is on the Big Island, specifically on the Kona coast. Is there a Manta Ray night snorkel near the Kona Sheraton?.What is the best time of year to see manta rays in Hawaii?.What happens if you don't see a manta ray on your snorkel tour?.What's it like to go on a Manta Ray night snorkel tour?.Best Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkeling and Diving Tours.Best time of day to see Manta Rays in Kona?.Best spots to snorkel or dive with manta rays on the Big Island?. ![]() Can you snorkel with manta rays on Oahu or Maui?.Best places to snorkel and dive with manta rays in Hawaii.Where can you see manta rays in Hawaii?.If you on the fence don’t be! You will not be disappointed once you experience seeing the Manta Rays up close in their natural habitat! I hope to go back and I will definitely book this tour with Hawaii Oceanic. We saw 5 rays our night and I was impressed that the guides (from other boats too) swam us close together so that we could all share in this once in a lifetime experience!!!! We have been home a couple of days now and my daughter and I are still giddy and telling everyone about the highlight of our trip to the big island. ( You could have touched them but please DO NOT as the guides explained that it is dangerous for the Manta Rays). I swear I thought every time that they would touch me but they can sense you and they never did. I was not ready for the excitement and awe that followed when the Manta Rays showed up and started feeding and doing barrel rolls right underneath us. I went with my daughter and even though we were both nervous about being in the ocean at night is was actually very relaxing and meditative especially with the blue light they use and you can see all the way to the bottom most of the time. The boat ride was a short 5 minutes and Justin and Eric were full of interesting Manta Ray facts and information they shared with us on the boat and once in the water. I can not say enough great things about this amazing adventure and the crew we had! Everyone was great, personable and professional from Lexi and Emily who contacted us after booking and meet us at the van for check in, wet suit jacket fittings and instructions to Captain Justin and Erik.
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