Ocean Encounters Manta Ray Snorkel Tour - Sunset & Moonlight Cruise from Kona

Join Ocean Encounters for one of the most memorable experiences to be had on the Big Island, swimming with the giant manta rays. Cruise from Honokohau Harbor and watch the sunset as you make your way to Keauhou Bay, famous for being known to have a large number of manta rays. You will spend roughly an hour in the water with these incredible animals, watching as they effortlessly glide through the water.

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About the Giant Manta Rays Unlike other ray species, the giant manta rays you will encounter on this tour are completely harmless and very docile. They do not have any sort of barb or stinger on their tails. The Pacific Manta Ray feeds entirely on plankton. They use their giant funnel shaped mouths to scoop up plankton out of the water. In fact, this is what they are doing when they swoop in and out of the lights and doing their “famous barrel rolls”. Manta Rays are naturally very curious and will come close to divers.

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How does it work? The tour starts departing from Honokohau Harbor and cruising along the coast making your way to Keauhou Bay. Keauhou Bay is famous for the large number of manta rays that gather here every night to feed upon plankton. Once the sun has set, the crew will launch a float board outfitted with powerful underwater lights. These lights attract plankton, which draws in the manta rays. The crew will go over the proper etiquette for manta ray viewing before you enter the water. Once in the water you will simply hold onto the light board and float flat on the surface of the water, they will provide pool noodles to place under your legs if you would like assistance in floating. The goal is to float flat on the surface so that when the manta rays come up, they begin to do barrel rolls directly beneath you. You want to keep your legs up to not kick the manta ray and scare them away.

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Boat Information:
Name:	Ocean Encounter
Size:	46ft. Delta Classic Boat
Capacity:	35 Passengers
Safety:	Lifeguard-certified crew members always on board
Accessibility:	This vessel is not wheelchair accessible
Amenities:	The “Ocean Encounter” is big, roomy and dry – boasting a restroom, plenty of shaded areas, inside cabin and upstairs seating for great viewing. The Delta boats are famously stable, strong and seaworthy. Our vessel has a nice big swim step and extra sturdy ladder so you can get out of the water safely, easily and gracefully. An upper deck affords additional awesome views.