Late Manta Ray Snorkel

Late Manta Ray Snorkel costs $129 per person.

Late Manta Ray Snorkel meets at Big Island Divers dive shop (check-in by 5pm; directions to boat provided at check-in).

Late Manta Ray Snorkel includes Equipment, Snacks, Guide, Marine Life Spotting, and Safety Briefing.

Yes, previous snorkeling experience is required for this tour. All participants must also be confident swimming without a life jacket. These requirements exist because the activity takes place in open ocean water at night, and guests need to be comfortable in the water to safely enjoy the experience. In-water guides are present throughout the snorkel to help find feeding mantas and ensure guest safety and comfort. However, because this is an ocean activity with wild animals, conditions can vary. Having solid snorkeling skills before you arrive means you can focus on the encounter rather than managing the water.

The minimum age to participate in the Late Manta Ray Snorkel is 10 years old. Children who meet this age requirement must also meet the same swimming and snorkeling experience requirements as adult guests - they need to be confident in the water without a life jacket and have previous snorkeling experience. Because the tour departs after sunset, younger or less experienced swimmers may find the nighttime ocean environment more challenging. Reviewing the experience requirements carefully before booking for children is a good idea to make sure the activity is the right fit for them.

The Late Manta Ray Snorkel departs after sunset, so guests will not see the sunset from the boat as they would on an earlier charter. There are also typically fewer people in the water on this tour, which can make for a less crowded experience around the mantas. According to Big Island Divers, the chance of seeing manta rays is the same on either charter. Both tours are snorkeler-only experiences with in-water guides, and both include the same gear - mask, wetsuit, and fins - as well as light snacks, filtered water, and hot chocolate on board.

Reservations canceled by phone at least 48 hours before your check-in time will be fully refunded. Cancellations made with less than 48 hours notice will be charged the full charter price. All changes, including cancellations and rescheduling requests, must be made by phone rather than by email. Big Island Divers' shop hours are daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time, so plan to call within those hours if you need to make changes. Rescheduling to a different date must also be done at least 48 hours before your original check-in time.

Big Island Divers does not provide transportation between local hotels, their shop, or the harbor. Guests must check in at the shop on Kaiwi Street in Kailua-Kona, where staff will provide a map to the harbor. Guests then drive themselves to the harbor, which is about 3 miles from the shop. If you need a ride, several taxi services operate in the Kona area, and Big Island Divers recommends Kona Taxicab at (808) 324-4444. Uber and Lyft are also available on the island, though the number of drivers can be limited, so planning ahead is wise.