Manta Magic! Night Snorkels are Here.
There is a reason manta night snorkels are one of Hawaii’s biggest draws. There are very few places around the world where you can reliably view these gentle giants in the wild and witness the graceful dance of a feeding ray. But not all manta night tours are the same, and we firmly believe ours stand apart from the rest. Here’s what to expect…
It's all about timing. Our tours leave just after sunset, so from the marina you’ll get to witness the brilliant hues created by the setting sun melt into the inky blacks of night. We won’t be the first boat to arrive at a feeding station, but we don’t want to be. Lights in the water attract plankton, and those plankton clouds attract hungry mantas but it takes time for this chain of events to unfold. The first boats present are setting the stage, but they’ll likely be leaving before the activity really starts to pick up. We want to arrive at this transition period, maximizing our odds of experiencing incredible manta encounters.
Just like all of our tours, we take pride in offering high-end, small-group experiences. We will never exceed a 1:10 guide to guest ratio, so that you are ensured a more personalized experience.
Before slipping into the water, we will go over instructions and breathing techniques that will help you lie flat while floating in the water. We provide 3mm wetsuits tops to keep you warm and buoyant, in addition to floaty belts and noodles for extra foot support if desired. Floatation is the name of the game, because the flatter you lie on the water’s surface, the less we will disturb the clouds of manta food that will be gathering at the light created by the board. Our eleven-foot, custom designed manta board is equipped with sturdy handholds and built-in lights that are flush-mounted so that nothing is dangling in the water that could disrupt the mantas. Our in-water guides will adjust the position of the board as needed, so that you can float and relax while the magic beneath you unfolds.
Mantas aren’t usually the only life that will take advantage of the light. Needlefish and other small planktavors might gather around us, allowing up-close looks at their delicate forms.
Just like we use photo-identification to differentiate between known whales, the same technique can be used for mantas! We’ll be on the lookout for spot patterns on their bellies to see if we’re visited by any familiar faces. The Manta ID Project of Hawaii does a wonderful job of tracking and documenting these individuals; so far they’ve documented 320 Kona mantas!
If the night is clear and the weather calm, we may slip offshore on the cruise home to stargaze. Last time we were out we had incredible views of Orion’s Belt and the Milky Way. A perfect end to an adventurous evening.
If you would like to join us on our next nightly manta experience, check out our tour calendar.
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Join us, experts with over 25 years of experience running professional wildlife tours. Hawaiian Adventure’s tours provide the best opportunity to explore Kona’s coast and the wildlife beneath the waves. Our top-notch vessels, experienced crew, and oceanic expertise will make your Big Island adventure unforgettable. If you’ve been on other tours, you’ll appreciate the Hawaiian Adventures difference.
