#Night manta ray how to#

They move so smoothly they hardly seem to be propelling themselves. It was wonderful to watch the mantas swim. It was fascinating to see their gills from the inside as well as the outside. I was amazed at how clean and empty their large mouths were. This meant that as the manta rays turned over and swam upside down just under the light board - only a few inches away from us - we could look right down their throats. more end of the line, opposite each other.

I especially appreciated the small group size - eight people - which meant that we were able to watch the mantas without getting in each other's way. We couldn't have asked for a better trip. Q: Are you guaranteed to see manta rays on a manta ray snorkel?Ī: There is a 90 to 95% chance of seeing manta rays on a manta ray snorkeling cruise, and depending on the tour, if you do not see manta rays, you will often get your money back or you can go back on the tour for free.Ī: The Big Island manta rays are mostly found in Keauhou Bay at Manta Village and Manta Heaven. Snorkeling equipment and flotation devices are provided, but you should still feel comfortable swimming in the water.

#Night manta ray how to#

Q: Do I need to know how to swim to manta ray snorkel?Ī: Yes, since this activity is out in open water, all participants should be know how to swim. Very minimal snorkeling effort is required. You will float at the surface, holding onto the light board watching as the manta rays come swooping in beneath you. The lights attract the plankton, and the plankton attracts the mantas. Floating light boards are used to light up the ocean from the surface to the ocean floor. Book this activity early to make sure you get a spot on a manta ray snorkeling tour.įrequently Asked Questions Q: How does manta ray night snorkeling work?Ī: Your guides will begin your manta experience with a thorough explanation of everything manta. Many of the best manta ray night snorkels in Kona book up days or weeks in advance.These tours depart right before sunset so you can watch the sky come alive in an array of colors before heading into the water. If you would like to see some of the best Hawaiian sunset views, book a sunset tour with your manta snorkel.Not to worry though, all guests will be provided with flotation devices. The manta ray swims are all open water ocean tours, and while you do not need to have any prior snorkeling experience, you should be comfortable swimming.Do not touch the manta rays! They have a protective mucus coating on their skin, and touching the mantas could lead to infections or worse for the manta rays.Manta rays will come to you since they are attracted to the lights placed in the water, so all you will need to do is wait as they come up and swim beneath you in search of plankton. Stay calm and quiet while in the water.

Guests who are prone to motion sickness should plan on taking a motion sickness preventative one hour prior to departure.Wear your swimsuit under your clothing since some boats do not have restrooms, and boat restrooms are often quite small and difficult to change in.You will want to bring a large towel and a hoodie or jacket to wear on the boat ride back to the pier. Since this tour happens at night, it can be rather chilly once you get out of the water and back on to the boat.It is no wonder that almost all Big Island manta ray snorkel tours depart from this area, and has become one of the most popular ocean adventures in all of Hawaii. This area is known for having an almost 100% chance of seeing manta rays, with an average of three to five seen on any given evening. The main areas where the Kona manta rays can be found are called Manta Village and Manta Heaven, both located right off the coast of the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa. Some of the Big Island manta rays can live to be 50 years old, and University of Hawaii marine life biologists and other researchers have named each and every one of them! Kona manta rays will eat plankton as their main source of food, and since microscopic plankton are found in abundance off of the Kona shores, the manta rays spend their entire lives in these waters. While the manta rays you will see in Kona will normally be around 12 feet in length, they move with a grace and beauty that is absolutely mesmerizing. These manta rays are some of the largest species of manta rays in the world and can have a wingspan that spans up to 18 ft in length. Learn about Hawaiian Manta RaysThe Hawaii manta rays in Kona are reef manta rays that are the Mobula alfredi species.