You can see manta rays during the daylight hours, but if you do see them during the day, it usually comes down to luck. The lights attract the plankton and the manta rays then follow to eat the plankton. That’s because lights shining in the water are used to attract the manta rays. If you’re looking to swim or dive with manta rays, you’ll need to wait until the sun goes down - tour operators offer night diving and night snorkeling for manta ray viewing. Best time of day to see Manta Rays in Kona? Manta Village is often cited as the best spot to snorkel with manta rays, as tour operators boast a 96% successful sightings rate. While the Kona Surf Hotel no longer exists and has been replaced by the Sheraton Kona, this popular manta ray viewing spot has endured. This location was first identified when the Kona Surf Hotel shone a spotlight onto the water to showcase the night waves. The first manta ray viewing spot on the Big Island is here in Manta Village. Known also as popular daytime dive stop Garden Eel Cove, this location has had reliable manta sightings for the last 20 years. Offshore from the Kona International Airport, you’ll find Makako Bay and Manta Heaven. There are also plenty of tour operators that offer night snorkeling in this area. Manta Point is located at the end of Kauna’oa Bay (or Mauna Kea Beach) and there is a large light shining into the water attracting the plankton. 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 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?.

Manta ray big island