The Best Way To Experience Manta Rays On Kona Is At Night

Scuba diving is a fun and exhilarating way to explore two-thirds of the planet. And no place on earth offers the diversity of marine life, coral reefs and underwater topography as the Hawaiian Islands, with the Big Island itself home to one of the most famous dives in the world - the manta ray night dive. To safely enjoy this phenomenal dive experience, every scuba diver must be properly trained and certified. If you're not certified, there are other special snorkel-only manta night tours available for snorkelers with prior experience and strong swimming skills.

There's no place on earth where so many giant manta rays gather each night to feed on microscopic plankton than just off the Kona coast. But because mantas like to feed in the open ocean and due to the underwater topography off the island, getting to the mantas does involve a short boat ride. There are several sites that are best for finding the giant mantas. Depending on which site is selected, divers can expect a 20-45 minute boat ride, each way. Divers should also expect to ride in comfort, as the larger boats offer marine heads and spacious decking that can accommodate up to 22 guests.