Manta Ray Snorkeling by Night in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Description
Why choose Eka over the others? Our small group sizes of 12 or less allow us to assist each guest, keep everyone accounted for, and move freely in the water towards the best manta viewing! Big groups stay tethered to their boats. Our 1-hour tour travels just a few minutes to and from the manta ray site. We spend less time loading/unloading and more time doing what matters: snorkeling with the manta rays! Located in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii, Eka Canoe Adventures specializes in manta ray snorkeling experiences with a cultural touch. One of a few historically accurate Hawaiian double-hulled canoes, Wa'a Kini Kini is your unique gateway to the waters of the Kona coastline. Regarded by the Travel Channel as one of the most thrilling experiences on earth, the manta ray night snorkel experience is an activity that can only be enjoyed in a few locations globally. Manta ray snorkeling will give you an unforgettable, humbling, and awe-inspiring sensation.
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Guests must be able to swim and climb a short ladder unassisted
- Please remember that these manta rays are completely wild animals. They are not fed or trained. Eka Canoe Adventures cannot guarantee their presence. Even if the manta rays take a night off, our operating costs do not. Because of this, we are unable to offer refunds for tours where manta rays were not seen; only another chance to snorkel with them. This is true for any manta ray snorkel provider in Kona. We greatly appreciate your understanding!
- In the unlikely event that we do not spot a manta ray on your tour, our Manta Ray Guarantee will ensure you have another opportunity to come back for another attempt on a different evening or on a future visit to Kona, Hawai’i (pending available seats)
- Minimum age allowed onboard is 5 years old
- We only collect height and weight during booking to calculate the size of your wetsuit top. There's no way to simply ask for your shirt size here
- Please opt-in to receive text message updates (during booking) regarding this experience. The reminder text message will be sent day-of and include instructions and pictures to help you find parking and the check-in location. We promise not to spam you
- Not recommended for those who have recently undergone surgery
- Not recommended for those who may have mobility/physical restrictions
Reviews(695)
Super awesome experience! Guide & Captain was enthusiastic during the tour and very informing on safety and names of the Mantaʻs. Will do this again!
Aloha! What a spectacular way to celebrate a birthday! We're so glad our crew helped make the occasion memorable while sharing stories about the manta rays and keeping everyone safe. We can't wait to welcome you back again. Mahalo - The team at Eka.
So excited to do this. Unfortunately, the mantas were shy on our trip. Did not see any, but the experience was still amazing. My husband and I enjoyed every minute. The canoe ride was amazing and the crew was very helpful and entertaining. They offered us to come back since we didn’t see any. Which I thought was very nice. We were flying back to Oahu the next morning so we couldn’t come back, but they told me they would honor it for our next trip out. Still an amazing experience for us. Loved the smaller boat. There was other companies out there with boats and a lot of people packed on them. So being a smaller boat made it more memorable. We will for sure go back on our next visit to Kona.
Aloha! While we wish the manta rays had joined the party that night, we're so glad you still enjoyed your time on the canoe with our crew. The ocean always keeps us guessing, which is why we're happy to honor our manta guarantee whenever you return to Kona. We can't wait to welcome you both back and hopefully introduce you to the mantas next time! Mahalo - The team at Eka.
It was a great experience to go out on a Canoe to see the Manta rays. We were unfortunate to see the Manta rays one night, but they were very accommodating to rebook our experience and get us on another trip quickly. They were also accommodating in allowing us to rebook at a later date which worked great for one of the guests in our party. They were really nice and it was enjoyable if you are looking for a smaller group to see the Manta rays. They hook up with others so that we could make it possible for everyone out there to see as many Manta rays as possible. You are in the water for about 45 minutes which is enough time to see them and learn a little about the Manta rays.
Aloha, Alex! Mahalo for sticking with us and giving the mantas another chance! We're so glad we could get your group back on the water and that everything worked out with the reschedule. It’s wonderful to hear you enjoyed the canoe, the smaller group setting, and learning more about these incredible animals. Mahalo for sharing your experience! Mahalo - The team at Eka.
What a great experience! The communication and meet up instructions were super clear and helpful. The only thing we didn’t know in advance was that they had a dry box handy for cell phones (we ended up leaving ours in the car so we got no pics!). We were informed in the booking and with the waiver that everyone needed to be an independent summer, and that is true for this boat. One of our favorite things was the simplicity of the Hawaiian style canoe and just jumping straight into the ocean. We had our 11-year-old with us, and she did great. All the boats from different companies go out to basically the same spot, so we saw other folks walking off big boats gradually into the water, but we loved our splash off. And we saw the rays! And when I say saw, I mean they were right underneath us. What an awe-inspiring experience. Our guide and boat captain were helpful, laid back, and friendly. It didn’t feel like a tour but an experience, which I really appreciated. Definitely recommend Eka Canoe for no-frills but all the wonder and awe.
Aloha! Mahalo for such a thoughtful review. The small tour size really lets the focus stay on the manta rays and the ocean. We're thrilled your family, especially your 11-year-old, had such an unforgettable encounter, and we'll be sure to pass your kind words along to the crew. We hope you'll bring a phone next time now that you know about the dry box! We really appreciate your recommendation. Mahalo - The team at Eka.
Night snorkel with mantas = highlight of our trip! Loved the canoe experience , small group setting, and super seamless tour. Captain and guide were both knowledgeable, friendly and accomodating. Eka's Manta guarantee is for real! We missed mantas our first night and Eka made it super easy to rebook, and it was totally worth it.
Aloha! We're so glad you gave the mantas a second chance with us! Sometimes nature has its own schedule, and we're thrilled the return trip turned into the highlight of your vacation. Mahalo for the kind words about our crew, the canoe experience, and our manta guarantee—we're grateful you chose to adventure with us. Mahalo - The team at Eka.
Loved this Manta Ray experience. We were in a canoe which made it special. When we first got there we saw one Manta Ray and then they disappeared we were almost done after much time and no sighting and our crew extended our time a bit and then the magic happened. Several manta rays came up and almost kissed us. All 9 of us had a great time.
Aloha! We love that you stuck with us when the mantas decided to play a little hard to get. Those last-minute appearances always make the wait worthwhile, and we're so happy your group got to experience that magical moment together. Mahalo for choosing the canoe adventure—we're glad it made the night even more special! Mahalo - The team at Eka.
We loved going with this group because it was small, chill, and laid back. Everyone goes to the same area and even tends to tie their floats off together. But we loved the simple small group feel during the beginning and end of this trip. Saw lots of rays!
Amazing experience snorkeling with the manta rays. Eka Canoe did an amazing job taking care of us. We went out one night and the manta rays were not cooperative and we didn’t see any. Eka Canoe was on the phone the very next morning rescheduled us for another night free of charge. Went back out and we were able to see several rays doing summer salts so close one actually brushed my wife’s arm. They are a small boat only taking 10 or so people at a time so they can pay more attention to each customer if the need arises. Great experience definitely recommend.
Hello, Gary! We’re so glad you came back out with us and got the manta ray experience you were hoping for. The ocean doesn’t always cooperate, but when it does, those close barrel rolls are unforgettable! Mahalo for recognizing our small-group approach—we love being able to give each guest a more personal experience. Thanks for the recommendation, and we hope to see you again on a future visit! Mahalo - The team at Eka.
My son, lifelong best friend and her family all did this tour. We will do it again every single time we come to Hawaii again, NO DOUBT. It is a the coolest and MOST exhilarating thing all of us had ever done. They are so beautiful and majestic and so close to you. Seriously life changing. Don’t miss this!
Aloha, Sondra! Hearing that this was a life-changing experience truly means the world to us. Sharing the magic of the manta rays with your son and lifelong friends makes those memories even more special. We’ll be here whenever you make it back to the Big Island, and we can’t wait to welcome you aboard the canoe again. Mahalo - The team at Eka.
We were truly in awe of these majestic animals. Nakoa and Chayden were excellent guides. Looking at pictures of manta rays cannot prepare you for what it’s like to be in the water with them. We loved it so much we went twice in the same week. Would definitely recommend the experience and going with Eka Canoes.
Hello! There's nothing quite like seeing the manta rays in person, and we're so glad you got to experience that twice in one week! Nakoa and Chayden will appreciate the shoutout, and we're grateful you chose to come back for another night on the canoe. Mahalo for the recommendation! Mahalo - The team at Eka.
