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Are you looking for an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime vacation experience for your next trip to the Big Island? You don’t have to do a deep dive. Because with its iconic manta ray night snorkel, Kona offers the ultimate Big Island adventure. Kona is one of the world’s only manta ray night snorkel destinations, and many companies run tours off the Kona Coast. So, keep reading to learn more about this unique activity, the best manta ray night snorkel tours in Kona, and where to stay nearby!
Manta ray night snorkeling is a unique Kona activity found almost nowhere else on earth. As the sun sets, your charter heads out to Manta Ray Village, a popular dive spot off the Kona coast. Once anchored, guides shine powerful lights into the water, attracting plankton (the manta ray’s food source) and inciting a feeding frenzy.
Manta rays can grow to over 20 feet across, using their massive wings to effortlessly propel themselves through the water. But these majestic marine creatures are gentle giants. Manta rays have no teeth, no stingers, and are generally docile creatures. Moreover, lifeguard-certified guides lead tours, and guests must be strong swimmers to participate. In short, manta ray night snorkel tours in Kona are a safe, fun activity for all ages.
Tours typically take around two hours. While tour operators cannot guarantee sightings (these are wild animals, after all), 80-95 percent of outings are graced by at least one manta, and on a good night, you may see as many as 40!
Certainly, most manta ray night snorkel tours in Kona boast a clean safety rating and great reviews. However, here are some tips to help you pick the right manta ray night snorkel tour for your family:
As previously mentioned, most manta ray snorkeling experiences in Kona are safe and boast a high customer satisfaction rate. However, a few tour operations just have that extra something. Here are the best night manta ray snorkel tours in Kona:
Diving into the unknown can certainly bring a lot of questions to the surface. Here are some of the questions commonly asked by first-timers:
No! Manta rays are, in fact, plankton feeders. Despite their intimidating size, these majestic creatures have no teeth, no stinger, and a gentle disposition, making them 100 percent safe to swim with!
Manta Ray Village is a popular dive and snorkeling spot named for the numerous manta rays that congregate and feed there every night. It is located in the warm waters of Keauhou Bay in the Pacific Ocean.
No! While prior snorkeling experience is recommended, it is not required, and your guide will go over how to properly use your gear. That said, you must be able to swim without assistance to participate in a night manta ray snorkel.
Probably! In addition to multiple mantas, you’ll likely see fish and other marine life on your tour! As mentioned, sunset tours also offer the chance to see whales and dolphins!
Looking for the perfect accommodations for your manta ray night snorkel vacation in Kona? Look no further than Pacific 19! Built in the 1970s, this newly refurbished and reopened hotel combines urban style and laid-back island vibes for a distinctive Hawaiian lodging experience. Pacific 19 is the only independently owned boutique hotel in Kona, letting you skip the clichéd resort experience and enjoy a more personalized, intimate stay. Not to mention, it’s just steps from Keauhou Bay, the home of Manta Ray Village!
Pacific 19 boasts 150 newly renovated guest rooms and suites. Every two- or four-person room comes thoughtfully appointed with high-end linens and towels, elevated beds, macro-bars, flat-screen TVs, as well as free Wi-Fi. The Apartment Suite also features a kitchenette. Choose from ocean, garden, pool, or town views!
At Pacific 19, you’ll find several on-site amenities to help you have fun and relax between excursions. Daily poolside yoga classes from 8 am to 9 am offer an invigorating way to start your day. However, if you need a quicker energy fix, stop by the Waimea Coffee Co. for a caffeinated pick-me-up. If you want to keep the energy up, bike rentals give you a fun and healthy way to explore the grounds. For vacationers who value rest over recreation, the lobby lounge and outdoor pool deck make the perfect places to kick up your feet. Add a tropical cocktail to the mix to take your relaxation up, or better yet, down, a notch.
Pacific 19 bills itself as the perfect Big Island basecamp, and it’s easy to see why. In addition to manta ray night snorkel tours, this Kona Hotel puts the best of the Big Island at your fingertips. Here are some other fun things to do near Pacific 19:
Looking for more unique vacation ideas? Then don’t miss our other outdoor accommodations! We’ve curated the best boutique hotels, landscape hotels, and glamping retreats from across America. Whether you want to go wine-tasting in the Texas Hill Country, wildlife watching in national parks like Grand Teton and Yellowstone in Jackson Hole, or whitewater rafting in Georgia, we’re your home for unique experiences in America’s most sought-after destinations. Click the link below to find your next adventure today!
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