Luxury Night Manta Expedition

Experience one of the Big Island's most unforgettable adventures as underwater lights attract plankton, drawing graceful manta rays to feed beneath the stars. Departing just before sunset from Honokōhau Harbor aboard Hoku Kai, you'll cruise along the Kona Coast to one of the area's renowned manta viewing sites. To provide a more relaxed and enjoyable experience, we stagger our departure times whenever possible, helping minimize crowds at the viewing locations.
Currently limited to just six guests, each tour offers a more personal experience with attentive service from our knowledgeable crew. Once at the site, you'll enter the water and comfortably hold onto our custom floating light board, where underwater lights attract plankton to the surface. As the mantas feed, they glide, swoop, and barrel roll gracefully beneath you, often coming within just a few feet for an unforgettable view.
With an exceptional manta ray sighting record and years of local experience, our crew will position you in the best available viewing area while ensuring the encounter is both safe and respectful of these remarkable animals. Manta rays are completely harmless to people—they have no teeth, stingers, or barbs—and observing them in their natural environment is an experience unlike any other. While wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, manta encounters are remarkably consistent and are considered one of the Big Island's most iconic experiences.
Your comfort is equally important. Premium snorkel equipment is provided, and wetsuits are available for any guest who would like additional warmth during the snorkel. Our crew is there every step of the way to make the experience enjoyable for both first-time snorkelers and seasoned ocean enthusiasts alike.
You'll want to capture every moment, so we highly recommend bringing an underwater camera. If you don't have one, newer-model GoPro cameras are available to rent, allowing you to relive this extraordinary encounter long after your Hawaiian vacation has ended.