Manta Ray Snorkel: Intimate Kona Experience

Experience the thrill of snorkeling with manta rays in Kona, Hawaii. Our small-group tours offer a more intimate and engaging encounter with these majestic creatures. Book now!

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • 74 Kealakehe Pkwy - You’ll feel like you’re in the middle of a marine documentary during your up-close encounter with Kona’s majestic manta rays. Watch from mere inches away as these gentle giants have a feeding frenzy on phytoplankton and zooplankton that’s attracted to our lightboard.
    Hawaii Island is the only place in the world that offers…
What's Included
  • Snorkeling equipment provided
What's Not Included
  • Please bring your own towel.
Additional Information

We cater to a limited group of just 12 members, ensuring a more personalized manta ray snorkeling adventure compared to the crowded boats operating in Kona.
Our small party size not only promises a more exclusive experience but also increases the probability of spotting manta rays. Our swim guide will lead your group to the most bustling parts of the…

Location
Coral Reef Snorkel Adventures
Kealakehe Parkway
Please arrive 15 minutes early, and meet us at the Honokohau Small Boat Harbor, located on Kealakehe Pkwy in Kailua-Kona, HI 96740. Follow directions to the Boat Launch ramp area near the restrooms and pavilion. We'll meet you at the pavilion and check you in before escorting you to the vessel.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(375 Ratings)
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Sg55
Jan 6, 2026
2 Great Trips with Coral Reef - The best experience. We did a day snorkel and like them so much we went back for a night Manta ray dive. Alexis, Cody and Daniel are amazing ! I rate beyond 5 stars !!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
142agnieszkaw
Jan 5, 2026
Bucketlist experience - Amazing experience - we did this a second time in our life - last time was 10 years ago. Now we brought our kids (7 and 11) to share this with them - and it was well worth it! A bit on the extreme side for the younger one - but she managed and it was a great adventure for the four of us. The Coral Reef team took us out on a speedboat - they can pick between two manta sites depending on the abundance of mantas - the boat ride was 10-15 mins and an experience in itself. They took great care of safety and we got our our wetsuits, snorkel gear and it did not take long for the mantas to arrive. The kids later admitted they thought they’d be smaller. But „Mom, they were as big as a car!” Big thanks to Cody our guide, to Alexis our captain and the lifeguard (sorry - cant recall your name 🫣) fir taking great care of us and for making it all an unforgettable experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pioneer36744377347
Dec 28, 2025
Phenomenal Adventure, (STOKE!) - First, we say lots of Manta, and it was incredibly cool. We took the late night 9:30 slot with a family of 11. Absolute blast. They were running behind as the seas were rough. They communicated very well with us. Our Captain ALEXIS was phenomenal: calm, collected, professional, and witty. Checking in on some folks from our group who weren’t doing so hot was appreciated (I was busy enjoying the moonlight boatride). DANIEL our “Mermaid” (pulls the raft around and provides some commentary) was intelligent, mellow, and high spirited (despite the fact I could tell he was tired, this was their third trip of the night). NIKKI the gear meister on land had an absolutely garbage attitude, I don’t think I can describe how rude she was without curses, which wouldn’t allow this to be published. They had all been pulling a long day, but NIKKI was obviously the only one letting it get to her. As a customer service human myself, I think you can tell I only got on here to give props to the team members who deserved it (ALEXIS AND DANIEL), and call out those I think should probably take a vacation or find another profession (NIKKI). Apologies for the negativity, but gosh dang did our mood improve once we hopped on the boat. 5/5 would go again what a ride.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tourist00202243927
Dec 21, 2025
Unforgettable Experience! - An absolutely insane adventure. Definitely one of the coolest things I have been lucky to do! The team was incredibly nice as well!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gred907
Dec 9, 2025
Family Friendly and Small Group Tour - Fantastic night time tour with Cody, Cooper and Jeff! We did the starlight tour and saw six manta rays, dolphins and a shark! Family friendly for my 10 and 12 year olds and very informative. I chose this company for the small group size and less crowded water for their tour times. Would recommend! Highlight of our trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
K946kapeterf
Nov 29, 2025
Amazing manta ray encounter. - I can’t recommend this team enough. We hoped to see a few Manta Rays and ended up seeing over 30! The team was just great. Definitely recommend the small boat experience. A must do!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kathryn_d
Nov 12, 2025
Best Excursion Ever! - AMAZING!! We saw about a dozen rays. One came right up to our group and did 3 rolls within inches of us. Best excursion ever. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and gave us all sorts of information on the rays behaviors and habitat. FIVE STARS!!
Review provided by Viator
Jordenb418
Oct 27, 2025
Amazing trip - Oh amazing!! Don't think just do it! I would go again for sure! The staff is great and the experience well well worth it. 👍👍🤙🤙
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Melanie_s
Nov 6, 2025
Manta ray night snorkel - There were 13 people on our boat, 9 of which were a family. One of them was smoking a clove-smelling cigarette. Being that I’m allergic to smoke I asked the “leader” if they were aware that someone was smoking and that it was offensive to me. They said that they’d say something, but never did. The man literally had his smoke in his mouth until up to boarding the boat. It was very off putting (especially after I got a headache ) The ride was enjoyable; but unfortunately, we didn’t see any mantas. I have to say- I’ve been on at least 3 other manta ray snorkels, and this one fell short. The best part of the experience was Jacob (our guide in the water). He shared a lot of good information about manta rays. One other point to consider (especially if you don’t have strong upper body strength): you will be required to have your arms outstretched in a “Superman” type of way while floating and hanging on to the surfboard while in the water, for 30 minutes. This can get a bit uncomfortable. The next day we woke up she side shoulders and arms! A disclosure about this ahead of time on their website would have been a good idea! Sodas were served after the excursion. I guess the one positive thing is that they offer people the opportunity to come back as many times as they want (free of charge) if they don’t have a manta sighting. My recommendation would me that if seeing a manta is high on your list while visiting the island, that you book it earlier in your vacation so you have time to go again if you desire. We went on our last night on the island so we didn’t have the option of trying again.
Review provided by Viator
Cropsis
Nov 14, 2025
Very Uncomfortable - My son and I took the Manta snorkel with Coral Reef Adventures. This was my 4th time with the company. I realize the operators bought the name from the previous owner with whom I had done 3 trips to see mantas before Covid. This experience was very very different. First thing that was different was we were not offered a full wetsuit...only a jacket. Before we had full wetsuits. Also there wasnt a 'ring' of boats with everyone in their own spot above water like before. There was a lot of current and then the guide was pulling the light raft all around trying to find mantas. This motion combined with the current made it difficult to hold on. After a bit serveral of us were hanging on for dear life by hooking our arms around the hand hold with head above water. It was very painful for our arms. I wasn't sure I could hang on. There were no mantas.....I get that....they are a wild creature. We were offered another booking but after that experience I had to say not this time. We only had another day in Kona and they didn't go out the next few days. They said our names would remain in the system so we could come back anytime. I may try again at a different time of year. This experience was scary and painful. None of my three other trips were like this so don't know if it's the company or just the way they all do it now ie with no 'ring' of lights.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $125
up to 12 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).